Latest News from Albania
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.
Pope approves miracle for Mother Teresa's canonization
Pope Francis has signed off on the miracle needed to make Mother Teresa a saint, giving the nun who cared for the poorest of the poor one of the Catholic Church's highest honors just two decades after her death.
Albania Parliament Bans Criminals From Politics
Albania's parliament on Thursday passed a much awaited law banning convicted criminals from public office with strong cross-party sppport.
The law bans people convicted of serious offences, such as murder and rape, from appointment or election to state office.
Hours of debates in the plenary session ended in a compromise that changed the constitution.
Uncontrolled Mosques Proliferate in Albania
New data about the number of mosques in Albania operating outside the legal standards or the rules of the Muslim Community, KMSH, put the figure at around 200 out of a total of 727 in the country.
The number is far higher than it was previous estimates and has fuelled concern about the aims of those setting them up.
Albania Opposition Stages New anti-Rama Protest
Opposition parties in Albania have vowed to continue with their campaign of street demonstrations until the centre-left Prime Minister, Edi Rama, steps down.
The opposition, led by the centre-right Democratic Party, will lead a new protest on Thursday in front of parliament as MPs adopt a budget for 2016.
Albania Aims to Register its Huge Diaspora
Albania in January will start what is being called a "patriotic contract" - the registration of all Albanians who live outside the country.
The initiative is being prepared by the Interior Ministry and being conducted for the first time in 25 years, after countless Albanians emigrated, mostly to Western Europe and the United States.
Balkan States Hit by Illegal Cash Outflow
The new report by US NGO Global Financial Integrity entitled 'Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2004-2013' rings alarm bells about the amount of 'black money' leaving the four Balkan countries each year.
Turkey faces Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia at Euro 2016
The 24 nations participating in the 2016 European Championship have discovered who their group-stage opponents will be next summer. Turkey will face Spain - crowned European champions in the last two tournaments - the Czech Republic and Croatia in Group D.
Turkey manager Fatih Terim described the group as "tough" but he remained hopeful.
Albania's Death Rate From Guns 'Higher than US'
Albania has a higher level of gun-related deaths per head of the population than the United States, according to data from the country's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
It says the rate of gun-related deaths per 100,000 people in 2013 in Albania was 5.86 while in the US the number was 3.55.
Kosovo Close to Finishing Power Cable to Albania
Kosovo's Electricity Transmission and Market Operator, KOSTT, will conclude its work on the 400 kilovolt electricity transmission line with Albania in a matter of days, KOSTT told BIRN.
While Kosovo is expected to conclude its part of the work within 2015, the deadline for Albania is scheduled for spring 2016.
Bulgaria, Greece to Sign Investment on Gas Interconnector
Bulgaria and Greece's Energy Ministers are to sign on Thursday the investment agreement to build a gas interconnector that will help bring supplies from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria and further north.
The project has been in limbo for months after the signing, scheduled for July, was postponed, with Athens citing obstacles due to the political situation in the summer.
Dacic: Textbooks treating Kosovo as independent "won't happen"
Dacic: Textbooks treating Kosovo as independent "won't happen"
Serbia respects the rights of the Albanian minority, while schools will not be able to use textbooks stating that "Kosovo is independent", says Ivica Dacic.
Albania Protesters Vent Their Fury on Bunker
An announced peaceful protest by opposition parties on the 25th anniversary of the first anti-communist protest in Albania turned into a violent rally against state institutions and landmarks on Tuesday.
Albanian Opposition Rallies Against Government
The opposition is holding an anti-government rally in Tirana on Tuesday, saying it is the first of a series of actions aimed at ousting the government and replacing it with a technical administration that will hold snap elections.
Self-Censorship Rampant in Albanian Media, Study Says
Links between politics, business and media have undermined journalistic excellence in the Albanian media and generated censorship or self-censorship among journalists, said the BIRN Albania study published on Tuesday.