nivek
As Above So Below
Instead of pretending to be royals in Nigeria, Harry and Meghan should address the scandal they're embroiled in elsewhere in Africa
Seeming, once again, to present themselves as an alternative royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undertake a very regal visit to Nigeria next week.Invited by the West African nation’s highest-ranking military official, the Chief of Defence Staff, Prince Harry and Meghan are guaranteed to receive the sort of security which they expected British taxpayers to provide.
Harry, you might recall, sought a judicial review of the Home Office’s decision to strip him, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, of their automatic right to police security in Britain after they chose to quit royal duties and seek their fortune across the Atlantic.
King Charles’s younger son lost the case in February, with the action estimated to have cost him about £1million, including his own legal costs and those due to the Home Office.
There will be no such worries for Harry and Meghan next week, when the security tab will be paid by the government of Nigeria, a country where an estimated 87million people live below the poverty line.
Why are they making the trip? It seems the Duke struck up a conversation with defence chief General Christopher Gwabin Musa, during September’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf.
No one is challenging the good work of the Games, Harry’s Paralympics-style venture for wounded servicemen and women, which are a subject scheduled for discussion on the Nigeria trip.
No doubt, the visit will be good for Brand Sussex, too, and will highlight what the couple could have achieved for the Commonwealth had they stuck with the Windsors.
The Sussexes had been given key roles working with young people through the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust before their decision to step back from royal duties.
But I do wonder if Harry’s time in Africa could be better spent addressing a scandal at a charity hit with allegations of abuse.
African Parks, a conservation charity of which he is a director, is facing further accusations of human rights abuses that include extra-judicial killings and violent beatings.
Claims of brutality by rangers who are jointly managed by the charity first emerged in January, when a front-page report in The Mail on Sunday revealed claims that armed guards had beaten, raped and tortured Baka tribal people in the Republic of Congo.
The charity, which manages reserves in 12 African countries – although not Nigeria – is a considerable enterprise.
Claiming that it saves wildlife by working with local communities, African Parks helps manage 1,400 guards patrolling protected land almost the size of Britain.
Harry, who was the president for six years until he joined the governing board of directors last year, has been effusive in his praise, saying previously: ‘The African Parks model is exactly what conservation should be about - putting people at the heart of the solution.’
But in March, The Mail on Sunday uncovered fresh allegations of brutality by rangers, this time in Zambia’s Bangweulu Wetlands, including claims of extra-judicial killings and violent beatings.
A conservation area almost the size of Devon, the Wetlands are home to 50,000 indigenous people who have the right to ‘sustainably harvest’ natural resources such as fish, antelope and rabbits.
According to Fiore Longo, campaign director of Survival International, which fights for the rights of indigenous people: ‘This is another case of abuse and violence supposedly in the name of conservation.’
Her group wrote to Harry last year about ‘appalling human rights abuses’ in Congo’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
At the time, Harry’s spokesman said he had ‘immediately escalated’ the allegations to the chairman and chief executive of African Parks.
There is no suggestion that Harry had any knowledge of the allegations about what happened in Zambia.
Responding to these, the charity said: ‘While there have been incidents that we condemn, suggesting African Parks is responsible for structural misconduct in the area would be false.’
Perhaps, on his next foreign visit, Harry could consider spending time in the Bangweulu Wetlands of Zambia – and seeing for himself. The claims are extremely serious.
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nivek
As Above So Below
nivek
As Above So Below
nivek
As Above So Below
If they won't do it why should we?...
View: https://twitter.com/ImtiazMadmood/status/1786711871099429239
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View: https://twitter.com/ImtiazMadmood/status/1786711871099429239
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nivek
As Above So Below
nivek
As Above So Below
Two thirds of UK adults are unaware of new EU biometric border controls set to be enforced for Brit holidaymakers from October this year, survey reveals
Two thirds of UK adults are unaware of the new EU biometric border controls which will be enforced for British holidaymakers from October, according to a survey.British and non-EU passport holders will soon have to go through fingerprint checks and face scans under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
The system will check each passenger's name and biometric data when they enter an EU country.
