Lawmaker Shoots, Injures Political Rival

A member of the ruling Socialist Party shot and wounded a political rival in the parliament building, raising fears of more strife in the Balkan country racked by anarchy earlier this year. Prime Minister Fatos Nano sought to prevent the shooting from turning into a crisis at a time when Albania appeared to be returning to normal after months of unrest sparked by the collapse of pyramid investment schemes. He appealed to politicians to respect the rules. A police spokesman said Socialist lawmaker Gafur Mazreku was charged with the attempted murder of Democratic deputy Azem Hajdari. The two politicians earlier had a fistfight in the parliament chamber.