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Albanians get visa-free access to UAE, part of larger expansion into Asia

TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Starting on April 20, citizens of Albania will be able to travel visa-free to the United Arab Emirates, home of renowned cities and major airports, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Albanian government has announced.  UAE citizens are also able to travel to Albania without …

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Op/Ed: Balkan awakening – Strengthening ties between Israel and Albania

By Ohad Shpak* The upcoming Israel-Albania Tech Conference to be held in March 2023 aims to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries, following recent developments in the bilateral relations. Muslim-majority Republic of Albania and the Jewish State of Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 1991, shortly after Albania emerged from …

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Wage hikes in private sector outpacing public increases as Albania’s businesses struggle with retention

TIRANA, March 20, 2023 – Albania’s private sector salaries are increasing and doing so at a higher rate than public sector ones, as businesses struggle to retain workers competing with migration and the domestic labor market.  However, public sector wages continue to be, on average, higher, according to the latest …

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Green for growth fund to invest in landmark renewable energy project in Albania

TIRANA, March 11, 2023 – The Green for Growth Fund (GGF) has announced a EUR 28 million loan to fund a landmark transaction with SPV Blue 1 in Albania. The privately owned project marks a significant milestone in the history of energy production in Albania, as it is the largest …

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Albania’s Mild Punishments for Electoral Crimes Undermine its Democracy

The few and minimal sentences handed down by the justice system for electoral corruption do little to discourage such violations, according to experts – and undermine the path towards democracy. Original post Here

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Rama: Sports betting revenue will go to culture and tech

Prime Minister Edi Rama has underlined Tuesday that sports betting revenue will go to the projects and needs of sports federations, the culture sector, and various groups that are interested in cultural projects. In his speech, PM Rama underlined that there will be a new structure that will supervise this …

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Ex-son-in-law of guard killed in TV shooting detained

Vlora Police has detained this Tuesday the ex-son-in-law of Pal Kola, the guard who was killed by Kalashnikov fire in the yard of Top Channel television shortly after Monday midnight. In front of the investigators, Roberto Papçi has denied having anything to do with the event. Along with the ex-son-in-law, …

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Orderer of Shengjin explosive attack arrested after three Years

Lezha Police have arrested on Tuesday citizen Zef Kola, resident of Tirana, suspected of ordering the TNT explosion on the building that was being built by businessman Liman Gjoka in the “Rana e Hedhun” area of Shengjin, three years ago. After investigations carried out with special methods, this event was …

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DP submits at CEC municipal council candidates’ list for May 14 polls

Democratic Party (DP) submitted this Tuesday, within the deadline set to the Central Elections Commission (CEC), the lists for members of municipal councils for several municipalities in the country. List of democrats in Tirana is headed by pedagogue Enriketa Pandelejmoni, followed by footballer Gentin Muça and pedagogue Iris Beleraj. Among …

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Crime Ties Exposed in North Macedonia Medicinal Cannabis Boom

North Macedonia has actively promoted the development of a medicinal cannabis industry, but a BIRN investigation reveals the criminal ties behind at least some of those granted much-coveted licences. Original post Here