Italy transfers rejected migrants to centers in Albania

Italy transfers rejected asylum seekers to centers in Albania, sparking legal and ethical debate.

A controversial step in European migration policy

The Italian authorities have taken a bold turn in their immigration strategy: 40 people without residence permits were transferred to detention centers run by Italy in Albania. This measure marks a precedent, since it is the first time that a country in the European Union sends migrants to a nation outside the bloc that is not their place of origin or transit.

Details of the operation and reactions

The migrants, whose nationality has not been revealed, left the port of Brindisi and will be housed in facilities built by Italy in Shengjin and Gjader, near Tirana. These spaces were designed to process asylum applications, but their use has been blocked by Italian courts since their inauguration in October. Human rights groups denounce that this practice violates international law and establishes a dangerous precedent.

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“They need to justify an incredibly expensive structure,” said Meghan Benton of the Migration Policy Institute, while experts such as Francesco Ferri of Action Aid question the legality of the bilateral agreement. “There is no legal basis to deport from Albania,” he stated.

Giorgia Meloni’s government recently expanded the functions of these centers to include the retention of rejected applicants, although the EU is still debating a similar proposal. Meanwhile, arrivals on Italian coasts have decreased by 29% compared to 2023, according to official data.

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Russia attacks kyiv with missiles and drones: one dead and multiple injured

Russian attack with missiles and drones leaves one dead and eleven injured in kyiv.

Night attack in kyiv

Russia launched a missile and drone attack against kyiv during the early hours of Thursday. The bombings shook the Ukrainian capital and caused damage to residential buildings.

The head of the kyiv Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, reported that one person died and several were injured. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that at least 11 people suffered injuries.

The attack reached all 10 districts of the city, on both banks of the Dnipro River. The first warnings were issued by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials. Many residents took refuge in subway stations.

Recorded damages

Klitschko reported that five people were injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district, including a paramedic in critical condition. In Desnianskyi, a nine-story building was damaged and trapped people were rescued. In Holosiivskyi, a fire broke out on the roof of a multi-story building. House fires were also reported in the Sviatohynskyi and Darnytskyi districts.

Response from authorities

Tkachenko detailed that the attack partially destroyed a residential building in Desnianskyi, caused fires near homes in two parts of the Pecherskyi district, and another fire near an administrative building in Solomianskyi. Authorities also recorded damage in the Obolonskyi and Podilskyi districts.

In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up its attacks on kyiv. Meanwhile, Ukraine has deployed long-range drones against Russian military targets and energy facilities, creating fuel shortages and affecting supply lines within Russia. Klitschko urged residents to stay in shelters in the face of what he called a “furious enemy attack.”

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Venezuela: hospital crisis after earthquakes and thousands of people affected

The earthquakes in Venezuela left more than 1,700 dead and a health crisis that overwhelmed hospitals.

Last week’s earthquakes in Venezuela have collapsed the health system. More than 1,700 people died and thousands were injured. Hospitals operate at their limit, according to international organizations.

Hospital damage and disease risk

The WHO reports dozens of hospitals affected, several out of service. Those that work face overcrowding, lack of staff and delays in surgeries. In addition, thousands of displaced people live in makeshift shelters. The UN warns of possible outbreaks of measles, dengue, malaria and yellow fever due to overcrowding.

Figures and call for help

Venezuelan authorities count more than 15,000 affected, but the number could be higher, according to international organizations. NASA estimates that 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. UNICEF estimates that 680,000 children need humanitarian assistance. While search and rescue efforts continue, national and international organizations are asking to reinforce humanitarian and medical aid. The priority is to care for the affected population, prevent the spread of diseases and strengthen the response capacity of the health system to the magnitude of the emergency.

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The ‘Flemish Revolution’ shakes Albania against Kushner’s project

Albanian environmentalists use foam flamingos to protest a tourism project linked to Jared Kushner.

The ‘flamingo revolution’ that challenges a Kushner project in Albania

Thousands of people have demonstrated in Tirana against a luxury tourism megaproject linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. The mobilizations, baptized as the “flamingo revolution”, have a peculiar symbol: figures of flamingos made of foam by the activist Natma Paja, used to make visible the rejection of development.

The project includes hotels, villas, apartments and a marina on Sazan Island and Narta Lagoon, a protected area that is home to migratory birds. Civil organizations denounce a risk to biodiversity and demand the suspension of the works.

The government defends investment

Prime Minister Edi Rama has backed the project, arguing that it will boost high-end tourism, strengthen the economy and support Albania’s aspiration to join the European Union. But the opposition does not give in.

As protests continue, the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime opened an investigation into the case, without revealing details. The European Union, for its part, monitors that the initiative complies with the environmental standards required of the candidate country.

Rama has reiterated that he will not stop the project, which he describes as a historic opportunity. The conflict keeps open the debate between economic growth, environmental protection and transparency in large investments.

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