DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Sudan's well-off stuck in limbo at border town en route to Egypt
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Maggie Michael | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

While women, children and the elderly can enter Egypt freely, though often after waiting days in testing conditions at a packed border, Sudanese men aged 16-50 must apply for visas. When she got to Wadi Halfa the bus driver, who had promised to take her to Egypt, dropped her off with her family and demanded more money. He returned to Wadi Halfa to apply for his visa but was told to wait, so he sent his elderly parents to Egypt alone. Half the group continued on to Egypt while the rest settled in a school in Wadi Halfa, sleeping in a classroom with three other families. The school gave him and others a warning that they needed the classrooms back this week for end of year exams.

CNN —Canada decided to expel a Chinese diplomat on Monday, following an uproar in the country over allegations of political meddling, which Beijing has fiercely denied. “Canada has decided to declare persona non grata Mr. Zhao Wei,” read a statement by Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. The intelligence service also said that Beijing had tried to sway the outcome of Canada’s federal elections in 2019 and 2021. Chong himself has focused much of his criticism on Trudeau’s government, which he says was too slow to act. Last week, Joly previewed the possibility of retaliatory action against China, but warned that Canada needed to carefully weigh how China might react.

CNN —A former US Marine, Cooper “Harris” Andrews, 26, was killed on the outskirts of Bakhmut late last week, according to his mother and colleagues in Ukraine. Andrews worked for an activist group known as the Resistance Committee, according to their social media statements. Andrews left Cleveland, Ohio in November and joined the Foreign Legion in Ukraine, a group of foreign fighters helping the Ukrainian military. The US Department of State said on Monday it could “confirm the death of a US citizen in Ukraine,” without naming the individual. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.”CNN has reached out to the Ukrainian military for comment but has yet to hear back.

CNN —Thousands of foreign nationals have been evacuated from Sudan as clashes between two rival military factions vying for control of the country continue despite a supposed truce. Another eyewitness told CNN that Rapid Support Forces had moved in to the Wad Al-Bashir area, west of Omdurman (a major city just northwest of the capital Khartoum). Residents on the ground have told CNN that markets and shops have been heavily targeted by looters in the past few days. China, meanwhile, said it had evacuated 940 Chinese citizens and 231 foreign personnel from Sudan to Saudi Arabia between Wednesday and Saturday. “In order to protect the lives and property of Chinese citizens in Sudan, the Chinese military has been ordered to evacuate Chinese personnel in Sudan,” said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei.

☆ Canada ends Sudan evacuation flights amid dangerous conditions
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"Because of the dangerous conditions, and in concert with decisions made by our allies, no further Canadian flights are planned from the Wadi Seidna airfield," Anand told a news conference. There remain in Sudan roughly 230 Canadian affected persons seeking assistance and information through Global Affairs Canada, Anand said. It has since conducted six flights, including two on Saturday, airlifting almost 550 people, while approximately 400 Canadians and permanent residents have been evacuated, including on Canadian and allied flights, Anand said. The government is working with allies to find alternative departure options, including via Port Sudan, said Anand. Britain has arranged an extra evacuation flight from Port Sudan in eastern Sudan which will depart on Monday, the government said on Sunday.

☆ Second US government-organized convoy evacuates private American citizens from Sudan conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Aaron Pellish | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —A second convoy of US citizens organized by the US government arrived in Port Sudan on Sunday as part of an effort to evacuate Americans from the Sudan conflict. “A second USG-organized convoy arrived in Port Sudan today. The US effort – the second convoy in as many days – comes amid mounting anger from Americans in Sudan who felt they were abandoned by the US government and left to navigate the complicated and dangerous situation on their own. The deadly violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group that broke out earlier month has left hundreds dead, including two Americans, and thousands wounded. While various official and non official estimates place the Sudanese Armed Forces at around 210,000 to 220,000 troops, the paramilitary forces are believed to number approximately 70,000 but are better trained and better equipped.

