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Albania: Former President Ilir Meta Arrested
Deutsche Welle
22 Oct 2024, 16:50
Photo: EUC/ROPI/picture alliance
Police in Albania arrested former President Ilir Meta on corruption charges Monday, saying they had to use force in detaining the 55-year-old.
Meta served as Albania's president from 2017 to 2022. He now leads the center-left opposition Freedom Party.
Freedom Party officials denounced his detention as a "criminal kidnapping."
Video of the arrest showed Meta's car being stopped by masked police upon his return to the capital, Tirana, from Kosovo.
"Meta is accused of charges of passive corruption, failing to declare his wealth, and money laundering," his defense lawyer told reporters.
Ilir Meta accused of receiving kickbacks, hiding assets
Albania's SPAK anti-corruption office said that he had accumulated a "considerable amount of money," through a foreign debt-collecting scheme.
SPAK officials also accuse Meta and his former wife, Monika Kryemadhi, also a politician, of having profited from dubious business deals stemming from their ability to influence policy. The oldest of the charges stem from Meta's time as finance minister from 2010 to 2011.
While Meta was speaker of Albania's parliament, he and his then-wife reportedly lived in a villa given to them by a businessman that they helped, by, among other things, facilitating the change of laws.
Meta is also accused of illegally accepting lobbying payments from a US firm, as well as failing to declare €100,000 ($108,000) in income and a €335,000 apartment.
"Investigations are continuing regarding other persons suspected of being involved in this illegal criminal activity," said prosecutors who also cited international assistance and cooperation from the US, Austria, Italy, San Marino, and Cyprus.
In the past, Meta has denied all accusations of wrongdoing. On Monday, his lawyer said the charges had to do with next April's parliamentary elections.
Shifting political alliances in one of Europe's poorest countries
Formerly a close ally of Prime Minister Edi Rama — who will seek his fourth consecutive term in office next year after coming to power in 2013 — Meta has recently become close to Sali Berisha, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party.
Berisha, who has also fallen afoul of Albanian prosecutors and is awaiting trial on corruption charges, called Meta's arrest "political."
Meta says that it is not he but rather Prime Minister Rama who is corrupt, accusing his former ally of running a "kleptocratic regime."
Ilir Meta has held numerous high-ranking positions in Albania's government since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, being first elected as a deputy in 1992.
Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Corruption in Albania "remains an area of serious concern," according to the EU, preventing the country from membership of the bloc.
If found guilty, Meta could serve up to 12 years behind bars.
Representatives from the Freedom Party warned that his continued detention would result in protests.
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Kashmiri Scientists Feature in Stanford’s Top 2% Global Researchers List
In a significant recognition of Jammu and Kashmir’s expanding role in global scientific advancement, several local scientists have been featured in Stanford University’s prestigious list of the top 2% global researchers.
This acknowledgment highlights the major contributions made by the region to international research in fields such as Clinical Medicine, Food Technology, Nanotechnology, and Earth Sciences.
Several scientists from Jammu Kashmir have earned places on Stanford’s top 2% list, reflecting the growing research output from the region.
These include Prof. Farooq A. Masoodi from the Department of Food Technology, Prof. Shakeel A. Romshoo and Prof. Ghulam Jeelani from Earth Sciences, Prof. Manzoor A. Shah from Botany, and Prof. Aziz-ul-Azeem from Mathematics. Additionally, Prof. Imtiyaz Ahmad from Zoology, Prof. Firdous Ahmad Khanday from Biotechnology, Dr. Manzoor A. Mir from Bioresources, and Dr. Shabir A. Parah and Dr. Farooq Ahmad Khanday from Electronics have also been recognized. Other notable scientists from the region include Dr. Adil Gani, Dr. Idrees Ahmad, and Dr. Mudasir Ahmad, all from Food Technology, and Dr. Faheem A. Sheikh from Nanotechnology.
Other than these, Dr. Parvaiz Koul, the former Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), stands out for his contribution to Respiratory Medicine.
Ranked third among the 15 Indian researchers in this field, Dr. Koul holds a global position of 24,932.
He remains the only researcher from Jammu Kashmir in this category. Another notable figure, Dr. M.S. Khuroo, is ranked 53,554 globally in Clinical Medicine. Both have played a pivotal role in elevating the region’s scientific standing.
