Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador Frans van Daele, Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) outside the European Union, this week concluded his week-long visit to Pakistan. FoRB is a key priority for the EU, including in the context of the strategic engagement with Pakistan. During the visit, he met Federal […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portugal’s Golden Visa, launched in 2012, is a residency-by-investment program aimed at attracting foreign investments. It is popular among non-EU citizens as it offers them a path to Portuguese residency, which if they stick to the law of the land can lead to permanent residency and in the end to citizenship. It also […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: The European Investment Bank (EIB) this week expressed keen interest in financing the upgrade of the National Highway (N-5 from Karachi to Torkham and a major water project in Karachi) and committed £50 million ($55.5m) for the rehabilitation of a hydropower project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As a visiting delegation of the EIB, […]
Read MoreBrussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week welcomed the nomination of the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s prime minister. “Congratulations,” said von der Leyen, the head of the EU’s executive arm. “I know that Michel Barnier has the interests of Europe and France at heart, as his long […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portuguese airline TAP said this week its second-quarter net profit fell 10% to 72.2 million euros ($80.3 million), as foreign exchange losses from the devaluation of the Brazilian real offset an operating income increase. The state-owned flag carrier’s operating income rose 3.4% to 1.1 billion euros during the period, with passenger revenues up […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Firefighters this week brought under control a large forest fire in the Portuguese island of Madeira that had been burning for 11 days, but authorities said on Aug 25 they would remain on the ground to stop it flaring up again. The blaze, which started on Aug 14, has burnt more than 5,000ha […]
Read MoreBrussels: If you love the tradition of collecting passport stamps, you might be in for disappointing news, and would want to prioritise getting one from the EU before November 10, 2024. This is because, after this date, the manual stamping of passports will become a thing of the past, and will be replaced by a […]
Read MoreNewswire Copenhagen: While the south swelters, Denmark’s mild temperatures and extended daylight hours are providing the perfect summer escape for many. With rising temperatures in southern Europe, more and more tourists are flocking to cooler destinations in the north. Denmark, in particular, has become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to escape the scorching […]
Read MoreNewswire Islamabad: A group representing Chinese companies this week said the European Commission’s plan to slap import duties of up to 36 percent on Chinese electric cars was “unfair” and would worsen trade tensions. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) “expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the EC’s protectionist approach,” […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: More than 63,000 requests for Portuguese citizenship have been received in the first four months of 2024. The figures provided by the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) reveal that there has been a significant increase in the number of citizenship applications. The surge in the number of citizenship applications has brought difficulties […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan, Dr Riina Kionka this week said the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus status (GSP+) to Pakistan is an exemplary step for increasing economic and trade cooperation between the two sides. “Pakistan and the European Union are major trading partners and Pakistan’s annual […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Foreigners’ interest in obtaining a Portugal Schengen visa continues to remain high despite the summer season coming to an end soon. According to data from Google Trends, searches worldwide for a Portugal Schengen visa are currently up 90 per cent. Even though not everyone who searches for a Portugal visa applies for the […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: European Union Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka this week extended congratulations to Pakistanis on their 77th Independence Day and honoured the country’s “vibrant diversity in the spirit of respect, unity, and inclusion envisioned by its founder, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.” At a special event on the premises of the European Union Delegation to […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Portugal offers a stunning blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, making it one of the popular tourist destinations. A huge number of visitors travel to the European country to explore historic sites like the Tower of Belém and Sintra’s fairytale palaces in Portugal. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural […]
Read MoreBrussels: The European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), the world’s first extensive and far-reaching legislation on AI, has come into force. Its purpose is to ensure that AI developed and used in the European Union’s member states is trustworthy and thus the Act is hedged around with comprehensive safeguards to protect people’s fundamental rights. The […]
Read MoreParis: France remained Europe’s top physical net power exporter in the first half of the year at 40.8 TWh – a 31% jump from the second half of 2023, a Montel Analytics report showed this week. The surge was due to increased nuclear output, a surplus of hydropower generation and persistently low demand, despite French […]
Read MoreCopenhagen: Tourists visiting Copenhagen this summer are encouraged to participate in unusual kinds of vacation fun, including plucking floating trash from the Danish capital’s waterways, cycling to museums instead of going by car, or volunteering at an urban garden. All these activities are part of a new, four-week pilot project called CopenPay that rewards tourists […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Secretary General, Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland this week said the Pakistani youth full of rich potential in creativity and innovation are the key to brighten future and embrace climate resilience. She was addressing as special guest at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) jointly held symposium, titled “Driving the Change: The Dynamic Role […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portugal’s AD government pledged this week to spend €11.1 million rehabilitating 10 rivers and streams “from the north to the south of the country,” covering 214 kms. According to information provided by the press office of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, the projects include restoration work on the River Tua (in […]
