According to the organizers, this activity has already become a tradition, while this year it was held in a different form, through a ceremony dedicated to honoring the American flag.

Representatives of the Kosovo Police Guard, the Special Operational Unit, the Intervention Unit, the K9 Special Unit, firefighters, and the Emergency Medicine Center were present at the event.

On the occasion of this jubilee, the Association also brought a special photo exhibition with exclusive photographs placed in frames, accompanied by dedicatory messages. Laminated postcards were also distributed to citizens, prepared especially for this anniversary, featuring the portraits of three former American presidents, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

The head of the America Friendship Association, Agim Rexhepi, expressed gratitude to the police, firefighters, and the KSF for their cooperation, while congratulating all American citizens on the anniversary of independence.

Rexhepi: We congratulate the US on the 250th anniversary of independence

“On behalf of millions of Albanian citizens who have respect and love for the United States of America, from this place, we congratulate July 4, at the same time this great jubilee of the United States of America. The America Friendship Association has this activity, we organized it in coordination with these institutions, while at the same time informing very high institutions in the United States of America as well. From here, we will send the photographs to representatives, to very high-ranking American leaders,” he said.

Rexhepi also spoke about the photo exhibition set up in that space, saying that their aim had been to convey the messages through images as well.

Rexhepi: The two Presidents Bush and Clinton are Kosovo’s guardian angels

“In honor of this jubilee, we created a postcard with three presidents of the United States of America, which are very large, it is classified. We did not make this postcard by chance, because these are the personalities who are Kosovo’s guardian angels, naturally together with senators and congressmen and others. But what is most important? Thanks to President Bush senior, who drew the red line, we were saved from Srebrenica happening in Kosovo. Thanks to President Clinton, NATO forces intervened in Kosovo,” he said, while also praising current American President Trump.

Etem Ferizi, who has lived in Germany for 34 years, said that without Clinton, Blair, Hillary, Albright and others, Albanians would be nowhere.

Ferizi: Clinton is our God

“Emotions, because this man brought us freedom. They may also say the KLA, glory to the KLA, but he is, to put it another way, though some may misunderstand it, our god. This is a man who should never, ever, ever be forgotten by the people of Kosovo, together with Tony Blair, with Hillary, with Albright… This youth, this people, should know them. I am 75 years old, because the birthday of the people, of Kosovo’s youth, of Kosovo’s children, bears the name Bill Clinton, Hillary, Tony Blair and all those who contributed,” he said.

Jennifer Howard, who came from California, found herself at this celebration by chance and said the experience made her feel good.

Howard: It finally makes me feel a little proud to be American

“It is wonderful. We came to see Kosovo today, July 4, and then to find the Bill Clinton statue and just to see all these people standing around and celebrating. It finally makes me feel a little proud to be American right now, because with the things happening in my country, I am not always that proud of what we have done. But the fact that we somehow helped Kosovo and have created this country now, I think it is really special to be here. So when we stopped and saw all of this, I was very excited to celebrate America a little,” she said.

Meanwhile, citizen Ilir Dardania said they had come out to celebrate the date of the declaration of independence of the international state, the friend of the Albanian nation, the United States of America.

Dardania: The US helped us have the second Albanian state

“The United States of America is the international state, the friend of the Albanian nation, which, if I am not mistaken, supported us, helped us to win the second Albanian state, the Republic of Kosovo, which has a secular constitution,” he said.

Poet Ilirida Ismaili Galabri said that such events should be organized more often.

Ismaili: We should bow to the American state every day

“Very, very good. The Albanian nation knows who the savior of the Albanian nation and of Kosovo is, naturally during the war, and for that Albanians, all Albanians not only Kosovars, should celebrate today the 250th anniversary of the independence of the American state… we should bow every day, every day to the American state, which has done everything for the Albanian nation, for Kosovo and is still doing so even now, still continuing,” she said.

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The event began with the playing of the U.S. anthem, after which the American flag was raised by the imam of the “Prof. Dr. Bedri Kamberi” Mosque, Labinot Maliqi. According to him, placing this flag in the mosque’s courtyard has now become a tradition and represents the gratitude of the people of Kosovo toward the United States of America.

Maliqi: Raising the American flag in the mosque courtyard is a sincere expression of gratitude

“Today is a special day. For the fourth year in a row, in the courtyard of this mosque, we are raising the flag of the United States of America on a pole to mark its Independence Day. This is not merely a ceremonial act, it is a protocol gesture, it is a sincere expression of gratitude. Today America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. A historic jubilee that reminds us of the birth of a state built on a great principle: that man has dignity, that freedom is sacred, and that fundamental rights do not stem from the power of men, but from the Great Creator,” Maliqi said.

Maliqi pointed out that freedom of religion and conscience is among the fundamental pillars on which the United States was built, adding that the people of Kosovo know better than anyone the weight of freedom and the importance of a sincere ally.

