Sport
January 02, 2022 – 16:24

The Basketball Federation of Kosovo (BFK) for the first time has decided to announce the best Player by the fans for the autumn season in the Women’s Super League.

The nominated players were Sarah Mgbeike and Arbnore Përquku from Prishtina, Valbona Bytyqi and Rael Whitsitt from Penza and Irma Konjusha from Bashkimi.

The most voted basketball player by the fans was the captain of Penza, Valbona Bytyqi with 714 votes, ranking in first place. The second was Irma Konjusha of the Union with 365 votes. Arbnore Përquku came in third with 102 votes, followed by Rael Whitsitt with 95 and Sarah Mgbeike with 43.
Vote

Valbona Bytyqi (Penza) 714
Irma Konjusha (Union) 365
Arbnore Përquku (Prishtina) 102
Rael Whitsitt (Penza) 77
Sarah Mgbeike (Prishtina) 43. /Zeri.info

The United Nations has issued a statement after Kosovo declared “non grata” a Russian official of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, reports Gazeta Express.

UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric says UNMIK has not received any official communication from Kosovo institutions about the decision. The UN considers “non grata” in Kosovo inapplicable for the Russian official.

“We have been informed about the announcement of ‘persona non granata’ by a member of the staff of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK. No communication was received from the Mission by the Kosovo authorities regarding this notification. The ‘persona non grata’ doctrine is not applicable to United Nations personnel and is not provided for under UNMIK Regulation 2000/47 (on the Status, Privileges and Immunities of KFOR, UNMIK and their Personnel in Kosovo) “, it is said in the reaction.

Any issues related to UNMIK personnel, according to the UN, should be addressed to this Mission to address itself.

“Any concerns regarding an UNMIK staff member should be addressed to the Mission’s leadership so that UNMIK addresses this issue in accordance with the status, privileges and immunities of UNMIK and its personnel.” said in the statement

“UNMIK and the UN headquarters are taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of the staff in question and are dealing with the relevant authorities in this matter,” said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General. UN.

On December 31, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gërvalla, declared a Russian official of the UNMIK mission “non grata”.

“Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gërvalla, declared a Russian UNMIK official with an office in Prishtina a person non grata. “Kosovo stands with its allies to act against harmful actions that endanger Kosovo’s national security and constitutional order,” reads the MFA announcement.

An international official, within UNMIK, with the initials PT has announced that the Russian official of UNMIK, Andrey Nikolaevich Antonov, who today was declared “persona non grata” by the Republic of Kosovo, has been charged with work in the UNMIK branch in North Mitrovica and was pressuring Serbian political structures to take radical action.

The trend of festive shopping in Albania changed in the year we just left behind. The shopping season started three months ago, avoiding speculative shopping in the last days of December. Major retail operators said the end-of-year shopping season has been extended. Purchases of expensive furniture and gifts started in late October.

Sales in children’s toy lines, supermarket products and furniture have grown at double-digit rates. New festive shopping trends and where revenue was generated for shopping.

Festive shopping enthusiasm has not been hampered by either high prices or the pandemic, as all retail lines, from used items to sophisticated tech shopping reported unusual sales in the two months before the holidays.

Restrictions on movement since the onset of the pandemic and the concentration of vital activity on simple things, mainly self-care and home care, have channeled consumption into food and equipment related to improving indoor infrastructure.

This trend, which started during the pandemic, when people were locked in their homes for a long time and noticed unmet housing needs, continued into the holiday season. Distributors asserted sales growth in volume, despite prices being higher.

Consumer spending is being fueled mainly by savings, remittances that were on the rise this year, and by channeling travel and entertainment expenses into home appliances. Travel abroad and the end-of-year festivities in bars and restaurants had become a tradition in Albania, but restrictions on movement and austerity measures by some European countries have changed plans. Spending the holidays at home is increasing the need for new equipment.

“Best Seller”, the largest furniture operator in the country, said that, the demand on the eve of the holidays was high this year. Official sources from the company explained that the demand was higher than usual years for both exports and the domestic market. The increase has been over 25-30%, depending on the products during December, the company claimed.