Stanford University’s list, which features 223,252 researchers from across the globe, includes 68,343 in Clinical Medicine alone, with 929 researchers from India.
Dr. Koul, who has published over 500 research articles, has consistently been ranked among the top scientists from Jammu Kashmir for the past five years.
Currently serving as the National Technical Expert for Asthma and COPD for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Koul expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of encouraging younger scientists to push the boundaries of scientific exploration.
Other recognized scientists from Jammu and Kashmir include researchers from SKUAST and NIT Srinagar, further highlighting the region’s growing role in global research. (Source: The Kashmiriyat)
Hurricane John Hits Mexico as Category 3 Storm
Hurricane John hit the southern Pacific coast of Mexico late on Monday as a Category 3 storm, the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
John made landfall near Marquelia in Guerrero state, with maximum sustained winds of around 120 miles (195 kilometers) per hour, the NHC said.
"Damaging hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding are ongoing," it added.
What do we know about Hurricane John?
The Category 3 storm could bring "extraordinary" rainfall to parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to Mexico's national water commission, Conagua.
The NHC warned that torrential rainfall could cause "significant and possibly catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides," in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and southeast Guerrero through Thursday.
Residents brace themselves
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged people to seek protection as the top disaster agency issued a red alert in parts of Guerrero and neighboring Oaxaca state.
"Don't forget that life is the most important thing material things can be replaced," the president wrote on social media.
Authorities have warned the residents living along the coastline to seek shelter against potentially deadly storm surges and catastrophic rain.
Schools have been closed in parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero because of the approaching storm.
UN General Assembly: / Biden Warns Against Lebanon Escalation
US President Joe Biden called for a diplomatic solution as Israel conducts airstrikes in Lebanon, warning against a "full-scale war" there.
"Full-scale war is not in anyone's interest. Even though the situation has escalated, a diplomatic solution is still possible," Biden said in an address to the UN General Assembly.
Israel says it is launching strikes on Hezbollah weapons facilities and warehouses. The Lebanese Health Ministry says the strikes have killed at least 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women since Monday.
In his speech at the UN, Biden also urged Israel and Hamas to finalize a months-old cease-fire proposal. He told the UN he was committed to ending the war in Gaza, which began almost a year ago.
"Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms," he said of the agreement mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
The deal would "bring the hostages home and secure security for Israel and Gaza free from Hamas' grip, ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war," Biden told delegates.
The war in Gaza began after Hamas-led militants carried out a terror attack on Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 people hostage. Israel's retaliatory military operation has killed 41,467 people and wounded 95,921 more, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its counts.
Lebanese foreign minister discouraged by Biden's UN remarks
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has expressed disappointment with US President Joe Biden's remarks on the Middle East and expressed hope for more diplomacy from Washington.
"It was not strong, it is not promising, and it would not solve the Lebanese problem," Abdallah Bou Habib, who was attending the UN General Assembly, said at a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace event.
"We are still hoping. The United States is the only country that can really make a difference in the Middle East and with regard to Lebanon," he said.
In his speech to the General Assembly, Biden warned against "full-scale war" in the Middle East and urged diplomatic solutions in both Lebanon and the almost year-old Gaza war.
Japan Sends Warship into Taiwan Strait for First Time
Japan dispatched a battleship to the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the first time on Wednesday to convey a message to China, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said in a report citing multiple government officials.
The move by Japan, to assert its freedom of navigation, came on the same day China said it had successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.
Japan's Self Defense Force's warship Sazanami began sailing from the East China Sea on Wednesday morning and spent more than 10 hours to complete the passage, the Japanese newspaper reported on Thursday. The passage was conducted jointly with naval ships from Australia and New Zealand, according to the report.
Last week, for the first time, China's Liaoning aircraft carrier sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan. It was accompanied by two destroyers.
The newspaper cited anonymous government sources saying Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered the passage of the warship into the Taiwan Strait. They reportedly said he felt that taking no action after China's intrusion into Japanese territory could encourage Beijing to be more assertive.
However, Japan's defense ministry did not immediately confirm the warship's passage.
China's growing desire for dominance in the region
China has repeatedly maintained that it will bring Taiwan under its control, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping's growing rhetoric of "unification" being "inevitable."
Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, also claims jurisdiction over the waters that separate the island from China. However, according to the US and many other countries, such patrolling exercises in the Taiwan Strait are usual, citing freedom of navigation.
Earlier this month, when Germany sent two of its warships through the Taiwan Strait, Beijing warned Berlin and accused it of risking security in the region.
Hezbollah Confirms Hassan Nasrallah Dead in Israeli Airstrike
Hassan Nasrallah, the top leader of the pro-Iranian militia organization Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
The Lebanese armed group confirmed this information in a statement on Saturday (September 28). Al Jazeera news.
Hezbollah said in a statement that its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed on Friday (September 27). Hassan Nasrallah was the leader of this organization for 32 years. Served as a political and spiritual leader. He led Hezbollah to a position of prominence in Lebanon.
Among his supporters, the Shiite leader was praised for standing up for Israel and defying the United States. To his enemies, he was the head of a terrorist organization and Iran's proxy in the struggle for influence in the Middle East. Hassan Nasrallah is a major figure in Middle East politics. He made Hezbollah an organized and disciplined force.
Earlier, Israel claimed to have killed Hassan Nasrallah, the top leader of the pro-Iranian militia group Hezbollah. In a statement, the Israeli military said it had killed Hezbollah's longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major airstrike in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday (September 27) evening.
Myanmar Rebels Seize Large Territory: Can They Oust the Junta?
In 2021, Myanmar's military junta seized power, leading various rebel groups to establish resistance across the country. These groups have achieved significant military success, with an armed coalition ousting the junta from large parts of eastern Myanmar.
Known as the "Brotherhood Alliance," this coalition comprises three powerful rebel forces representing different ethnic groups. Their fighters have now reached close to Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city.
The Brotherhood Alliance, also referred to as the "Three Brotherhood Alliance," consists of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army. The TNLA operates in eastern Myanmar, while the Arakan Army is based in the western region.
Historically, these groups have fought against the Myanmar government forces for greater autonomy in their regions. Now, they declare their aim is to overthrow the military government.
After ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's elected civilian government, the military took control. The MNDAA primarily comprises members of the Kokang ethnic group living in northern Shan State, near the China border. The Kokang people speak Mandarin and identify as Han Chinese.
Established in 1989, the MNDAA split from the Burma Communist Party to form an anti-government, China-supported guerrilla force. The MNDAA has frequently fought against the government military to establish autonomy for the Kokang region, with U.S. authorities labeling them as a “drug insurgency.”
The TNLA, known as the armed forces of the Taang or Palaung ethnic group, has been fighting against the government forces since 2009 for greater autonomy.
"The structure of these armed groups is quite similar to that of regular armies. They are more organized than typical insurgent forces or militias," said Yelong Shian from the Peace Research Institute in Frankfurt.
The Brotherhood Alliance's Strategy
Since October 27 last year, the Brotherhood Alliance's three armed groups have conducted coordinated attacks against Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, across Shan State. This operation is named Operation 1027.
According to the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), about 10,000 fighters participated in this campaign. The Brotherhood Alliance captured military posts and several towns, reclaiming Laukkai, a key city on the China border that the military had seized from the MNDAA in 2015.
In late August, the MNDAA advanced towards Lashio in northern Shan State and eventually took control of the city, also seizing the Tatmadaw's northeastern headquarters.
This unprecedented fall of a significant military stronghold to rebels marks a historic moment for Myanmar. Simultaneously, the TNLA has moved from Shan State into central Myanmar, positioning itself near Mandalay, which has a population of approximately 1.5 million.
"The loss of such a vital military center to rebels is unprecedented in Myanmar's history," Michael Morgan from IISS remarked, noting that Mandalay is a crucial city for the military government.
Can the Rebels Overthrow the Junta?
Morgan Michael from IISS highlighted that this poses a severe threat to the military government. The Brotherhood Alliance has paved a new path toward defeating the junta, having advanced from Shan State towards Mandalay and potentially towards the capital, Naypyidaw.
The firm "Control Risks," which advises businesses on foreign affairs, reported that the government forces now control less than half of the country's territory. However, Steve Wilford from Control Risks stated that the military is unlikely to lose in battle, as they are deploying all resources to protect Mandalay. It is most probable that the conflict will continue for several more months, causing further casualties.
