In September, UNESCO labelled the Vjosa valley in Albania as one of 26 newly-designated Biosphere Reserves. But with pollution and tourism adding pressure to the environment, residents and activists say, they are worried for the future of the beautiful river area.

Tepelenë

The Vjosa Valley in Albania has been named one of UNESCO's newly designated Biosphere Reserves, recognized for its rich biodiversity and unspoiled waterways. However, the area is under significant threat from pollution, with waste water and rubbish entering the river, and from development pressures linked to a surge in tourism.

Local environmental groups and residents have raised concerns that the UNESCO status may inadvertently increase tourism and construction, exacerbating existing environmental issues. Albania's Environment Ministry has announced plans to invest in sewage treatment and landfill closures by 2027, but some locals worry that the damage to the river and its communities may already be irreversible.

Pollution, tourism heap pressure on Albania's new UNESCO site

The Viosa Valley in Albania is one of UNESCO's 26 newly designated Biosphere Reserves. But beneath the sweeping scenery are looming threats of pollution and overdevelopment. It is a very fast-flowing river, but it needs to be maintained and cleaned, because waste water is discharged into it in every city. The valley is one of the last uninterrupted waterways in Europe. It follows the Viosa River from northern Greece to Albania's Adriatic coast and is home to threatened birds and rare plant species. But rubbish blows over from an open landfill nearby, while pipes pump sewage right into the water. According to the UN's Heritage Centre, the new designation is part of an initiative to quote, safeguard some of the planet's richest and most fragile ecosystems. It's a boon for the small Balkan country, where nature tourism has skyrocketed in recent years. For Besiana Guri, though, developmental pressure on the river area is a concern. She points to a pipeline being built to divert water to the coastline for tourism. It's risking to take the main source of life, not only for fish and for biodiversity, but also for more than 30 villages that live and rely on the water. Guri is from the environmental NGO Lumi, or River, in Albanian. She questions the UNESCO designation, suggesting it also sidelines the need to resolve environmental issues. We also risk to get overpromotion and bring more and more tourists coming to visit and more development, more construction in the area and really not solving the pressures or the issues that need to be solved. UNESCO did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. It has previously said it would follow rigorous criteria before granting Viosa biosphere reserve status. Albania's Environment Minister, Sofian Hopaj, who keeps a copy of the UNESCO certificate in his office, acknowledged the problems. He told Reuters in an interview that his ministry plans to spend some $175 million to treat sewage water and close landfills. Waste management hotspots and landfills that have been illegal since the fall of communism are part of the programs I mentioned and are planned to be closed by 2027. For many, though, the damage is already done. Local shepherd, Agranzia, says he used to swim in the river all summer. It's a pity, he says. Times when children would go for a swim in the river are long gone and forgotten.

Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire and captive exchange between Israel and Hamas sparked celebrations across Gaza and Israel. Crowds filled the streets as hopes rose for an end to the two-year war and the beginning of lasting peace.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Celebrations after Trump announces first phase of ceasefire

The Toronto Blue Jays won Game 4 of their American League Division Series matchup against the New York Yankees to advance to the next round of the Major League Baseball playoffs.

New York

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Israelis took to the streets and social media to celebrate the announced release of hostages under a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Many expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his role in brokering the first phase of the agreement.

Israelis celebrate upcoming hostage release, thank Trump

President Trump announced the “first phase” of a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the two-year Gaza war. Under the plan, all hostages are expected to be released soon, and Israel will pull troops back to an agreed line, marking initial steps toward a lasting peace.

Sharm El-Sheikh

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The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has led to major delays and staffing shortages at airports, raising safety concerns. The flight attendants’ union says reduced oversight and overworked crews are putting additional strain on the aviation system.

Washington

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Los Angeles International Airport

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President Trump says Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for Hamas to release all remaining hostages and for Israel to withdraw its forces to an "agreed upon line."

Middle East Conflict

Israel and Hamas reach deal to release all hostages, Trump says

President Trump says he might travel to the Middle East as soon as this weekend as Israel and Hamas continue indirect negotiations to end the war in Gaza. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has the details.

Cairo

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A 29-year-old Florida man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the deadly Palisades Fire that scorched parts of Los Angeles earlier this year, officials said Wednesday.

Los Angeles

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Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts in federal court on Wednesday (October 8) after being indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in September.

Alexandria

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Some air traffic control staffing issues and bad weather are affecting flight delays as the government shutdown enters its eighth day. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more details.

Government shutdown, staffing issues lead to flight delays

Hamas’ lead negotiator says the group needs guarantees of a lasting peace as indirect talks with Israel to reach an agreement over the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza enter the third day.

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Paris

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Israel is pressing forward with its attacks across the Gaza Strip. 
Its forces have targeted displaced families in Khan Younis, killing a mother and her children. Several Palestinians have also been killed in a strike on Al Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City.

Jerusalem

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Palestinian solidarity demonstrators have marched through Mexico and Chile’s capitals, demanding their governments sever diplomatic ties with Israel. The protests mark the second anniversary of Israel's war on Gaza.

Mexico City

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National Guard troops are preparing to be deployed to Chicago. Members of the Texas National Guard arrived just outside the city on Tuesday. The move is being criticized as an abuse of presidential authority.

Chicago

National Guard troops preparing to deploy in Chicago

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the White House, where he promised to treat Canada fairly in trade talks, but was less committed to a continental trade deal that also includes Mexico.

Global Tariffs

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From Tel Aviv to the Nova Music Festival site, Israelis gathered to remember those who were killed in the October 2023 Hamas attack.

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Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival is attracting global stars including Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson and Kevin Hart, with reports that some are being paid more than $1 million each. The event is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to rebrand the conservative kingdom through sports and entertainment.

Riyadh

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Three U.S.-based scientists have won the Nobel Prize in physics for their work on quantum mechanics. The physics award is the second 2025 Nobel Prize to be announced this week.

Stockholm

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As the war in Gaza reaches its two-year mark, Israel and Hamas continue negotiations in Egypt. Talks are centered on a proposed ceasefire deal, which includes a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange.

Israel and Hamas resume Gaza ceasefire talks in Egypt

Israel has deported activist Greta Thunberg along with 170 others who were detained after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza last week. Some of those deported in recent days have reported mistreatment, allegations that Israel has denied.

Israel deports Greta Thunberg after Gaza Flotilla interception

Leaders in the U.S. state of Illinois are taking President Donald Trump to court, looking to stop the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the streets of Chicago. The White House argues that soldiers are needed to prevent so-called lawlessness.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has given Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu 48 hours to stabilize the government following his sudden resignation. Lecornu stepped down hours after naming his cabinet, amid criticism and growing political instability in a parliament without a clear majority.

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Microchip maker AMD got a huge boost in the race to supply the artificial intelligence revolution. OpenAI, the company behind major AI platform ChatGPT, announced a deal for AMD to provide the AI startup with its high-performance processing chips starting next year.

Santa Clara

Rise of AI

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It's a race against time to save the remaining 200 or so stranded climbers on Mount Everest after a massive storm dumped at least three feet of snow over the weekend.

Gorakshep

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Clashes broke out at ICE facilities in Chicago and Portland after President Trump ordered National Guard troops into both cities. The move has intensified tensions between federal authorities and local officials amid ongoing protests.

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Former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury, and could face up to six years in jail, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

Indianapolis

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Monday a lawsuit against the Trump administration over plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

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A selloff in French markets gathered pace after French media reports that Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned. French stocks fell sharply, government bond yields were up 8 basis points and the euro was last down 0.65% at $1.1667.

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