Moscow on Friday advised its citizens against travel to the United Kingdom, citing London’s “unfriendly" stance as well as huge delays in visas for Russians. “In order to avoid financial losses and other possible problems, we recommend that Russian citizens refrain, if possible, from travelling to the UK and trying to obtain British visas," the Russian foreign ministry said. It added that it will “act in the same way" with British citizens until the situation improves. The ministry said it received “numerous complaints from Russian citizens that it has become virtually impossible or extremely difficult for them to obtain a UK visa" of any category. Britain’s visa service “gives priority to the processing of visa applications for Ukrainian refugees," the foreign ministry in Moscow added, also pointing out that Russians are unable to pay their visa fees using Mastercard of Visa cards issued in Russia. The ministry said such an approach “contradicts all previously reached … [Read more...] about Russia Advises Against Travel to UK Due to ‘Unfriendly’ Stance on Visas
Visa venezuela
Venezuela plans stock sale in break from socialist model
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 8 CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government is seeking private investors to pump funds into vital but crippled state-run companies, decades after seizing them in the name of socialism. The government on Monday intends to offer 5% to 10% stakes in companies ranging from telephone and internet service providers to a petrochemical producer. In another country, those industries might be attractive targets for investors, but questions remain as to who would be willing or able to take a minority position in the Venezuelan companies that have suffered from years of neglect and mismanagement. Adding to the mystery is lack of details provided by the government about the sale, including what price it is seeking for shares in the companies and on what stock market they might be listed. Some are speculating the move could be a first step toward returning the … [Read more...] about Venezuela plans stock sale in break from socialist model
India grants e-visas for Chinese nationals
To the cheers from the audience of students at Tsinghua University here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that India has decided to “extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals.” The announcement was anticipated for some weeks, and The Hindu had reported last month on the Chinese government’s repeated requests to India to cut some of the security and visa regulations for Chinese businessmen and tourists. The Prime Minister said it was part of a concerted effort by his government to bring the “world’s two largest populations in closer contact.” “Thirty-three per cent of the world is either Indian or Chinese, and yet we know so little about each other,” he said. The e-visa facility would enable Chinese applicants to apply for visas online a few days before they travel. Accent on people-to-people Shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Friday of the extension of e-visa facility for Chinese nationals, Foreign Secretary S. … [Read more...] about India grants e-visas for Chinese nationals
Karti Chidambaram’s associate arrested in visas scam
A day after conducting searches on the premises of Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram and others accused in the alleged visas scam , the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested S. Bhaskar Raman, who was named first accused in the case. Mr. Bhaskar Raman, a close associate of Mr. Karti Chidambaram, was arrested in Chennai after questioning by investigators of the CBI’s Economic Offences Wing, New Delhi. The CBI has accused him of taking ₹50 lakh bribe to facilitate the re-use of Project Visas for Chinese workers who were deployed in the construction of a 1980 MW thermal power plant at Mansa in Punjab in 2011. Besides other evidences, the investigative agency relied on several email communications between the beneficiary company - M/s Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL) - officials and Mr Bhaskar Raman. … [Read more...] about Karti Chidambaram’s associate arrested in visas scam
Portman: Easing Venezuela Sanctions Funds Human Rights Abuses That Are Increasing Migration to Southern Border
On Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox Business Network’s “Cavuto: Coast to Coast,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) reacted to the Biden administration reportedly easing some economic sanctions against Venezuela by wondering why the administration would lift sanctions on a Russian ally while we’re trying to sanction Russia and arguing that money obtained due to eased sanctions would support the human rights abuses by the Venezuelan government that have caused an increase in Venezuelan migrants coming to the U.S. southern border. Portman said, “I mean, here we have an administration that has had a war against fossil fuels, and particularly stifling the production of oil and gas production in the United States, and yet they seem to be interested in increasing production from countries that are, in the case of Venezuela, very aligned with Russia right now, at a time when we’re trying to put sanctions on Russia, and here we have Maduro, as one of Russia’s great allies. And as you said, it’s going … [Read more...] about Portman: Easing Venezuela Sanctions Funds Human Rights Abuses That Are Increasing Migration to Southern Border
World’s Oldest Man from Venezuela Turns 113 Soon and He Had This to Say
