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IN
THIS ISSUE
1. Education: African National Congress
2. World News: Nelson Mandela sends out an SOS on the
AIDS pandemic
3. Business: Update on Money Laundering in South Africa
4. Business: Are you due any tax refunds?
5. Business: Credit Card Fraud and Stealing Identities
6. Business: Benefits from incorporating off shore
7. Business: Off shore tax haven, Monaco
8. Business: Nurses wanted in England
9. Education: The Works of Edgar Allen Poe
10. Education: A great way to review books and manuscripts
11. Education: Who is history's greatest Briton
12. Global Trade: An Opinion on the Changes in South Africa
13. Global Trade: The death throes of a once vibrant country
14. Immigration: The issue of dual citizenship
15. Immigration: A new online tracking system introduced
by the INS
16. Immigration: Report show that the INS lacks the equipment
and staff to monitor visitors
17. Immigration: Muslims protest against new U.S. Restrictions
of entry
18. Immigration: The cost of Immigration to the USA
19. Immigration: The New Department of Homeland Security
20. Travel: Time up for dual passport holders
21. Travel: Visas From Zimbabwe
22. Travel: Travel advice visiting South Africa
23. Travel: A visit to Scotland for the New Year
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1. Education: African National Congress
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The
African National Congress was formed in 1912 to
unite the peoples of Africa and to work towards substantive
reform of existing political, economic, and social structures.
The
Congress is probably best known for its work in
South Africa, where they were the leading impetus behind
the negotiation of a democratic constitution for the nation
in 1996.
The
Web site contains a wealth of materials on ongoing advocacy
activities of the Congress, including their yearly conference
and the activities of their regional and provincial offices
throughout South Africa. Perhaps the strongest element
of the site is the publication and documents section,
which contains the African National Congress weekly
newsletter and their annual reports.
The
historical document section is particularly valuable to
scholars and historians, as it holds seminal documents
and papers germane to the historical development of the
Congress, along with the speeches and writings of its
presidents, who include Chief Albert J. Lutuli and Nelson
Mandela. Overall, the site is a valuable resource -- one
that will be valued by persons doing research on African
political and cultural history. Visit
their website
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2. World News: Mandela sends out an SOS on the AIDS
pandemic
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Cape
Town, South Africa - Nelson Mandela's SOS has been
answered. At a launch event today at the National Botanical
Gardens in Cape Town, Nelson Mandela - joined by Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, Oprah Winfrey, Virgin Group founder Richard
Branson and Diesel President and founder Renzo Rosso -
announced that he is to host his very first concert.
This
extraordinary event, featuring top artists from the world
of pop and rock, will take place on 2nd February, 2003
on Robben Island in South Africa, where Nelson Mandela
was imprisoned 30 years ago. To read the full account
go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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3. Business: Update on Money Laundering in South
Africa
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The
SA Reserve Bank set in motion its efforts to prevent
money laundering yesterday by calling on all banks represented
in South Africa to put in place measures to ensure compliance
with regulations in terms of the Financial Intelligence
Centre Act. To read the full report go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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4. Business: Are you due any tax refunds?
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The
National Taxpayers Union in the USA has a searchable
database online. The database contains the names of almost
100,000 Americans who have not yet received refunds due
to them from the IRS. The refunds are for returns filed
this year or earlier.
You
can search by last name with or without the name of a
state. [Note: if you think you may be due a refund,
try other variations of your name in case it was misspelled.]
Results include name, city, state, and zip code (but not
street address) as well as what's owed (all the ones I
saw were for income tax refunds.) A phone number to call
and make a claim is also available in case you find your
name here. We strongly recommend that all other countries
also supply such a great service to over burdened taxpayers.
Visit
this site
Editors
Note: Our firm supplies some excellent information
on Income Tax Services, which offer sound advice on tax
savings. Go to our web
page
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5. Business: Credit Card Fraud and Stealing Identities
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NEW
YORK - Federal authorities broke up what they called
the biggest identity theft case in U.S. history and charged
three men yesterday with stealing credit information from
more than 30,000 people, draining victims' bank accounts
and ruining their credit.
