A local politician believes Clydesdale Bank has “abandoned” its rural customers with the news of the closure of three of its branches in the Angus and Mearns area. Mairi Evans, Angus North and Mearns MSP, has hit out at the bank’s announcement that its Brechin, Forfar and Stonehaven branches are to close as three of 40 offices that are being axed across Scotland.
Category: Travel
UPDATE 1-Allianz, Standard Chartered form bancassurance pact in Asia
FRANKFURT, Jan 19 German insurer Allianz and Standard Chartered Bank on Thursday announced a 15-year agreement to distribute Allianz’s general insurance products in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. The deal to distribute travel, personal accident, fire and motor insurance products to Standard Chartered’s retail banking clients will start in 2017, the companies said in a joint statement.
Travel Update
M27 – Two lanes are closed on between junctions 11 and 12 on the eastbound carriageway due to a vehicle fire. Delays are expected to last until 8am, Highways England has said.
Britons tell of ‘chaos’ as they arrive home from Gambia amid political unrest
British tourists check in at Banjul Airport, Gambia, for special flights after the threat of a regional military intervention loomed British holidaymakers told of a “chaotic” scramble to get them on flights out of Africa when they landed home from crisis-torn Gambia. The first UK tourists arrived at Manchester Airport, speaking of a hurried operation to get them back to Britain as foreign troops massed on the country’s border.
Uber: 50,000 Upstate residents signed up to drive for us; 10,000 in Syracuse
Tens of thousands of Upstate New York residents have told the ride-booking app Uber that they are interested in becoming paid drivers if the app becomes legal here, the company said Wednesday. More than 50,000 would-be drivers in the state outside New York City went through the initial steps on Uber’s website.
Haley supports moving US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
UN Ambassador-designate, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, arrives for a meeting with Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. WASHINGTON — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley declared her support for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a shift firmly endorsed by Donald Trump but one that could trigger increased violence in the Middle East.
HMC performs Qatar’s first liver transplant from living donor
The Organ Transplant Team at Hamad Medical Corporation’s Hamad General Hospital has successfully performed the first ever liver transplant from a living donor, in Qatar. Since the commencement of the liver transplant programme at HMC all transplants were performed from deceased donors.
Pacific Islands: Why it’s Island Time
Okay, so it’s wet season for most Pacific Islands from November to March/April, so you’re not guaranteed a 100 per cent sunny holiday. But this means it’s also low season at the moment, so you can get some really amazing deals.
Africa’s Biggest Company Seeks Partnerships With Phone Companies 28 minutes ago
Naspers Ltd. , Africa’s biggest company by market value, is seeking partnerships with mobile-phone operators on the continent to boost its video-on-demand business and help compete with U.S. giant The owner of Africa’s biggest pay-TV provider is planning to build on a joint venture agreed to last year with Kenya’s largest company, Safaricom Ltd. , to roll out online service Showmax at more affordable data prices. Safaricom is 40 percent owned by Newbury, England-based Vodafone Group Plc.
‘Thank you NZ for buying this beach,’ say visitors to Awaroa Bay
In February 2016, nearly 40,000 Kiwis opened their wallets to buy a slice of New Zealand heaven, Awaroa Bay. Fast forward to January 2017 and the beach – tucked away in the northern reaches of Abel Tasman National Park – is now in its first summer of public ownership since the July handover.
Palestinian Envoy warns Trump govt: Don’t move embassy
The chief Palestinian representative to France said moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv would violate international law and adds that he does not think Donald Trump’s new administration will make such a decision. Salman Elherfi told The Associated Press that a Mideast peace conference Sunday in Paris sent a “very clear” message calling on everyone not to make any changes that would affect a final solution for the region, especially regarding the status of Jerusalem.
Pope Francis, Abbas call for direct talks with Israel during meeting at Vatican
Pope Francis and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for renewed direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority during a meeting at the Vatican. Abbas warned against moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, telling reporters: “If this is the decision, to transfer the embassy to Jerusalem, it will not help peace and we hope it doesn’t happen.”