☆ Sudan conflict: First US government-organized convoy evacuates private American citizens
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The first US-led effort to evacuate private American citizens from the conflict Sudan was completed Saturday, with a convoy organized by the US government reaching Port Sudan after a long journey from Khartoum. “A U.S. government-organized convoy carrying U.S citizens, locally employed staff, and nationals from allied and partner countries arrived at Port Sudan on April 29,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. The deadly violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group that broke out earlier month has left hundreds dead, including two Americans, and thousands wounded. The country remains at risk of humanitarian disaster, as those still trapped in their homes face shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity. Despite a number of nations evacuating their citizens, the US government had maintained for more than a week that the conditions were not conducive to a civilian evacuation.

☆ Russia rejects U.S. request to visit detained reporter over visa snub
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 27 (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it had rejected a request from the U.S. embassy to visit detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in response to Washington's refusal to grant visas to a group of Russian journalists. Gershkovich, the U.S. reporter, was arrested last month and accused by Russia of espionage, a charge he has denied. The United States has designated him as wrongfully detained. Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement that it had rejected a U.S. request to pay him a consular visit on May 11. "It was particularly emphasised (to the U.S. diplomat) that such sabotage, intended to prevent normal journalistic work, would not go unanswered," the foreign ministry said in its statement.

☆ Americans stuck in Sudan to make ‘life or death decisions’ express anger at US government
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

US officials have said they are in “close communication” with US citizens and “actively facilitating” their departure from Sudan. Those who spoke to CNN also pushed back on the argument made by US officials that they had warned Americans not to be in Sudan. Other Americans are attempting to flee Sudan through Egypt, but those who spoke to CNN warned of a growing humanitarian catastrophe at that border. After a 36-hour journey, his parents had not been able to cross the border into Egypt, Imad told CNN Wednesday evening. Imad said when he contacted the State Department, “they essentially said that there are other cases ahead of us that are similar.

☆ US and France evacuate diplomats from Sudan as battles rage on
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Khalid Abdelaziz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"The belligerent parties must implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the will of the people of Sudan," Biden said in a statement. It pits Sudan's army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who jointly staged a coup in 2021 but fell out during negotiations over a plan to form a civilian government and integrate the RSF into the armed forces. Saudi Arabia has already evacuated Gulf citizens from Port Sudan on the Red Sea, 650 km (400 miles) from Khartoum. Egypt, which has more than 10,000 citizens in Sudan, urged its nationals outside Khartoum to head to its consulate in Port Sudan, and to a consular office in Wadi Halfa on the border with Egypt, in preparation for their evacuation. It encouraged those in Khartoum to shelter in place and wait for the situation to improve.

☆ UK defence ministry is engaged in 'prudent planning' on Sudan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - Britain's government said its defence ministry was engaged in "prudent planning" related to the current conflict in Sudan, after a report that British troops and aircraft had been put on standby to evacuate embassy staff and civilians if needed. Britain said it was coordinating with international partners to provide consular assistance to British nationals and support diplomatic staff. "The Ministry of Defence is supporting the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office with prudent planning for various contingencies," it added. Sky News reported that British troops and aircraft were being put on standby at an overseas military base to airlift embassy staff and British nationals if needed. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with the president of Djibouti to discuss the security situation in Sudan and how to protect their nationals.

☆ Factbox: Canadian public servants' strike: demands and impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] PSAC National President Chris Aylward speaks to media after more than 155,000 public sector union workers with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) began a strike, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 19, 2023. The contract negotiations cover two main groups of employees: 120,000 workers under the Treasury Board and more than 35,000 revenue agency workers. Tax agency workers want a pay bump of 22.5% over three years, while the Treasury Board workers are seeking a 13.5% pay rise over three years. * New language in the agreement with the revenue agency to protect union members' work from being contracted out to private firms. About 48,000 union workers have been deemed essential and will continue to report to work during the labor disruption.

