THE ATTACK TNT destroys two escort vehicles Assassination attempt on Ilir Meta 15 people arrested Page 3 Photo from the scene of the assassination attempt

EDITORIAL By Genci ÇOBANI The State of Ice A city slips out of control and its residents are bloodied on Flag Day; the prime minister is the target of an assassination attempt; the lights shrink under the power of darkness and our neighbors declare that they will no longer give us electricity; the country spins beneath the fear of chaos and poverty continues to bend Albanians, taking away whatever few pennies they still have in their hole-ridden pockets and... amidst all this, a table of parties, with an international guardian presiding, where different winds hurry to display the signing of agreements and the laughter that follows at the occasional ceremonies; the Municipality says it is thinking about lighting Tirana’s blind alleys, at a time when the boulevards themselves have been blinded and... once again, ministers complain about why we do not talk about their work, as though it were not true that this is what they are paid for—and handsomely. They pound the table as if mad with joy whenever insults reach their peak with talk of prisons, heads and broken skulls, the origins of prominent figures and the names of mountains invoked in their service, from north to south. People grow cold every day, without lights or heating, beneath blankets that cannot adequately withstand the winter march of temperatures, and hurry to warm themselves in heated political debates. Meanwhile, the state, on the other hand, with overheated backsides and minds scorched by the lust for a little power, freezes in its indifference, without human feeling, without a brain in its head, incapable even of telling us where we are going. and poverty continues to bend the Albanians, shaking out whatever small change they have left in their hole-ridden pockets and... amid all this, a table of parties, an international tutor presiding, where they are expected to talk about what happened last year and what must happen next year(?). The chorus of ministers and their revelers continues to sing “hosannas” to the “successes,” while— while, at the same time, action has long since passed them by and... once again ministers complain that we never talk about their work, as if paid for, and handsomely. It seems as though the country has sunk into a drunken muddle and nobody is making the effort to get out of this state. Politics unleashes thunderbolts of insults and all kinds of abuse, directed at politicians, while people, empty-handed—

The energy situation has become critical The crisis had been forecast 3 years ago

Butchers ordered to sell only meat In Europe, animal bones are burned and buried; in Albania, they continue to be boiled and their broth drunk. An alarm, this time directed at housewives. Boiling bones is highly popular at Albanian tables as a nutritious and inexpensive food. The favorite dish remains roasted head. Page 11

The President makes a “U-turn” on the CEC. “Fotaqi must leave” President Meidani may soon make a “U-turn” on his position regarding the Central Election Commission, but not entirely of his own volition. The situation that has developed over recent months between the government and the opposition, as well as Zagreb’s slap in the face, have led the PS and the President to agree to review their position on the CEC and the electoral lists. Page 4

Fotaq Nano accepts no responsibility for October 1 On the brink of being “toppled,” Central Election Commission Chairman Fotaq Nano praises the work of the institution that has attracted more criticism than any other electoral institution in Albania. Yesterday, according to his own claim, he gathered pro-government media to declare that the work of the commissioners led by Nano had been entirely fair and fully in accordance with the Electoral Code. Page 5

Attack on military personnel in Tropojë repeated Soldiers fire without warning Page 9

Rare Page 7

Anglo-Adriatika Page 9