Celina Ali Islamabad: Greece emerged as the sixth most popular Schengen Area country for visa applications in 2023, according to data from SchengenVisaInfo. The country received 627,008 visa requests, accounting for over 6% of all Schengen visa applications submitted this year. The majority of these applications originated from Turkish citizens, totaling 254,377 (40.5%), followed by […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: Bulgaria has approved humanitarian aid amounting to 929,019 leva to support Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Armenia. This assistance will be offered as voluntary contributions through international organizations, as confirmed by a recent government decision. The funds are designated for several prominent humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination […]
Read MoreBrussels: The European Commission published this week its report on progress made by candidates to become members of the European Union on the road to fulfilling all the necessary criteria. UKRAINE: Ukraine applied for EU membership several days after it was invaded by Russia in February 2022, and was granted candidate status in June that […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, held an important meeting this week with Ms Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, at the British High Commission in Islamabad. The high-level discussion focused on enhancing humanitarian cooperation, with particular emphasis on addressing health and climate challenges […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met with outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Mitsuhira Wada this week to discuss longstanding bilateral cooperation and perspectives on regional and global issues. Mitsuhira Wada who has completed his three-year tour of duty in Pakistan, reflected on a steady growth of bilateral economic […]
Read MoreNewswire Islamabad: In a major step toward advancing reproductive healthcare in Sindh, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sindh inaugurated a state-of-the-art Family Planning Skills Lab at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) this week. The launch ceremony was led by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho and USAID Mission […]
Read MoreCanberra: Pakistani High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week lauded the cricket team on defeating Australia in Australia after more than two decades. “Congratulations – comprehensive much-needed victory. Just when spirits needed a lift, Team 🇵🇰 has reignited the passion of millions. Here’s to resilience, grit, and the unstoppable spirit of Pakistani cricket!” he posted […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: A significant development in Pakistan-France trade relations emerged this week as a traders and businessmen delegation from Pakistan, led by chairman and CEO of Global Trade and Expo Center Pakistan, Mazhar Hussain Thathal, had a cordial meeting with Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Ambassador of Pakistan, and Ms Arooj Rizvi, Trade and Investment Counsellor […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, this week proposed establishing a sister-city relationship between Islamabad and Astana, alongside renaming an Islamabad street after a distinguished Kazakh figure. Ambassador Kistafin, in a meeting with CDA chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa underscored his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan, spanning cultural, economic, and […]
Read MoreDing Gang During my stay in Kenya, I spoke with several middle-aged Kenyans who shared their plans to send their children abroad for education, which they have been saving for. When I inquired about their preferred countries, the two most popular countries were the US and the UK, followed by China. They noted that students […]
Read MoreAbdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week felicitated US President-elect Donald Trump on winning the elections. “Heartfelt congratulations to President-elect @realDonaldTrump on his historic victory in the presidential election. Entrusted with the mandate of the American people, he stands poised to shape a new chapter in world affairs,” he […]
Read MoreWarwick Powell On November 11, the Japanese Diet convened to elect a new prime minister. Incumbent Shigeru Ishiba of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) retained his position. The journey won’t be straightforward, however, as Ishiba’s LDP and its coalition partner Komeito lost their governing majority at the recently held parliamentary election. The LDP will be […]
Read MoreNewswire Budapest: The EU must focus on setting its own house in order, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this week, citing tariffs, competitiveness and defence as the most pressing issues the bloc faces as it comes to terms with Donald Trump’s election win. Trump’s return to power poses a major challenge for the European […]
Read MoreParis: Europe must be willing to take charge of its own destiny, the French government spokeswoman said this week, as Donald Trump won the US presidential election. “We must not ask ourselves what the United States will do, but what Europe is capable of doing. In a number of key sectors – defense, industrial recovery, […]
Read MoreNationals from South Korea and Slovakia have been added to the list of people who do not need a visa to visit for up to 15 days Jane Caiin Beijing: People from nine more countries, including South Korea, Norway, Finland and Slovakia, will have visa-free entry to China from Friday, as Beijing tries to attract […]
Read MoreCopenhagen: The Danish Energy Agency this week approved construction for German utility RWE’s 1.1GW Thor offshore wind farm, clearing the way for work to start in the spring. The plan is to install 72 Siemens turbines some 22km off the western shore of Jutland. RWE says they’ll supply power to a million households. RWE Offshore […]
Read MoreLiaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said this week that his party will continue to play its role for the sake of the media freedom. Expressing his thoughts in line with International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the former foreign minister said: “Free press is one of […]
Read MoreHenan Daily Zhengzhou: Since January, Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone (ZAEZ) has been fully committed to boosting economic growth and promoting development. In the first three quarters, ZAEZ’s economic performance showed robust and sustained improvements. The industrial sector experienced rapid growth, fixed-asset investment accelerated, the consumer market maintained steady expansion, and the service industry continued to […]
Read MoreHenan Daily Zhengzhou: Henan’s postal industry processed 7.107 billion parcels in the first three quarters of this year, generating a revenue of 52.99 billion yuan, which represents year-on-year increases of 31.68% and 15.05%, respectively, according to the Postal Administration of Henan Province on October 24. This growth rate ranks Henan second nationwide in parcel volume. […]
