Italy Opens First Migrant Camp in Albania

Italy's plan to establish migrant detention camps in Albania has faced delays, with construction reportedly several weeks behind schedule due to extreme weather conditions. Initially set to open on August 1, the inauguration now has no fixed date, as announced by Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano. The facilities, which will accommodate around 36,000 migrants annually, have drawn significant criticism from opposition parties and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which labeled the initiative a 'stain' on the Italian government. This controversial project is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's efforts to manage migration, with Italy expected to spend approximately 670 million euros over five years. The camps aim to process asylum applications within 28 days, though concerns about their operational and ethical implications persist among critics.