Latest news with #Foreign
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
Brits in Iceland issued urgent Sundhnúkur volcano advice as more eruptions 'likely'
Magma was seen pouring out of the volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula on Wednesday morning. A warning has been issued to British holidaymakers after volcano Sundhnúkur erupted earlier this morning. Magma was seen pouring out of the volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the fishing town of Grindavík, in the early hours of Wednesday, July 16, forcing families and tourists to be be evacuated from the area. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has now updated its guidance on travel to the country. It warned travellers that more eruptions are 'likely' and advised them to closely follow local media for any further updates. This is the ninth time the volcano has erupted since December 2023. On Thursday, July 16, the FCDO said: "Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common in Iceland given the country's natural geography. In the event of an eruption or wider seismic activity follow the latest advice issued by the authorities. "Recently there has been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland, the latest on 16 July. These have affected the town of Grindavik and the area to the north of it. Keflavik International Airport and the road to it is unaffected and operating normally. The capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland is not affected by these recent eruptions. "It is likely there will be further eruptions in this location. Monitor local media for updates and always follow the authorities' advice on travel to the area. "The Government of Iceland monitors any seismic and volcanic activity closely and infrastructure is robustly designed, but not all events can be anticipated and can pose risks to your travel plans including travel delays and cancellations due to rock falls and landslides, sudden flooding and poisonous volcanic gases near eruption sites." Following the eruption, the National Police Commissioner decided, in consultation with the Police Commissioner in Suðurnes, to raise the Civil Protection alert level to the highest level as the likelihood of an eruption at the Sundhnúk crater has increased. This was revealed in a statement from the Communications Director of Civil Protection. The earthquake cluster is located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell, and is in a similar area to the beginning of magma flows in previous events, like April this year. The Blue Lagoon Iceland - a five-star hotel resort popular with Brit holidaymakers - and a local campsite were evacuated, as was most of the town of Grindavík. Experts say the fissure is between 700 and 1000 metres wide and does not appear to be getting longer as the lava flow appears to be most concentrated to the southeast. Benedikt Ófeigsson, a geophysicist and head of deformation measurements at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, has moved to reassure communities - but said things could change quickly. He said: "This is not a major event at the moment. It's a small volume and we're not seeing any signs that the tremors are getting shallower, as things stand now. "There is always some seismic activity, but nothing extreme, it hasn't been particularly increasing."
Arab Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Cabinet reviews outcomes of Amir's official visit to France
KUWAIT CITY, July 16: The Cabinet held its weekly meeting on Tuesday morning at Bayan Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Following the session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sherida Abdullah Al-Muasherji issued a statement detailing the key discussions and decisions. At the outset, the Cabinet was briefed on the results of the recent official visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the French Republic on July 13 and 14. During the visit, His Highness held high-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions reaffirmed the strong and historic bilateral relations between Kuwait and France and focused on enhancing cooperation in all fields to serve mutual interests. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Among the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of two declarations of intent between the Government of Kuwait and the Government of the French Republic. The first agreement establishes a strategic investment partnership for the period 2025–2035, while the second aims to boost cultural cooperation and celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 2026. His Highness the Amir and the accompanying delegation also attended France's National Day Bastille Day military parade in Paris, alongside President Macron. During the visit, His Highness held meetings with the French Minister of Foreign Trade and French Citizens Abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, and representatives from the French Chamber of Commerce. He emphasized Kuwait's commitment to fostering investment in key sectors, enhancing strategic collaboration with leading French firms, and encouraging the transfer of knowledge and capital to support Kuwait's economic growth and youth employment. Additionally, His Highness met with the CEO of Gustave Roussy Hospital, Professor Fabrice Barlesi, and International Advisor Rémi Thiolet. He stressed the significance of deepening health sector cooperation, enhancing medical capabilities, and achieving a transformative leap in Kuwait's healthcare system. His Highness praised the hospital's pioneering role in cancer research and treatment. The Cabinet was also informed of letters received from the Amiri Diwan addressed to His Highness the Amir from leaders of friendly and brotherly countries, expressing their desire to strengthen bilateral ties and promote joint cooperation across various fields. The Cabinet reviewed a presentation by Sheikh Ahmad Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Government Performance Follow-up Agency, regarding the agency's 2024 annual report. The report covered six key areas, including government compliance with Cabinet Resolution No. 713 of 2024, ministerial decision follow-ups, progress of government projects, public opinion surveys, an analysis of the Audit Bureau's budget report for 2023–2024, and other agency assignments. The Council praised the diligent efforts of the Chairman and the agency's leadership in improving government performance. It directed all ministries and government bodies to address the observations and implement the recommendations outlined in the report, and to report back on actions taken. In another key agenda item, the Cabinet reviewed a briefing by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajeel Al-Askar on the launch of the second part of the third phase of the Capital Market System Development Program. The Minister highlighted the project's strategic importance in modernizing Kuwait's financial infrastructure. The program, a cornerstone initiative of the Capital Markets Authority, involves coordination among the Central Bank of Kuwait, Boursa Kuwait, Kuwait Clearing Company, settlement banks, brokerage firms, custodians, and portfolio managers. He noted that this long-term effort is vital for aligning with Kuwait's development goals and for elevating the country's status to that of an advanced emerging market. The Cabinet expressed its gratitude to all participating entities for their contributions to the successful rollout of this critical program. The Cabinet also reviewed a presentation by Minister of Information, Culture, and State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Badah Al-Mutairi on the Cultural Path Project in Kuwait City. The initiative aims to establish a cultural and tourism hub that reflects Kuwaiti identity, promotes national awareness, and preserves historical memory. The project envisions an integrated urban corridor connecting cultural landmarks using sustainable design principles, modern transportation methods, and eco-friendly infrastructure. The Minister emphasized the project's alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and its potential to position Kuwait as a vibrant cultural destination and investment magnet in the tourism sector. The Council referred the project to the Joint Ministerial Committee for Economic Affairs and Public Services for a comprehensive review and recommendation. In closing, the Cabinet reviewed and approved a number of agenda items and referred several topics to relevant ministerial committees for further study and action, in line with procedural requirements.
