Latest Albania News
US: Ex-FBI counterintelligence agent aided Russian oligarch
NEW YORK (AP) — A former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official who investigated Russian oligarchs has been indicted on charges he secretly worked for one, in violation of U.S. sanctions. The official was also charged, in a separate indictment, with taking cash from a former foreign...
Weapons checks in Greek town turn up grenades, machine guns
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — A series of pre-Christmas weapons inspections in a small town in northern Greece has turned up hand grenades, assault rifles and decades-old unexploded ordnance, police said Tuesday. The inspections occurred over 20 days through Dec. 22 in Florina, a...
Greek prime minister hails Albania's EU integration steps
DERVICAN, Albania (AP) — The Greek prime minister on Thursday offered his country’s full support to neighboring Albania’s further integration efforts with the European Union. Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the Greek minority in southern Albania, the first visit of a prime minister...
Albania's army buys 3 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAVs
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania has purchased three Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, the model that is becoming increasingly popular after its use by the Ukrainian forces against Russian invaders, the government press office said Wednesday. The government did not say how much it...
Albanian court jails Iranian man for 10 years over terrorism
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian court has convicted an Iranian man on terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to ten years' imprisonment, court officials said Thursday. In a ruling issued Wednesday but made public a day later, Albania’s Special Court on Corruption and...
UK's Sunak vows to clear asylum backlog, return Albanians
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Tuesday to clear a backlog of asylum-seeker applications as he announced new measures aimed at curbing the number of migrants reaching the U.K. by crossing the English Channel on small boats. Sunak, who has faced mounting...
Long jumper accused of false information to get Olympic spot
MONACO (AP) — A long jumper and two officials from Albania could face bans after they were accused of submitting false information that helped the athlete get a spot at the Tokyo Olympics last year. The Athletics Integrity Unit said Friday it had charged long jumper Izmir Smajlaj,...
Albania's last captive bear rescued to Austrian sanctuary
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s last brown bear in captivity was rescued by an international animal welfare organization Wednesday and will be taken to a sanctuary in Austria. Four Paws began the journey with the 24-year-old bear, named Mark, accompanied by a large file of...
EU, Western Balkans boost partnership amid Ukraine war
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — For the six Western Balkans countries aspiring to join the European Union, gaining full membership in the 27-nation club remains a distant goal. But Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are getting more concrete signs that they...
Albanian opposition leader attacked during anti-govt protest
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The leader of the Albanian opposition center-right Democratic Party was attacked Tuesday during an anti-government protest held near a summit of European Union leaders and their counterparts from the Western Balkans in the Albanian capital. Sali Berisha, a...
