Latest Tirana News
Albanian prime minister says TikTok ban was not a 'rushed reaction to a single incident'
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister said Sunday the ban on TikTok his government announced a day earlier was “not a rushed reaction to a single incident.” Prime Minister Edi Rama said Saturday the government will shut down TikTok for one year, accusing the popular...
Albanian opposition leader facing corruption charges is released from house arrest
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian court on Wednesday released from house arrest former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who leads the opposition Democratic Party and is charged with corruption. The Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, which covers cases involving senior...
A ship suspected of carrying toxic waste docks at a port in Albania to have its cargo inspected
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — A ship suspected of carrying a large amount of hazardous waste was allowed to dock on Friday at Albania’s main port, where its cargo was being unloaded for inspection on the orders of the prosecutor, officials said. Albania had prevented the...
Albania's opposition blocks roads in a protest to demand a caretaker Cabinet
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian opposition activists blocked major roads for several hours Tuesday in a nationwide rally demanding that the government be replaced by a technocratic caretaker Cabinet before the 2025 parliamentary election. Lawmakers led hundreds of opposition...
Albania stops a ship suspected of harboring massive amounts of toxic waste from docking
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania prevented Monday a ship suspected of transferring a huge amount of hazardous waste from docking at Tirana’s main port, officials said, after a watchdog group alerted authorities. The Turkish-flagged Moliva XA443A ship was kept about a mile away from...
EU stays on the sidelines over migrant deal between Italy and Albania
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — A top European Union official on Wednesday refused to be drawn on an opinion of an agreement between Italy and Albania to process some migrants in centers set up in the tiny Western Balkan country, saying only that it was being closely monitored. European...
A court says former Albanian president Meta must stay in custody during corruption investigation
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian court on Wednesday ruled that former President Ilir Meta should stay in custody while the left-wing Freedom Party leader faces allegations of corruption, money laundering and the hiding of personal income and property. Prosecutors have not yet...
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,...
Albania's opposition protests and demands a caretaker Cabinet
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Opposition supporters in Albania protested again Monday, demanding that the government be replaced by a technocratic caretaker Cabinet before next year’s parliamentary election. The conservative opposition has long accused Prime Minister Edi Rama’s...
Albanian opposition MPs try to disrupt Parliament to protest a colleague's imprisonment
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian opposition lawmakers on Thursday protested in Parliament, burning effigies and clashing with bodyguards, after one of their colleagues was convicted of slander and imprisoned. The conservative Democrat lawmakers, who had called for a boycott of...
