New German Ambassador to Islamabad visited Turkmenistan Embassy

Celina Ali Islamabad: The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Pakistan, Ms. Ina Lepel, visited the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Islamabad this week, where she met with Ambassador Atajan Movlamov. As reported on the website of the Turkmen diplomatic mission, the parties expressed their commitment to ensuring stability, strengthening peace and expanding […]

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One-third of household spending in Bulgaria goes to food and drinks

Newswire Sofia: About one-third of Bulgarian household spending is directed toward food and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the latest figures from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) for the second quarter of 2025. The data, which compares household budgets with the same period of 2024, highlights notable shifts in consumption patterns, with some products seeing increased […]

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Bulgarian investigators probe arms export companies at request of Ukraine

Newswire Sofia: In response to a request for legal assistance from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, a team of investigators from the National Investigative Service (NIS) is conducting searches and seizures in homes and offices in Sofia and the country, the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office said this week. The request is related to an investigation […]

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Germany’s Opportunity Card attracts huge number of Pakistani professionals

Celina Ali Islamabad: Thousands of Pakistanis are eyeing Germany’s much-awaited Opportunity Card visa “Chancenkarte” as a gateway to Europe’s largest economy, hoping to escape limited job prospects at home and tap into high-demand sectors abroad. Designed to attract skilled workers without requiring a job offer, the visa offers a clear route to employment and integration—especially […]

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Majority of Bulgarian companies ready to hire non-EU workers

Newswire Sofia: Over 60% of businesses in Bulgaria are open to hiring workers from non-EU countries, according to findings shared in the context of the ongoing project “Functionally Sustainable Migration and Integration in Bulgaria”. The initiative is being carried out by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in partnership with the Center for […]

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German consulate halts visa services in Karachi for non-EU citizens

Karachi: The German Consul General in Karachi this week announced the immediate suspension of visa services for non-European Union (EU) citizens until further notice. In an official statement issued on X, the consulate confirmed that the suspension applies to all non-EU applicants, including those with already confirmed visa appointments. The consulate clarified that these appointments […]

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Bulgaria moves to ease hiring of foreign workers in tourism sector

Newswire Sofia: Regulatory adjustments aimed at easing the employment of third-country nationals in Bulgaria’s tourism industry were discussed during a meeting of the parliamentary Tourism Committee held in Sozopol. The changes, still in the draft phase, are expected to respond to ongoing concerns from employers about bureaucratic barriers, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Deputy Prime […]

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Bulgarian healthtech provider blue longevity clinic just raised €2 million to help you live longer

Newswire Sofia: Sofia-based Blue Longevity Clinic, a longevity medicine service provider, has raised €2 million to launch clinics in Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, supported by proprietary digital technology and advanced diagnostic protocols. The round was led by Eleven Ventures with participation from Sofia Angels Ventures and several family offices. “We’re building a new kind of […]

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Bulgaria and Armenia deepen cooperation in the field of technological innovation

Newswire Yerevan: Armenia and Bulgaria are entering a new phase of cooperation in the field of technological innovation. A number of relevant documents were signed during the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and Bulgaria, held in Sofia. According to the press service of the […]

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Jehan Ara Manzoor Wattoo showcases social protection success at global forum in Germany

Celina Ali Islamabad: Vice Chairperson Of The Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), Jehan Ara Manzoor Wattoo, This Week Led A High-Level Pakistani Delegation At The International Workshop “Lead The Change For Social Protection” Held In Germany, Where Global Leaders Gathered To Shape The Future Of Social Welfare Systems. The Three-Day Workshop Brought Together Nearly 70 […]

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Bulgaria, UK partner in awareness campaign on risks of transporting irregular migrants in lorries

Newswire Sofia: More Than 100 Billboards In Bulgarian, English And Turkish About The Risks Of Hiding Illegal Migrants In Lorries Will Be Placed On The Main Transit Routes Of Bulgaria In An Awareness Campaign By Bulgaria’S Interior Ministry And The British Embassy In Sofia, The Ministry Said This Week. The Campaign Is Aimed At Lorry […]

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Spectacular marble portrait and untouched grave found at Bulgaria’s Heraclea Sintica

Newswire Sofia: Ongoing rescue excavations at the ancient Roman site of Heraclea Sintica in southwestern Bulgaria continue to deliver extraordinary finds, with recent discoveries spanning from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. Archaeologists working along the route of a future Bulgaria–Greece gas pipeline have uncovered a finely carved marble face, a terracotta […]

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Bulgaria adopts Euro currency 2026: authorities to monitor VAT for speculative price hikes

