23 October 2026
Tirana, Albania: Third day of serious unrest
Third night of clashes and violence in Tirana as anti-government protests spread nationwide. Dozens of protesters and police officers require medical attention. The ruling party calls for dialogue, but Prime Minister Rama vows not to resign
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirms drones struck two chemical tankers near Romania's Black Sea coast. Seven sailors remain missing from Wine Trader. Yara J's crew is safe. Spanish F/A-18s and Romanian F-16s were scrambled amid the drone incursions into Romanian airspace
EU condemns violence at protests in Tirana; Rama says some are destroying, others are building
On the third day of student protests in Albania's capital Tirana, Prime Minister Edi Rama has told Reuters news agency that he will not accept demonstrators' demand for his resignation
Protesters and police clashed in Albania's capital for a third straight day on Thursday, when the prime minister toured the aftermath of demonstrations that left government buildings badly damaged
Albanian students protest over education costs(Tirana)
Romanian authorities are searching for eight missing crew members of the San Marino-flagged tanker WINE TRADER after a fire broke out on its bridge. Four of the 12 crew members are safe. This is the second reported incident in Romanian waters today, following an earlier incident in which fighter jets were scrambled in response to drones detected overnight and a ship was struck.
Romanian authorities are searching for eight missing crew members of the San Marino-flagged tanker WINE TRADER after a fire broke out on its bridge. Four of the 12 crew members are safe. This is the second reported incident in Romanian waters today, following an earlier incident in which fighter jets were scrambled in response to drones detected overnight and a ship was struck.
Bulgarian MP Ivaylo Mirchev said two masked individuals deliberately set fire to 11 of 17 Starlink antennas at a secret facility near Sofia. The antennas reportedly support satellite communications used in Ukraine's war effort. Bulgarian authorities confirmed an investigation is underway and said security at similar facilities has been tightened
NATO Secretary General: I spoke with Bulgarian Prime Minister @RumenRadevPM about the latest attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea. We have already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank and will continue to monitor the security environment, adjusting our deterrence and defense posture as needed.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Black Sea has become "another front" in Russia's war against Ukraine, condemning drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria's coast and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova will be summoned following new drone strikes on a Ukrainian-managed ship. He also announced that another vessel had apparently sunk near Krapets in northeastern Bulgaria.
Another vessel has been struck off the Bulgarian coast, 18 miles from the Black Sea town of Byala. This is the second attack in a week; the previous one occurred 70 km east of Byala. The vessel, Chelsea 3, is a Malta-flagged cargo ship managed by Odesa-based Black Sea Shipping Management. Twelve crew members, nationals of Ukraine and Azerbaijan, were injured.
Another vessel has been struck off the Bulgarian coast, 18 miles from the Black Sea town of Byala. This is the second attack in a week; the previous one occurred 70 km east of Byala. The vessel, Chelsea 3, is a Malta-flagged cargo ship managed by Odesa-based Black Sea Shipping Management. Twelve crew members, nationals of Ukraine and Azerbaijan, were injured.
Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence of Ireland: 'Montenegro Monday' will be followed by another 'Super Tuesday' for Albania, Moldova and Ukraine. I can confirm that all EU member states have agreed to: Open clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine and Moldova; Close 3 chapters for Montenegro(17, 18, 19) Close chapter 20 for Albania
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić confirmed the detention of Mikhail Zvinchuk, head of the Rybar project. In a statement on X, Spajić described the security services’ operation as successful.
Authorities in Montenegro have detained the creator of the Z-channel Rybar, Mikhail Zvinchuk, and several of his employees
FT Susie Wiles's daughter is a partner at Continental Strategy, which signed a $35,000-a-month contract to represent Republika Srpska, the Balkan entity at the centre of a new dispute about conflicts of interest inside the White House
Allegations of unfair election conditions are rife in Serbia ahead of an Oct. 25 snap ballot for parliament in which Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Progressive Party face their biggest challenge in more than a decade
USA claims Greece as "essential member" of NATO in "times of uncertainty"
Moldova will receive an EU accession roadmap on October 28, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced. Another three most advanced candidates to receive roadmaps are Ukraine, Montenegro, Albania
"Drones hit two ships off coast of Bulgaria, sinking one, as government calls emergency meeting. A search is under way for the missing crew, with what is reported to be the first attack on shipping in the NATO member's economic zone."
Bulgarian government: Two ships reportedly hit by drones off the coast of Bulgaria
Israeli Foreign Minister: My warmest congratulations to our friends President @MiloradDodik, President @Cvijanovic_Z and the SNSD for their decisive victory. This is a strong vote of confidence for Republika Srpska and President Dodik's leadership and policies. I look forward to continue strengthening our friendship and expand our bilateral cooperation
A Moldavian border police officer was lightly injured after a Russian projectile ricocheted after hitting the ground and struck a civilian bus waiting near the Palanca border crossing according to Moldavian Border Police
Bosnian Serb strongman Milorad Dodik claims party won election
Massive election rally for the Student List tonight in the city of Novi Pazar, the cultural centre of the Serbian Bosniak community
The Russian ambassador to Moldova has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a protest note over the drone attack.
Moldovan police reported the discovery of drone fragments in five districts of the country. This morning, fragments of aircraft were discovered in the districts of Causeni, Stefan Voda, Hincesti, and Anenii Noi, the statement said.
Serbia : election rally by the Student List this evening in the northern town of Sombor
Serbia : election rally by the Student List this evening in the northern town of Sombor
Chișinău International Airport is being evacuated following a bomb threat, with passenger check-in suspended as specialized security teams search the airport