From my archive of press clippings:
AFP
US 'enemy's' secret weapon? The US passport, some say
Fri, May 07, 2010
AFP
US 'enemy's' secret weapon? The US passport, some say
NEW YORK - Islamist militants attacking the United States have a new secret weapon: the US passport.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Everything from hijacked airliners to handguns have featured in attacks on US soil over the last decade. Maybe the slim, blue booklet labeled PASSPORT, and decorated in gold with an eagle, should be added to that list.
Certainly US passports allow militants to infiltrate the country in a way no foreign jihadist could ever match. And if a militant is caught, he gets the same legal protections as everyone else in the country he was trying to fight."
"Border controls have been severely tightened since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon."
"So few disagree that a US passport might be valuable. It's also true that the number of citizens involved in terrorist incidents is steadily growing.
Faisal Shahzad, the suspect in the failed Times Square car bomb, entered the United States on a student visa a decade ago and was granted citizenship in 2009.
US Army Major Nidal Hasan, a devout Muslim disturbed by the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, gunned down 13 people and wounded 42 last November at the Fort Hood, Texas army base where he served.
Just a week ago a New York man, Sabirhan Hasanoff, was charged with helping Al-Qaeda.
Tellingly, this US citizen is accused by prosecutors, in part, of urging another citizen "not to use his US passport when traveling because a US passport with fewer immigration stamps would be more valuable to Al-Qaeda." "
"At issue is the question of what it means to be a citizen of one of the most open countries in the world - a country built on welcoming newcomers.
Some are using the fear of terrorism to push for a clampdown on the millions of illegal immigrants working and living productively here, often for years.
Proposals to grant those illegal immigrants amnesty "will legalize more terrorists," writes the right-wing Human Events."
&
"The left-leaning New York Times warns that undermining the inalienable rights of citizenship means entering "dark territory." "
Showing posts with label AFP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AFP. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
CNA - China suspends express visa service for Americans
Channel News Asia
China suspends express visa service for Americans
Posted: 06 May 2009 1134 hrs
BEIJING: China said it had suspended expedited processing of visa applications by US citizens but declined comment on whether it was part of measures to prevent the H1N1 flu reaching Chinese shores.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"A foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday declined to answer when asked whether the measure was linked to the (A)H1N1 virus and whether China was making similar changes for applicants from other countries.
China has instituted tough measures to try to prevent the spread of the virus onto its soil, including quarantining some foreign visitors."
&
"A spokeswoman for the US embassy in Beijing told AFP that China had informed the United States of the change but said she was unaware of the reason."
China suspends express visa service for Americans
Posted: 06 May 2009 1134 hrs
BEIJING: China said it had suspended expedited processing of visa applications by US citizens but declined comment on whether it was part of measures to prevent the H1N1 flu reaching Chinese shores.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"A foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday declined to answer when asked whether the measure was linked to the (A)H1N1 virus and whether China was making similar changes for applicants from other countries.
China has instituted tough measures to try to prevent the spread of the virus onto its soil, including quarantining some foreign visitors."
&
"A spokeswoman for the US embassy in Beijing told AFP that China had informed the United States of the change but said she was unaware of the reason."
Monday, February 16, 2009
AFP - Two US senators seek visa ban for bailout firms
AFP
Two US senators seek visa ban for bailout firms
4 days ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Two US senators Thursday proposed to ban firms receiving government bailouts from hiring foreign workers under a special visa program for highly skilled employees.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The H-1B visa program, aimed at filling a need for skilled workers especially in the tech sector, allows companies to hire foreigners for specified periods.
At present, the US imposes a general quota of 65,000 H-1B visas annually, many of them issued to technology workers from India, China and the Philippines."
Two US senators seek visa ban for bailout firms
4 days ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Two US senators Thursday proposed to ban firms receiving government bailouts from hiring foreign workers under a special visa program for highly skilled employees.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The H-1B visa program, aimed at filling a need for skilled workers especially in the tech sector, allows companies to hire foreigners for specified periods.
At present, the US imposes a general quota of 65,000 H-1B visas annually, many of them issued to technology workers from India, China and the Philippines."
Friday, February 13, 2009
PI - 13 held in Spain over passport forgery
Philadelphia Inquirer
13 held in Spain over passport forgery
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 09:40:00 02/04/2009
MADRID -- Spanish police have detained 13 men suspected of belonging to an international crime gang involved in passport forgery and are probing possible terror links, the interior ministry said Tuesday.
Read the whole article here.
13 held in Spain over passport forgery
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 09:40:00 02/04/2009
MADRID -- Spanish police have detained 13 men suspected of belonging to an international crime gang involved in passport forgery and are probing possible terror links, the interior ministry said Tuesday.
Read the whole article here.
Friday, January 30, 2009
AFP - US, Bulgaria hail 'excellent' bilateral ties, talk visa waiver
From my archive of press clippings:
AFP
US, Bulgaria hail 'excellent' bilateral ties, talk visa waiver
7/10/2008
SOFIA (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin hailed what they both described as "excellent" ties between the two countries and expressed hopes for reaching a deal soon on a US visa waiver programme for Bulgarians. Speaking to journalists after one-on-one talks in the Bulgarian capital, Rice described Kalfin as "a good friend".
