Latest Albania News

A Greek police officer with 225 pounds of marijuana in his patrol car is arrested after a chase

Mar. 15, 2024 15:28 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A police officer on patrol duty in northwestern Greece was arrested on drugs charges Friday for allegedly using his service car to smuggle marijuana, authorities said. The suspect was detained in the port town of Igoumenitsa following a road chase, together...

Albania's Supreme Court orders prosecutors to resume a probe of the 2011 killing of 4 protesters

Mar. 12, 2024 14:12 PM EDT

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered prosecutors to resume the investigation into the killing of a protester at an anti-government rally in 2011. Four Socialist Party supporters were killed by police on Jan. 21, 2011, in front of the main government...

The EU and Germany will give Albania $88 million to turn the capital's 3 main bus lines electric

Mar. 06, 2024 12:35 PM EST

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The European Union and Germany said Wednesday they would give Albania a combined 81.09 million euros (about $88 million) to turn the three main bus lines in the capital Tirana electric, part of helping the Balkan country meet requirements to join the 27-nation bloc. ...

Albanian mayor from Greek minority is imprisoned for vote buying. That's likely to anger Greece

Mar. 05, 2024 12:33 PM EST

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian court on Tuesday imprisoned a mayor from the country's Greek minority on vote-buying charges, a ruling that was expected to raise tensions with neighboring Greece. Greece had called on Albania’s government to stop the process against Dhionisios...

Albania turns an old Soviet-era air base into a regional hub of NATO air operations

Mar. 04, 2024 10:56 AM EST

KUCOVE, Albania (AP) — NATO member Albania on Monday inaugurated a refurbished Soviet-era air base, the alliance's first in the Western Balkan region. The air base is named after the small town of Kucova, 85 kilometers (52 miles) south of the capital Tirana. ...

Ukraine's Zelenskyy pleads for more ammunition at Albania summit of southeastern European nations

Feb. 28, 2024 10:59 AM EST

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Ukraine’s president pleaded Wednesday for more ammunition to repel Russian advances as he co-hosted a summit with Albania's government to build further support for Kyiv among southeastern European countries while signs of war fatigue grow. Ukrainian...

Albanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for Italy

Feb. 22, 2024 13:42 PM EST

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s Parliament voted Thursday to approve a deal for the country to hold thousands of asylum seekers for Italy, despite protests from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups. Under the five-year deal, Albania would shelter up to 3,000 migrants...

The EU is watching Albania's deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried

Feb. 22, 2024 10:51 AM EST

MILAN (AP) — Albania has agreed to host two migrant processing centers on its territory that will be fully run by Italy, under a deal that worries many human rights activists. The European Union, however, sees the agreement as a possible template for the future. Italy has long...

Albanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for Italy

Feb. 22, 2024 04:23 AM EST

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s Parliament on Thursday approved a deal for the country to hold thousands of migrants rescued in international waters by Italy while their asylum applications are processed, despite protests from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups. The...

Opposition supporters in Albania protest alleged corruption in Cabinet

Feb. 20, 2024 21:03 PM EST

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Thousands of supporters of Albania’s opposition held a protest Tuesday accusing the Cabinet of corruption. Protesters threw stones and flares at police officers, and some pulled down an iron fence around the main government building in Tirana, but the...