Latest News from Albania
Army Joins Flood Relief Effort in Albania
Flooding resulting from heavy rain has blocked roads and caused power outages in several parts of Albania. In the capital, Tirana, the river has overflowed its banks and flooded dozens of houses on the outskirts.
The Coordination Committee of Civil Emergencies said large areas were submerged also in Lezha, Durres, Elbasan and Kuksi, and many families had been evacuated.
Albania, Kosovo Top German 2015 Asylum List
Albanians were the largest single national group seeking asylum in Germany after Syrians last year, according to a German ministry report.
Some 54,762 people from Albania sought asylum in Germany in 2015. Kosovars made up the next largest group, filing 37,095 requests. Citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq came fourth and fifth.
Blizzards Cause Spike in Accidents in Kosovo
At least 109 road accidents have been reported in Kosovo in only the first 24 hours of bad weather - with heavy snow and high winds to blame, the police said on Monday.
Temperatures have dropped as low as -10 degrees Celsius in some places. No deaths have been reported but the number of injured amounts to about 20.
Campaign Launched to Curb Fatal Party Gunfire
A new social media campaign has been launched for the Western Balkans called "Don't Ruin the Party" - to raise awareness about the dangers of the custom of celebratory shooting ahead of the New Year's celebrations.
The practice, which was abandoned during the Cold War and communist period, experienced a dramatic comeback in the Nineties.
Albania Charges Imam With Recruiting for ISIS
Five months after a video showed him threatening Albanians on behalf of ISIS., Albania's serious crimes prosecution office has passed Almir Daci's file to the courts for trial.
The former imam from Pogradec in eastern Albania, who is now believed to be in territory held by ISIS, will be tried in absentia for advocating terrorism and for recruiting persons to conduct terrorist acts.
Balkan Republican Parties Mull Regional Union
Republican parties in the Balkans are mulling the creation of a Balkan Republican Union that will unite regional representatives of the same political option under one umbrella.
The idea emerged on Monday from a meeting in Tirana between the Albanian Republican Party leader, Fatmir Mediu, his Serbian counterpart, Nikola Sandulovic, and Faton Kurti from Kosovo.
Places where Christmas has been banned
Brunei
Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas, violating Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Somalia
There will be no Christmas or New Year celebrations in Somalia for fear that activities could evoke Islamist attacks, according to the Muslim-majority country’s government.
Albania Claims Deal Will Allow Low-Cost Flights
Albania officials says that they have reached an agreement with the shareholders in Tirana International Airport, TIA, to end its exclusive right to host international flights and build new airports that will host low-cost flights.
Singers and Footballers Top Google Searches in Balkans
It's that time of year again, when Google publishes its lists of the most frequently used Google search terms used in 2015.
People in the Balkans, as in most countries around the globe, are most curious about pop singers and football players, according to an article published by Time weekly.
Albania Opposition Hold Final Rally For 2015
...Powered by Cincopa <a href='http://www.cincopa.com/video-hosting'>Video Hosting for Business</a> solution.<span>This years last opposition protest in Albania</span><span>Supporters of the opposition have staged the last protest of the year in Tirana on December 21.
Albania NGO Lists Rama's Broken Promises
Albania's centre-left government has fully met only four of its 27 electoral promises after two-and-a-half years in power, an NGO has claimed.
While presenting what it called it "truth-meter" Mjaft representatives noted - among others - that the government had failed to open 300,000 new workplaces as it had pledged.
Albania, Israel Pledge Anti-Terror Cooperation
Rama said during his visit to Jerusalem on Monday that Albania is ready to collaborate with its ally Israel in order to contribute to the country's security.
The agreement also expressed the willingness to cooperate in the fields of energy, agriculture, water management, tourism and culture.
Russia to Impose Retaliatory Economic Sanctions on Ukraine Jan 1
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree imposing trade barriers on Ukraine in response to Kiev joining Western sanctions against Moscow.
Huge drug bust disbands largest racket in the Attica region (pics)
Police put an end to one of the largest drug rackets in the Attica region operating in a number of areas around Athens (Zefyri, Ano Liosia, Salamina, Pangrati, Kolonos, Neos Kosmos, Voula) as well as Chania, Crete.
Trikala prison escape tunnel linked to same plan by Corfu inmates
A Greek prison in Trikala, northwestern Thessaly, has been locked down after the discovery of a tunnel that could be used in an escape plot. The tunnel was found by prison guards who searched the cell of an inmate. A full investigation is now underway.