Dozens of young people protest against the government in Qyteti Studenti Page 5

BY MARTIN LEKA A sensational news story has filled the pages of newspapers and other electronic media. A young mother from Peqin, expecting to give birth to her first child, has given birth to five little angels. Perhaps setting a record in Albania in the field of rare births. The internet and other information networks abroad, too, under the banner “Albania,” have reported the rare news—not to mention other statistical networks in the field of medicine, which have filled out their forms, left blank for decades... Along with the sensational news, and together with Albania’s five newest children, we have also been able to see their parents, thanks to the journalists’ understandable persistence. In their expressions, alongside the joy of the children’s birth, we have also seen the psychological shock that is normal in such cases. A young couple, only 26 years old, both unemployed, with no supplementary sources of income and living in an area that is not particularly favorable for earning an income, are suddenly faced with a new social situation, where joy is mixed with anxiety about the future of their five children. Such an event calls for extraordinary human solidarity. Given their circumstances, Albanians preserve an original philosophy of solidarity. The not-so-old legend “I share hazelnuts among 12 men” speaks to the uniqueness of Albanians, which we must return to in order to save the five children and ease the burden on their parents. Around the world there are many examples of governments granting a special pension, providing a free home, employing other women to care for the children, and so on and so forth. Our poor state could make such a gesture too, without arousing anyone’s jealousy—in fact, earning everyone’s gratitude. Perhaps first and foremost, a special bank account should be opened for raising the quintuplets. Let’s each drink one less coffee... A gift from God has made us all forget the masks, murders, thefts, threats, blackmail, insults, strikes, politicians. Perhaps our “on-kull” signals the beginning of the “white chronicle”...

President Rexhep Meidani visiting an Orthodox monastery in Rila, Bulgaria, yesterday Photo REUTERS President Rexhep Meidani visiting an Orthodox monastery in Rila, Bulgaria, yesterday. Photo REUTERS

Still no trace of the whereabouts of the well-known businessman Page 2 200 million lekë are being demanded in exchange for the life of the merchant Petrit Gazheli. This is the amount the kidnappers have set as a ransom for the Gazheli family in Tirana, just a few hours after taking him hostage. Sources at the Tirana Police Directorate explain that Petrit Gazheli, owner of several business companies in Tirana, has fallen victim to several people whose motive is to make millions of lekë through the method of taking hostages.

Vjollca Meçe, the Albanian woman who contributed to the civilization of society Page 32

Absence of MPs postpones proceedings until Monday Page 17

They are not loaded with as much credit as they indicate Page 10

Helicopters in Tropojë to deliver public-sector employees’ pay Page 11