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Gaza, Palestine and Israel - 21 Jan 2025 filed by the editor - Opinion What’s this? More from Ireland at www.thetruth.ie Direct news input items
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Albania | Balkan InsightBalkan Politicians Visit Washington to Pay Homage to TrumpA convoy of politicians from Balkan countries has trouped to Washington for Donald Trump's inauguration - some boasting about their invites, others making the trip simply to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the new president. Thousands of Tons of Hazardous Waste Illegally Exported from AlbaniaAt least 20,000 tonnes of hazardous waste have been illegally exported from Albania since 2020; experts say Albanian authorities are failing in their monitoring obligations. Albania Opposition Chief to Ask Trump to Review ‘Persona Non Grata’ StatusDeclaring Donald Trump's victory in the US elections "a miracle", Sali Berisha said he will call on the new US administration to remove his 'persona non grata' designation, which he called a "corrupt" decision. Albanian PM Under Fire Over TikTok Ban in Election YearCivil society groups in Albania have questioned the rationale behind an announced 12-month ban on TikTok in the wake of the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old. Opposition parties say PM Edi Rama’s decision is more about the upcoming election than child safety. Great Expectations: Trump’s Return Sparks Hope on All Sides in Divided AlbaniaBoth the ruling Socialists and opposition conservatives spy potential dividends from a second Trump term in the White House. Emigration and Infrastructure Woes Hold Back Albania’s Olive GrowersAlbania should be well-placed to take advantage of growing demand for olive oil amid rising prices, but poor roads and a lack of labour during harvest season are stifling the sector. Albania Greenlights Jared Kushner Plan to Develop Island as Luxury ResortThe government has granted Strategic Investor Status to a proposal by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, to build a luxury resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan. Albania’s Government Criticised for Pre-Election ‘Sweeteners’Though not strictly in violation of the law, a string of generous gestures by Albania’s government appears designed to curry favour with large segments of the electorate ahead of parliamentary polls in May. Often Unnoticed, Albania’s Graft Prosecutors are Targeting Mayors TooBesides targeting political figures at the state level, special prosecutors in Albania are also going after mayors at the local level where corruption is often more prevalent. Albania to Register Diaspora Voters for First Time Ahead of May PollsNew regulations will allow Albanians living outside the country to cast postal ballots in the May parliamentary elections – a change long sought by most parties. Albania in 2025: Parliamentary Elections Approach, But ‘No Real Alternatives’ AppearMany expect the ruling Socialist Party to win this year’s parliamentary elections again, and are placing their hopes in anti-corruption bodies to bring some genuine change by battling high-level graft. The Departed: Balkan Personalities Who Left the Stage in 2024From a diplomat who fought in World War II to a Turkish cleric accused of subverting the state and a Bulgarian rock star who raised his voice for democracy, these are some of the key figures who passed away this year in the Balkans. Digital Rights Review: TikTok Backlash in Romania, Spyware Revelations in SerbiaTikTok became the focus of criticism for boosting a far-right contender in Romania’s elections, while in Serbia, evidence of the use of spyware emerged amid the largest student protests in the country in years. As Justice Vetting Ends, Albania Urged to Maintain New Anti-Graft StandardsA seven-year vetting process in Albania has been hailed as setting new standards in the fight against judicial graft. Can the country maintain them? Museum Honours Woman Who Challenged Albania’s Brutal Communist TakeoverMusine Kokalari paid a heavy price for opposing Albania’s slide into totalitarianism; a newly opened museum recalls her largely forgotten struggle for a more liberated society. Bechtel Bespoke: US Engineering Giant’s Modus Operandi in the Balkans Causes ConcernOver the past two decades, US engineering giant Bechtel has won billions of euros worth of infrastructure work across the Balkans, often on the basis of bespoke laws that bypass public procurement rules and keep the deals’ key details under wraps. Higher Pay Lures Albanians to Booming Montenegrin ResortA flow of workers from northern Albania to the expanding town of Ulcinj on Montenegro’s coast is leaving their hometowns short of labour. Albanian Opposition