Protests have broken out in Albania over Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s $1.4bn purchase of the abandoned island of Sazan, a communist-era military base.
In addition to the strip, the couple’s deal also includes a $4.7bn agreement on part of a protected coastal landscape in Zvërnec.
Albania’s government has championed the Adriatic coast development as a transformative venture for the nation, aiming to boost its high-end tourism sector and support its bid for European Union membership.
But the project on the lush island and stretch of seafront on Albania’s southern coast – referred to by Trump as a “fixer-upper” – has sparked criticism from environmental groups and detractors of the long-serving Socialist Prime Minister, Edi Rama.
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Sazan is an Albanian uninhabited island in the Mediterranean Sea in a strategically important location (Getty/iStock)
President Trump’s daughter says she and her husband discovered the area while on a hike.
“We were on a friend’s boat, and we stopped for a swim. Effectively, that’s how we found it,” she said. “We swam to the island. We went on a hike, barefoot all the way up to the top, and we were just captivated.”
After the widespread backlash Prime Minister Rama insisted in an interview with CNN on Thursday: “There is not a project yet.”
“There is no such thing as a Trump family island, he added. “There is no such thing as the family of the American president taking over protected areas where flamingos will be killed by them.”
Nevertheless, Sazan has already been dubbed “Trump island” by angry locals who have made their displeasure at the reported deal clear. Below we take a closer look at the island, with its 3,600 nuclear bunkers, unexploded weapons, bomb shelters and miles of tunnels.
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Strategic military location used by the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires
Albania, situated in southeastern Europe’s Balkan peninsula, is an emerging tourist hotspot that has seen a 15 per cent rise in tourism over the last year as visitors flock to enjoy stunning landscapes at a fraction of the cost of similar destinations across Europe.
Located in the Adriatic Sea, Sazan is Albania’s largest island and is a designated military exclusion zone located in a strategically important location between the Strait of Otranto and the mouth of the Bay of Vlorë, marking the border between the Adriatic and Ionian seas that then flows into the Mediterranean.
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It is just 59 miles east of the Salento coast in the region of Apulia in Italy and can sometimes be viewed from the Italian coast on a clear day.
The island has a long a storied history, being part of the Roman Empire before coming under Byzantine rule. It was captured by the Kingdom of Albania in 1279 and held under the protection of the Republic of Venice.
Prior to coming under Ottoman control in the 15th century, it served an important maritime and religious function, hosting a Marian Shrine to the Virgin Mary after an apparent apparition of the saint on the Island. It was also briefly under British protection following the Napoleonic wars before being ceded to Greece.
Sazan was used as a base for German and Italian submarines during the Second World War . Albania relied heavily on the Soviet Union during the Cold War and after the split from Communism, the area has been used as been largely unused but has occasionally been used by the British Royal Navy for training exercises and a shelter for boats.
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Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner want to transform Albania’s largest island, a former Cold War Military base built by Albania’s former communist rulers (AFP/Getty)
Bunkers, bomb shelters and miles of secret tunnels
Sazan Island is home to at least 3,600 Soviet-style nuclear bunkers built during the Cold War.
The mushroom-shaped shelters are situated sporadically across the Island and Kushner has said they plan to incorporate the bunkers into their plans for the tourist resort and that some of the shelters will be preserved.
Because of its military background, experts have warned about the presence of mine-like weapons and other unexploded ordnances dotted across the landscape that will need to be cleared in order for the destination to become safe for visitors.
The 1,400 acre Mediterranean island is also home to at least ten miles of underground tunnels from the Communist era. Several bomb shelters and buildings designed to store military supplies and ammunition are also arranged around the area.
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Once communist Albania’s most secret military base, the island has opened its bunkers and tunnels to tourists (AFP/Getty)
Maritime National Park and Wildlife reserve
The coastal development in the Narta Lagoon area includes a wildlife reserve and the surrounding crystal-clear waters make up the Karaburun-Sazan maritime national park.
The development is to be built within a nature reserve and one of Albania’s most valuable biodiversity areas, a key stopover for migratory birds along the Adriatic coast.
The couple’s real-estate plans for the mega-resort have subsequently drawn major complaints and protests from environmental groups who are worried about the impact the development will have on the ecology of the landscape.
