Albania’s flamingo protests take off as anger builds over Jared Kushner’s planned resort development

Albania is facing a political crisis ignited by protests over a luxury resort development backed by Jared Kushner, which has become a flashpoint for broader discontent with Prime Minister Eddie Rama's government. The project, planned for the ecologically sensitive Zverniç area and Sazan Island off the Adriatic coast, threatens protected wetlands home to migratory flamingos—now a symbol of resistance. Despite the government's argument that such investments are essential for Albania’s economic survival, the European Union warns the project violates environmental laws and could jeopardize EU accession. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, a controversial referendum is set to cap permanent residents at 10 million, driven by the Swiss People's Party’s fears over overcrowding and affordability. Yet critics, including Monocle’s Tyler Brulé, argue the debate is misdirected—fueled more by tourism-driven perceptions than actual demographic strain—and that the administrative burden of enforcing such a cap would be absurd. In Copenhagen, Danish-Singaporean designers Christian and Jade reveal how they reimagined linoleum as a sculptural material for furniture, inspired by its production process and rooted in Danish design values of materiality and craftsmanship. Finally, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled a breathtaking Egyptian High Jewels collection, blending ancient motifs with modern artistry, presented through an immersive educational experience that felt like a return to school.