Read MoreZia Weise Brussels: The European Union plans to pressure emerging economies such as China to contribute funding for climate action in developing nations at global negotiations in November, according to POLITICO. Financing is at the center of this year’s United Nations climate conference, known as COP29, with developing countries clamoring for a significant increase in […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portugal may offer residency through a decentralised cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, as part of its Golden Visa Program. In this way, Portugal could become the first European country to offer residency through its Golden Visa Program, in exchange of investments made through Bitcoin. According to co-founder and CEO of Unbound Fund, Alessandro Palombo […]
Read MoreWarsaw: A Polish deputy foreign minister has suggested that Hungary could leave the EU and NATO and instead “create a union with Putin and authoritarian states”. His remarks came in response to a speech on Saturday by Viktor Orbán in which the Hungarian prime minister criticised the West, praised Russia, and accused Poland of “hypocrisy” […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: A new penny will be distributed throughout Portugal from Wednesday that depicts the legendary hero Ulysses, designed by artist Gonçalo Viana. With a face value of €5, the coin is only valid in Portugal, and will be distributed to the public through credit institutions, the Banco de Portugal’s cash offices and the shops […]
Read MoreBulgaria’s Sunny Beach has narrowly beaten Turkey’s Marmaris in a study assessing Europe’s best value family summer holiday resort. Post Office Travel Money, which conducted the research, urged people booking family breaks to do “holiday homework” to avoid “busting the budget while abroad”. The report took into account the cost of common tourist expenses in […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Denmark’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jakob Linulf this week celebrated the 75 years of Pakistan-Denmark diplomatic relations. “Thrilled to celebrate a monumental milestone: 75 years of ????-???? diplomatic relations! In 1949, Danish representative in Tehran, Axel Caspar Frederik Sporon-Fridler, was accredited to Karachi,” he posted on X. Denmark-Pakistan relations are friendly. Pakistan and […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: French Ambassador to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey, this week hosted a reception to celebrate France’s National Day. Bastille Day, referred to in France as “le Quatorze Juillet,” commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. This event was a key turning point in the French Revolution, symbolizing the fight against […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: Portugal plans to increase the weight of renewables to 51% of its final energy needs by 2030 from a current target of 47% as part of its goal to become carbon neutral by 2045, the government said this week. The new target is part of an updated draft of the energy and climate […]
Read MoreKrassen Nikolov Sofia: Bulgaria has lost €0.7 billion this year alone – including €423 million in direct losses and €225 million in lost benefits – as a result of not being fully admitted to the Schengen area, said caretaker Economy Minister Petko Nikolov. Bulgaria, along with Romania became Schengen Area members at the end of […]
Read MoreMoira Mccarthy Lisbon: It was just past sunrise and there I was, frolicking on a beach, jumping in tidal pools, running in circles with arms spread wide as starlings flew around me, taking in the beauty as the morning light slowly filtered up and over the cliffs and rock formations along the beach known as […]
Read MoreAmelia Nierenberg Sofia: Archaeologists in Bulgaria made an unexpected discovery in an ancient Roman sewer last week: A well-preserved marble statue, taller than a man. “We found it by accident,” said Lyudmil Vagalinski, the scientific director of the excavation. “It was amazing. A whole statue appeared in front of us.” The discovery could illuminate how […]
Read MoreKarachi: The German Consulate in Karachi this week halted its services for non-EU citizens due to security issues. In 2023, Pakistan emerged among the top nationalities with the highest visa rejections in Germany and Schengen states overall. Pakistanis spent €3.3 million on visa applications in 2023, while their expenses might increase further in 2024. The […]
Read MoreHefei: The man who spearheaded China’s electric car strategy said Wednesday that Chinese investment in the European electric vehicles industry could be a way forward for both sides amid trade tensions. “I believe the governments [of China and the European Union] are now considering how, through negotiations, they can combine investment together with commodity trade,” […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: The Portuguese Air Force this week received its second KC-390 multi-mission aircraft from aerospace giant Embraer. The new aircraft follows the delivery of its sister plane last year under a five-unit 2019 deal, signed to bolster the air force’s transport and cargo capabilities. Embraer’s eighth global C-390 craft is fitted with standard NATO […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia – Women account for 27% of Bulgaria’s new National Assembly (parliament), elected by a snap vote on June 9 and sworn in on June 19. After the European elections, which, in Bulgaria, coincided with the vote for the national legislature, the country sent only four women to the European Parliament, where it has […]
Read MoreCelina Ali Islamabad: Dr Riina Kionka, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan this week called on the Federal Minister for Law and Justice and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. In the meeting, relations between Pakistan and European Union and issues of mutual interest were discussed, said a press release. The law minister […]
Read MoreLisbon: A new circular hiking trail is being opened in Portugal to combat over-tourism. Portugal’s renowned tourist hotspots, such as Lisbon and the Algarve, are often overwhelmed with visitors. In response, a new hiking trail, Palmilhar Portugal (Walking Portugal), aims to restore balance by drawing tourists to lesser-known regions. This project will become the world’s […]
Read MoreNewswire Brussels: The Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of a 14th package of sanctions against Russia. The new package responds to the needs and findings on the ground, and tackles enforcement issues. As the Russian aggression against Ukraine continues, the EU remains determined to keep acting to further reduce Russia’s sources of revenue and capacity […]
Read MoreNewswire Sofia: The Bulgarian labour market is facing a shortage of workers ranging from 250,000 to 300,000, as asserted by the human resources expert Georgi Parvanov. Among these, 70,000 are attributed to the lack of seasonal workers, Schengen.News reports. Parvanov, who is a member of the executive committee of the Confederation of Employment, suggested that […]
Read MoreNewswire Athens: Effective June 5, 2024, foreign nationals who enter Greece under visa-exempt status or on a C visa can now apply for an EU Blue Card. Previously, only D visa holders could apply for an EU Blue Card. Additionally, EU Blue Card applicants may now choose whether to undergo a ‘pre-screening’ process, whereas previously […]
Read MoreNewswire Lisbon: The Portuguese government presented this week its action plan for international migration, built around regulated immigration, foreign talent attraction, humanistic integration, and institutional reorganisation. The plan comprises 41 measures. These include: the prioritisation of entry channels for family reunification, young students and skilled professionals; the development and execution of the national plan for […]
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