The Guinness World Records has officially recognised Venezuela’s Juan Vicente Perez as the oldest person living (male). As of today, he is 112 years, 11 months and 22 days with his 113th birthday just around the corner. In a video shared by Guinness World Records on Instagram, the former sheriff can be seen gleefully announcing his achievement of becoming the oldest man in the world. On being asked about how long he thinks he will live, Juan says that he going to be around at least 10 more years. The world’s oldest living man also shared his advice with others and asked people to not take too much alcohol. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords) Juan got the title of the oldest living person (male) on February 22 this year after the death of Spain’s Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia at 113 years and 341 days on January 18 this year. Born on May 27, 1909, in … [Read more...] about World’s Oldest Man from Venezuela Turns 113 Soon and He Had This to Say
Myanmar to Resume Accepting Tourist e-Visa Applications After Two Years Due to Pandemic
Myanmar will resume accepting tourist e-visa applications starting on Sunday, more than two years after the country suspended all new e-visa applications due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our online e-visa service will resume with effect from May 15, 2022 for tourist visa applications," the Immigration and Population Ministry said on Thursday. The move came after the country’s resumption of international commercial flight operations on April 17 and the reopening of its borders to international travellers, Xinhua news agency reported. The official data released by the Health Ministry also showed the country’s Covid-19 daily positivity rate has been below one per cent for more than a month since April 4. The Southeast Asian country resumed accepting applications for business e-visas on April 1. Myanmar launched the online visa application platform in September 2014 and is accepting e-visa applications from this website. Read all the Latest News , Breaking News and IPL 2022 … [Read more...] about Myanmar to Resume Accepting Tourist e-Visa Applications After Two Years Due to Pandemic
U.S. moves to ease some economic sanctions against Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States government is moving to ease a few economic sanctions on Venezuela in a gesture meant to encourage resumed negotiations between the U.S.-backed opposition and the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The limited changes will allow Chevron Corp. to negotiate its license with the state-owned oil company, PDVSA, but not to drill or export any petroleum of Venezuelan origin, two senior U.S. government officials told The Associated Press late Monday. The officials spoke under the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement had not been made. Additionally, Carlos Erik Malpica-Flores — a former high-ranking PDVSA official and nephew of Venezuela’s first lady — will be removed from a list of sanctioned individuals, they said. The moves follow goodwill gestures by Maduro after meeting in March with representatives of the administration of President Joe Biden and a recent gathering in Central America between U.S. officials and the … [Read more...] about U.S. moves to ease some economic sanctions against Venezuela
Venezuela’s Maduro, opposition expected to talk; U.S. eases some sanctions -sources
CARACAS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the country's opposition were expected to announce a resumption of talks as Washington eases some sanctions to help smooth the way for the negotiations, according to U.S. officials and others familiar with the matter. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration authorized U.S. oil company Chevron Corp to open talks with Maduro's government, temporarily lifting a U.S. ban on such discussions, senior administration officials said on Tuesday. Washington has not made a final decision on renewing Chevron's current limited license to operate in Venezuela, several sources told Reuters. Chevron is the last U.S. oil producer to maintain a presence in Venezuela, home to the world's largest crude reserves. The United States was also poised to remove Erick Malpica, a former official of state oil company PDVSA and the nephew of Venezuela's first lady, Cilia Flores, from a sanctions list, one U.S. official told Reuters on … [Read more...] about Venezuela’s Maduro, opposition expected to talk; U.S. eases some sanctions -sources
Venezuela frees two Americans after talks with U.S
CARACAS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Venezuela released two jailed U.S. citizens on Tuesday in an apparent goodwill gesture toward the Biden administration following a visit to Caracas by a high-level U.S. delegation. One of the freed prisoners was Gustavo Cardenas, among six Citgo oil executives arrested in 2017 and convicted on charges the U.S. government says were fabricated. The other was a Cuban American, identified as Jorge Alberto Fernandez, detained on unrelated charges. "Tonight, two Americans who were wrongfully detained in Venezuela will be able to hug their families once more," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "We are bringing Gustavo Cardenas and Jorge Fernandez home," he said. He gave no more details about their release. The weekend visit by the U.S. delegation focused not only on the fate of detained Americans but on the possibility of easing U.S. oil sanctions on the OPEC member to fill a supply gap if Biden banned Russian oil imports in response to Moscow's … [Read more...] about Venezuela frees two Americans after talks with U.S