“Balfin” group, the largest retail operator in the chain of stores “Jumbo”, “Neptun”, “Spar Albania”, “Fashion Group Albania”, reported sales growth throughout 2021 and at the end of the year. In terms of volumes, “Neptun” has increased by 23%, FGA 30%, “Spar Albania” 25% and “Jumbo”, 21%, including sales that the networks have in other stores abroad.

The same trend has continued for food products in their specialized sales units. The Big Market, one of the largest retail operators in the country, claimed that sales in December were higher than in other regular years for all types of products. The increase in consumption on the eve of the holidays was also supported by some indirect indicators, such as imports, retail trade in volume, which were growing above the historical average in the second half of the year.

The festive season extends, purchases that three months in advance

Every year that passes, the holiday season is extended in time. Holiday-related items, festive decorations start in November. Consumers, especially the younger ones, conceive of purchases as early as September and make them faster.

This trend showed strongly this year, said Fatmir Braha, who owns a furniture production unit. “Braha” furniture, with almost 30 years of experience in the market, shows that a new trend of year-end orders is emerging. Albanians usually concentrate orders in December and often the work was unaffordable. The pandemic has spurred creativity and furniture requirements this year have been very special, deviating from the usual standard.

Demand was high and varied for the holidays, even though prices were high during the season, Mr. Braha said. According to him, sales were high, but growth was hampered by a lack of employees and the inability to increase production capacity precisely because of the lack of employees. The furniture sector is suffering from labor shortages more than some other sectors. While the demand for furniture has been high, also due to the increase of new volumes, the furniture makers are not finding new employees, as qualification is required.

Official sources from the “Balfin” group reported steady sales growth of over 20% in all units in the two months before the holidays.

The satisfaction of shopping in stores returns, but online sales remain higher

Pandemic constraints, especially last year and the second wave of the pandemic (November 2020-February 2021) that coincided with the holidays years somewhat contracted physical purchases, as a growing trend of online sales was observed.

Unlike last year, the physical attendance of stores in the network of companies “Balfin” has increased, said the sources in the company. Going to the shops is part of the holiday routine and the fun that this process gives you. But online shopping has also become a habit for some companies and citizens who have invested in online commerce infrastructure.

In a special survey, INSTAT verified that in 2021, “online” purchases were made by 21.4% of the population aged 16-74. Among “online” purchases, products and services that occupy the largest share were clothing, shoes and accessories with 88.9%, which have shown an increase from 2020 by 4.1 percentage points. Even in 2021, the highest increase was recorded by “online” purchases for “food / beverages” from stores or providers.

In terms of online shopping, by gender, during 2021, women have made more purchases for: “personal care products (cosmetics, etc.)”, “baby products or toys for them” and “household products” . Meanwhile, men have shown more preferences in shopping for: “goods and sports goods”, “food services from restaurants / fast-food or catering services”, as well as “food or drinks from shops / food providers”.

Consumption is being supported by high import growth

High commodity consumption was supported by rising imports, both in value and prices. During the 11-month period 2021, according to INSTAT, imports increased by 31.1%, compared to the 11-month period 2020.

The groups that have had a positive impact on the annual growth of imports are: “Minerals, fuels and electricity” with +7.2 percentage points, “Machinery, equipment and spare parts” with +6.3 percentage points and “Construction materials and metals ”by +5.5 percentage points. The growth rates of imports were also high during November, a month before the Christmas month.

According to INSTAT in November 2021, imports in value increased by 44.4% compared to November 2020. Compared to November 2020, the groups: “Minerals, fuels and electricity” had a positive impact with +22.8 percentage points, ” Construction materials and metals ”with +8.3 percentage points and“ Food, beverages, tobacco ”with +4.3 percentage points.

The increase in imports is responding to the increase in domestic demand which marked a strong increase, as well as worldwide, in Albania. / monitor /

Sport
January 01, 2022 – 22:25

Latest News from Sport

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku, concluded a successful year in the capacity of the first MCYS.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Çeku spoke entirely about 2021, calling it a very challenging as well as a successful year.

Of course, successes were not lacking in sports, which he says are a continuation of previous successes, which were not coincidences at all.

“What was achieved in Tokyo this year with two gold medals in judo is the best confirmation that Rio was not a coincidence, nor was it an event that could happen once and not happen again – it shows that judokas our coach Driton Kuka, Judo Federation have done a long-term, systematic work, as we should have the state and now they get the results and successes, and will continue even further “, said Hajrulla Çeku.