More talk on Mideast peace
Sending a forceful message to Israel and the incoming Trump administration, more than 70 world diplomats gathered in Paris on Sunday to say they want peace in the Mideast – and that establishing a Palestinian state is the only way to achieve it. French President Francois Hollande said he was sounding an “alert” that peace talks should be revived for “the security of Israel, security of all the region” before violent extremists and Israeli settlements destroy any hope of a two-state solution.
A winter visit to Athens offers a pleasant alternative
In this Dec. 11, 2016 photo, the Parthenon is shown, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. For travelers with more than beaches on their minds, there’s plenty of upside to a brief winter visit to Athens that avoids the crowds and heat of summer.
World diplomats in Paris to urge renewed Mideast peace talks
Fearing a new eruption of violence in the Middle East, more than 70 world diplomats gathered in Paris on Sunday to push for renewed peace talks that would lead to a Palestinian state. The conference is meant to be a forceful message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that much of the world wants peace and sees a two-state solution as the best way to achieve it in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
PHOTOS: ‘Forgotten victims of war’ to be highlighted in Hampshire photography exhibition
Internally displaced Afghans are living in “stone age conditions,” uprooted from their homes and villages after years of civil war and escape from Taliban fighting. The ex-Stroud School pupil who grew up on Northlands Road, Southampton, will be showing a selection of his work from the last eight years at city centre coffee shop Mettricks Guildhall.
OYO to expand Asia footprint; introduces concierge service29 min ago
Mumbai, Jan 15 : Online budget network of hotels OYO is planning to expand its footprints in South Asia and South East Asia, besides strengthening its service by introducing a concierge service called OYO Captains. “Our focus is expanding in the domestic market as we still feel there is a huge opportunity here in the country.
Palestinian embassy opens in Vatican City
“We are very grateful about the role that the Holy See has played for a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land, and for having opened an embassy of Palestine in the Vatican for first time,” Abbas said, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. “We are proud to be the birthplace of Christianity and about having one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.”
Faith Briefs
On Feb 19, the Rev. Howard Dotson will be joining family and friends of Shaza Messri in Amman, Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon to advocate and case manage her humanitarian asylum case.
Sisters’ birthday trip to Cancun is full of surprises
The sunrise in Cancun, Mexico, as captured by the author’s sister on the last day of their trip. Where, when, why: My younger sister and I share the same birthday month, May, and decided to take a birthday vacation to Cancun, Mexico.
More US troops in Europe – a timely move
In 1975, the Cold War was at its peak. I was a new tank lieutenant starting my career with a three-year assignment in US Army Europe.
Wettest, snowiest December in Muskoka in decades: Environment Canada
The final numbers are in and it proves December was one of the wettest and snowiest in decades. On the highways and in town getting around in December was very tricky at times due to double the snowfall at 180 cms.
Palestinian leader: Peace could suffer if US embassy moves
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has warned that peace could suffer if the incoming Trump administration goes ahead with plans to move the U.S. embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Abbas made the comments Saturday as he inaugurated the Palestinian embassy to the Holy See following an audience with Pope Francis.
Obama administration ends special immigration policy for Cubans | Reuters
The Obama administration on Thursday repealed a measure granting automatic residency to virtually every Cuban who arrived in the United States, whether or not they had visas, ending a longstanding exception to U.S. immigration policy. The end of the “wet foot, dry foot” policy, which allowed any Cuban who reached U.S. soil to stay but returned any picked up at sea, is effective immediately.
Things to do in Mumbai this weekend: Here’s everything you can do for …
The weekend is here and it’s time to kick-off your work shoes, forget all about stress and the boring humdrum of your work life and indulge in more agreeable pursuits. Freak out at a song and dance fest, soak in visual or performing arts, discover some brilliant music acts, pour your heart out through poetry, feast on some delectable treats, or leave all worldly woes behind and get lost in a wilderness.
Netanyahu’s top advisor: World will not boycott tech products for Palestinians
The international community’s desire for Israeli technology trumps its concern over the stalling peace process, the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office said this week, arguing that the recent UN Security Council resolution condemning the settlements was merely a “blip” on the radar. “Countries are going to have to decide what’s in their best interest: to be with Israel, or without Israel,” Eli Groner told The Times of Israel in his Jerusalem office.
