Albanian PM says protests threaten EU bid, not his government

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected calls to resign amid escalating street protests on Sunday, arguing the demonstrations threaten the country's European Union membership bid rather than his government. The unrest has spread across multiple cities in the past week. Student-led demonstrations, fueled by anger over corruption, unemployment, and poor education standards, have turned violent, with protesters setting fire to government buildings and banks. Police have responded with tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets, and 388 people have been charged with criminal offenses. Rama, who has governed since 2013 and won a fourth term last year, blamed unspecified foreign interests for the unrest, including an alleged drone attack on his office. The protests follow months of peaceful demonstrations against a coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, posing the biggest challenge yet to Rama's leadership.