Sport
January 01, 2022 – 22:51

Latest News from Sport

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez today (Saturday) in a press conference called on La Liga to cancel the first match of 2022 against Mallorca, writes Zeri.info.

Xavi’s team has been hit hard by COVID-19 infections and the coach was clear as he talked about breaking the championship if such matches continue to take place.

“We are in a situation on the limit as we have 17 or 18 absences. I think we can recover Umitit who was negative. I believe it was the right moment to suspend the game. This will ruin the championship. A Sevilla match was missed “We had three players from South America and we missed one. This is my opinion and it is simple logic. It seems that the rules are very strict and we have to go down on the field,” said the Spanish coach.

The Mallorca-Barcelona match takes place tomorrow (Sunday) from 21:00. /Zeri.info

Sport
January 01, 2022 – 23:27

Latest News from Sport

Juventus has announced that Giorgio Chiellini has tested positive for COVID-19, writes Zeri.info.

The news was announced from the official website of the club, through a press release issued.

The club also announces that the player is already following the rules and has been placed in solitary confinement.

“Juventus Football Club announces that during today’s buffer procedures to which the technical staff underwent the resumption of competitive activity, the football player Giorgio Chiellini came out positive with COVID-19. “The player is already respecting the rules provided and has been placed in isolation, in accordance with the health protocol in force”, it is said in the club’s communiqué. /Zeri.info

Giorgio Chiellini tests positive for Covid-19: https://t.co/H9rJzuWE1Y pic.twitter.com/mAGOJMX559

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 1, 2022

For every official holiday that falls on a weekend, currently according to the Law on Official Holidays, the following day of the week, or working day, is considered a holiday.

Even for the New Year holiday, although the holiday dates are on weekends, on January 1st and 2nd, according to the official holiday calendar, the holiday date will be Monday and Tuesday.

Such a practice has been constantly criticized, but for the amendment of the provision of the law, the Independent Administration Union says that they and civil society should be consulted. Although they did not speak out against it, he said that Kosovo should take into account the practices of the European Union.

The Private Sector Workers’ Union has demanded that the law be equally respected for employees in this sector.

Meanwhile, the Government of Kosovo says that it will support any initiative to change this provision.

“Regarding the issue raised for the change of the provision which currently stipulates that there should be a day off even when the official holiday falls during the weekend, as the Government we support in principle the change of this provision”, stated for ATV, the spokesman of the Government of Kosovo, Përparim Kryeziu.

There are 11 holidays in the official holiday calendar. The law on official holidays has entered the process of change during 2021 when at least the Day of the Egyptians is expected to be added to the calendar.

Sport
January 01, 2022 – 19:08

Latest News from Sport

Barcelona coach Xavi has spoken about the renewal of the contract of their striker, Dembeles, writes Zeri.info.

It has recently been reported that Dembele does not want to extend his contract with Barcelona, ​​thus arousing the interest of many European teams.

Lazy reportedly wants a mega-contract with Barcelona, ​​something Barcelona can not offer, given their economic crisis.

About these speculations, Xavi spoke today (Saturday) at a press conference before the match with Mallocan.

The coach has stated they will talk to his agent again, but he is not disappointed with the Frenchman.

“It is a negotiation, it is normal – we will talk to his agent again. I’m not disappointed with Ousmane. Let’s see what happens.

“We, the club, have a very clear position and I continue to expect Dembélé to make a gesture to stay here at Barça,” Xavi said. /Zeri.info

Sport
January 01, 2022 – 16:16

The Basketball Federation of Kosovo during 2021 had a busy calendar with many activities. Despite the difficulties, there were successes in local and international competitions.

At the local level, we single out the establishment of the National Center, and in the international one three medals from the Representatives of Kosovo and finally the victory against Denmark for the holiday of November 28.

National Basketball Center

A very important project for Kosovo basketball started on October 18 by the Basketball Federation of Kosovo (BFK).

For the first time in our country, the National Basketball Center has started, where players with potential for the future have been selected.