Read MoreHenan Daily Zhengzhou: In the first three quarters of this year, Henan’s exports of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products reached 18.51 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 38.8%, according to Zhengzhou Customs on October 22. The export value ranks first in China, with products exported to 155 countries and regions around the world. Mexico, Canada, […]
Read MoreAbdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik said this week that minorities had equal rights in Pakistan. “Wishing a joyful and blessed #Diwali to Hindus around the world, especially my fellow Pakistanis. May this festival of light inspire kindness, unity, and interfaith harmony, guiding us all toward peace and prosperity. Warmest […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: A memorial plaque honoring the millions of victims of the 1932-1933 Holodomor genocide in Ukraine was unveiled in Lisbon on October 23, with Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska in attendance. A dispatch from the event was provided by Pavlo Sadokha, Vice-President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and President of the Union of […]
Read MoreNewswire Athens: “Eighty-four years later, our country is a pillar of stability in a prolonged troubled neighbourhood, a reliable factor for peace, supported by strong Armed Forces that ensure our deterrent power. A prerequisite for this responsible patriotism—healthy patriotism—is dynamic and sustainable economic growth. We need an economy that guarantees a prosperous, safer, and fairer […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: Bulgaria celebrated its National Awakeners’ Day on November 1. Every year on this day, the nation honours its teachers, writers, enlighteners and freedom-fighters who have preserved the spiritual and moral values of the Bulgarians. Hundreds of champions of the Bulgarians’ national self-awareness and pride are remembered on Awakeners’ Day. Having lived manly in […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Lahore: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan welcomed the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Riina Kionka, to the Punjab Assembly this week. Also present at the meeting were Secretary General Chaudhry Aamir Habib, EU Team Leader Sebastien Lorion, and Faisal Butter, Provincial Coordinator for the Sustainable Parliament Project. The meeting […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: The British High Commission in Pakistan this week announced the launch of a new Chevening Mentorship Scheme to connect alumni who are actively working in the climate sector, with young climate leaders across Pakistan. Twenty-three early and mid-career climate professionals were selected out of 400 applicants in a competitive process. Over three […]
Read MoreNewswire Lahore: Marilina Armellin, the Ambassador to Italy, met with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz this week and discussed the promotion of cooperation in tourism, textile, leather, marble, carpets and other sectors. During the meeting, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz offered Italy to increase olive cultivation in Chakwal. During the meeting, Italian investment in livestock and […]
Read MoreCanberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week congratulated Bisma Asif on her election to Queensland Parliament. “Congratulations to Bisma Asif on her election to Queensland Parliament. As a proud Pakistani-Australian her achievement highlights the strength in diversity & power of representation. Wishing her every success as she paves the way for […]
Read MoreParis: Pakistani Ambassador to France Asim Iftikhar Ahmad this week greeted the Hindu community in Pakistan on Diwali. He reported a foreign ministry post on X saying: “Happy Diwali to the Hindu Community in Pakistan and around the world! May this Festival of Lights bring peace, prosperity, and joy to all. On this occasion, we […]
Read MoreAstana: The World Nomad Games, an event celebrating the traditional sports and culture of nomadic communities, were held in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, bringing thousands of spectators and athletes from across the globe. This year’s Games featured thrilling competitions like kokpar — a polo-like game using a goat carcass — and showcased other nomadic skills, including […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, WADA Mitsuhiro this week hosted a reception at his Official residence in Islamabad to bid farewell to Pakistani dignitaries and friends. Ambassador WADA will leave Pakistan on 19th November and will take up his new assignment as Ambassador of Japan to Croatia. He assumed his office in […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan and the University of Utah this week signed a partnership to promote capacity-building initiatives in public sector universities across Pakistan. This initiative, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), aims to enhance faculty development, strategic […]
Read MoreDing Gang On the last day of my recent trip to Nairobi, I visited the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters, where a portrait of Wangari Maathai caught my attention. Her most famous initiative was the establishment of the landmark Green Belt Movement in 1977. The movement began by organizing women in rural Kenya to plant […]
Read MoreGlobal Times Recently, Hong Kong singer Andy Lau held a concert at the Taipei Arena, where he performed the well-known song “Chinese People.” Created to celebrate Hong Kong’s return to China, the song has been a staple in Andy Lau’s concert tours for over 20 years. However, in Taipei, some politicians from the pan-Green camp […]
Read MoreNewswire Rome: The Italy-Libya Business Forum, opened by the Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Abdelhamid Dbeibah, was a great success. Also present were the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Aldolfo Urso, and the Minister of Economy of Libya’s National Unity Government, Mohammed HuejHuej. This was recalled on X by the Italian Embassy in […]
Read MoreRabat: Morocco this week agreed to buy high-speed trains from French company Alstom (ALSO.PA), opens new tab on Monday, one of a series of business deals signed during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the kingdom as the two countries turn the page on years of diplomatic tensions. Paris and Rabat have had a difficult […]
Read MoreBeijing: China urges the United States to immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop its dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said this week. The spokesperson made the remarks in response to a reporter’s query that the U.S. Defense Department on Oct. 26 announced that the […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Danish renewables developer European Energy A/S has officially opened a 3-MW green hydrogen production facility that will supply Port Esbjerg and will later form part of a 12-MW electrolysis complex. The first electrolyser using the technology of Denmark’s Stiesdal A/S was installed in the summer and successfully passed through the commissioning phase, […]
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