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China extends tariff exemptions on certain U.S. goods until Feb. 28, 2025

Beijing: China will continue to exempt certain U.S. goods from additional tariffs until the end of February next year, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said this week. According to a statement issued in April, these items from the United States were excluded from the tariff countermeasures against the U.S. Section 301 measures […]

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Denmark Embassy, UNODC, NACTA kick off peace project through football match

Celina Ali Islamabad: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with National Counter Terrorism Authority NACTA (NACTA) and support from the Embassy of Denmark, Islamabad this week kicked off the project ‘Strengthening Pakistan’s Response to effectively prevent the spread of violent extremism virtually and amongst youth in vulnerable communities (SPREE)’ by organizing […]

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Bilawal Bhutto for ‘National Action Plan 2.0’ to combat terror

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week stressed the need for the ‘National Action Plan 2’ to combat terrorism in the country, following terrorist attacks against foreigners, civilians, and armed forces. “The government never desires for any citizen to lose their life in incidents of unrest. We hope both the […]

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Henan’s consumption growth outpaces national average in Jan-Oct

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Strong momentum in the dining and retail sectors, a vibrant cultural and tourism market, and a higher quality of life driven by trade-in programs. With a series of policies aimed at boosting domestic demand and consumption taking effect, Henan’s consumption potential is accelerating. In October, the province’s total retail sales of consumer […]

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Representatives of Belarus’ travel industry examine tourism potential of Chinese Province of Henan

Representatives of the Belarusian tourism industry took part in an information tour of the Chinese Province of Henan at the end of November, BelTA learned from the National Tourism Agency. The delegation included representatives of the tour operators authorized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China to receive groups […]

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Si River nurtures Confucian culture in China’s Shandong Province

Newswire Beijing: The Si River, formerly known as Sishui, belongs to one of the major rivers in ancient times. The Si River that originates from Heiyu Mountain in Xintai City, Shandong Province, flows through seven counties and districts including Xintai, Sishui, Qufu, Yanzhou, Zoucheng, Rencheng, and Weishan, and drains into the South Four Lakes at […]

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Umar Rehman Malik celebrates PPP foundation day

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week celebrated the PPP foundation day. “On #PPPFoundationDay, heartfelt congratulations to the leadership, workers & supporters of @PPP_Org for their unwavering commitment to democracy, equality, peace, and prosperity,” he posted on X. The PPP leader added: “Founded by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, PPP […]

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Bulgarian Ambassador Irena Gancheva, Sindh CM discuss bilateral ties

Newswire Karachi: Bulgarian Ambassador Irena Gancheva called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in Karachi this week. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, economic and cultural cooperation and matters of mutual interest. On the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister apprised the Ambassador that Sindh government wants to enhance cooperation with Bulgaria in the […]

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EU enlargement: Illusion or reality?

Newswire Brussels: In a show of solidarity following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union offered the prospect of eventual membership to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, signaling to the Kremlin that these countries are not within its sphere of influence. When United States President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January, […]

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World-leading climate initiatives to be developed through UK programme in Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: New funding announced this week will support first-of-its-kind investment facility to deliver climate technologies and private sector support in Pakistan. The announcement follows launch of FCDO report highlighting the estimated cost of inaction on climate change for Pakistan and delivers on UK climate change commitments. Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri advises Pakistani travellers to complete homework before flying to Australia

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week advised the Pakistani travellers to complete their homework before flying to Australia. “Important information to avoid difficulties at the airport!” he p[osted on X, tagging Australian High Commoner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins’ post which read: “Attention Australian visa holders! Got a shiny new passport? […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad reiterates commitment to diaspora’s facilitation

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan Ambassador in France Asim Iftikhar Ahmad this week reiterated that facilitation of the diaspora was a top priority of the government and the embassy was fully committed towards that objective. The ambassador interacted with members of the Pakistan community in a Khuli Kuchehri at Pakistan Mission Paris which focused discussion on […]

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Kazakhstan and China partner for Sany wind turbine plant

Astana: Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna state fund and China’s SANY Renewable Energy (SANY RE) have begun construction of a $114 million wind turbine component manufacturing plant in the Zhambyl region, marking a step in the country’s renewable energy sector. The plant, which is set to begin operations in late 2025, will produce essential components such as nacelles, […]

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New welcome center for migrants in Milan, Italy

Newswire Milan: Milan has a new center for migrants, the Milano Welcome Center, which will be a unique point of access to services for those who just arrived in town and have been granted international protection. The Milano Welcome Center, housed in a refurbished 2,000-square-meter municipal building near Milan Central Station, hosts approximately 60 professionals, […]

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Lebanon deal should prompt all parties to pursue immediate ceasefire in Gaza

