The expropriated before the EC Court A new opportunity is being used following accession on 29 June Albania's name has once again arrived in Strasbourg, but this time in court, sued by one of its own citizens. Just a few days after 29 June—when the Albanian flag was lined up alongside those of the other Council of Europe member states—the “Property with Justice” Association is the first to make use of the new opportunity, seeking to resolve its conflict with the state before a European human rights court. On page 3 The courtroom in Strasbourg

At the beach, but not everyone MPs talk about their family plans for the summer. With a few surprises TIRANE - A year of politics, but now a little time at the beach too. Some in the South, another in the North, and someone else at… home. These are Albanian politicians who, perhaps for the first time, are interested not in politics but in their holidays. A tourist “geography” of Albanian politics that, in any case, may also save them from political “geography.” “I haven't had a holiday for four years,” said Dok-le; “these are difficult times,” said PD Secretary General Tritan Shehu in a different way: “I really have a lot of work.” On page 9

Meteorologists speak Very hot but soon rain will come TIRANE - “It will not happen as in Spain. People should not be afraid of the heat.” This is how Sherif Ymeri, Director of the Synoptic Service Center, explains the situation and reassures the public. For several days, the Iberian Peninsula had been gripped by a heat wave that had caused 9 deaths. Temperatures recorded in certain areas reached 47 degrees Celsius, alarming Albania's European neighbors. Indeed, the geographical proximity to Spain had even prompted Albanians to consider the possibility that such a phenomenon could also occur on the Adriatic coast. “Such a phenomenon will not occur in Albania,” meteorologist Ymeri reassures us, “because we belong to a different synoptic subregion. Our country is under a peripheral low-pressure center coming from the East. Western and Central Europe, meanwhile, are affected by anticyclones coming from the Azores. These hot air masses originate in North Africa.” The figures from the Center also show that this year's maximum temperatures—which have not exceeded 37 degrees Celsius, recorded in Kuçovë—are 5 degrees lower than those of the same period last year. A year ago, in the city of Kuçovë—the place that set the record for maximum temperature—the heat had reached nearly 42 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, yesterday the maximum temperature in Tiranë reached 35.5 degrees Celsius, and is expected to reach the same level today. Compared with last month, the difference remains small, only 4 degrees. The forecast from the Synoptic Center seems more optimistic: “The interaction between the edges of the synoptic centers, which may cause [unclear], is expected soon to bring a drop in atmospheric pressure, which means a change in the weather.” In other words, cooler temperatures too. (Gj.a) HOT AND COOL

Elbasan, Prefecture convenes Robberies and rapes Outraged public demands perpetrators be caught ELBASAN.- “The fight against robberies and the rape of women.” This is a strong appeal that has mobilized the entire local government in Elbasan. The meeting was held at the Prefecture of the district, prompted by the anger and concern of public opinion in Elbasan. “Cooperation between citizens, local government and the police is essential,” declared Nja Kosovrasti, State Secretary for Local Government, who was invited to the meeting. Only recently, the city of Elbasan has unfortunately seen several violent incidents against people, as well as cases of women being raped. People have reacted strongly to this phenomenon and have demanded that law-enforcement bodies catch the perpetrators of the crimes. “Despite the police's good work,” it was stressed at the meeting, “this body must pay greater attention to preventing these criminal acts.” Given the importance of the meeting, it was attended by Elbasan Prefect Thanas Merkuri, MPs, local government officials, the prosecutor, the court president and the police station chief. In his speech, Kosovrasti stressed that “everyone's cooperation will lead to the prevention of such criminal acts.”

Gjirokastër, caught with 5 kilos of hashish Cannabis in Berat, clash with police in Fier GJIROKASTER - 5 kg of hashish were discovered on a bus—as a result, 4 young men from Fier who were travelling on it have been detained. Once again, the road to Kakavijë has been blocked by special police forces, which inspected the vehicles. BERAT - A major anti-drug operation in Berat: 800 Cannabis plants were seized, and one person has so far been detained. FIER - A police inspection targeting the cultivation of narcotic plants nearly turned into a fierce clash between law-enforcement forces and villagers. On page 3

SPORTS On page 9

On page 3 Exams, 6 lawyers pass On page 3 Kavajë, PD chairman replaced On page 3

Lezhë, village elder's letter reaches the Bundestag LEZHE - “Mrs. Susmuth, help our poor village.” This is perhaps the most unusual letter to have arrived at the German Parliament, addressed specifically to its President, Rita Susmuth. A village elder from Grykë Mataj, in the district of Lezhë, has tried in this way to help his village by appealing to the senior German official. He described the village's poverty and its challenging natural conditions: extraordinary drought in summer and severe flooding in winter. But the letter's fate has turned out well for village elder Gjon Vokaj. Susmuth not only replied to the leader of the distant Albanian village, but also promised to intervene with the German Embassy in Tiranë. Some 15 thousand marks have already been allocated to projects that could address several of the issues the village elder appealed about. Projects to build a bridge and a barrier to hold back winter waters are expected to be carried out soon. Susmuth made this promise to village elder Vokaj. Irfan Rama

Super crossword, quiz, tips, curiosities to enjoy under the beach umbrella On page 7

Show Tomorrow at 21, young people On page 11

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