MPs Slam Govt for Sidelining Constitutional CourtOpposition MPs claimed the government is ignoring Council of Europe experts’ advice urging parliament to let the Constitutional Court review the mandate of a former minister who has been accused of abuse of office. BIRN Reality Check: Pollution Continues Unabated in Albania’s Oldest OilfieldBIRN reported in 2022 on the scourge of pollution in the area of Albania’s oldest oilfield. A subsequent inspection resulted in a 10,000-euro fine for the culprit, but the leaks continue. Digital Rights Worsened in Central, Southeast Europe in 2024: BIRN ReportFrom Budapest to Ankara, online freedoms are being compromised by government legislation, emerging technologies and tech giant algorithms, says BIRN’s new annual report on digital rights violations in Central and Southeast Europe. Illicit Finance: Western Balkans Must Act to Clean Up Dirty Money ProblemsNational laws may be compliant with international standards but weak oversight, corruption and cash economies hamper an effective battle against money-laundering, says the author of a new report on illicit finance in the Western Balkans. Monday Briefing from the Balkans: December 2, 2024Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Albanians ‘Deliberately Forgetting’ Horrors of Communist Past, Writer SaysIn his new book, political scientist Ermal Hasimja says Albanians have deliberately decided to ‘forget’ the criminal nature of the country’s former communist regime, as a kind of defence mechanism. Freed Albanian Opposition Leader Demands New Govt Ahead of ElectionsAfter being freed from house arrest, the opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha demanded the formation of a new 'technical' caretaker government to steer the country ahead of 2025 elections. Robert Budina: Filmmaker Whose Risky Escape from Albania Shaped His WorkThe son of an army general in communist Albania, Robert Budina was part of the student protests that helped bring down the regime, only to flee to Italy on an overcrowded boat. The experience has informed his work ever since. Albania Drug Trafficking Probe Targets Top Policeman, Ex-Judge, JournalistsProsecutors are investigating an Elbasan-based organised crime group that trafficked drugs from Latin America and whose suspected members and associates include a former judge, a senior police official and two journalists. Hundreds of Albanians Still Waiting for Homes, Five Years After EarthquakeThe state promised everyone left homeless by a 2019 earthquake a new home in 2020. Some are still living in squalor. Environment Paying Price of Albania’s Failure to Rehabilitate after MiningA law requiring mining companies to rehabilitate the environment after their operations shut down is being almost completely ignored, and the state has failed to step in. Albania Condemns ‘Passivisation’ of Albanians’ Addresses in South SerbiaAlbania joined Kosovo in criticising Serbia's practice of marking ethnic Albanians' addresses as ‘inactive', describing it as a "violation of human rights and standards for the protection of minorities". Western Balkans’ Biodiversity Threatened by Development and Mismanagement, Report WarnsGerman-based EuroNatur Foundation report highlights escalating threats to ecosystems im Western Balkans, saying development pressures, policy gaps and poor enforcement of rules jeopardise their future. As Borders Tighten, Violence Rises on Migrant Route Through the BalkansWith the EU tightening its borders, violent transnational smuggling groups have strengthened their grip on the routes that bring refugees and migrants to Europe through the Balkans. Balkan Countries at UN Climate Summit: Touting Renewables, Chasing Gas DealsThe COP29 climate change summit in Baku has proven a lucrative side hustle for the host – gas-producing, oil-rich Azerbaijan – with Balkan visitors lining up to strike deals. Albanian Minister’s Bargain Lakeside Land Purchase ‘Raises Red Flags’Experts say the details of a 2021 land deal involving Albania’s current justice minister warrant investigation. Reality Bites: Illegal, Isolated, Overworked Albanians Count Cost of UK DreamThough numbers are down, Albanians are still being drawn to British shores by the social media promise of a better life. The reality is often very different. Italy-Albania Migrant Deal Branded ‘Failure’ After Court RulingAfter Italian judges scuppered a second attempt to send migrants for processing in Albania, critics say the ‘offshoring’ agreement between the two countries is in deep trouble. Digital Rights Review: ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws Target Online MediaBIRN’s monitoring of digital rights violations in October highlighted new threats to freedom of expression online in south-east and eastern Europe as