Maliqi: One of the most precious values on which America was built is freedom of religion

“One of the most precious values on which America was built is freedom of religion and conscience. Its founders understood that faith cannot be imposed by force and that a person must be free to seek the truth through conviction, reason and conscience. As a people who have experienced war, injustice and the absence of freedom, we know better than anyone how precious freedom is and how much a true friend is worth in the most difficult days,” he said.

At the close of the ceremony, he stressed that raising the American flag on the mosque’s pole constitutes clear evidence of Kosovo’s gratitude toward the U.S., underlining that gratitude is also a virtue that stems from religious teachings.

Maliqi: Our religion teaches us that gratitude is a very great virtue

“Our religion teaches us that gratitude is a very great virtue. The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s praises and blessings be upon him, left us an eternal lesson, which says: ‘Whoever does not thank people has not thanked God.’ Today, through this modest ceremony, but one of great meaning, we are putting precisely this lesson into practice. We thank a great friend, while not forgetting that the source of every good thing is God Almighty and that the highest thanks belong to Him. Therefore today, from the courtyard of this mosque in Pristina, we say with respect, with heart and with gratitude: Thank you, America! Thank you for the steadfast friendship! Thank you for the unwavering support! Thank you for the historic contribution to the freedom, peace and state-building of the Republic of Kosovo!” Maliqi declared.

Today, the United States of America is celebrating Independence Day, while July 4 marks the 250th anniversary of the declaration of U.S. independence.

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According to the suspicions, they are accused of the criminal offenses of money laundering, smuggling of goods in co-perpetration, participation in or organization of an organized criminal group, unauthorized ownership, control or possession of weapons, as well as counterfeiting money.

The court’s announcement states that the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina reviewed the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo to impose detention on the defendants in this criminal case.

Pristina, 03 July 2026 – after the hearing was held, the pre-trial procedure judge, through a ruling, approved the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo, deciding that each of the defendants be placed in detention for a period of 1 (one) month.

The court assessed that this measure is appropriate in the circumstances of this case, as there is a real risk that, if the accused remain at liberty, they may flee in order to avoid criminal responsibility and obstruct the normal course of the criminal proceedings.

Also, according to the court’s assessment, leaving them at liberty could create the opportunity for them to continue communicating and cooperating with one another in order to continue committing criminal offenses or new criminal offenses.

Against this ruling, dissatisfied parties have the right

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According to the party, the increase in the price of tickets in urban transport shows that the PDK and LDK administration in Prishtina has chosen to place the burden of its own failures on the citizens.

Vetëvendosje’s reaction says that after five years in government, the result is clear: not a single new bus has been added for Trafiku Urban, conditions for passengers have not improved, and there has been no increase in the quality of services. According to them, instead of investments and reforms, citizens are being offered only a more expensive ticket.

Vetëvendosje stresses that PDK and LDK sought citizens’ votes by promising solutions for traffic and public transport. According to the reaction, Uran Ismaili, the caretaker partner of Përparim Rama, had promised free public transport, but today, with PDK in power, citizens are faced not with free transport, but with a ticket that is twice as expensive.

The reaction goes on to say that this proves that for PDK and LDK, promises last only until election day. After that, according to Vetëvendosje, citizens are faced with higher fares, while the Capital continues to have the same difficulties: a lack of buses, insufficient service, long waits, and a lack of vision for the development of public transport.

The party also says that the Municipality of Prishtina has planned more than 8 million euros for public transport in 2026 and that these are citizens’ funds, collected from their taxes.

According to Vetëvendosje, despite this funding, Përparim Rama’s administration has decided to also raise the ticket price, making Prishtina residents pay twice for the same service: once through taxes and once through the increased ticket price.

The reaction says that this decision was made without a clear analysis, without economic logic, and without a development vision. For this reason, Vetëvendosje opposes the decision and calls on the Capital’s executive to withdraw it immediately.

According to the Vetëvendosje Movement – Prishtina Center, Prishtina does not need more expensive tickets, but more buses, more efficient public transport, better-quality services, and a clear vision for urban mobility. Above all, it says the city needs an administration that keeps the promises made to citizens.

A day earlier, the Municipality of Prishtina announced that a bus ticket will cost 60 cents if payment is made through the digital system.

Until now, a daily ticket cost 80 cents, while now it will become 1.2 euros for cash payments and 1 euro through the “Digital Wallet.”

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According to an embassy statement, this symbolic ceremony is part of the activities leading up to this important jubilee in American history.

“At the US Embassy in Pristina, we proudly raised the flag as we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary,” the embassy statement said.

The United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the declaration of independence on July 4, 2026, an occasion that will be accompanied by many activities and events across the country, as well as at American diplomatic missions around the world.

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