Denmark to halt offshore wind tenders to revamp subsidy model

Copenhagen: Denmark will halt all ongoing offshore wind tenders as the existing framework where no subsidies are offered does not work under current market conditions, its energy minister said this week. The global offshore wind industry has been hit by surging costs, rising interest rates and supply chain bottlenecks. Denmark said in December that its […]

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China’s exports to over 160 countries, regions achieve growth in 2024

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: China’s exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth in 2024, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). The country’s exports grew 7.1 percent year on year, reaching 25.45 trillion yuan (about 3.55 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, marking the eighth consecutive year of growth, according to the latest data […]

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China’s railways see over 200 million passengers since start of Spring Festival rush

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: China’s railways have transported over 200 million passengers since the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush kicked off on Jan. 14, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said. As of Jan. 30, the country’s railways had transported a total of 206 million passengers, according to the China Railway. The transportation was […]

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FO rejects ‘unfounded allegations’ targeting Pak-China friendship

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Foreign Office (FO) this week categorically rejected “baseless and unfounded allegations” targeting Pakistan-China friendship, a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s strong reaction against media speculations over his alleged participation in an anti-China event during his recent visit to the United States (US). Naqvi had vehemently rejected allegations of involvement in […]

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Portugal might grant citizenship to stateless people after 3 years of residency under new proposal

Newswire Lisbon : Portugal’s green political party, Livre, has proposed to grant Portuguese nationality to stateless people who have been residing in Portugal for at least three years, provided they have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and don’t pose a risk to national security. The bill proposed by Livre was discussed in the Parliament […]

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EU warns Pakistan GSP+ status dependent on ‘list of issues,’ including human rights

Celina Ali Islamabad: The European Union’s mission in Islamabad this week reminded Pakistan that trade benefits it received under the GSP+ scheme depended on progress the country made on addressing a list of issues, including human rights, saying “tangible” efforts remained essential. The statement came after a week-long visit to Pakistan by Ambassador Olof Skoog, […]

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ECB President confident in Bulgaria’s Eurozone progress

Newswire Sofia: Bulgaria has made progress in meeting the convergence criteria for joining the eurozone, according to European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde. Speaking at a news conference, she noted that the assessment primarily falls under the European Commission’s jurisdiction but emphasized that the process in Bulgaria is advancing. Lagarde highlighted that the ECB’s […]

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PM Shehbaz Sharif, Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi discuss friendship

Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Japan enjoyed friendly ties, which was evident by the tremendous goodwill that existed among […]

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Gentry Beach announces multi-billion dollar investment in Pakistan’s luxury real estate

Celina Ali Islamabad: Gentry Beach, a leading international investor from the US, has announced plans for a multi-billion-dollar investment in Pakistan’s luxury real estate sector through his holding company, White Bridge Real Estate. The company is set to develop ultra-luxury properties in Islamabad and Karachi, including high-rise landmarks and exclusive mixed-use developments, while actively exploring […]

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The stunning seaside town in Italy with a ‘Santorini feel’ you may have never heard of

Newswire Rome: A quaint little town in the southern region of Puglia offers up the quintessential Italian experience, described as being similar to Santorini but with much a calmer ambiance. Monopoli charmingly combines its historic medieval centre with its picturesque coastline and is one of the loveliest places to stroll. The town is home to […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri felicitates Mohammad Yasin on appointment as UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week felicitated British-Pakistani member of Parliament Mohammad Yasin on appointment as UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan. “Congratulations on your appointment as the UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan, @YasinForBedford! Wishing you success in further strengthening trade ties between our two countries,” the envoy posted on X. […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad meets Ms. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee

Islamabad: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Representative of Pakistan to the UN Security Council, with Ms. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa at the UN headquarters this week. Their discussion focused on African issues on the agenda of the Security Council; imperative of a coordinated, comprehensive and collective approach for durable peace and […]

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Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch holds meeting with Director Asia Benoit Guidee

Newswire Islamabad: Pakistan Ambassador to France Mumtaz Zahra Baloch this week held a meeting with Director Asia Benoit Guidee at the French Foreign Office. “They discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues. Agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-France relations and enhance bilateral cooperation and dialogue,” a post on X said.