CNN —The situation on the ground in Sudan on Wednesday remained too volatile to get diplomatic staff from the US Embassy in Khartoum out of the country, a top State Department official told congressional staffers. Another US official told CNN that State Department officials are in contact with Pentagon officials in Djibouti where the US has military assets to determine the best evacuation operation. Officials told staffers Wednesday that there are an estimated 16,000 American citizens in Sudan, most of whom are dual nationals, and roughly 500 had contacted the US Embassy since the outbreak of fighting. “Within Sudan, the Department of Defense’s mission is primarily focused on providing security at the US Embassy. While operational security prevents us from going into detail, the Department of Defense, through the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, provides ongoing security for diplomatic facilities worldwide,” he said.

☆ U.S. envoy pays first visit to WSJ reporter Gershkovich in Moscow prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A man walks out of the pre-trial detention centre Lefortovo, where U.S. journalist for the Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich is being held on espionage charges, in Moscow, Russia April 6, 2023. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy said on Monday she had made a first visit in jail to Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter accused by Moscow of spying, and had found him to be holding up well. Gershkovich, a respected journalist who was hired by the Wall Street Journal shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine last year, was arrested last month in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. It is the first time since 1986 that an American reporter has been held for alleged espionage in Russia. The United States last week designated Gershkovich as "wrongfully detained", in effect saying that the spy charges were bogus and the case was political.

Insider asked four CEOs of fintech companies for advice they'd give immigrants who are new to the US. Compared to someone born and raised in the US, immigrants face unique challenges when meeting financial goals. Insider spoke with four CEOs in the fintech industry who are immigrants or children of immigrants. Here are their five tips for immigrants trying to gain financial footing in the US. He also suggests working with a credit union to set up multiple accounts — for example, a checking account for everyday expenses, a savings account for future goals, and another savings account for your emergency savings fund.

☆ Blinken Seeks U.S. Access to Evan Gershkovich ‘Now’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( William Mauldin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke at Rose Garden Tower in Hanoi Saturday during an official visit to Vietnam. Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded that U.S. officials gain immediate access to Evan Gershkovich , as Russian officials continue to refuse him consular access more than two weeks after they arrested him on an espionage allegation. Mr. Blinken called on Moscow to grant Mr. Gershkovich, a 31-year-old American and reporter for The Wall Street Journal, a basic right that is afforded to foreign prisoners under international obligations.

☆ Blinken: Russia Needs to Grant U.S. Consular Access to Evan Gershkovich
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

What’s Slowing Down Self-Driving Car Technology? Car and tech companies have promised for years that fully self-driving cars were just around the corner. But experts say the technology is far from where it needs to be to fully replace drivers. Bart Ziegler, who wrote about self-driving tech for the WSJ's Journal Reports, joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what is pumping the brakes. PHOTO: JUSTIN MERRIMAN/BLOOMBERG NEWS

☆ Saudi Arabia, Syria welcome thaw in ties, agree to fight drug trafficking
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Deputy Minister of Saudi Foreign Ministry, Waleed El Khereiji meets with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faisal Mekdad in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2023. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERSRIYADH, April 12 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Syria's foreign ministers on Wednesday welcomed a thaw in bilateral ties, including steps to resume consular services and flights, and agreed to cooperate to fight drug trafficking and facilitate Syria's return to the Arab fold. Assad, with the help of his main allies Iran and Russia, regained control over much of Syria, and Saudi Arabia has said isolating him was not working. Much of it is thought to be sold to buyers in Gulf Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. Mekdad's trip to Jeddah came two days before Saudi Arabia hosts another meeting of regional foreign ministers that will discuss Syria's return to the Arab League.