China Daily One day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli Security Cabinet had approved a two-month deal to end the fighting in Lebanon, a ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday, marking a significant step forward for efforts to end the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and fueling hopes that a deal […]

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France shows off restored Notre Dame after ‘impossible’ restoration

Francesco Fontemaggi Paris: France this week showed off to the world the gleaming restored interior of Notre Dame cathedral, just over a week before the 850-year-old mediaeval edifice reopens following painstaking restoration after the devastating 2019 fire. President Emmanuel Macron conducted an inspection of the restoration, broadcast live on television, saying workers had done the […]

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China to grant visa-free entry to citizens of more countries

Newswire Beijing: China will soon grant visa-free entry to citizens of Japan and eight other countries as part of its ongoing efforts to boost international tourism and business travel, authorities announced this week. From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, trial visa exemption will be applied to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, […]

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Denmark supports launch of wastewater treatment initiative

Jaranwala: Danish Ambassador Jakob Linulf this week emphasised the challenges faced by developing countries in wastewater treatment, linking the lack of effective systems to environmental degradation and the acceleration of climate change He expressed these views while speaking at a seminar organised by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) on wastewater treatment. The seminar, chaired […]

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Bilawal Bhutto urges action for children’s future

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week underscored the critical importance of safeguarding, empowering and fostering the holistic development of children. He stated that children embody the aspirations for a brighter future, and their well-being must remain a national priority. In a statement on Universal Children’s Day, the PPP […]

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Henan emerges as logistics hub for Latin American trade

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: This year marks the 10th anniversary of China’s proposal to build a China-Latin America community with a shared future. Over the past decade, Henan province has significantly contributed to China’s deep connection with Latin America. Henan has positioned itself as a logistics hub connecting the Chinese and Latin American markets, thanks to […]

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Surpassing 10 million units! How many NEVs contributed by Henan?

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: China this week reached a significant milestone in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, becoming the first country in the world to achieve an annual production volume surpassing 10,000,000 vehicles. This marks a major achievement in the global shift toward sustainable transportation. At the same time, Central China’s Henan province, which has […]

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Fossils in Greece suggest human ancestors evolved in Europe, not Africa

Tasos Kokkinidis Athens: A recent analysis of fossils recovered in the 1990s in the village of Nikiti in northern Greece supports the controversial theory that apes, the ancestors of humans, evolved in Southeastern Europe instead of Africa. The 8 or 9-million-year-old fossils had first been linked to the extinct ape called Ouranopithecus. However, a team […]

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Andrew Dalgleish: A distinguished British diplomat leaves Pakistan for next assignment in France

Celina Ali Islamabad: Andrew Dalgleish, a distinguished British diplomat, this week left Pakistan as the Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Pakistan and now prepares to assume his new role as the British Ambassador to France. With a career spanning decades of service, Dalgleish has been recognized for his leadership, diplomacy, and commitment […]

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Prominent diplomat Matt Cannell new British Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: British High Commissioner in Pakistan Jane Mariott this week welcomed Matt Cannell as the new Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter. With a distinguished career spanning diverse roles in diplomacy and development, Cannell brings a wealth of experience to this critical position. Prior to his appointment, […]

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Travellers on Schengen visas can add two more countries to their Europe itinerary starting Jan 2025

Celina Ali Brussels: Romania and Bulgaria are poised to gain full Schengen Area membership by early 2025, following Austria’s decision to lift its opposition. This agreement, reached during ministerial discussions, paves the way for unrestricted travel across land borders, complementing their existing air and maritime access. Romania and Bulgaria are on track to become full […]

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700 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa youngsters trained on market-driven skills

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Some 700 youngsters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including 375 women, learnt critical market-driven vocational and technical skills through a three-month-long training programme that had been supported by the government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). The training programme was designed to empower youth from […]

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More school counsellors to visit US, says Ambassador Blome

Celina Ali Islamabad : US Ambassador Donald Blome this week highlighted the upward trend of Pakistani students seeking higher education in the United States and said the rise in student exchanges reflected the growing educational partnership between the two countries. During the annual EducationUSA High Achievers’ and Counsellors’ Recognition Ceremony held here during International Education […]

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PPP-led government in Sindh has done wonders in health sector: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week said that the PPP-led government in Sindh has done wonders in the health sector. “Under leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP has achieved a milestone in healthcare for Sindh. Karachi’s Chest Pain Units (CPUs), an initiative of @nicvd_karachi,” he posted on […]

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Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri celebrates Pakistan’s achievement in Melbourne

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week celebrated thew “Best Pavilion” award won by Pakistan at the global sourcing expo in Melbourne Convention Center. “Pakistan’s pavilion secures the prestigious “Best Pavilion” award at the global sourcing expo held at the Melbourne Convention Center from November 19 to 21,” he posted on […]

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