But 63 per cent of UK adults are not aware of the drastic upcoming changes in travelling to the continent, according to a poll from Co-op Insurance.
The research also showed nearly a quarter of Brits (22 per cent) said they would be 'put off' visiting the continent due to the new system.
Of those 'put off' by the new process, just under half (46 per cent) said they didn't like the idea of their details being captured and remaining in the system for up to three years.
Whilst almost two fifths (38 per cent) said the potential for 'long delays at border control' would make them think twice.
The changes will see the introduction of a 'digital border' between EU/Schengen Area countries and those outside
It will replace the stamping of passports, which began after Brexit when the UK became a 'third country' to the bloc – meaning it is not a member state and does not have the right to free movement within the EU.
French officials will carry out EES border checks at Dover for the Eurotunnel and at St Pancras International for the Eurostar.
(More on the link)
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nivek
As Above So Below
The '18 DEMANDS' Muslim Vote group issued to Keir Starmer after dozens of pro-Gaza activists were elected to councils across UK - from cutting military ties with Israel to 'ensuring insurance quotes don't cost more for someone called Muhammad'
Pro-Gaza activists have dramatically issued a list of 18 demands to Sir Keir Starmer and threatened to withhold their support at the next general election if he does not fulfil them.The Muslim Vote has called for the Labour leader to promise to cut military ties with Israel, allow followers of Islam to pray in school and stop people with the name 'Muhammad' being charged more for insurance should he become prime minister.
It has also demanded a law that criminalises spiritual and religious leaders from instructing their congregation how to vote is scrapped and wants seven per cent of public sector pensions to be invested into 'ethical and Islamic funds'.
The group, which has vowed to 'punish' MPs who it sees as not being supportive of Palestine by mobilising the four million Muslim voters in the UK, said it would only consider backing the Labour leader if Sir Keir caved in to their demands.
The activists claim to have more than 25 organisations backing them, although it was revealed earlier this year that at least two of them were being investigated over extremism concerns. One of its supporters Muhammad Jalal, who has appeared on the campaign's social media pages, was previously head of the now-banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Sir Keir said he was 'determined' to win back voters who deserted Labour at the local elections over his party's stance on Gaza, after dozens of pro-Palestine campaigners were elected as councillors in place of Labour candidates.
Many of those elected made the conflict in the Middle East part of their campaign, with some wearing rosettes in the colours of the Palestinian flag while others dedicated their victories to the people of Gaza, including one Green councillor who shouted 'Allahu Akbar!' after winning.
It has raised fears in some quarters that it is a sign of things to come, with regional votes being determined based on overseas conflicts and foreign policy, rather than local issues.
(More on the link)
Pictured: The moment a Green Party councillor shouts 'Allahu Akbar' after being elected in Leeds
AD1184
Celestial
I think the US has biometric border controls (unless you are hopping over the southern border, of course). I remember I had to give a thumb print when I first entered Japan nearly twenty years ago.
J Randall Murphy
Trying To Stay Awake
The '18 DEMANDS' Muslim Vote group issued to Keir Starmer after dozens of pro-Gaza activists were elected to councils across UK - from cutting military ties with Israel to 'ensuring insurance quotes don't cost more for someone called Muhammad'
Pro-Gaza activists have dramatically issued a list of 18 demands to Sir Keir Starmer and threatened to withhold their support at the next general election if he does not fulfil them.
The Muslim Vote has called for the Labour leader to promise to cut military ties with Israel, allow followers of Islam to pray in school and stop people with the name 'Muhammad' being charged more for insurance should he become prime minister.
It has also demanded a law that criminalises spiritual and religious leaders from instructing their congregation how to vote is scrapped and wants seven per cent of public sector pensions to be invested into 'ethical and Islamic funds'.
