Capital of Albania; economic and political hub in the centre of the country
NATO leaders have gathered in Ankara for a July 7–8 summit as the United States has pushed allies to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP and to assume more conventional defence responsibilities. President Donald Trump has criticised many allies for not joining U.S. operations in the war on Iran and has floated reducing U.S. forces and assets in Europe, forcing talks on implementation and a larger European defence role.
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.