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EU

EU warns China against backing Russia in Ukraine war

BRUSSELS: Top EU officials warned China’s leader Xi Jinping at a virtual summit Friday that any attempt to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine could hurt business ties between the two economic superpowers. The EU and US worry that Beijing’s failure

EU eyes more Ukraine arms aid, big Russia sanctions

VERSAILLES: The European Union on Saturday eyed an extra 500 million euros in military support for Ukraine and fresh sanctions on Russia, as Moscow s war spurred vows to bolster the bloc’s defences. EU leaders meeting for a summit in

EU diplomatic mission resumes work in Afghanistan

BRUSSELS:  The European Union on Thursday announced it had begun re-establishing a “minimal presence” in Kabul to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. “Our minimal presence in Kabul must not in any way be seen as recognition” of

EU approves Pfizer Covid jab for kids aged 5-11

THE HAGUE: The Pfizer coronavirus jab got the green light for children aged five to 11 in Europe on Thursday, clearing the way for the vaccination in a cohort where the virus is rapidly spreading. The European Medicines Agency (EMA)

Bumpy EU-Turkey relations

A diplomatic crisis was averted as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan backed down from his threat to expel ten Western ambassadors from the country. Erdogan threatened to declare the envoys, including from the United States and European countries, as ‘persona

Russian opposition leader Navalny wins EU’s Sakharov Award

BRUSSELS: The European Parliament on Wednesday awarded jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny the acclaimed Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The award, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, recognises individuals who have made an “outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of

Commerce Adviser hopes for successful completion of GSP-Plus biennial review

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razzaq Dawood, has expressed hope that 4th Biennial Review of European Union (EU) Generalised Scheme of Preference (GSP) Plus incentive will be successfully completed. “I am confident that due

Taliban govt’s behaviour ‘not encouraging’: EU foreign policy chief

RIYADH: The European Union foreign policy chief said the Taliban government’s behaviour up to now was “not very encouraging”, and any economic collapse in Afghanistan would raise the risk of terrorism and other threats. Josep Borrell, speaking at a joint

US joins UK, EU, and Canada in imposing sanctions on Belarus

WASHINGTON: The United States has imposed sanctions on more than a dozen Belarusian individuals and entities, joining Britain, Canada and the European Union in applying pressure for human rights abuses and the erosion of democracy. Belarus plunged into crisis last

EU appreciates Pakistan’s progress on FATF action plan

ISLAMABAD: European Union (EU) welcomed the progress made by Pakistan in the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan and commitment to continue engagement to address remaining issues. EU appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards full implementation of the

Bill Gates, EU pledge $1 billion boost for green technology

BRUSSELS: The European Union and an energy investment programme founded by Bill Gates plan to raise up to $1 billion to roll out the low-carbon technologies Europe is betting on to meet its climate change goals, According to the European

EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has authorised Pfizer and partner BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in children as young as 12, paving the way for a broader rollout in the bloc after similar clearances in the United States and Canada. The

EU agrees to open doors for vaccinated foreigners

BRUSSELS: European Union countries agreed to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-EU visitors ahead of the summer tourist season, a move that could open the bloc’s door to all Britons and vaccinated Americans. Ambassadors from the 27 EU countries approved

Pakistan exports to EU increase by $1.1bn in fiscal year

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that Pakistan exports to European Union (EU) countries increased by $ 1.1 billion during the last ten months of current Fiscal Year 2020-21. The exports increased by

Pakistan expresses concern over EU Parliament’s resolution on blasphemy laws

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed disappointed at the adoption of a resolution at the European Parliament on blasphemy laws in the country. The Foreign Office issued a statement after the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a review of Pakistan

Europe needs $355 billion for 5G rollout, says industrial study

BRUSSELS: Europe needs to pump 300 billion euros ($355 billion) into its telecoms infrastructure by 2025 if it wants to roll out superfast 5G to boost economic growth and tap the potential of the technology. The study by consulting firm

West sanctions China over Uighur abuses, Beijing hits back at EU

BRUSSELS: The European Union, United States, Britain and Canada imposed fresh sanctions on Chinese officials over the crackdown on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities, and Beijing responded by hitting Europeans with immediate tit-for-tat measures. Brussels, London and Ottawa blacklisted former

EU drug regulator backs AstraZeneca vaccine

BRUSSELS: The European Union drug regulator has said it has come to a “clear scientific conclusion” that the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is “safe and effective” after several European countries suspended its use following reports of blood clots among some recipients. Speaking

Iran dismisses talks with EU, US to revive nuclear deal

TEHRAN: Iran ruled out holding an informal meeting with the United States and other major powers to discuss ways to salvage the unravelling 2015 nuclear deal, insisting Washington must first lift all its unilateral sanctions. “Considering the recent actions and

EU approves AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for all adults

BRUSSELS: The European Union medical regulator has authorised AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for use in people 18 and over throughout the bloc. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) licenced the vaccine for people aged 18 and over. The shot is the third

Brexit becomes reality as UK quits EU single market

LONDON: Britain has finally severed its turbulent half-century partnership with Europe, quitting the EU single market and customs union four-and-a-half years after its shock vote to leave the economic bloc. Brexit became a reality as Big Ben struck 11:00 pm

UK parliament approves Brexit trade deal with EU

LONDON: British lawmakers approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, as both sides looked to begin a new chapter of relations. Britain and the European Union signed the deal on Wednesday and the British parliament

EU safety ban – Will PIA regain its lost glory?

Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar has expressed hope that the ban on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate flights to and from the European countries would be lifted soon. The ban on flight operations have not only tarnished Pakistani’s image

EU and Britain clinch narrow post-Brexit trade deal

LONDON: Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal after ten months of intense negotiation allowing them to soften the economic shock of Brexit, just seven days before it exits one of the world’s biggest trading blocs. When the

Exposure of Indian network vindicates Pakistan’s position: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said the revelations by the European Union’s DisinfoLab on the widespread Indian network of subversive activities vindicated Pakistan’s position and exposed its detractors. “The international community needs to take notice of a rogue Indian regime

US warns Turkey of imposing fresh sanctions over east Mediterranean crisis

ISTANBUL: The European Union (EU) has warned Turkey of fresh sanctions over the Eastern Mediterranean crisis. The EU has threatened Turkey with sanctions including tough economic measures in case the situation with Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean is

Pakistan to appeal against flight ban in Europe: Aviation Minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said Pakistan will file an appeal for the resumption of flight operations in Europe by the end of this month. Responding to a call attention notice in the Senate, the minister said

EU to provide Rs3.6 billion for ‘Rule of Law’ support to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The European Union will provide 20 million euros (approx. Rs3.6 billion) for ‘Rule of Law’ support to Pakistan. An agreement to this effect was signed by Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs Noor Ahmed and EU Chargé d’ Affaires Anne

FM Qureshi discusses PIA flight ban with Danish counterpart

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has held a video conference with Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod and conveyed concern on temporary suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights into Denmark. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided to

FM Qureshi calls for reviewing PIA flights ban in Europe

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has stressed on reviewing the decision to suspend Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights into Europe. In a telephonic conversation with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell,