Ongoing Royal drama, foreign diplomacy rows and Extinction Rebellion protests dominated the headlines in 2019 before Boris Johnson's dominating election victory revealed light at the end of the Brexit tunnel. Britain's exit from the EU continued to be the biggest political story of the year, as continuing divisions took the public to the polls for a snap election held in the depths of winter. Boris Johnson secured a crushing victory over Jeremy Corbyn when a string of former Labour strongholds fell to the Tories, giving him the largest Conservative majority since Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. The country rejoiced at the birth of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in May and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on a highly successful tour of Africa, just months after their son was born. Prince Andrew attempted to distance himself from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal by taking part in a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, and was later forced to step down from royal duties in November. The … [Read more...] about How Royal drama, foreign diplomacy rows and Extinction Rebellion protests dominated the headlines in 2019 before Boris Johnson’s election win finally revealed a light at the end of the Brexit tunnel
Sars foreign travel allowance
Govt Examining Foreign Fund Flows in Infrastructure at Strategic Locations, Say Sources
New Delhi: The government has initiated review of foreign fund flows in sensitive like telecom and physical infrastructure at strategic locations of the country, according to sources. A comprehensive review has been undertaken to assess the control over various infrastructures at strategic locations and border areas of the country, the sources said. Given the fact that majority of the industries are now under automatic route for foreign direct investment (FDI) rather than the approval route, the sources said, it is required to have an idea on the foreign presence in these areas including the northeastern region. Keeping in view the strategic importance, the sources said, the government decided against closure of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. The state-owned telecom company has a strong network at border areas. Many departments and agencies, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), have been involved in the exercise. The RBI is also examining the need for greater scrutiny of the FDI … [Read more...] about Govt Examining Foreign Fund Flows in Infrastructure at Strategic Locations, Say Sources
India asked to provide list of illegal Bangladeshis, if any, on its soil: Bangladesh Foreign Minister
DHAKA: Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen on Sunday said his country has requested India to provide a list of any Bangladesh nationals living illegally in the country and it will allow them to return. Responding to a question on India's National Register of Citizenship (NRC), Momen, who cancelled his visit to India on Thursday citing his busy schedule, said Bangladesh-India relations are normal and "very sweet" and they will not be affected. He said India has termed the NRC process as its internal matter and assured Dhaka that it would not affect Bangladesh. He rejected speculation of "pushback" attempts by India, saying some Indian nationals are illegally entering Bangladesh through middlemen due to economic reasons. "But if anybody other than our citizens enters Bangladesh, we will send them back," he told media here when asked about reports that some people are illegally entering the country through borders with India. Momen said Bangladesh has requested New Delhi to … [Read more...] about India asked to provide list of illegal Bangladeshis, if any, on its soil: Bangladesh Foreign Minister
Argentina to allow refugee Morales of Bolivia to make political statements
FILE PHOTO: Former Bolivian President Evo Morales looks on during an interview with Reuters, in Mexico City, Mexico November 15, 2019. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina will allow former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who arrived on Thursday and has been granted refugee status, to make political statements during his stay in the country, a top official said in an interview published Sunday. The statement by Argentina cabinet chief Santiago Cafiero contradicted Argentine Foreign Minister Felipe Sola, who had said on Thursday he had asked Morales to refrain from making political statements. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, inaugurated on Tuesday, had said before taking office that leftist Morales would be welcome in the country. Morales left Bolivia after a contested October election that caused a political crisis. “The refugee has the same rights as an Argentine citizen in terms of freedom of expression. We are not going to … [Read more...] about Argentina to allow refugee Morales of Bolivia to make political statements
The Latest: Iran’s FM says UK ship was traveling unsafely
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Latest on tensions in the Persian Gulf (all times local): 11:30 p.m. Iran’s foreign minister says his country seized a British-flagged oil tanker last week because it was violating “international law on safe passage” in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking Monday during a visit to Nicaragua, Mohammad Javad Zarif said the British ship had “turned off its signaling” for longer than is allowed, and “was passing through the wrong channels.” Iranian officials have previously suggested the Stena Impero was seized and taken to an Iranian port in response to Britain’s role in seizing a supertanker carrying Iranian oil two weeks earlier. ___ 8:15 p.m. Britain says it is joining with European allies to form a “maritime protection mission” in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s seizure of a U.K.-flagged oil tanker in the busy waterway. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt called the seizure of the … [Read more...] about The Latest: Iran’s FM says UK ship was traveling unsafely
Arts, culture, travel & tourism can sustain Nigeria’s economy — NANTA
…as it holds 43rd AGM By Osa Mbonu-Amadi In the event that oil dries up in Nigeria, what happens? If Otunba SegunRunsewe, D-G of National Council for Arts and Culture, were to answer the question, he will tell you that culture is Nigeria’s new oil. But last Tuesday, during a press conference in Lagos announcing the 43rd AGM of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), President of the association, Mr. Bankole Bernard; First Deputy President, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye; and Financial Secretary, Mr. DaisiOlotu, provided a seemingly different, and yet related answer, to that important question. They all agreed, as many informed professionals inside and outside the travel and tourism industry do, that as many countries that do not even have half of what Nigeria has thrive on travel and tourism, Nigeria’s economy has the capacity to be sustained by the travel and tourism industry. Both OtunbaSegunRunsewe and the principal officers of NANTA are on the … [Read more...] about Arts, culture, travel & tourism can sustain Nigeria’s economy — NANTA