Albanian film Agia wins top award in Warsaw
Albanian film Agia, directed by Lorin Terezi, won Best Film at the Warsaw International Film Festival. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the award as major news for Albanian cinema. He highlighted the festival’s status as an A-list international film event. Gonxhja said the achievement brought hope, joy …
PM Rama outlines measures against violence and plans to cover half of students’ rent
Prime Minister Edi Rama has outlined measures against violent protesters, including restrictions on access to European Union countries. He also announced plans for the government to cover 50% of the rent for eligible students. He presented the measures during a meeting with banking sector executives, against the backdrop of recent …
UNMIK chief urges Kosova and Serbia to implement agreements
United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosova (UNMIK) chief Peter N. Due urged Kosova and Serbia to engage constructively in European Union-facilitated dialogue. He stressed the importance of implementing existing agreements. Reporting to the United Nations Security Council on developments in Kosova from March 16 to September 15, 2026, Due …
“Majë Krahu” folk song launches bid for UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding
For centuries, people in the mountains of Albania and Kosovo have used their voices to communicate across vast distances. Known as “The voice of the mountains,” Majë Krahu singing preserves the history, bravery and emotions of these regions. This distinctive folk tradition also reflects their cultural identity and shared heritage. …
Judges’ association condemns attacks on courts
The National Association of Judges of the Republic of Albania condemned violence during recent protests. It called for immediate measures to protect justice institutions and prevent pressure on judges. The association described attacks on the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction as unacceptable in a democratic …
Deputy PM Koçiu: Dialogue builds cooperation, while violence causes damage
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has stressed the importance of dialogue as a path to solutions instead of violence. She made the remarks in a social media post as youth protests in Tirana continued for a ninth day, accompanied by acts of violence. Koçiu drew a distinction between the two …
Rama Reinstalls Chairs Broken by Students Yesterday: Come to Dialogue, 1,001 Grievances Do Not Justify Violence
Prime Minister Edi Rama renewed his call for dialogue on Wednesday morning, putting back the chairs he had set up the previous day, which students had demonstratively rejected. He said there may be 1,001 grievances and problems, but none of them justify violence. “There are a thousand and one grievances, …
University Lecturers’ Union Announces Teaching Boycott Starting Today: We Support Students’ Demands
The head of the University Lecturers’ Union, Sandër Kovaçi, announced in a statement to the media that the union has declared a teaching boycott starting today, October 21, until further notice. He said lecturers support students’ demands for quality education and called for a full and independent investigation into the …
“We Will Pursue Those Wearing Hoods Relentlessly,” Rama Says: Register for Violent Individuals, Airport Access to Be Restricted
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the acts of violence during eight days of protests in Albania as orchestrated by domestic and foreign elements seeking to destabilise Albania and other European countries. During a meeting with representatives of Albania’s banking sector, Rama announced that the government would soon introduce a package …
Serbians Abroad Organize to Vote Amid Obstacles
Ahead of Serbia’s high-stakes snap parliamentary elections on Sunday, citizens abroad are organising shared transport and accommodation to reach polling stations, sometimes thousands of kilometres away. Original post Here
A wave of student protests have swept Albania over the last week and escalated into clashes with police. BIRN spoke with some of the protesters to hear what brought them into the streets. Original post Here
Albania is expanding its contribution to NATO operations. For the first time, a helicopter contingent will join the KFOR mission in Kosova. Thirteen members of the Albanian Armed Forces will serve at the US military base of Camp Bondsteel. A farewell ceremony at Farka Air Base marked their departure. Defence …
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko has assured the public that deposits in the country’s banking system remain safe. He also pledged that the central bank would continue operating professionally and responsibly to meet the needs of citizens and the economy. Sejko spoke at a meeting in Tirana between Prime …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the ongoing protests in Albania should not be compared to the unrest of 1997, arguing that the country is facing an entirely different situation. Speaking at a meeting with banking sector executives on Wednesday, Rama said the current developments were linked to the radicalization …
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the acts of violence during the eight days of protests in Albania as being orchestrated by domestic and foreign elements seeking to destabilize Albania and other European countries. During a meeting with representatives of Albania’s banking sector, Rama announced that the government would soon introduce …
Bedri Hamza has resigned as leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). He has also informed the party’s leadership of his decision. During a press conference, Hamza said that people must know when it is their responsibility to take on a leadership role and when it is time to …
The United Nations Security Council discussed Kosova on Tuesday, focusing on political developments, security and dialogue with Serbia. Peter Due, head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosova (UNMIK), presented the Secretary-General’s report covering March 16 to September 15, 2026. The report described overall security as stable but …
The Albanian Lek strengthened against foreign currencies on the domestic exchange market on Tuesday, according to the Bank of Albania’s official exchange rates. The euro fell by 0.33 ALL to 90.77 ALL, while the US dollar lost 0.38 ALL to trade at 80.90 ALL. The British pound and Swiss franc …
The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Order of Psychologists, has made a team of more than 20 psychologists available to support people emotionally affected by recent events. The service targets citizens, young people, minors and school students exposed to various forms of violent language and acts. Psychologists will …
Kosova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca accused Serbia of continuing threats against Kosova at a United Nations Security Council meeting. He described a United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosova (UNMIK) report as selective and influenced by Serbian propaganda. Konjufca said Serbia had killed 12,000 unarmed Albanian …