U.S. Attorney James Comey said the losses were calculated
so far at $2.7 million but would balloon to many more
millions and affect consumers in every state. He called
the case "every American's worst financial nightmare
multiplied tens of thousands of times."
To read the full story go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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6. Business: Benefits from incorporating off shore
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The
US principle of taxing the worldwide incomes of American
companies, together with the various 'quirky features'
of the system, means that many American companies would
benefit from re-incorporating in offshore financial centres,
according to a study by two university researchers. A
new study, 'Expectations and Expatriations: Tracing
the Causes and Consequences of Corporate Inversions'
is available as a PDF file. Link (PDF) Go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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7. Business: Off shore tax haven, Monaco
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The
growing influx of Britons, who now live in Monaca, number
over 5,000, three times more than 10 years ago.
This expatriate population, with its own schools, pubs,
clubs, radio station and cricket team, is steadily taking
control of Monaco's social life, just as it did in the
nineteenth century when British aristocrats and newly
rich industrialists flooded to the attractions around
Europe's first casino at Monte Carlo, the biggest of four
suburbs on what locals call Le Rocher.
By this time next year, because of tax breaks and easier
residency conditions, the British colony will probably
outnumber the 6,000 native Monegasques and a similar number
of Italians, although it will be some time before they
overtake the French who, among their other privileges,
run the 400-strong police force that makes the mini-territory
of 340,000 bank accounts virtually crime-free. To read
the full account, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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8. Business: Nurses wanted in England
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Britain
is systematically stripping the developing world of its
nurses to shore up the NHS, despite a government ban on
recruiting from the Third World.
In
the five years since Nelson Mandela appealed to Britain
to stop poaching nurses from South Africa, the numbers
entering the country have risen more than fivefold - from
393 in 1997-98 to 2,114 in 2001-02.
Two
thousand nurses are needed to run a 600-bed hospital in
the UK.
Recruitment
is also spiraling from other African countries, including
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana and Malawi. In total,
these five countries supplied 986 nurses to Britain last
year, compared with 91 in 1998-99, figures from the Nursing
and Midwifery Council reveal. To read the full story,
go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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9. Education: The Works of Edgar Allen Poe
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Edgar
Allen Poe was only on this earth for an all-too brief
forty years, but he crafted some fine poetry. Some have
argued that with the "Murders in the Rue Morgue,"
he created the first detective story.
On
this site, visitors will see complete text versions of
almost all of Mr. Poe's poems and short stories. Each
piece begins by indicating the year of its first publication
and the publication in which it appeared.
Also,
an extended biographical essay about Poe's life is available,
as well as a helpful resource page that contains links
to the Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore and
the Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site. One
highlight of the site is the complete text of Poe's only
novel, _The Narrative of A. Gordon Pym, a truly horrifying
account of one man's voyage on board an ocean-going vessel
that concludes with the line, "I have graven it
within the hills, and my vengeance upon the dust within
the rock." Visit
this website
Editor's
favorite poem is "The Happiest Hour."
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10. Education: A great way to review books and manuscripts
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The
online exhibits and digitization projects of the British
Library are some of the finest in the world, and the
Turning the Pages exhibit may be one of their best thus
far. Utilizing the most contemporary advances in interactive
display, visitors to the site can virtually turn the pages
of the nine currently available original manuscripts located
here. The nine manuscripts represent some of the most
important printed pieces of material in the Library's
collection, and in a few cases, some of the most important
documents in world history.
Visitors
are able to virtually "turn" the pages of manuscripts
in an incredibly realistic way, using touch-screen technology
and animation. They can zoom in on the high quality digitised
images and read or listen to notes explaining the beauty
and significance of each page. There are other features
specific to the individual manuscripts - in the Leonardo
notebook, for example, a mirror button turns the text
round so visitors can try to read his famous mirror handwriting.
You will need to install "Shockwave"
to view these pages online.