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Italy, Saudi Arabia ink partnership deals worth $10 billion

Milan: Italy this week signed agreements worth around $10 billion with Saudi Arabia as part of a strengthened strategic partnership, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said after meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Among the deals, Italy’s credit export agency SACE said it would provide loan guarantees worth 3 billion dollars for Saudi Arabia’s […]

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2024, a record year for international tourism in France

Newswire Paris: The ministry of economy this week announced a record year 2024 for French tourism, due to the growth of international visits. The 2024 attendance and revenue figures bear show that over 100 million international visitors came to France (+2 million), generating €71 billion in international revenue (+12%). An encouraging and promising balance sheet […]

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Trump ready for trade deal with China, calls talks with President Xi ‘friendly’

Newswire Washington: US President Donald Trump this week said his conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping was friendly and he thought he could reach a trade deal with China. The leaders of the world’s two biggest economies discussed issues including TikTok, trade and Taiwan in a phone call before Trump took office. Since taking office, […]

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Aseefa Bhutto Zardari inaugurates People’s School project

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, First Lady of Pakistan, Member National Assembly, and Chairperson of Sindh Peoples Welfare Trust (SPWT), this week inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the People’s School, a transformative educational initiative aimed at fostering quality education and youth empowerment. The Sindh Peoples Welfare Trust (SPWT), founded by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto […]

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Henan’s foreign trade increasingly resilient: Foreign trade value hits 820 billion in 2024

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: In 2024, the total import and export value of foreign trade in Central China’s Henan province reached 820.17 billion yuan, ranking among the top 10 nationwide for five consecutive years, with a year-on-year increase of 1.2 percent, reflecting resilience and momentum for sustained development, according to Zhengzhou Customs on January 16. In […]

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‘China travel’ continues to heat up as impact of visa-free policies grows

Newswire Zhengzhou: With China relaxing and optimizing its visa-free policies and introducing measures to facilitate foreign travelers, “China travel” has become a top choice for many international tourists. According to the latest data from the National Immigration Administration of China, in 2024, immigration authorities nationwide handled 610 million border crossings, a year-on-year increase of 43.9 […]

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Portugal-Pakistan: Urdu translation of the novel ‘Blank Gaze’ by José Luís Peixoto launched

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Pakistan Academy of Letters this week hosted the launch of the Urdu translation of Portuguese author José Luís Peixoto’s novel Nenhum Olhar (Blank Gaze), with the participation of Ambassador of Portugal Frederico Silva. The acclaimed novel, now beautifully rendered in Urdu as Viran Nazar by the renowned Pakistani author Muhammad Atif […]

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33-year-old American living in Germany: ‘I don’t worry about not being able to pay my bills here’

Vanessa Wachtmeister Berlin: At the age of 33, I sometimes feel like I’ve already lived a thousand lives. I’m originally from Los Angeles, and over the last decade, I’ve done everything from teaching English in China to serving as an emergency aid worker in Turkey during the war in Syria. After I completed my master’s […]

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British High Commissioner Jane Marriott for continuing cooperation to promote entrepreneurial culture in Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriot this week said that the United Kingdom will always continue its full cooperation with Pakistan to promote entrepreneurial culture and skills and instil entrepreneurial spirit in youth of the country. Pakistani youth have entrepreneurial skills and potential and the British High Commission in Islamabad will […]

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Sofia Metro leads Bulgaria’s Leva 32 billion EU boost

Newswire Sofia: In 2024, Bulgaria secured approximately 32 billion leva in EU funding. A significant portion of these funds has been directed toward large-scale infrastructure ventures, making a visible impact across the country. Sofia received the largest portion, totalling 6.2 billion leva. Significant investments include expanding the Sofia Metro and other critical infrastructure upgrades. Plovdiv […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri boosts Pakistan-Australia friendly relations

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri has been instrumental in taking the Pakistan-Australia friendly relations to new heights. The seasoned diplomat during his ongoing tenure has been holding high-level meetings and hosting numerous events to promote the cause. Pakistan-Australia relations have evolved significantly since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1947. This […]

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Umar Rehman Malik highlights Institute of Research & Reforms, International’s philanthropic efforts

Ali Rehman Malik speaks about devastating impact of terrorism Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week highlighted the philanthropic efforts of the Institute of Research & Reforms, International (IRRI). “We organised a thermal tracksuit distribution tonight because of the freezing temperatures and the alarming rise of rough sleepers in […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad meets top UN official Vladimir Voronkov

Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Alternate Permanent Representative of Pakistan and Representative to the Security Council, this week met with Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov. They exchanged views on counter-terrorism, important work of the UN Office of Counter-terrorism (UNOCT), upcoming review of the Global Counter-terrorism Strategy, cooperation in capacity building and training programs, […]

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