European Commission chief assures Western Balkans of the bloc's enlargement progress

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a tour of the Western Balkan countries on Wednesday, assuring them that the enlargement of the trade bloc remained one of its priorities. The Western Balkans countrie s — Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo,...

Hungary's Orbán claims the EU seeks to topple his government as his hostility toward it grows

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed in a speech on Wednesday that the European Union seeks to topple his government and install a puppet regime in the Central European country, an escalation of open hostility toward the bloc by the member considered to have the...

As coal plants shut in Romania, some miners transition to green energy while others are reluctant

PETRILA, Romania (AP) — For many years, Sebastian Tirinticǎ worked in a coal mine, just like his father and grandfather before him. These days, Tirinticǎ, now 38, is largely surrounded by solar panels and wind turbines as he travels across Romania to train former coal workers and...

Atletico trying to raise awareness of fans with disabilities in Champions League game

MADRID (AP) — Atletico Madrid wants to attract a record number of spectators with disabilities to a Champions League match to raise awareness about inclusion and the need to promote better access to sport for disabled fans in venues across Europe. Thousands of supporters with...

European Union observers flag irregularities and 'alteration of results' in Mozambique election

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — European Union election observers have flagged irregularities in Mozambique's election as the country awaits the announcement of official results this week amid protests by opposition supporters and the recent killing of two prominent opposition figures. The EU...

Leaders of Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia propose setting up migrant 'hotspots' outside the EU

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The leaders of Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia on Tuesday proposed setting up facilities for hosting asylum-seekers outside the territory of the European Union, a solution they said would help stem illegal immigration they believe poses an existential threat to the bloc. ...

Moldova narrowly votes to secure path toward EU membership after accusing Russia of interference

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldovans voted by a razor-thin majority in favor of securing the country’s path toward European Union membership, electoral data showed Monday, after the pro-Western president accused foreign interference and “criminal groups” of trying to undermine the vote in the...

Albania's left-wing former President Meta is arrested on corruption allegations

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian prosecutors on Monday arrested former President Ilir Meta on suspicion that the left-wing Freedom Party leader engaged in alleged corruption, money laundering and hiding of personal income and property. A lawyer for Meta, who was president from...

2 dead and 22 rescued after migrant boat runs into trouble in rough weather near a Greek island

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A search and rescue operation off the coast of the eastern Greek island of Samos recovered the bodies of two people reported missing overnight after a boat carrying 24 migrants ran into trouble in rough weather, the coast guard said Monday. The sinking is the...

Moldovans narrowly chose 'yes' in a referendum to secure the country’s EU path, electoral authorities say