Capital of Albania, a political and cultural hub since 1614
Thousands of Albanians have protested daily after work began on a multi‑billion‑euro luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump that will span the Vjosa‑Narta protected wetlands and Sazan island. Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the investment, the state anti‑corruption body has opened an inquiry, and environmental groups have lodged legal complaints.
Thousands have been protesting nightly in Tirana and along Albania’s southern coast for more than a month against a multi‑billion‑euro resort project linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Demonstrators have adopted flamingo symbols to oppose work inside the Vjosa‑Narta wetlands and on Sazan island and are demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation amid clashes with police.
NATO leaders have met in Ankara after months of U.S. threats to scale back forces in Europe and repeated U.S. demands that allies raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Tensions over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and U.S. troop reviews have strained transatlantic ties, while European governments are increasing procurement and planning to assume more conventional defence responsibilities.
Dua Lipa has voiced support for protests in Tirana over Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner–backed development on Sazan and Zvërnec. Protests have entered their sixth week, with critics urging transparency and environmental protections amid government backing of the project.