Tag: Visas

Migration is derailing leaders from Biden to Macron. Who’s next? – POLITICO

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BRUSSELS — Western leaders are grappling with how to handle two era-defining wars in the Middle East and in Ukraine. But there’s another issue, one far closer to home, that’s derailing governments in Europe and America: migration. 

In recent days, U.S. President Joe Biden, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak all hit trouble amid intense domestic pressure to tackle immigration; all three emerged weakened

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The golden couple at the heart of Europe’s Qatargate scandal – POLITICO

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BRUSSELS — Eva Kaili and Francesco Giorgi had left nothing to chance.

The duo that would later become the most famous — many would say infamous — couple in the European Union capital had been gearing up for this moment for years.

As Qatar prepared to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they were among the Gulf state’s fiercest advocates in Brussels, defending its record on human rights and fending off criticism of its treatment of migrant workers.

And now,

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The ultimate WFH locations: Five sun-kissed nations offering cheap working visas – including tropical island off the west coast of Africa for less than £100

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The life of a digital nomad consists of remote working in a location of your choice – from deserted beaches to tiny towns, the possibilities can be endless.

With the lifestyle choice of having ‘no permanent residence’ becoming more popular among workers who want to travel freely, more countries are welcoming people from across the globe.

In 2023, 17.3 million American workers described themselves as digital nomads, more than double the number in 2019, according to self-employment specialists MBO.

To

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Israel withholding visas for UN officials after Hamas comments: ‘Teach them a lesson’

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Tensions between Israel and the United Nations are heightened after a series of comments about Hamas led to U.N. visas being denied.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Tuesday during a meeting of the Security Council the terrorist attacks against Israel Oct. 7 “did not happen in a vacuum.”

Supporters of Israel took offense to the assertion, and critics claimed the U.N. was blaming the Jewish state for the slaughter of its own civilians by Hamas.

UN LEADER RESPONDS TO ISRAEL

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Why Britain wants to shout about its offshore asylum ship – POLITICO

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LONDON — Walking up a narrow gangplank, a small group of asylum seekers boarded the floating barge moored off England’s south coast. It would be their home for the foreseeable future. 

Their arrival Monday was being closely monitored — and amplified — at the highest levels of the U.K. government.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on holiday in California, posted a video claiming he was “ending the farce of illegal

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Chinese embassy slams Moscow over Russian border incident – POLITICO

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The Chinese embassy in Moscow on Friday criticized “brutal and excessive law enforcement by Russia” after five Chinese citizens were denied entry into the country.

In a post on Chinese social media platform WeChat, the embassy said the incident had “seriously damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.”

On attempting to enter Russia on July 29, the group of Chinese citizens was “repeatedly” questioned for “up to 4 hours,” according to the statement. They had their tourist visas

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Rishi Sunak could get mobbed (and bag a trade deal) when he heads to India – POLITICO

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LONDON — Rishi Sunak might struggle to set pulses racing at home. But Downing Street hopes for a different story when the U.K. prime minister visits India next month.

His ascent has already been hailed by the country’s press. “Indian son rises over the empire” read a headline by major broadcaster NDTV as Sunak entered Downing Street last year. The Times of India ran a piece on the shift

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US limits visa waiver for Hungarians – POLITICO

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The United States on Tuesday sharply limited Hungary’s participation in its visa waiver program over security concerns regarding new passports issued between 2011 and 2020. 

Under the American Visa Waiver Program, citizens of participating countries can travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, and simply need a so-called Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). 

But starting Tuesday, ESTA validity for Hungarian passport holders will be reduced from two years to one,

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Georgia’s EU dreams live or die with Mikheil Saakashvili – POLITICO

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TBILISI, Georgia — Almost every day, Giuli Alasania makes the drive down a dusty highway through the Georgian capital to visit her son, former President Mikheil Saakashvili, in hospital.

“It’s ironic,” she says, fussing over the plastic pots of stewed beans and salads she is bringing for his lunch, “when he was president, he built this clinic. Now he’s dying in it.”

Ailing and imprisoned, Saakashvili holds Georgia’s future

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11 key Qatargate players — where are they now? – POLITICO

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BRUSSELS — On a Friday morning last December, Belgian police swooped in on top political figures in a cash-for-influence scandal that would quickly be dubbed Qatargate, unveiling a murky underworld of foreign interference operating at the European Union’s core. 

The investigation, months in the making, represented the first strike in a high-stakes probe by Belgian prosecutors and carried all the hallmarks of a Hollywood crime caper. 

There were spies,

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