Lek mating

Albania's Central Bank does not plan to intervene in the exchange rate to stop the fast rise of the national currency, the lek, which has caused major concerns among exporters who claim the strong currency is hitting their revenues and profits.

Queried at a press conference, the bank governor, Gent Sejko, said he had "no reason to intervene".

A patient being sent to the Shefqet Ndroqi Hospital for Lung Diseases in Tirana on Sunday. Photo: Malton Dibra/LSA

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that anyone who complains about the heavy fines should understand that the penalties are "not [meant] to collect money for the state, but to protect the people from violations that threaten their health in this war situation".