According to the Organization for World Peace, approximately 330,000 civilians have been displaced during Operation 1027. In early September, the MNDAA released a statement, possibly under pressure from China, indicating they would not attack Mandalay or the Shan State capital, Toungoo. They also expressed willingness for a ceasefire and to accept Chinese mediation for peace with the military government.
However, the statement did not reflect the views of other allied groups, such as the AA, TNLA, and Mandalay PDF.
What Does the Brotherhood Alliance Want?
The National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar, consisting of politicians ousted by the junta in 2021, welcomed the Brotherhood Alliance's victories against the military. Exiled in Thailand, they see themselves as Myanmar's legitimate government, aiming to re-establish a civilian, democratic government.
The NUG has its own armed group, the People's Defense Force, fighting against the military. The Brotherhood Alliance stated their goals align with the NUG's objective to overthrow the junta, but no agreements have been made for joint military action, according to Shian.
"The groups within the Brotherhood Alliance desire more autonomy for their regions," Shian noted, stating their advance towards central Myanmar aims to exert more pressure on the government.
Their support for the NUG seems to be merely verbal, and no plans for joint military operations have emerged. Shian remarked that China's primary goal is to keep the conflict away from its border. However, many Chinese citizens sympathize with armed groups like the MNDAA and provide financial support.
He further mentioned that China appeared to have initially supported Operation 1027, as they wanted the MNDAA to drive out another armed group from the Kokang region, which had targeted Chinese citizens through cyber schemes.
In earlier conflicts in northern Shan State, China intervened for a ceasefire long before, but this time, it refrained from intervening until the MNDAA gained full control over Kokang.
However, the Brotherhood Alliance's move into central Myanmar seems to have surprised China, indicating that they have lost some control over the situation, according to Wilford. The Chinese government pressured the MNDAA to announce a ceasefire statement on September 4. Shian noted that they had previously issued similar statements to appease China.
Certainly, all three groups will continue fighting, especially the Arakan Army and TNLA, as their control over their territories remains unstable, Shian concluded.
(Based on BBC Bengali)
Severe Floods, Landslides in Nepal Kill 112 Amid Continuous Rain
At least 112 people have died in severe floods and landslides caused by continuous rain in Nepal. The ongoing downpour across the South Asian country has led to this disaster, claiming many lives. In addition, many people remain missing.
The death toll is feared to rise. A report from the Nepali media outlet Kathmandu Post on Sunday (September 29) provided this information.
The report stated that for the past three days, the country has been hit by severe floods and landslides due to incessant rain, and as of Saturday night, at least 112 people have died. In addition, 68 people are still missing.
As of 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that 99 people had died, 68 were missing, and more than 100 had been injured.
However, based on information gathered by local reporters from Kathmandu Post and confirmed by the headquarters of the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, 112 people have died nationwide. Among them, at least 20 were from Lalitpur, 15 from Dhading, 34 from Kavre, 12 from Kathmandu, 7 from Makwanpur, 5 each from Bhaktapur and Panchthar, 4 from Sindhupalchok, 3 from Dolakha, and 2 from Dhankuta.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 68 people are missing from districts including Panchthar, Jhapa, Mahottari, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kavre, Sindhuli, Dhading, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, and Rupandehi.
The Kathmandu Post reports that the floods and landslides have disrupted life in many parts of this mountainous country, with many highways and roads blocked, hundreds of homes and bridges destroyed or swept away, and hundreds of families displaced. Thousands of travelers have been stranded in various locations due to road closures.
Nepal's central and eastern districts have been the hardest hit by the floods and landslides. At least 37 people have died in the Kathmandu Valley, where significant damage has occurred. All highways and roads connecting the national capital Kathmandu to other regions of the country have been cut off.
On Saturday, Kathmandu Valley recorded its highest rainfall since 1970, when Nepal first started measuring and recording rainfall in the country.
In addition, at least 14 people died in a landslide near Dhaple Khola by the Tribhuvan Highway in Dhading, where their bodies were recovered from two buses buried in the debris. Their bodies were later taken to Maharajgunj’s TU Teaching Hospital for postmortem.
Senior Police Superintendent Basanta Rajouria said police from Kathmandu and Dhading recovered the bodies on Saturday evening.