countries embraced legislation against foreign-funded NGOs and media. Italy Sends Second Migrant Ship to Albania as Legal Disputes ContinueAfter an initial attempt to send refugees and migrants for processing in Albania failed, owing to Italian court rulings, a second ship with eight on board arrived in Shengjin port on Friday. Donald Trump’s Comeback is Bad News for Bosniaks and KosovarsBosniaks and Kosovo Albanians will be lucky if all Washington does is ignore them under Donald Trump’s new administration, while Serb leaders and populists like Hungary’s Viktor Orban will feel emboldened. Bosnian Serb Leaders Hold Cocktail Party to Toast Trump VictoryThe US-sanctioned president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, threw a cocktail party in honour of Trump’s victory in the American presidential elections, saying his win "symbolises a return to values we hold dear". Central and Southeast Europe’s Populists Celebrate Trump WinThe region’s populists could hardly contain their glee at the return of the former president to the White House. How Allocation of EU Rapporteur Jobs Might Impact Western Balkan Accession HopesThe names of the new EU rapporteurs for each of the six Western Balkan countries will emerge over the coming weeks. The relative strength of the various party groupings in the European parliament indicates how some countries might fare better than others. ‘Like Prison’: How African Migrant Workers Suffer Exploitation in AlbaniaMigrant workers from Africa have told BIRN about having to surrender their passports on arrival in Albania, working unpaid overtime and facing deportation once they are no longer required. Many are left with debts to the agencies that act as middlemen. Albanian Premier Edi Rama’s Diaspora Tour: Outreach or Electioneering?From New York to Thessaloniki, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been travelling the world to hold meetings with Albanian diaspora communities ahead of next year’s elections. Opponents say he’s trying to avoid discontent at home. File Not Found: Drive for Open Data Stalls in Western BalkansGovernments in the Western Balkans committed years ago to make official data open and transparent – but a BIRN survey suggests they sometimes supply only incomplete or out-of-date information. Exhibition of Prisoners’ Letters Sheds Light on Albania’s Communist-Era Jails'Letters From Hell', an exhibition in Tirana, explores the grim conditions in two of Communist Albania's most infamous prisons, Spac and Burrel, showcasing correspondence from some of the prisoners. Open Data Deficit Hinders Green Transition in Kosovo and AlbaniaExperts say a lack of open data when it comes to the environment is hindering the green transition in Albania and Kosovo. Albanian Opposition Protesters Block Roads in Six TownsAlbania's opposition continued what it called its campaign of “civil disobedience” against Edi Rama's government by blocking roads in six towns across the country. Albania Prosecution Orders Seizure of Suspected Hazardous Waste on ShipAfter a ship refused entry to Thailand arrived back in Albania, prosecutors ordered the seizure of the cargo for examination. Using AI in Albanian Public Procurements ‘No Easy Solution’ for CorruptionAlbania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed using artificial intelligence in public procurement processes to tackle corruption – but experts argue that the root causes should be dealt with first. Albania Socialist Party MP Charged With Violating Procurement RulesRuling party MP Plarent Ndreca was charged with procurement-related offences allegedly committed four years ago during his time as general secretary at the Interior Ministry. Opposition Leaders’ Arrests May Signal Demise of Albania’s Old Political ClassThe arrests of two important opposition leaders hopefully mark the end of one era – and the birth of a new one in which justice no longer cowers before corrupt politicians in a captured state. BIRN Spots Controversial Ship Allegedly Transporting Explosives to Israel in AlbaniaCargo vessel denied entry to multiple ports owing to concerns about faciliating war crimes in Gaza has been seen in a private port in Albania. Albania’s Ex-President Meta Traded Favours for Luxury Villa, Prosecutors AllegeAnti-corruption prosecutors in Albania say Ilir Meta, a former president, prime minister and parliament speaker, and his MP wife had a “corrupt relationship” with a prominent tycoon, trading favours for gifts including a luxury villa, Beyoncé concert tickets and lunch in London. Lost in Translation: Open Balkan ID Initiative Yet to Take OffLaunched six months ago, the Open Balkan ID Number was presented as marking the start of a single labour market between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania. It