16 players (13 and 14 years old) from all over Kosovo have gathered in this National Center, while they will be supervised by Valentin Spaqi, Driton Obërtinca and Arben Krasniqi. Next year will also start in the women’s competition.

Basketball players have gathered at the Social-Educational Center “Don Bosko” in Pristina. They are training twice a day, five days a week, and on the weekends they will play at their clubs.

They will also have many friendly matches as well as play against other states.

This is a major and very important project for Kosovo basketball, where players with potential for the future are gathered, and then they will be part of the Kosovo Representatives.

BFK has always paid attention to the new generations and this is the next project, for the new generations to develop even more.

The basketball players coming out of the National Basketball Center will be a great help to all the new Representatives of Kosovo, but also to Kosovo basketball.

Kosovo girls win bronze medal in Cyprus

Kosovo basketball players won the bronze medal in their debut at the European Basketball Championship for Small States in Cyprus.

Kosovo defeated Malta 70:60 with a fantastic comeback in the last quarter, to take third place in this tournament.

The Dardanelles had lost in the semifinals to Ireland 86:72.

Kosovo came second in the group stage with a victory over host Cyprus and a loss to Luxembourg.

Six national teams took part in this five-day tournament, Andorra, Cyprus, Ireland, Kosovo, Luxembourg and Malta.

This was the first time that Kosovo A competed in the international arena and debuted with bronze medals.

Kosova U18, Challenger champion in Tirana

Kosovo defeated Luxembourg 84:58 (26:20, 20:25, 22: 3, 16:10) in the final to triumph in the FIBA ​​European Challenger, for the U18 men, the championship that took place in Tirana.

Dardanians scored four victories in four matches and with merit was declared the champion of this competition. The MVP of this championship was announced Visar Ejupi of Kosovo.

In Kosovo in the final were Dion Sheqiri with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, Hajriz Hazeri with 11 points and 10 rebounds, Rinol Gashi with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Visar Ejupi with 14 points, Eliot Peci with 13 and Bardh Istrefi with 10 points.

Albania took third place, Andorra fourth, Gibraltar fifth, Malta sixth and Moldova seventh.

Kosovo beat Albania 85:62, Moldova 108: 45, Andorra 80:71 and Luxembourg in the final 84:58.

The young Dardanians triumph in Prishtina

Kosovo U16 has developed fantastic performances in the FIBA ​​European Challenger for men that took place in Pristina, scoring five convincing victories in five matches played. Even with 7-8 basketball players, after infecting four players with Covid, this did not stop the players from giving their best and triumphing at home.

The young Dardanians scored victories against Malta 117: 20, Moldova 122: 42, Gibraltar 98:19, Albania 103: 46 and Luxembourg 86:43.

European MVP in Pristina was announced Rron Dahsyla of Kosovo.

Victory against Denmark

Kosovo scored a great victory, defeating Denmark 78:73 (19:18, 20:16, 22:13, 18:27), in the match valid for the FIBA ​​Eurobasket 2025 qualifiers.

In Kosovo, Valon Bunjaku and Drilon Hajrizi stood out with 14 points each and Dardan Berisha with 16.

Kosovo has a win and a loss, while Denmark a loss.

Denmark is a Representative with a tradition in European basketball and a very strong opponent.

The Dardanians will host Norway at home in February next year and travel to Denmark in June for the final group challenge. /Zeri.info

From today, Albania will sit at the table of the United Nations Security Council.

Albania has been elected for the first time a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period that will last until December 31, 2023.

Sitting in this important institution represents a major challenge, but also an excellent opportunity for Albania and can be considered one of the greatest achievements of Albanian diplomacy.

On the occasion of this significant event, Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka said that Albania will use this moment to advance the issue of Kosovo.

“This is an achievement that every Albanian everywhere in the world should be proud of. Starting from our brothers and sisters in Kosovo because undoubtedly Albania will use this opportunity to advance the cause of Kosovo, the process of recognition and membership in international organizations because Kosovo has been, is and will be a sacred cause for Albania. We will work for the Albanians, but we will also work for our region to consolidate the achievements of the last decades and not to let it slide towards the destabilization of tensions. “We will work with our allies and partners to jointly advance the agenda of our common priorities, thus consolidating even more the strong ties that unite us”, said Xhaçka. / A2