Aviation StoushWar of words grounds Tigerair flightsTigerair’s…
Tigerair’s flights to Bali have been grounded for seven days as a war of words erupts between the airline and Indonesian aviation authorities. The airline is able to fly passengers out of Bali for the next four days – but the row has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of people.
the Naked Magicians to Bring Hot, Hilarious Magic to Chicago; Tickets on Sale Friday
Broadway In Chicago has announced individual tickets for the Chicago premiere of the world’s naughtiest and funniest magic show, THE NAKED MAGICIANS go on sale Friday, Jan. 13 for a limited one-week engagement at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place March 14-19, 2017. Direct from Australia, the show features magic, mirth and more than a touch of mayhem as these two hot and hilarious magicians say abracadabra and take magic to a whole new level.
Mr. Trudeau, friendship with the Aga Khan should be celebrated, not hidden
Andrew Cohen is a Canadian journalist, author and professor. He is a Fulbright scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington.
Uruguay Highlights Importance Of China For Latin America
The President of the House of Representatives of Uruguay, Gerardo Amarilla, visiting here today, has highlighted the importance China has for his country, which is the main trade partner, and for Latin America in general. In a meeting with Ibero-American diplomatic representatives, journalists and intellectuals, he stated that Uruguay and China have much to grow together, ‘they complement each other and have unlimited potentiality, which can and will be exploited in favour of the development of both peoples.’
airberlin Offers Special Deals to Europe From the U.S.
Destinations offered include cities throughout Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Nordics, Switzerland and Eastern Europe. Fares are available from $499 including taxes and most fees based on roundtrip travel to European routes for travel periods from February 1st through June 15, 2017 in economy class and from $2499 from April 1st through June 30th in business class.
Palestinians seek weekend prayers to protest US Embassy move
In this March 17, 2003 file photo, an Israeli border policemen guards the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv as other Israelis line up for U.S. visas. The Palestinians and their Arab allies have been ringing alarm bells over Donald Trump’s plans to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to contested Jerusalem, increasingly fearful he will move swiftly once he takes office.
Obama says goodbye
NOVEMBER 16: U.S. President Barack Obama waves before descending from Air Force One upon his arrival on November 16, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. President Obama is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel tomorrow and hold talks with other European leaders on Friday as part of his last trip to Europe as President before continuing to Peru.
VietJet Forecasts 30% Profit Rise Ahead of February Listing
VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co. , the Vietnam carrier known for its bikini-clad flight attendants, expects profit to surge 30 percent this year on rising passengers as it prepares for its Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange listing debut in February.
Castle attack exposes Jordan’s vulnerability to IS threat
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Ahmedabad: PM Modi to meet Nobel Laureates at maiden Nobel Prize Series
Ahmedabad , Jan. 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday meet several Nobel laureates and have discussions with them on how the country can achieve innovations via Science and Technology. [NK India] This meeting is to be held at the Science City in Ahmedabad where the Nobel Media is holding the first Nobel Prize Series in the country in conjunction with the biennial summit of Vibrant Gujarat.
Uber gives cities free travel-time data
Uber gives cities free travel-time data The ride-hailing company plans to make traffic data available to cities and the public . Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jijsGr A map of Washington D.C. the week of March 16, 2016 showing average travel times.
Tube passengers face disruption due to the strike
London Underground workers have launched a 24-hour strike which will cripple Tube services and cause travel chaos for millions of passengers. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association walked out at 6pm in a long-running dispute over jobs and ticket office closures.
Mexican agents catch man who shot US consular official
Prosecutors in Mexico say they caught a gunman who opened fire on an official of the U.S. consulate in the western city of Guadalajara. The Attorney General’s Office of the western state of Jalisco said Sunday in the agency’s Twitter account that the suspect had been turned over to federal prosecutors.
Queen Elizabeth II attends church after missing 2 weeks
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in a car with Prince Philip, arrives to attend the morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, Sunday Jan. 8, 2017. The 90-year-old British monarch was applauded by well-wishers as she arrived by car at St. Mary Magdalene Church in eastern England.