has had some teething troubles. Amid Homophobic Rhetoric, Albania’s LGBTQ+ Community is ‘Battling Rejection’Discriminatory comments from politicians are exacerbating prejudice and encouraging a hostile environment for the community in Albania, rights activist Amarildo Fecanji tells BIRN. Albanian Opposition Leaders’ Arrests Create Uncertainty Ahead of ElectionsWith two opposition leaders, Ilir Meta and Sali Berisha, both under arrest, the atmosphere ahead of polls due in 2025 looks increasingly fraught – with some fearing a drift towards radicalisation. Albania’s Ex-President Ilir Meta Arrested on Corruption ChargesFormer President Ilir Meta, now leader of the opposition Freedom Party, was arrested on charges of corruption, money-laundering and non-declaration of assets. Italian Court Rules Migrants Shipped to Albania Must Be Sent BackA Rome court dealt a blow to a controversial scheme to send migrants intercepted at sea by Italy to Albania, ruling that the first 12 migrants who were transported to an Albanian reception camp this week must be returned. Albanians Scent Profit in Italy’s Costly Offshore Migrant Processing PlanAn Italian opposition MP has lambasted the start of the scheme to process migrants in Albania as a fiasco - but locals living near the new facilities are eyeing up potential economic benefits. Albania Opposition MPs Claim Police Threatened Them in Parliament With GunsAfter opposition MPs continued their protest in parliament on Thursday, clashing with the police and parliamentary guards, they claimed 'armed persons threatened the deputies with weapons'. Could Michigan’s Albanian-Americans Swing the Vote for Trump?Albanian-American supporters of Donald Trump are campaigning hard in the swing state of Michigan, where their numbers could sway the result. But some fear the return of Trump’s controversial Balkan envoy Richard Grenell. Albanian Environmentalists See Red Over Green Sludge Coating Tirana’s LakeThe main artificial lake in the capital has been covered for weeks by thick green algae, which environmental activists blame on untreated urban sewage flowing into the water. First Italian Ship With Refugees Arrives in AlbaniaThe first Italian ship holding 16 refugees intercepted at sea arrived in Albania early on Wednesday, as Italy's controversial plan to 'offshore' the processing of migrants and refugees got underway. Moldova Should Learn from Albania’s Mistakes in Justice ReformAs EU hopeful Moldova embarks on a complex process of judicial reform and vetting to root out corruption, experts advise it to note what has gone right – and wrong – in Albania, which began the same process a decade ago. As Talks Begin, EU Chides Albania’s ‘Limited Progress’ in Tackling CorruptionAs accession talks got underway, the EU 'negotiating position', published on Tuesday, says corruption remains "prevalent in most areas of public and business life, including in all branches of central and local government". Digital Rights Review: Websites Promote and Profit from Abuse of WomenBIRN's monitoring of digital rights violations in August and September highlighted a threatening Hungarian ‘dark web’ site that contained illegally obtained images of women, plus a series of arrests for online sexual abuse in Romania. Albania Opens EU Accession Negotiations, Seeks Membership by 2030In Luxembourg on Tuesday, Albania opened its first negotiation ‘cluster’, with Prime Minister Edi Rama saying his country has its sights set on joining the European club by the end of the decade. Androulakis Wins Second Chance to Revive Greece’s Centre-Left PartyAfter his re-election as leader of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis promised that “the best things are ahead” – but only time will show whether he can win back the trust of Greek voters for the once-powerful party he has supported since his youth. Kosovo to Abolish Visas for Bosnian Citizens from 2025At the Berlin Process Summit, Kosovo's prime minister announced that his country will allow residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina to enter Kosovo only with ID cards – even if Bosnia does not do the same. Albanian Govt Fails to Attract Bidders for New Durres PortAfter no companies presented bids to redevelop the old Port of Durres as a marina with apartment blocks, the government's plans for the site – which include building a new port – are in disarray. Albanian Police Arrest Two for Forcibly Exploiting Afghan TeenagerPolice said they arrested two people for exploiting a 16-year-old from Afghanistan in the northern city of Shkodra, forcing him to work at a car service centre. Ten Years On, What Has the ‘Berlin Process’ Done for the Western Balkans?The Berlin Process initiative was launched in 2014 to boost the EU integration and alignment