• Maeve@kbin.earth
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    7 hours ago

    Waves of daily protests, growing in size and in rage, are denouncing a fast-track deal to develop two mega resorts in Albania. One is in a unique and environmentally protected coastal area. The lagoons, wetlands, pine forests and sand dunes of Pishë Poro–Narta provide habitat for hundreds of species. The coastal region on the Adriatic Sea serves as an important stopover point for migratory birds traveling between Europe and Africa, including protected pink flamingos, the symbols of the rallies.

    A major coastal development project on the protected island of Sazan and the Zvërnec Peninsula — spearheaded by Affinity Partners, an investment firm linked to President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka Trump — has sparked daily waves of widespread protests in Tirana, the capital. More than 6,000 elaborate villas and accompanying luxury infrastructure for the superrich are projected. The developers estimate the enormous project will exceed €4 billion ($4.6 billion). (tinyurl.com/vc3cx4ft)