☆ Russia: Designation of WSJ reporter as wrongfully detained is irrelevant
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 12 (Reuters) - A senior Russian official said on Wednesday that the United States' designation of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as "wrongfully detained" meant nothing to Russia and would not change its approach to his case, the TASS news agency reported. His arrest brought an outcry from the Wall Street Journal, U.S. President Joe Biden, other media organisations and rights groups. We will act in accordance with our own internal needs, norms and laws that apply in this situation, and nothing more," TASS quoted Ryabkov as saying. Biden spoke to Gershkovich's family by telephone on Tuesday and said Washington was doing "everything in its power" to secure Gershkovich's release. He is the first American reporter jailed in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War.

[1/3] Texas National Guard vehicles are pictured along the U.S.-Mexico border in downtown in El Paso, Texas, U.S., January 4, 2023. REUTERS/Paul RatjeWASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - U.S. and Cuban officials discussed migration issues on Wednesday as the Biden administration braces for the end of COVID-era border restrictions that have blocked Cubans in recent months from crossing into the United States from Mexico. After Biden adopted more restrictive border security measures in January, the number of Cubans and other migrants caught at the border plummeted. However, the Biden administration is preparing for a possible rise in illegal crossings with COVID restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border set to lift on May 11. Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ WSJ reporter's detention will deter others from 'setting foot' in Russia, Blinken says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday Russia's detention of Evan Gershkovich and denial of consular access to the Wall Street Journal reporter sends a message that people around the world should "beware of even setting foot" in Russia. Reporter for U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich appears in an undated handout image taken in an unknown location. The Wall Street Journal/Handout via REUTERSAsked about the case at a news conference, Blinken said Moscow's actions would "do even more damage to Russia's standing around the world." "I think it sends a very strong message to people around the world to beware of even setting foot there lest they be arbitrarily detained," Blinken said. Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Blinken's remarks.

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday determined that Russia has "wrongfully detained" American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, effectively saying that espionage charges are bogus and that the case is political. The Wall Street Journal has denied Gershkovich was spying. The Wall Street Journal's publisher and editor in chief said the "wrongfully detained" designation "will unlock additional resources and attention at the highest levels of the U.S. government in securing his release." Legislation passed by Congress in 2020 lists 11 criteria to help determine if a U.S. citizen is "wrongfully detained." The Biden administration has secured the release of at least 25 "wrongfully detained" Americans.

☆ Russia violating international law by not allowing consular access to WSJ reporter -U.S. State Dept
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - Russia has not granted U.S. consular officials access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich since he was detained late last month and is in violation of international law, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday. "At this point it is a violation of Russia's obligations under our consular convention and a violation against international law," Patel said. "We have stressed the need for the Russian government to provide this access as soon as possible," Patel added. The United States has called for Russia to release Gershkovich and dismissed claims of espionage as ridiculous. Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis; Editing by Chris Reese and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/Marco Bello/File PhotoWASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - The United States and Cuba will hold another round of migration talks on Wednesday, officials said, as the Biden administration braces for the end of COVID-era border restrictions that have blocked Cubans in recent months from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. This week's meeting "represents a continuation of our long engagement with Cuba on migration matters as neighboring states and is limited to the topic of migration," a U.S. State Department official said on Monday. "Ensuring safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration between Cuba and the United States remains a primary interest of the United States, consistent with our interest in fostering family reunification, and promoting greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba," the State Department official said on condition of anonymity. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested 176 Cubans at the southwest border in February, down from nearly 43,000 in December. The restrictions, known as Title 42, allow U.S. authorities to rapidly expel migrants to Mexico without the chance to seek U.S. asylum.

[1/2] Reporter for U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich appears in this handout picture taken in Moscow, Russia, 2019. The Moscow Times/Handout via REUTERSBRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, April 5 (Reuters) - The United States is working through the process to determine whether Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's detention by Russia is "wrongful", U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, adding it would soon be completed. The Wall Street Journal has denied Gershkovich was spying. Legislation passed by Congress in 2020 lists 11 criteria to help determine whether a U.S. citizen is "wrongfully detained." The Biden administration has secured the release of at least 25 "wrongfully detained" Americans.

Search resuls for: "Consular"

25 mentions found