Parliament begins debates: less money for Sport and Culture ‘96: Higher salaries The budget, increases for everyone and pensions According to the draft prepared by the Government, the planned salary increase for everyone working in the budgetary system is 30 percent A ministerial "show" in the Parliamentary Economic Committee. Yesterday Dylber Vrioni gave explanations. Today it is Dashamir Shehi’s turn Debate in the Defense Committee. The ministry protests: "We were not given even half of what we requested" Parliament On page 3

The President takes stock of '95 Berisha at the conference (photo: R. Tasho) On page 3

Horoscope '96 Every day a different sign What the stars will bring to Aries On page 6

POGRADEC On page 3

KRUJË- Icon thieves are back on the scene. This time their target was one of the country’s most prominent historical sites, the Museum of the National Hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu in Krujë. Three valuable icons disappeared in the midnight hours between last Saturday and Sunday. Despite recent police efforts, the thieves have still not been identified. These are not just any icons, but works created by well-known painters. On page 5

More than 1,500 hectares hit by rainfall Lezha under water again The Drin "goes wild", houses flooded LEZHË - Lezha is flooded again. The rains of the last two days have opened up a wave of concern for the people of Lezha; more than 1,500 hectares have been submerged under water, while rainfall has reached 145 millimeters. The epicenter of the flood, which first occurred several days ago, was the Zadrima area; around 700 hectares have taken on the shape of a lake. Meanwhile, in Balldre the area of flooded land is estimated at more than 600 hectares, while in Tresh there are 200 hectares. On page 5 Rain in Krujë: the fields are floating

Yesterday’s prosecutor’s request The case of the $400,000 belonging to the printing house of "Zëri i Popullit" is nearing its end. Tomorrow the Court’s final decision On page 5 Përparim Xhixha

- Over a scratch on a vehicle. A story as curious as it is unheard of has featured the citizen Benga Rosoveçi and a woman farmer from the same area. The incident, which occurred on the Fier-Berat national road, resulted in a luxury car being burned. LB, who had long been living and working as an emigrant in Italy, had come to visit his relatives, bringing with him a car whose city plates had not yet been removed. Flattered by the respect his fellow villagers showed him, he could not tolerate the scratches on his expensive car caused by the cobblestone roads. So, out of anger toward the villager with whom he had been arguing for some time, he burned it without asking, even though he had wanted it so much. The day the scratch happened, and the brave man from Kosovo would have been in the black list of the darkest days of his life. Hurna Kredni[?]

Unknown documents of fascism are published On page 7 Italian prisoners during the War in Albania

Christmas message During the mass (REUTERS) On page 2

FIER On page 5

The holiday melody of the year-end festivities from a 26-year-old blind man TIRANË - He is one of the most unusual musicians people may have seen and encountered in the streets of the capital. “Old 26 New Year” he is only 26 years old and has an enterprise does not hope for light, but only waits for it. The only thing he can do on these festive days is to tie things together with an accordion that he has played since he was 18, using his fingers. Blind, he managed to see[?] neither the large heap of money at his feet nor the crowd of random onlookers in the market. His name is Lulzim Xhaferri. It is nice to think of him as silent like “New Year,” if we speak in the language of children? Unfortunately, the colors do not suit him, but the son of this city plays the accordion in his city while many people want to buy it. “Why the accordion?” “It is the light of my eyes that I miss. Despite the fact that I have many things that I do not practice. I do not have the money to buy one. This one is my mother, actually a large one from friends who were going to Greece. Did you learn it at school? “At the age of 12 I was a regular student at the Lyceum. There I learned to play the clarinet, guitar, accordion and piano. I have touched them, and for me they mean a lot. I was 5 years old when a bomb took my eyes, but I am 26 now. God gave me a pure soul to delight people. I play everywhere with music. Your wish for '95? “I hope they give me a house. I speak for myself. As for everyone else, I wish health and peace, and money too. I also hope that those anniversaries which these days appear in the market will enjoy my accordion songs.” Arlinda Çauholli Lulëzim Xhaferri playing beside the gift shop

TIRANË On page 3

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