of the six Western Balkan countries. Despite continuing political problems in the region, it has delivered significant progress. Feuding Leaders of Albania and Kosovo Quietly ‘Forget’ Joint Govt MeetingsThe silent passage of the tenth anniversary of Albania-Kosovo intergovernmental meetings this year underscores a relationship at a historic low – but who is to blame for this rift remains disputed. Italian-Run Reception Centres in Albania ‘Ready to Accommodate Migrants’The Italian ambassador to Tirana announced that two centres built to accommodate migrants who initially arrived in Italy are now ready to receive people, after months of delays. Turkish President’s ‘Mosque Diplomacy’ Divides Albania’s MuslimsThe lavish opening ceremony of a grand new mosque gifted by Turkey masks concern in Albania over whether Ankara’s generosity comes at a price. Albanian Police Seek Prosecution of Democratic Party Officials over UnrestProceedings have been initiated against three senior officials of the opposition Democratic Party after anti-government protesters threw Molotov cocktails and clashed with police at a demonstration in Tirana. Spurned by Stakeholders, Albanian Govt’s Anti-Graft Initiative UnravelsIn Albania, a new commission ostensibly created to spur reform and tackle corruption has been rebuffed by the justice system and civil society and criticised by the EU. Albanian Anti-Govt Protesters Throw Molotov Cocktails, Clash with PoliceOpposition supporters demonstrating in Tirana about the jailing of an MP threw incendiary devices at the prime minister’s office and the ruling Socialist Party headquarters and clashed with police outside parliament. Floods and Landslides Leave 18 Dead in BosniaA state of natural disaster has been declared in Bosnia after heavy rainfall overwhelmed homes and roads, causing a series of fatalities, including a baby. How Much Has Organised Crime Penetrated Albania’s Police?A number of high-ranking police officers have been arrested, charged or sentenced for involvement in organised crime networks after an underworld phone app was hacked. BIRN examines what is known about the suspects so far. Before He’s Even Started, Albania’s New Police Chief Has Phone Seized in ProbeDays before he is due to officially start the role, Albania’s police chief-elect, Ilir Proda, has had his mobile phone seized by anti-corruption prosecutors over a suspected leak of information to a notorious organised crime group. E-Government in the Balkans Still a Work in Progress: BIRN ReportA new BIRN report says a lack of funds and political will means that e-government services and open data provision in the Balkans remain very limited. Albanian MPs Reported to Special Prosecution over Parliament ViolencePolice have accused 25 opposition lawmakers of destruction of property following violent scenes at parliament. Albania and North Macedonia’s EU ‘Decoupling’ Causes Dismay in SkopjeReports that the EU plans to push ahead with Albania’s EU accession talks, independently of North Macedonia, puts renewed scrutiny on Tirana’s true reform readiness, while risking deepening a sense of alienation in Skopje. Albania Police Officers Feel Starved of Choice Over Food CouponsAfter the government changed the way it compensates police officers for overtime, swapping cash for coupons, some complain that they are effectively forced to spend them in a single supermarket chain. New EU Line-Up, But No Quick Fix for Balkan Enlargement WoesSupporters of EU enlargement to the Balkans may take heart from Ursula von der Leyen’s proposed new line-up at the European Commission, but it will take more than a change at the top to reinvigorate the stalled accession process. US Senate Probes Serbian, Albanian Officials’ Ties to Jared Kushner-Linked ProjectsUS Senate Committee says it is seeking the names of the Serbian and Albanian government officials who approached a company linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law over property development projects. Even in Cases of Convicted Criminals, Albania’s Asset Seizures Aren’t WorkingA sprawling seafront hotel and 18 apartments remain in the hands of relatives of convicted drug Albanian smuggler Kelmend Balili, despite previously being seized under a law designed to crack down on the proceeds of crime. Share Your Experience: Open Data in the Western BalkansHave you had experiences with open data such as government statistics websites or scientific data portals? Are these platforms user-friendly or too complex to navigate? Tell us about it. Albanians Pay Price of Waste Management FiascoAn emerging tourist hotspot, Vlora in southern Albania was promised a new landfill by 2021. Instead, it has clouds of black smoke from burning waste. |
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