Violence breaks out at anti-government protest in Albanian capital

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and flares during a demonstration Tuesday night in central Tirana by thousands of opposition supporters demanding the resignation of Albania’s government.

Sixteen protesters were treated in a hospital for burns and other injuries, police said, adding that 13 protesters were arrested.

Prime Minister Edi Rama's government has come under fire over corruption allegations involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, but Rama has resisted calls to dismiss her. There have been growing demands that lawmakers lift Balluku's immunity from prosecution, which can only be done in a parliamentary vote.

Anti-corruption prosecutors have accused Balluku, who is also minister for energy and infrastructure, of interfering in public procurement for construction projects to favor certain companies, and has called for her immunity to be lifted.

Tuesday night’s protest in the Albanian capital was attended by thousands of people. It was the third such demonstration in recent months demanding Rama’s resignation. More than 1,300 police officers had been deployed to ensure security. Previous protests also turned violent, with demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at police and a government building, and with authorities responding with tear gas and water cannons.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, a former prime minister who has also faced corruption charges himself, described the protest as a “peaceful uprising” at a critical moment for Albania. Speaking at the protest, he accused Rama of “declaring war on the justice system.”

Political analyst Mentor Kikia said it was unlikely that any major change would result from the protests. “Citizens are distrustful, having consistently voted for the lesser evil to remove the greater evil from power,” he said.

“The current perception is that if Rama leaves, Berisha will return. One left power because of corruption, the other must also leave power because of corruption,” Kikia said.

Albania hopes to join the European Union, and is under close monitoring by the bloc as part of its accession process, which it hopes to complete by 2027.

However, international watchdogs say the country continues to suffer from widespread corruption.

Hooded youth protesters throw flares and fireworks during an anti-government rally outside Prime Minister's office over corruption scandals and broader political issues, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli)

Protesters throw Molotov cocktails, flares and fireworks during an anti-government rally outside Prime Minister's office over corruption scandals and broader political issues, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli)

Protesters throw Molotov cocktails during an anti-government rally outside Prime Minister's office over corruption scandals and broader political issues, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli)

Protesters throw Molotov cocktails, flares and fireworks during an anti-government rally outside Prime Minister's office over corruption scandals and broader political issues, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli)

Hooded youth protesters throw flares and fireworks during an anti-government rally outside Prime Minister's office over corruption scandals and broader political issues, in Tirana, Albania, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli)

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 10, 2026--

Unity (NYSE: U), the world's leading game engine, today announced the appointment of gaming and technology veteran Bernard Kim as an independent director to its Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260210709281/en/

“Bernard brings deep experience building and scaling global, public companies at the intersection of games and technology,” said Jim Whitehurst, Chairman of Unity’s Board of Directors. “His leadership across mobile gaming, advertising technology, and consumer platforms will be a valuable addition to the Unity Board.”

“Unity plays a foundational role in how interactive experiences are created, distributed, and scaled,” said Bernard Kim. “I’ve long admired the company’s impact on the industry, and I’m excited to work with the Board and leadership team as Unity accelerates its mission to democratize game development.”

Bernard brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across public companies and global consumer platforms. He has served as CEO and a member of the board of directors of Match Group and President of Publishing at leading mobile game publisher Zynga, where among other things he oversaw global marketing and user acquisition. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly a decade at Electronic Arts, including as Senior Vice President of Mobile Publishing.

Unity also announced that David Helgason and Tomer Bar-Zeev stepped down from its Board of Directors, effective February 5, 2026.

“David and Tomer have been vital partners as we’ve grown and transformed Unity. They welcomed me into the Company, shared their unique vision as founders, and have provided unfailing support. I’m looking forward to many more years of conversation with both of them,” said Matt Bromberg, President and CEO of Unity.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank David and Tomer for their partnership and invaluable contributions to the company’s evolution during their tenure,” said Mr. Whitehurst. “We’re grateful for their service and wish them every success in their future endeavors.”

About Unity

Unity [NYSE: U] offers a suite of tools to develop, deploy, and grow games and interactive experiences across all major platforms from mobile, PC, and console, to extended reality. For more information, visit Unity.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This publication contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under federal securities laws, including, in particular, statements about Unity's plans, strategies, and objectives. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. Further information on these and additional risks that could affect Unity’s results is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available on the Unity Investor Relations website. Statements herein speak only as of the date of this release, and Unity assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this publication except as required by law.

Bernard Kim