QSUT: 11 injured during protest, including 3 minors, 3 police officers and 2 bystanders
Tirana University Hospital Centre (QSUT) has updated its figures on the condition of those injured during the protest, as of 6:45 p.m. According to the statement, a total of 11 people have sought medical assistance, including protesters, minors, police officers and bystanders. Full statement: Update / Injuries during the October …
Albania PM Defiant as Protests Spread to Provincial Cities
After the capital endured a third night of violent clashes between student-led protesters and police, Edi Rama vowed not to bow to the demands for him to quit. Original post Here
Week in Review: Bad Deals and Scandals
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here
Albania’s construction sector grows 36% in four years, among Europe’s fastest expansions
Albania’s construction sector expanded rapidly between 2020 and 2024, ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing markets. The latest Eurostat data show that real construction activity rose by 36% over the four-year period. Eurostat measures construction’s gross value added in real terms, using comparable prices and 2020 as the base year. Albania’s index …
Albania beat Turkey 4-2 in second futsal friendly in Tirana
Albania’s national futsal team secured a 4-2 victory over Turkey in their second friendly match in Tirana, bouncing back after losing the opening encounter. Shqipron Brahimi opened the scoring for Albania, giving the home side an early boost. Ermir Kryeziu then delivered an impressive performance, scoring twice, while Qendrim Bakia …
Archives Donate Rare Documents to Albanian Alphabet Museum in Bitola
The General Directorate of Archives (GDA), in cooperation with the Historical and Diplomatic Archives of Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will donate reproductions of rare documents related to the 1908 Congress of Manastir to the Museum of the Albanian Alphabet in Bitola, North Macedonia. The initiative will support …
Albania marks 68 years of UNESCO membership, highlighting its cultural and natural heritage
Albania joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 68 years ago, becoming part of an international effort to protect cultural and natural heritage around the world. UNESCO safeguards invaluable heritage sites that bear witness to human life and activity across the centuries. The organization has 194 member …
Albania’s Interfaith Council calls for peace, justice and national dialogue amid rising tensions
The Interfaith Council of Albania has issued a public statement calling for peace, justice, responsibility and national dialogue. The appeal comes as the country faces protests and rising tensions. Representatives of Albania’s official religious communities urged authorities to take citizens’ and students’ concerns seriously. They called for concrete and transparent …
INSTAT: Albania’s tourism growth slows sharply in August despite rise in hotel occupancy
Albania’s hotels and other accommodation facilities recorded a sharp slowdown in tourism growth during the peak summer season. Both visitor numbers and overnight stays increased at much slower rates than a year earlier, according to the country’s statistics agency, INSTAT. The number of visitors staying in Albanian accommodation rose by …
Japanese Tea Ceremony Brings Tradition and Philosophy to Tirana
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony brought an authentic taste of Japanese culture to Tirana as part of Japanese Cultural Week, which began on October 14 and runs through October 18. Japanese masters led demonstrations that introduced participants to this centuries-old tradition. The ceremony combined aesthetics, philosophy, mindfulness and harmony. Participants …
The European Commission has condemned violent incidents in Tirana and other Albanian cities, stressing that freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights that must be exercised peacefully. In a statement on Sunday, the Commission denounced arson, attacks on state institutions and damage to public and private property. It also …
The Muslim Community of Albania has called on all sides to preserve peace, show restraint and resolve differences through dialogue amid ongoing protests across the country. In a statement on Sunday, the community warned that tensions could threaten public safety and social cohesion. At the same time, it reaffirmed citizens’ …
Skënderbeu claimed their first win of the Albanian Superliga season on Sunday, beating Elbasan 2-1 in the seventh round. Meanwhile, media reports say Elbasan coach Ivan Gvozdenović has resigned following the defeat. Under coach Julian Ahmataj, the Korçë side overturned an early deficit thanks to Bismark, who scored twice to …
Nufi Condemns Attack on Socialist Party Headquarters as Protesters Set Fire to Tirana Police Station
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has condemned the attack on the Socialist Party headquarters, calling it a threat to political pluralism and democracy. Meanwhile, protesters set fire to Police Station No. 3 on Mine Peza Street in Tirana, injuring several police officers, according to reports. In a social media post, Nufi …
European Parliament rapporteur for Albania Andreas Schieder has expressed concern over clashes between protesters and police in Tirana, urging all sides to stop the escalation immediately. In a social media statement, Schieder noted that young people across Europe, from Paris and Berlin to Tirana, are demanding better education and equal …
Vora secured a commanding 4-1 win over Partizani in the seventh round of the Albanian Superliga on Sunday, with Bernard Karrica scoring a hat-trick. Arian Bellaj’s side controlled the match and made their chances count. Karrica opened the scoring in the 17th minute before converting a penalty in the 50th …
Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania Joan has called on decision-makers to make wise and mature choices in the interests of the country and all its citizens. Speaking at the end of the Divine Liturgy, Joan stressed that Albania belongs to all its citizens and that everyone has the …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi has condemned violence during protests in Albania, stressing that attacks on institutions and the destruction of public and private property have nothing to do with the right to demonstrate. Peleshi said young people have every right to demand greater opportunities and rights. They also deserve to …
Albert Nushi, Head of the Management Sector at the Public Security Department, announced at a press conference that 54 people were taken into police custody following the previous day’s violent protest. Of those, 27 were arrested and 27 others face criminal proceedings for property destruction and violence against police officers. …
The official visit that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had planned to make to Vienna, Austria, on Monday, October 19, has been cancelled by the Albanian side. The news was published by the Austrian press release portal OTS.at. According to the announcement, the scheduled meeting between the Albanian Prime Minister …