Exactly right, and therefore important not to give credit for an investigation of an obvious atrocity. Appropriate responses are apologies, resignations, firings, impeachments. The individuals who killed people should be tried before a judge and jury.

The Trumpists will continue to escalate. But in Minneapolis, we can see the limits of MAGA’s assault. Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not. My new piece for @zeit.de - and some thoughts, since it is in German (gift link):

1/3 💧 Europe's wild #rivers are vanishing These time-lapses show more than just construction; they show the silencing of some of Europe’s last wild pulses. 2,450km of pristine rivers have been modified, diverted, or drowned since 2012. © Video: Joshua D. Lim; Music: Tom Fox Music #conservation

Albania: while Prime Minister Rama hosted Ivanka Trump to discuss urbanisation plans for the Island of Sazan, 41 environmental groups request to maintain the natural treasure untouched. @euronatur.bsky.social @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social @martakos.ec.europa.eu www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

📣 More than 40 environmental and nature #conservation organisations from 28 countries have signed an open letter to Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama and Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj calling for an immediate halt to the planned luxury resort on Sazan. www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

Relevant analysis by @blerjanabino.bsky.social: "If 2025 was the year when Albania demonstrated its capacity to accelerate, 2026 and the years ahead will test whether acceleration can sustain reform and deliver democratisation in practice." balkaninsight.com/2026/01/02/a...

So the US administration considers hate speech and disinformation “American viewpoints“? 🙄 HateAid is an organization that also helps climate scientists to defend themselves against online abuse and threats. Its founder was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 🇩🇪 this year.

I talked to DW about EU enlargement and Vučićs proposal for a WB6 big bang www.dw.com/en/eu-enlarg...

For > 3 years, Albanian courts, led by the Supreme Court, are playing "procedural ping-pong", without yet considering the merits of the case. There is a valid concern that #RuleOfLaw is not guaranteed in #Albania @martakos.ec.europa.eu @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu www.voxnews.al/english/aktu...

After an undignified drama in #Albania, the main questions remain: why is the Deputy Prime Minister not stepping back? And if not, why the Prime Minister doesn't dismiss her? @martakos.ec.europa.eu @ec.europa.eu balkaninsight.com/2025/12/16/a...

It is welcome that this controversial project comes to an end. The #Kushner project in #Albania on island #Sazan is also very controversial not respecting nature legislation.

For nature this is good news as the planne bridge and the required access roads would have fragmented the fragile Buna-Bojana delta in the transboundary area of #Albania and #Montenego. #EuropeanGreenBelt www.kapitali.al/english/lajm...

This is so outrageous that there are hardly any words to describe the disgrace. The EU marks a low moment for citizens' health, for science, for democracy, for biodiversity, and for farmers. Congratulations for those who've just shown us who's the real boss in this puppet theatre.

This is a ray of hope also for the Albanian island Sazan. Kushner agreed with Rama to transform this natural island to a luxury tourist destination. But also in Albania lots of people and civil society organsiations are opposing this deal.

My main question: why Deputy Prime Minister Balluku doesn't resign? Deep governmental crisis in #Albania. @martakos.ec.europa.eu @kajakallas.bsky.social citizens.al/en/2025/12/1...

Volle Zustimmung zur Analyse in der @taz. Allerdings steht seit vorgestern in Frage, wie lange EU-Naturschutzvorschriften noch Sicherheit bieten. Denn die Europäische Kommission hat angekündigt, dass sie Habitat- und Vogelschutzrichtlinie 2026 einem Stresstest unterziehen will. @ec.europa.eu

This article in #Balkaninsight describes the pressure protected area managers might face. The story of Ardian Koci is heartbreaking. balkaninsight.com/2025/12/10/t...

She is so right - @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu as to the current #deregulation drive! www.politico.eu/article/eu-r...

Important milestone: Envi Groups - challenging an airport construction in a protected area in #Albania - have standing in front of the court. Downside: it took the court system 3 (!) years to come to this conclusion, while the works went on and on. @martakos.ec.europa.eu citizens.al/en/2025/11/2...

Mesa redonda de expertos organizada por @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social , @euronatur.bsky.social y @wwf.eu sobre el futuro del Programa LIFE en el nuevo MFP. Un intercambio valioso sobre la desaparición de este programa clave para la protección de la naturaleza y el clima en el presupuesto europeo.

Warmest & friendly thoughts to our Brazilians friends that have chaired a very difficult COP. The outcome is not what we need or what we like.That’s disappointing. But, please,do not forget real action takes place at home. We need much more & much better.And an update on climate COPs mission! #COP30

Important sentence of this article: "In any Western democratic country, the mere initiation of corruption investigations would be enough to cause a political official of integrity to resign. This does not happen in Albania, even when the accusations become official." citizens.al/en/2025/11/2...

Important step forward: Montenegrin Ministry of Environment, together with @euronatur.bsky.social and its Montenegrin partner organisations CZIP and CDE, has signed a memorandum of understanding to improve the protection of the Morača river. #BlueHeartOfEurope www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

Beside the celebration of progress in opening EU accession clusters, the ALGov is in deep crisis. The issues Deputy PM is alleged are not the only issues. One of the biggest scandals is the construction of an airport in a protected area. @euronatur.bsky.social 1/2 balkaninsight.com/2025/11/20/a...

Two weeks since Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime, SPAK, issued a statement announcing it had indicted Deputy PM Belinda Balluku over the alleged rigging of a 190-million-euro tender for the construction of the Llogara Tunnel. balkaninsight.com/2025/11/14/o...

Aufrüttelnde Doku über die schmutzigen Geschäfte mit dem Klimaschutz. Zentrale Ursache ist im gezeigten Beispiel aus Brasilien, wie in vielen anderen Waldökosystemen auch, dass die Verbrennung von Holzbiomasse als grüne Energie anerkannt ist. #Greenwashing www.ardmediathek.de/video/versch...