Visit
the site of the British Library
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11. Education: Who is history's greatest Briton
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LONDON,
(UPI) -- When the nation's leading broadcaster ran a poll
to determine history's greatest Briton, perhaps it was
no surprise that wartime leader Winston Churchill came
out on top but it looked for a time like he might lose
out to the late Princess Diana. For videos and books from
the BBC which cannot be obtained anywhere else visit their
web site at Visit
BBC America Shop
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12. Global Trade: An Opinion on the Changes in South
Africa
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CAPE
TOWN - We have come a long way since just before the
1994 elections, when white people feared the worst and
were stockpiling canned foods, candles, guns and ammunition.
Our country is definitely a much better place in which
to live.
But
there are worrying signs and I fear that, if these problems
are not addressed, our democracy could be derailed. To
read the full story go to our NEWS
DESK link
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13. Global Trade: The death throes of a once vibrant
country
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Harare
- Zimbabwe's finance minister painted a dire picture on
Thursday of an economy plunging deeper into recession
and offered little hope for recovery in his 2003 budget
statement to parliament.
Once
one of Africa's most vibrant economies, Zimbabwe now faces
critical food shortages for half of its 14 million people
and cannot afford food imports due to a lack of hard currency.
The
worsening crisis is widely blamed on government mismanagement
and President Robert Mugabe's controversial seizure of
white-owned farms for black resettlement. The government
mainly blames a drought gripping the region. To help this
country and other African countries, What can you do?
Visit
our web page on Global Trade
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14. Immigration: The issue of dual citizenship
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In
answer to an email from one of our clients we clarify
dual citizenship. For Americans, the path to dual citizenships
was paved in 1967 when the U.S. Supreme Court barred the
federal government from stripping Americans of citizenship
based on attachment to another nation.
Naturalized
American citizens, however, such as immigrants, are still
required in their citizenship oaths to renounce allegiances
to their home countries. Italy and Ireland, just two of
the 93 countries that now allow dual citizenship, have
relaxed laws in recent decades to allow naturalization
for foreigners based upon bloodline.
Dual
citizenship and the extra passport it affords, can speed
processing at foreign airports, and can help travelers
avoid anti-American sentiment in some corners of the world.
Note:
Read also our news item on South Africans who hold dual
citizenship, Item No. 20
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15. Immigration: A new online tracking system introduced
by the INS
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A
new online service of the INS makes it much more convenient
to follow the progress of all applications for citizenship,
resident status, work visas and the like, immigration
lawyers say.
But unfortunately, they add, the new system does nothing
to speed the lethargic application process. To read more
on this subject go to our NEWS
DESK link
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16. Immigration: Report show that the INS lacks
the equipment and staff to monitor visitors
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Border
security, alien enforcement and removal, visa tracking
systems and increased security for existing computer systems
are the major challenges facing the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service as it prepares to move into the
new Department of Homeland Security.
A
management review this week by the Justice Department's
Office of Inspector General said the INS' ability to screen
people seeking to enter the United States remained a "key
element of homeland security," but investigators
from the office found that the task was hampered by a
lack of adequate staff, equipment and infrastructure support.
To read the full story, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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17. Immigration: Muslims protest against new U.S.
Restrictions of entry
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WASHINGTON,
- Muslims have urged the United States not to block future
immigration from Islamic countries as it would only aid
those wanting to widen the gulf between the Islamic and
the Western worlds.
Muslims have been reacting to a Justice Department directive
asking male visitors from 13 additional countries to show
up for fingerprinting and questioning at immigration offices
nationwide starting Dec. 2, 2002
Since 12 of the countries are Muslim, the move has increased
the worries of American Muslims already living in a difficult
environment since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
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18. Immigration: The cost of Immigration to the
USA
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The
Associated Press recently reported that the Immigration
Service is looking at new fee increases to help cover
rising costs and cope with growing backlogs. The fee for
green-card applications might go up to $330 (ZAR 3 300,00)
citizenship to $345 (ZAR 3 450,00) This comes on the heels
of a new program to charge $1,000 (ZAR 10 000,00) for
expedited processing of many temporary work visas.