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
India's ‘triple anxiety'—What Chinese media sees in Jaishankar's Beijing visit
Much of the Chinese chatter frames India's outreach as an olive branch. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing 72 hours ahead of the SCO meet and met Vice President Han Zheng , an unusual protocol break interpreted as urgency. On Weibo, the hashtag 'Indian External Affairs Minister visits China after five years' sparked considerable discussion. One post bluntly read : 'India appeared to act quickly in an effort to appease China.' The mood across Chinese policy circles and online platforms suggests that Beijing sees this as more than symbolic. Some interpret Jaishankar's trip as a recalibration of India's China policy; others view it as a tactical retreat driven by economic and strategic compulsions. Either way, the visit reflects the complex realities shaping India-China relations today. Chinese media and online commentators are abuzz : Why did India's External Affairs Minister, widely viewed as a 'China hawk', suddenly moderate his tone during his recent China visit? S Jaishankar's visit, his first to China in five years, and the first since the 2020 Galwan clashes, was ostensibly for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers' Meeting. But to many Chinese observers, this was no routine diplomatic engagement. The optics were striking. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's choice of meeting venue—the Fujian room of the Great Hall of the People, dominated by a mural of the Himalayas, was rich with symbolism. It served as a visual reminder that, while China is open to dialogue, its red lines [Line of Actual Control and Tibet] remain non-negotiable. A commentator mentioned that Jaishankar's usual tough rhetoric was notably absent. His earlier warnings that neighbours must 'obey or pay the price' gave way to calls for 'dialogue', 'communication', and mutual respect for 'each other's core interests'—this perceived shift was dismissed by online commentary as 'second cowardice', it viewed it as a sign of retreat rather than pragmatism. Chinese analysts argue that Jaishankar's early arrival was not just about diplomacy; it was a response to what they perceive as India's triple anxiety: India's rare earth crisis, breakdowns in shipping routes, and its waning influence in BRICS and the SCO. They also suggest that India's economic vulnerabilities, especially in electronics and pharmaceuticals, are pushing it closer to China, despite geopolitical tensions. The speculation is that New Delhi may be hoping for a softening of China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals in exchange for a more flexible Indian stance on multilateral issues. In this framing, what appears to be diplomacy is economic triage. One commentator offers a bleak assessment of India's position, arguing that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's balancing act between the US and China is unravelling, leaving India isolated within the SCO and exposing its 'wall-rider' strategy as untenable. They described Jaishankar's visit as 'Modi's life-saving straw,' a desperate attempt to salvage ties. Chinese critics contend that since the Trump administration, Washington has treated India more like a subordinate than a partner, pressuring it to purchase expensive US weapons. From this perspective, India is playing with the two powers, gaining little from either. Also read: China's information war against Rafale Warnings and veiled threats Chinese strategic voices are issuing veiled threats to India. Liu Zongyi, Director at the Centre for South Asian Studies in Shanghai, called India a 'chronic internal cancer' within the SCO, accusing it of obstruction and opportunism. He urged Beijing to focus less on wooing Modi and more on reforming the organisation. Xie Chao, Associate Research Fellow, Center for South Asian Studies, Fudan University, cautioned that India's growing closeness with the US would only deepen friction with China, warning that the balancing act was 'nearing its end.' Another commentator pointed to India's stance on the China-Pakistan nexus and said the region could no longer afford old confrontations. 'India has great opportunities, it should seize them wisely,' he wrote, in what read like both advice and a warning. Jin Cangrong, a distinguished professor at Renmin University, accused India of harbouring hegemonic ambitions in South Asia and of clinging to a colonial mindset. Border dispute, he argued, stems not from Chinese aggression but from India's historical delusions of grandeur. In a direct clash, Jin predicted, India would find itself outmatched—not militarily, but institutionally, hindered by weak reform and an outdated leadership class. 'India can intimidate its smaller neighbours,' he said, 'but China will not be bullied.' Also read: Victor Gao claims all land north of Ganga for China. People say he's a 'diplomatic fighter' A dismissal of Beijing's outreach Chinese discourse suggests that Modi's China policy has fallen short of Delhi's expectations. The fallout from the US-China tariff war has revealed the limits of aligning with the West. In this view, renewed engagement with China is not a diplomatic gesture but a strategic necessity, driven by both economic and geopolitical imperatives. Jaishankar's visit has been widely portrayed in Chinese discourse as a concession, reinforcing the image of China's policy as righteous, muscular and unyielding. This narrative, however, overlooks Beijing's own quiet overtures and the broader pressures informing India's measured approach. It also underestimates the nuance of Indian foreign policy, which, despite its contradictions, is shaped by strategic interests, not submission, appeasement, or fear. Sana Hashmi, PhD, is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. She tweets @sanahshmi. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Foreign Office warning Brits face prison for common game in holiday hotspot