#Buchtipp: @krstorevic.bsky.social, @tschinderle.bsky.social und @danijelmajic.bsky.social, »Der #Westbalkan. Im Wartezimmer der #EU« (jetzt für 5 EUR bei der @bpb.de)

Gibt es in der EU wirklich ein "Nullrisiko" für illegale Abholzungen / Walddegradierung (im Zusammenhang mit #EUDR). #ARD #Europamagazin hat nachgesehen - in #Rumänien: www.tagesschau.de/video/video-...

If you are interested in #nature #biodiversity #EUEnlargement you may find relevant information in this statement of @euronatur.bsky.social @martakos.ec.europa.eu @kajakallas.bsky.social www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

Deputy Prime Minister in #Albania under severe pressure. Corruption allegations with regard to a controversial road project. @kajakallas.bsky.social @martakos.ec.europa.eu balkaninsight.com/2025/11/07/l...

Vor dem Parlament in Belgrad. Gerade sind Menschen gerannt, Böller wurden geworfen, Rauch stieg auf, die Polizei machte einen Zufahrtweg zu. Die Demonstrierenden stehen davor und brüllen "Gotov Je" - Er ist am Ende. Stimmung sehr angespannt.

Student protesters have been demanding snap elections, but Serbia’s strongman leader, President Aleksandar Vucic, has refused. balkaninsight.com/2025/11/01/h...

Beeindruckende Bilder der Solidarität, der Energie, der Hoffnung auf ein besseres demokratisches #Serbien. Morgen in Novi Sad wird wohl eine der grössten und beeindruckendsten Kundgebungen in der Geschichte Serbiens stattfinden. Diese Energie wird nicht weichen.

The air is getting thin for Prime Minister Rama in #Albania. His former buddy - the mayor of Tirana - is in jail since February, his deputy and close ally in the AL gov is now under investigation by the Special Prosecutor for Anti-Corruption. balkaninsight.com/2025/10/31/a...

When most of Europe’s green agenda is being trimmed, delayed or scrapped, a draft bill to protect something as unglamorous as dirt shouldn’t have stood a chance. Congrats to @martinhojsik.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/how-...

More and more evidence, that Vlora airport is not only a scandalous construction project in a nature protected area, but also unserious and even unlawful business. @martakos.ec.europa.eu @kajakallas.bsky.social

Ardian Koci is a great conservationist! He deserves the EuroNatur Award 2025. #Karavasta #Albania @euronatur.bsky.social www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

Works at Vlora Airport are suspended due to a conflict among shareholders. Ray of hope for pelicans, flamingos in Narta & Karavasta lagoon and for nature in Vjosa delta. The construction works were started in a nature protected area and are violating international law www.kapitali.al/english/lajm...

We are still a bit emotional: In a moving ceremony last night, Ardian Koçi received the EuroNatur Award for “his integrity and great personal commitment to protect Divjakë-Karavasta National Park in #Albania,” according to EuroNatur's @schwadererg.bsky.social Read more: tinyurl.com/yud5m77z

Important article in #BalkanInsight about the situation along Vjosa River, 2,5 years after its designation as Wild River National Park. @euronatur.bsky.social balkaninsight.com/2025/10/07/t...

Groundbreaking decision of a vast majority of IUCN Members: protected areas are for nature conservation, not for massive development, including for mass tourism. @euronatur.bsky.social @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social @tourduvalat.bsky.social @wetlandsint.bsky.social www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

Protected areas are not the only, but an extremely important cornerstone of any effective strategy to protect the Balkan lynx. @euronatur.bsky.social @thomaswaitz.bsky.social www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-d...

"Opening negotiations on the environment chapter may set the dangerous precedent that #Albania can dismantle #nature protection and still make progress in the #EUenlargement negotiations", says EuroNatur's @schwadererg.bsky.social. Read more in our press release: www.euronatur.org/en/about-eur...

How Jared Kushner wants to build a luxury resort in an Albanian nature reserve www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysvJSo9SViU&ab_channel=DWNews

Insightful piece by @politico.eu about Albania. "Albania was once “something wild — just camping, youth, fun and nature,” said Jushi, the journalist. “It’s like Monaco now. There’s no space for locals.” " www.politico.eu/article/alba...

Nature needs your help NOW 🚨 Across Europe, our forests are thinning, our rivers are drying, and our wildlife is vanishing. Now the European Commission wants to weaken the very laws that protect them. It’s our nature, our home, our right. #HandsOffNature 📢 Speak up now: http://handsoffnature.eu

Informativer Artikel in der @wirtschaftswoche.bsky.social über Tourismuswirtschaft in Albanien. Und über den Ausverkauf der Küste sowie massive Eingriffe in Naturschutzgebiete. @euronatur.bsky.social

Gute Hintergrundgeschichte über die Erholung des Braunbärenbestands in Nordspanien in der @taz.de. @euronatur.bsky.social taz.de/Er-ist-wiede...

Der Preis für das unkritischste Interview mit einem Autokraten geht an @zeit.de: Man plaudert mit Edi Rama über Körpergröße, Kunst, seine Freundschaft zu Meloni. Wörter wie „Wahlunregelmäßigkeiten“ fallen nicht, das Land, das er regiert, scheint auch etwas egal zu sein. www.zeit.de/zeit-magazin...

It is obvious and confirmed by the latest resolution of the Euroepan Parliament: Albania needs to step up with regard to aligning with the EU Nature acquis. This means halting the most harmful projects as the Vlora airport. @euronatur.bsky.social politiko.al/english/e-tj...