Bulgaria and Romania will be in the Schengen zone from January. What will change for travellers?

Newswire Sofia: It’s been a rocky road to Schengen membership for both eastern European countries. As of 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full-time members of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement between member states for 450 million citizens. The two countries have been members of the European Union (EU) since […]

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28,000 Pakistanis applied for ‘protection’ in EU in a year: report

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistanis lodged 28,000 applications for international protection in the European Union Plus countries between October 2023 and October this year, the EU’s Agency for Asylum (EUAA) said in a Pakistan-specific report. The monthly figures have followed a downward trend since reaching a peak in October last year, when Pakistanis lodged around 3,400 […]

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USAID, HEC to support research offices in Pakistani varsities

Celina Ali Islamabad: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Higher Education System Strengthening Activity, this week organized a four-day training workshop on proposal writing and grant management for public sector universities in Pakistan. It was hosted by Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), this event aimed to enhance the effectiveness of Offices […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad welcomes PIA operation to Paris

Paris: Pakistani Ambassador to Farnce Asim Iftikhar Ahmad this week welcomed the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operation to Paris. “Good news – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume operation to Paris. Direct flights between Pakistan and France will facilitate travel & contribute towards enhancing business, tourism, family visits and people-people contacts,” the envoy on posted […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri felicitates Pakistanis as PTV broadcast begins

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week felicitated the Pakistanis as Pakistan Television (PTV) News started transmissions through the SBS platform. “Watch Pakistan’s national TV channel PTV now on Australia’s SBS Urdu,” he posted on X. The SBS earlier reported that the PTV News from Pakistan was being “shown on SBS […]

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Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree to set up display centres for enhanced trade

Celina Ali Islamabad: In a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Privatization and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan this week, it was decided to establish Display Centres for products and machinery to promote bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Pakistan. It was also agreed to showcase products of textiles, surgical equipment, sports, goods, […]

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Don’t take orders from anyone: Italy PM Giorgia Meloni

Newswire Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this week defended her friendship with tech billionaire Elon Musk, affirming that her relationship with anyone does not interfere with her leadership role or Italy’s policy. PM Meloni made the remarks while speaking in a parliamentary session ahead of the European Union summit in Brussels. During her address, […]

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France: Most powerful nuclear reactor finally comes on stream

Paris: France this week connected its most powerful nuclear power reactor to the national electricity grid in what leaders hailed as a landmark moment despite years of delays, budget overruns and technical setbacks. The Flamanville 3 European Pressurized Reactor in Normandy started providing electricity to French homes at 11:48 am (1048 GMT) Saturday, the EDF […]

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Maryam Nawaz urges Huawei to invest in Pakistan, especially in Punjab

Celina Ali Islamabad: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif this week visited Huawei Technologies’s Bantian headquarters in Shenzhen Longgang district and vowed to enhance cooperation. According to a statement released here by Huawei, she met Huawei’s Government Affairs Director Wang Chengdong to discuss various initiatives to make Lahore a modern digital city. She also discussed […]

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Denmark pledges support for Malaysia’s green transition initiatives

Newswire Kuala Lumpur: Denmark is deeply committed to supporting Malaysia’s green transition through knowledge, strong public-private partnerships, and investments, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said this week. He said Danish companies are eager to contribute Danish solutions to Malaysia through the newly established Green Transition Alliance, which will be a part of Denmark’s future […]

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Bilawal Bhutto calls for united efforts to safeguard human rights

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week called for united efforts to safeguard and promote human rights as the cornerstone of a just, inclusive, and peaceful society. In his message on the occasion of International Human Rights Day being observed globally on December 10, he said that human […]

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Chinese embassy holds CPEC’s outstanding Pakistani staff awarding ceremony

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Embassy of China in Pakistan this week organized the awarding ceremony for outstanding Pakistani staff of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects to recognize 43 persons from different projects who have contributed to the CPEC construction. Pakistan’s cuisine Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong emphasized that we should look at […]

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Over 200 ancient tombs discovered in Luohe, Henan

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: A joint archaeological team formed by Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Luohe Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology excavated a tomb complex dating from the Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty in Luohe city of Central China’s Henan province recently, according to Luohe Municipal Institute of […]

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China’s largest diameter SPB TBM for South Korean project rolls off production line in Zhengzhou

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: The “CREC 1448” SPB TBM, developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as CREG), passed the acceptance inspection by the Korean contractor and was rolled off the production line in Zhengzhou, according to CREG on December 10. This machine, the largest diameter SPB TBM independently developed and […]