Newswire Sofia: This week, Euro zone finance ministers officially recommended that Bulgaria join the euro area on January 1, 2026, making it the 21st member of the euro zone. This recommendation follows earlier favorable assessments of Bulgaria’s readiness by both the European Commission and the European Central Bank. The country has been preparing for this […]

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Banished: Exhibition revisits communist Bulgaria’s expulsions of ethnic Turks

Newswire Sofia: An exhibition of the work of two Turkish photographers documents a dark chapter of Bulgaria’s history – the forced assimilation and deportation of its ethnic Turkish minority. The Bulgarian Communist regime’s persecution of the country’s Turkish minority is highlighted at a photography exhibition, called “Banishment”, on view until July 20 in Sofia, part […]

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Helvetas Germany launches project to promote responsible business practices in cotton, rice sectors

Celina Ali Islamabad: Helvetas Germany, in partnership with the European Union, has officially launched the Capacity-Building for Socially Diligent Agribusinesses (CSDA) project at a high-level event in Lahore , bringing together leading representatives from government, industry, civil society, international development partners, co-implementers and affiliates. The CSDA project aims to strengthen human rights due diligence and […]

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Pakistan, Germany strengthen railway cooperation in high-level meeting

Celina Ali Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi met with German Ambassador to Pakistan Alfred Grannas on Monday to discuss ways to deepen diplomatic, economic, and industrial ties between the two nations. A major focus of the meeting was the modernization and upgradation of Pakistan Railways in line with international benchmarks and technological […]

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Bulgaria and Kazakhstan to set up joint Business Council

Newswire Sofia: Kazakhstan and Bulgaria intend to establish a joint Business Council, Kazinform News Agency quoted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as saying during the extended talks with the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev. “We would like to reaffirm Kazakhstan’s commitment to the promotion of mutually beneficial partnership with Bulgaria. We view your country as a major, […]

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Bulgaria’s Ambassador Irena Gancheva unveils cultural exhibition highlighting Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria

Celina Ali Islamabad: As part of a growing commitment to cultural diplomacy and mutual understanding, Her Excellency Irena Gancheva, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Pakistan, this week formally inaugurated an exhibition titled “The Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria” at a distinguished cultural venue in Islamabad. The exhibition, which opened to an enthusiastic audience of diplomats, historians, […]

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Bulgaria shifts from EU funding to private capital for key public investments

Newswire Sofia: Bulgaria is preparing to replace EU cohesion funds with private investments and long-term concessions for rebuilding its critical public infrastructure, PM Rosen Zhelyazkov announced this week, citing the need for financial and strategic partners in the country’s future infrastructure development. Over the past 18 years, Bulgaria has been a major beneficiary of EU […]

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Bulgaria’s bold leap: From outsourcing hub to emerging deeptech contender

Newswire Sofia: In the global race to become the next big tech hotspot, many countries pour billions into nurturing homegrown talent, courting VCs, and crafting startup-friendly policies. While some struggle to gain momentum, others seem to leap forward—fast. So, what sets apart these rapid risers? What’s the secret to ecosystem transformation? Look no further than […]

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Germany bets on volunteers to fix a hollowed-out army — but will it work?

Chris Lunday Berlin: Berlin’s incoming government, formed by Friedrich Merz’s conservative Christian Democrats and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), has released a coalition agreement outlining plans for a new voluntary military service to rebuild the overstretched and steadily shrinking ranks of Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr. The plan involves sending a mandatory questionnaire to all […]

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Bulgaria finalises €600 million funding for nearly 10GWh of energy storage

Newswire Sofia: The Ministry of Energy of Bulgaria has selected 82 winning energy storage projects for a share of BGN 1.15 billion (€588 million/US$670 million) in financial support. The scheme will support the construction and commissioning of 82 standalone energy storage projects with a total of BGN1,149,013,428.49 spread across the projects, which will add up […]

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Celebrating Bulgaria: A look at country’s most iconic festivals

Newswire Sofia: Known for its rich cultural heritage and traditions, Bulgaria hosts a variety of festivals and celebrations that highlight its unique cultural identity. These festivals not only preserve the country’s traditions but also offer tourists from around the world an opportunity to experience its deep-rooted customs and vibrant cultural practices. Here are some of […]

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Archaeologists discover 1,700-year-old Roman settlement in Bulgaria Linked to Emperor

Newswire Sofia: An unexpected discovery emerged during preparatory work for the installation of a natural gas pipeline near the village of Borimechkovo in the Pazardzhik region of Bulgaria. Workers uncovered the remains of a Late Roman period settlement covering an area of 4,400 square meters, according to Enikos. Archaeologists swiftly stepped in and found a […]

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