Kushner and Trump say they discovered the island while on a hike (AFP/Getty)
Albania has 450 kilometers (280 miles) of coast that remained largely underdeveloped during decades of communist rule.
Protesters have carried cardboard cut-outs of pink flamingos, one of the protected migratory bird species, at rallies in the capital Tirana.
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Since late May, excavators and other heavy machinery have entered the area in order to open access routes, dig into the sand and have begun clearing land among pine trees and installing fencing.
Environmental groups from Albania and elsewhere in Europe condemned the work, with one prominent local group charging that long-protected habitats are being “irreversibly destroyed.”
An abandoned ex-military command building on a hilltop on the island of Sazan (AFP/Getty)
A multi-billion dollar bonanza?
Albania’s state anti-corruption agency has confirmed it opened an investigation related to the project but has not disclosed details.
The government says the land earmarked for the project is privately owned but competing claims have emerged questioning the privatisation, a common dispute on similar deals.
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Prime Minister Rama remains committed and says the development would align with Albania’s ambition to become a major global tourism destination.
“Albania should not be a country that fears an extraordinary project like this one, where exceptional partners have come together to invest 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion),” Rama said. “There is no chance for this investment to stop as long as I am here.”
However, in the interview with CNN on Thursday, Rama said: “The investigation is about that. It’s not about the investment. It’s not about the project. It’s not about Kushner. It’s not about Trump.
“It’s not about anything that is being brought in this melting pot to create a sensational fake news that Albania is a place where we are killing flamingos.”
Bolton Council has confirmed the gathering will take place at the Samuel Crompton statue in Nelson Square on Sunday at 5pm.
Posters promoting the event describe it as “not a political event” and call for a “sober and respectful gathering”, urging people to “come together in peace and unity”.
(Image: Newsquest)
Henry, an 18-year-old first-year university student from Saffron Walden, Essex, was killed as he walked back from a night out in Southampton on December 3, 2025.
The teenager suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm (8in) blade during the attack.
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His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, falsely claimed to police at the scene that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
As a result, officers initially handcuffed Mr Nowak before discovering his fatal injuries a short time later.
Digwa claimed he was carrying the knife as part of his Sikh faith.
He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 21 years.
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Footage released by the force, with permission from Nowak’s family, shows him pleading, ‘I’ve been stabbed,’ and an officer replying, ‘I don’t think you have mate’.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that an investigation into Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s actions remains ongoing.
Organisers of Sunday’s vigil say the event is intended as a peaceful opportunity for members of the community to pay their respects and remember Mr Nowak.
Morgan Rogers, Jeremy Monga and Julian Alvarez have been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, while there could be some significant outgoings. Man United, meanwhile, are closing in on the signing of midfielder Ederson after reaching an agreement with Atalanta for a £35million deal which can be partly funded by the official sale of Rasmus Hojlund. Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso could lose both Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella – both attracting interest from Spain – but Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen are said to be on the shortlist.
Tucked within the gardens of Cedar Court Harrogate, and overlooking the Stray, Kota (pronounced Koh-tah) promises a setting that feels both relaxed and quietly distinctive – combining Nordic spirit with Yorkshire hospitality.
To mark its opening, Kota will host a brand-new summer events programme featuring Tapas Nights, Bottomless Brunches, Pizza & Prosecco evenings, Mediterranean Mezze socials, Comedy Night, and Yorkshire Show-inspired dining experiences, all accompanied by live acoustic music.
Designed as a space for connection and celebration, Kota is also available for private events, from milestone birthdays, engagement parties, and baby showers to corporate gatherings and intimate wedding receptions.
The summer series begins on Friday 12 June with the first Tapas Night, where guests can enjoy a selection of savoury and sweet tapas, accompanied by half a bottle of Cava per person and live acoustic music. Tickets are priced at £39 per person.
For more information and bookings, visit Cedar Court Harrogate or contact the events team directly.
The agreement between Israel and Lebanon, reached after a fourth round of US-mediated talks in Washington, is contingent on the “evacuation of all [Hezbollah] operatives” from an area between the Israeli border and the Litani river, about 30km (19 miles) to the north, which is currently occupied by Israeli ground forces.