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has warned Brits travelling to Thailand that they could be "held in detention" if they pack a common British game The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to British travellers about the trouble you could get in for packing a simple game. Thailand's strict gambling laws could see you get in serious trouble if you aren't prepared for how fastidious the Southeast Asian nation can be. "Thailand has strict laws on gambling. Under the Playing Cards Act (1943) it is illegal to carry over one hundred and twenty playing cards. Violation of the Act could lead to prosecution, a fine, or even imprisonment," the FCDO warns in a new update on its website. There are other considerations to keep in mind when considering a visit to Thailand. As of the start of May this year, the country - which once welcomed one million Brits at its pre-pandemic height and now welcomes around 800,000 annually - has implemented a fresh visa system applicable to all non-Thai passport holders. "From 1 May 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand, whether by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online before arrival. Travellers can register for an arrival card within 3 days before they arrive," details the FCDO on its official website. British citizens are permitted to enter Thailand for up to 60 days for tourism, business meetings, and urgent or one-off work. This type of visa can be extended once for no more than an additional 30 days. However, the FCDO cautions that overstaying your visa could lead to severe consequences. "If you overstay the period of your visa, you will get a fine of 500 Thai baht a day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht (£450). You risk being: held in detention, deported at your own expense, banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years. Conditions in detention centres can be harsh," the government body warns. Travellers must also adhere to other specific entry regulations when visiting Thailand. Your passport must possess an 'expiry date' of no less than six months beyond your arrival date and contain at least one blank page. Entry will be refused if you lack a valid travel document or attempt to use a passport that has been declared lost or stolen. If you hold dual nationality, it's advisable to depart Thailand using the same passport you used for entry – this prevents complications at immigration. You may also seek a multiple-entry visa in advance for stays of up to 60 days. From May this year, Thailand has reintroduced the requirement for tourist visa candidates to furnish financial evidence. This stipulation, which was briefly waived in November 2023 to encourage post-pandemic tourism, mandates that all candidates prove their capacity to sustain themselves throughout their visit. According to Thailand's official e-Visa website, candidates must now present financial documentation displaying a minimum of 20,000 Thai Baht. Valid documents encompass bank statements from the previous three months or a sponsorship letter if another party is funding the journey. Earlier this year, a British gentleman was detained in Thailand following a visa overstay of more than 25 years beyond his initial 30-day permit. The individual, now aged 60, entered Thailand on a brief tourist visa on 9 January 2000, subsequently avoiding Thai officials for 25 years. Thai police described it as a "record" visa breach, surpassing the former record held by a Pakistani gentleman who exceeded his visa by 10 years, according to AFP news agency.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Saudi CMA Eases Investment Rules To Attract More Foreign Capital
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has approved a set of amendments to simplify investment account procedures for certain investor categories in a move aimed at boosting its capital market appeal. The regulatory update enables individual foreign investors residing in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to directly invest in the Saudi Main Market (TASI) for the first time. Previously, access for this group was limited to debt instruments, the Parallel Market (Nomu), investment funds, and derivatives — or was only possible through intermediated arrangements like swap agreements. The CMA also introduced a new provision allowing former residents of Saudi Arabia or GCC countries to retain and operate their investment accounts even after leaving the region. This move is seen as a step toward establishing Saudi Arabia as a durable, investor-friendly environment. These changes reflect the Kingdom's efforts to align with global regulatory trends and digital innovation while continuing to enhance investor protection and confidence, according to a statement. The broader strategy appears to be paying off. By the end of the first quarter of this year, foreign ownership in the Saudi market exceeded 500 billion Saudi riyals, while net foreign investment surged to 218 billion Saudi riyals by the end of 2024, marking a significant rise from 140 billion Saudi riyals in 2021. (100 Saudi riyals = RM113.43) Sustainable investments by Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs) also grew notably, reaching 7.8 billion Saudi riyals last year — up 29 per cent year over year. This reform builds on a series of market-opening measures, including recent allowances for foreign investment in real estate firms operating in Makkah and Madinah, further positioning Saudi Arabia as a magnet for international capital. The CMA's latest facilitation underscores its commitment to making the Saudi capital market more accessible, competitive, and resilient on a global scale.