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Umar Rehman Malik misses illustrious father Senator Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week missed his illustrious father, Senator Rehman Malik, on the late PPP stalwart’s birthday. “Missing Senator Rehman Malik on his birth anniversary. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah. Ameen,” Umar Rehman Malik wrote on X. Senior politician and former interior […]

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Pakistan eyes UK flight resumption by early 2025 after British inspection

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan is expected to secure approval from British aviation authorities to resume direct flight operations by the first quarter of 2025, pending a critical inspection by UK officials scheduled for January. Director General of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) Nadir Shafi Dar has said that representatives from the UK Department for […]

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Pakistan, EU agree to continue cooperation on food, climate change challenges

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan and the European Union this week agreed to continue cooperation on emerging challenges of food, energy security, and climate change, underlining sustained engagement, particularly in areas such as trade, migration, human rights, political, economic and development cooperation with a focus on the Global Gateway strategy. The bilateral relations and cooperation were […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri says PHC in Australia ready to serve

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that the Pakistan High Commission in Australia was ready to serve the community. “Serving the community is our top priority,” he wrote on X tagging a High Commission statement: “To better serve the Pakistani community in Western Australia, we are bringing consular services to their […]

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Pakistan, France hold productive consultations on UN Security Council matters

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan-France this week held productive consultations in Islamabad on UN Security Council matters. The consultations were co-chaired by Director for UN affairs of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Le Fraper du Hellen and Additional Foreign Secretary (UN & OIC) Ambassador Syed Haider Shah. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to […]

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Kazakhstan Embassy participates in grand ceremony to unveil Silk Road Culture Center

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Embassy of Kazakhstan to Pakistan participated in the grand ceremony of unveiling the Silk Road Culture Center, this week organized by renowned artist and former Minister of National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan, Jamal Shah, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh MFA. The event was jointly organized with the embassies of […]

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Japan donates $3.1 million to eradicate polio in Pakistan amid alarming surge

Celina Ali Islamabad: Japan has donated $3.1 million to eradicate polio in Pakistan and ensure millions of children remain safe from the crippling disease, the Pakistan Polio Programme said this week, as Islamabad desperately looks to grapple with an alarming surge in cases of the infection this year. Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains the […]

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PIA to restart US flights after 8 years hiatus

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) prepares to restart flights to the United States after an eight-year hiatus. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PIA and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) addresses financial matters. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (CAA) Nadir Shafi Dar this week confirmed imminent financial settlements with the FAA. […]

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Italy: PM Giorgia Meloni named ‘most powerful person in Europe’

Newswire Rome: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been named as the “most powerful person in Europe” by Politico. The media outlet released its annual ranking list of 28 most influential people in the continent. “The list captures another continental trend: the ascent of right-wing populists and ultranationalist figures. These leaders, who have undermined civil-rights […]

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China-US strengthening dialogue and cooperation meets global expectations

Global Times This Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2024 Gala Dinner of the US-China Business Council (USCBC). The letter conveyed China’s sincere hope for long-term peaceful coexistence and greater dialogue and cooperation between our two countries, as well as its firm commitment to deepening reform comprehensively and opening up […]

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Italy advocates for two-state solution for Israel and Palestine

Newswire Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Rome this week, emphasizing the importance of achieving a “lasting political solution” through a two-state solution, News.az reports citing foreign media. According to an Italian government statement, she confirmed her country’s commitment to a “lasting political solution based on the two […]

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New PM Francois Bayrou says he knows ‘difficulty’ of France’s situation

Paris: France’s new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou says he is well aware of the scale of France’s financial and political problems, comparing the country’s budget deficit to the Himalayan mountain range. “No one knows better than me the difficulty of the situation,” Bayrou said at a handover ceremony with former Prime Minister Michel Barnier. “I […]

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Queen Mary of Denmark marks her first year as monarch by unveiling a spectacular tiara created from a historic diamond belt

Copenhagen: Queen Mary of Denmark has celebrated her first year as monarch in spectacular fashion, unveiling a dazzling tiara repurposed from a historic diamond belt. The Australian-born royal, 52, known for her penchant for heirloom diadems, has breathed new life into the unique accessory. In a video shared by Amalienborg Palace on Tuesday, Mary is […]

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Bilawal Bhutto praises Kundi’s multi-party moot

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week praised a multi-party conference (MPC) held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Kurram while calling out the PTI-led provincial government for “practising their extremist politics at the expense of the people”. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi […]

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