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Bulgarian minister, for his part, said ties between Bulgaria and the US "have never been better." "
&
"Both Rice and Kalfin said that progress had been made towards reaching a visa waiver programme for Bulgarians wanting to travel to the United States.
But neither gave any indication as to when such a deal might be signed."
AFP
US, Bulgaria hail 'excellent' bilateral ties, talk visa waiver
7/10/2008
SOFIA (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin hailed what they both described as "excellent" ties between the two countries and expressed hopes for reaching a deal soon on a US visa waiver programme for Bulgarians. Speaking to journalists after one-on-one talks in the Bulgarian capital, Rice described Kalfin as "a good friend".
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Bulgarian minister, for his part, said ties between Bulgaria and the US "have never been better." "
&
"Both Rice and Kalfin said that progress had been made towards reaching a visa waiver programme for Bulgarians wanting to travel to the United States.
But neither gave any indication as to when such a deal might be signed."
Thursday, January 29, 2009
AFP - Absent fathers could lose passports under crackdown
AFP
Absent fathers could lose passports under crackdown
LONDON (AFP) — Fathers who refuse to pay child maintenance could be stripped of their drivers' licence and passport under plans to go before parliament on Tuesday to crackdown on "deadbeat dads".
Read the whole article here.
Absent fathers could lose passports under crackdown
LONDON (AFP) — Fathers who refuse to pay child maintenance could be stripped of their drivers' licence and passport under plans to go before parliament on Tuesday to crackdown on "deadbeat dads".
Read the whole article here.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
AFP - Bush insists new visa rules for waiver countries not cumbersome
From my archive of press clippings:
AFP
Bush insists new visa rules for waiver countries not cumbersome
Jun 8, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFP) — President George W. Bush argued Sunday that new US regulations for nationals of US visa-waiver countries who want to visit the United States should make trips easier, and not more cumbersome.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The new rules, to take effect in January, will require three days' advance registration and aim to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States from various countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
The government will ask for the same information that travelers currently fill out on the I-94 card which is handed out on the plane and turned in to customs on arrival in the United States.
That includes such information as passport number, country of residence, disclosure of communicable diseases or involvement in terror activities.
Now, however, it will be requested in advance of travel."
&
""The visa waiver program was created in 1986 "with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry," and allowing the government to "focus consular resources in other areas," according to the State Department website."
AFP
Bush insists new visa rules for waiver countries not cumbersome
Jun 8, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFP) — President George W. Bush argued Sunday that new US regulations for nationals of US visa-waiver countries who want to visit the United States should make trips easier, and not more cumbersome.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The new rules, to take effect in January, will require three days' advance registration and aim to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States from various countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
The government will ask for the same information that travelers currently fill out on the I-94 card which is handed out on the plane and turned in to customs on arrival in the United States.
That includes such information as passport number, country of residence, disclosure of communicable diseases or involvement in terror activities.
Now, however, it will be requested in advance of travel."
&
""The visa waiver program was created in 1986 "with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry," and allowing the government to "focus consular resources in other areas," according to the State Department website."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
AFP - Nepal takes second crack at foreign adoptions
From my archive of press clippings:
Agency France Presse
Nepal takes second crack at foreign adoptions
3 days ago KATHMANDU (AFP) — These are busy days for Prakash Adhikari as Nepal prepares to resume international adoptions which were suspended last year following reports that children were being trafficked for sale.
Read the whole article here.
Agency France Presse
Nepal takes second crack at foreign adoptions
3 days ago KATHMANDU (AFP) — These are busy days for Prakash Adhikari as Nepal prepares to resume international adoptions which were suspended last year following reports that children were being trafficked for sale.
Read the whole article here.
Monday, January 12, 2009
AFP - American tourist joins pandas in 'surreal' earthquake ordeal
From my archive of press clippings:
AFP
American tourist joins pandas in 'surreal' earthquake ordeal
BEIJING (AFP) — An American tourist who survived China's deadly earthquake says he is not only lucky to be alive -- he had a "surreal" experience of sharing the moment with giant pandas.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Robert Litwak, 55, a member of the World Wildlife Fund, was stranded for nearly three days near the famous Wolong giant panda breeding ground in southwestern Sichuan province.
When the 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck early on Monday afternoon, Litwak and 11 other American tourists were in the enclosure with the pandas."
&
"Litwak and the other tourists were a mere six miles (10 kilometres) from the epicentre of the earthquake, which officials estimate has killed more than 50,000 people and left nearly five million homeless. Yet none of the tourists -- or the pandas -- were killed or even injured."
AFP
American tourist joins pandas in 'surreal' earthquake ordeal
BEIJING (AFP) — An American tourist who survived China's deadly earthquake says he is not only lucky to be alive -- he had a "surreal" experience of sharing the moment with giant pandas.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Robert Litwak, 55, a member of the World Wildlife Fund, was stranded for nearly three days near the famous Wolong giant panda breeding ground in southwestern Sichuan province.
When the 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck early on Monday afternoon, Litwak and 11 other American tourists were in the enclosure with the pandas."
&
"Litwak and the other tourists were a mere six miles (10 kilometres) from the epicentre of the earthquake, which officials estimate has killed more than 50,000 people and left nearly five million homeless. Yet none of the tourists -- or the pandas -- were killed or even injured."
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