A jacket to shrug on during gloomier summer days, this cinched style is perfectly androgynous. Made from a viscose fabric (a shame considering the price), the jacket is lightweight with a flattering, fitted cut. It’s slightly long with a structured waist, deep V-neck collar and extra long sleeves with buttoned cuffs. The vintage-inspired colour goes with everything, and you’ll get your wear right through into autumn, too.
The service has been put on hold from August 31 due to mounting operational costs and international airspace restrictions, prompting the airline to temporarily discontinue its Manchester route to and from India.
Abhijit Dasgupta, senior vice president of network planning and revenue management at IndiGo, said: “We inducted these wide-body aircraft on a short-term basis to fast-track our connectivity to high-potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester, and we witnessed very encouraging demand response.
“It is, therefore, unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints, coupled with dramatically escalating costs, compelled us to take the decision to temporarily discontinue our India–Manchester Airport services.
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“We’d like to thank our customers, trade partners in India and in the UK, and Manchester Airport for their amazing support.
“The response and support for these services have reinforced our belief in the opportunity for IndiGo’s long-haul ambitions, and this discontinuation is temporary in nature.”
IndiGo said the decision was influenced by rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, airspace restrictions resulting from ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East, and foreign exchange volatility which has significantly increased operating expenses.
Flights on all other long-haul routes will continue as scheduled.
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Passengers affected by the suspension will be notified in advance and given support to arrange alternative travel or request refunds where eligible.
IndiGo has also confirmed it will return one of its six leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to Norse Atlantic Airways, following an agreement made last year to help expand the airline’s presence in the European market.
The agent wrote in a statement supporting the application: “The proposals provide the opportunity for McDonald’s to meet a long-standing requirement for a restaurant to serve this catchment area, to meet customer demand and introduce additional choice in the market, reusing an existing vacant building.
The trio of Sam Craghill, Isabella Jordan and Breagha Lannigan created their business Valley Grind and competed against some of the best young entrepreneurs from across Scotland.
After being named Lanarkshire Company of the Year in April, three Clyde Valley High School pupils took their barista business to the Young Enterprise Scottish Finals at Hampden Park.
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The trio of Sam Craghill, Isabella Jordan and Breagha Lannigan created their business Valley Grind and competed against some of the best young entrepreneurs from across Scotland.
As part of the competition, they took part in a challenging interview before presenting their business journey, key learnings and future ambitions to an audience of more than 200 fellow competitors, teachers and industry professionals.
They were awarded the prestigious Young Enterprise Award for Innovation, recognising the group’s creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and strong business acumen.
The achievement is particularly impressive given they were up against 125 Young Enterprise companies from across Scotland, securing a place among just 14 finalists.
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“Being part of Valley Grind through Young Enterprise was one of the best parts of my time at Clyde Valley,” said pupil Sam Craghill.
“Supporting the school coffee shop gave us real experience of working as a team and helped build my confidence and communication skills.
“Getting to the Scottish finals was such an amazing experience, and winning the Innovation Award made all the hard work worth it. The programme has given me lots of skills and experiences that I’ll definitely use in the future.”
Lead teachers Craig Thomson and Sophie Morrison said: “This year’s Young Enterprise group has shown outstanding commitment, creativity and teamwork throughout the programme.
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“Watching their confidence grow from the first meeting to presenting at the Scottish finals at Hampden and winning the Innovation Award has been incredibly rewarding. They should all be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
Sandra Gilfillan, headteacher of Clyde Valley High School, praised the pupils.
She said: “This success highlights the ambition and talent within Clyde Valley and demonstrates that, while the school may be small, our pupils continue to achieve on a national stage.
“I am absolutely delighted to celebrate the achievement of our barista group, whose creativity and dedication have earned them a national Young Enterprise Innovation Award.
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“Their success is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit, teamwork and commitment to excellence. They are an inspiration to our entire school community, and we look forward to seeing all that they achieve in the future.”
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Manchester City have learnt details of their first game of the 2026/27 season, as a clash against Premier League champions Arsenal await in August
15:34, 04 Jun 2026Updated 15:42, 04 Jun 2026
Manchester City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16.
The game, which has been held at Wembley Stadium in recent years, will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the first time since 2006.
There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.
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