The group, which has vowed to 'punish' MPs who it sees as not being supportive of Palestine by mobilising the four million Muslim voters in the UK, said it would only consider backing the Labour leader if Sir Keir caved in to their demands.
The activists claim to have more than 25 organisations backing them, although it was revealed earlier this year that at least two of them were being investigated over extremism concerns. One of its supporters Muhammad Jalal, who has appeared on the campaign's social media pages, was previously head of the now-banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Sir Keir said he was 'determined' to win back voters who deserted Labour at the local elections over his party's stance on Gaza, after dozens of pro-Palestine campaigners were elected as councillors in place of Labour candidates.
Many of those elected made the conflict in the Middle East part of their campaign, with some wearing rosettes in the colours of the Palestinian flag while others dedicated their victories to the people of Gaza, including one Green councillor who shouted 'Allahu Akbar!' after winning.
It has raised fears in some quarters that it is a sign of things to come, with regional votes being determined based on overseas conflicts and foreign policy, rather than local issues.
(More on the link)
Pictured: The moment a Green Party councillor shouts 'Allahu Akbar' after being elected in Leeds
Whatever happened to the separation between church and state?
AD1184
Celestial
Britain is a constitutional monarchy with an established Christian church. Seperation of church and state is a feature of republics and other forms of government.
However, Britain is not an Islamic emirate or sultanate, and opposition leader Keir Starmer (odds-on favourite to be the next prime minister) should have swiftly told this Islamic voting block attempting to influence the foreign policy of a future Labour government where to go.
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J Randall Murphy
Trying To Stay Awake
My comment was more in reference to the general spirit of the concept in modern-day Governments as opposed to the details for any particular nation. What your reply does is wake us up to the fact that we're not so far out of those weeds as we'd like to think — thank you !
nivek
As Above So Below
Grifters...
According to records seen by DailyMail.com the charitable foundation which was launched by the couple with much fanfare in 2020 was declared delinquent in January for not filing its annual registration renewal fee reports or renewal fee since February 2023.
The foundation received a delinquency notice and warning of assessment penalties and late fees along with the threat of a suspension or revocation of its registered status from California's Attorney General Rob Bonta earlier this month.
The news casts into doubt an announcement made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex just last week when, on their tour of Nigeria, they announced the expansion of a partnership between The GEANCO Foundation in Abuja and the Archewell Foundation.
(More on the link)
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Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation is banned from raising or spending money after it is deemed DELINQUENT for failing to pay fees and submit records
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation has been listed as delinquent by California's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers for failing to submit required annual fiscal records, DailyMail.com can reveal.According to records seen by DailyMail.com the charitable foundation which was launched by the couple with much fanfare in 2020 was declared delinquent in January for not filing its annual registration renewal fee reports or renewal fee since February 2023.
The foundation received a delinquency notice and warning of assessment penalties and late fees along with the threat of a suspension or revocation of its registered status from California's Attorney General Rob Bonta earlier this month.
The news casts into doubt an announcement made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex just last week when, on their tour of Nigeria, they announced the expansion of a partnership between The GEANCO Foundation in Abuja and the Archewell Foundation.
(More on the link)
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AD1184
Celestial
Meghan is not so much interested in charity work as she is in being seen to be interested in charity work. It's not surprising to learn that her Archewell foundation has been revealed not to be a serious charitable endeavour.
nivek
As Above So Below
Mystery of the missing check descends into blame game: Sussex sources now insist payment WAS received by US officials but just not processed in time - after Archewell Foundation was deemed DELINQUENT
The Archewell Foundation was branded 'delinquent' because state officials did not process a $200 (£160) check, sources close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle claimed today. The organization was also billed as 'not in good standing' by the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers - part of the Department of Justice in California , the state where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in a £12million mansion and operate the charity. The registry said Archewell failed to properly submit its annual report or renewal fees and has banned it from either fundraising or distributing charitable funds for now. But Sussex sources claimed today that the 'delinquency notice' was actually issued because Attorney General Rob Bonta's office did not process the $200 check.
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