Albanian police fire rubber bullets as protests against Rama escalate - Al Jazeera

Riot police clash with protesters for fourth day, as young Albanians protest corruption and poor university conditionsAlbanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed “foreign hands” for the increasingly violent student-led protests that are calling on him to resign. Riot police clashed with protesters outside the education ministry for the fourth day in a row, as thousands of young Albanians marched through the capital, Tirana, on Friday to protest government corruption and poor university conditions. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Each country goes its own way’: How Balkan politics shape ties with Israellist 2 of 3‘Boiling point’: Why students are protesting against Albania’s Edi Ramalist 3 of 3Albania’s PM dismisses calls to resign as student protests spreadend of list“This is not a student phenomenon,” Rama said in a video address on Friday. He said there were “foreign hands that do not wish for Albania to be at peace”. Rama insisted that the protest had “absolutely nothing to do with the hardships, problems or legitimate aspirations of anyone who desires a better life”. Police officers used water cannon and tear gas as demonstrators hurled rocks.

Student protests against poor conditions in Albania’s education system have continued for a third day in the capital, Tirana, as Prime Minister Edi Rama insists he will not resign. Demonstrators have called on Rama to quit in often violent protests since Tuesday. They have set fire to several buildings across the city, including the prime minister’s office, ministry buildings and branches of several banks. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Photos: Student protest in Albania prompts violent clashes with policelist 2 of 4Fire erupts at Albania’s Education Ministry as protests spirallist 3 of 4AI in politics: Is Albania the EU’s testing ground?list 4 of 4‘Each country goes its own way’: How Balkan politics shape ties with Israelend of listDozens of police officers and protesters have been injured amid attempts to disperse the crowds using water cannon and tear gas. “What you are seeing is the boiling point of months of suppressed grievances,” Albanian journalist Arlis Alikaj told Al Jazeera.

WorldRussian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday the world was living through a dangerous moment and warned the West not to escalate a standoff ‌over Ukraine by threatening the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, which Moscow has made clear it would defend with nuclear weapons if necessary. If attacked, Putin says Russia willing to deploy 'all the weapons at our country's disposal'Thomson Reuters · Posted: Oct 01, 2026 4:20 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 1Listen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen speaking in Moscow on Thursday. The Russian leader said the world was living through a dangerous moment and warned the West not to escalate a standoff ‌over Ukraine by threatening the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, which Moscow has made clear it would defend with nuclear weapons if necessary.