The
INS, after decades of neglect and mockery, simply can't
modernize in the midst of ever-increasing responsibilities.
The fee hikes are simply an attempt at triage by an agency
told to hurry into the 21st century while being overwhelmed
with applications whose processing is required to be self-funded
by fees. To read this full story, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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19. Immigration: The New Department of Homeland
Security
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The
creation of the Department of Homeland Security
will be the largest government reorganization since the
Defense Department was created in 1947.
The
Department will include 170,000 employees from 22 agencies
and will be charged with strengthening the country's defense
against terrorism. Once the president signs the Department
of Homeland Security bill, which is expected shortly,
the administration will have 60 days to organize the creation
of the Department and approximately a year to complete
the transition.
As part of the transition, the INS, which was originally
created in 1891, shall be abolished. The present duties
of the INS will be divided into two new bureaus. INS inspectors,
the Border Patrol, and detention and removal functions
will become part of the new "Bureau of Border
and Transportation Security." Service functions,
such as applications for citizenship, permanent residency,
and asylum, will be the duty of the "Bureau of
Citizenship and Immigration Services."
Each of these bureaus will report directly to the Deputy
Secretary for Homeland Security. For more information
on how to acquire and entry visa to the USA, go to our
web
page.
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20. Travel: Time up for dual passport holders
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South
Africans, who have dual citizenship have been warned by
the Department of Home Affairs they risk losing
their South African citizenship if they are found using
a foreign passport after November 27, 2002.
The Cape Times reports that although the government
is not against dual citizenship, only in exceptional circumstances
may a South African travel abroad using a foreign passport.
The previous government reportedly gave permission for
citizens to use foreign passports when traveling to countries,
which did not accept South African citizens due to apartheid
and sanctions.
This system was amended in 1997 and a period of five years,
which is now up, was given to implement the amendments,
the daily reported.
"The Minister may also revoke the South African
citizenship of a South African with dual citizenship if
that person has made use of his or her other citizenship
or nationality for example by using the franchise or passport
facilities of the other country," Section 9 (2)
of Act 88 of 1995 states.
Home Affairs spokesperson Leslie Mashokwe told the paper
foreign passports held by South Africans should be considered
"expired" by November 27, and the department
was "just reminding them their time is up".
The British Consulate told the Cape Times they would look
into how this would affect British citizens living in
the country, adding they had not been formally told about
this change in regulations.
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21. Travel: Visas From Zimbabwe
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Steep
visas, high airfares fail to stem exodus to U.K. Report
y Henry Makiwa The Daily News (Harare, Zimbabwe), November
14, 2002
The United Kingdom is still the favourite relocation destination
for Zimbabweans seeking respite from the economic hardships
at home, despite the introduction of stringent visa restrictions
and a steep rise in airfares.
Hundreds
of people, desperate to flee economic hardships and government-sanctioned
political violence at home, yesterday jostled for positions
in a long-winding queue at the British High Commission
offices in Harare to secure the much-sought-after visa.
The
British High Commission last Thursday announced new UK
visa requirements and fees costing $72 000 for a six-months
visa in that country. The visa requirement coincided with
the increase of Air Zimbabwe fares to London.
Harare-to-London
Air Zimbabwe fares last Thursday rose from $500 000 to
$1,2 million.
Sophie
Honey, the British High Commission spokesperson, yesterday
said it was still too early to comment on the impact of
the stringent visa requirements. Honey said: "It
is a bit too early to make an exact overview of how the
announcement of visa requirements has affected immigration
trends. "However, we have noted long queues of people
seeking the immigration documents outside our offices."
The
British government last week introduced visa endorsements
for Zimbabweans visiting the UK in an effort to stem the
flood of economic refugees and asylum seekers to the UK.
The
move was also expected to bring respite to the Registrar-General's
Office, which was failing to cope with the long queues
of Zimbabweans applying for passports so they could leave
the country and seek economic refuge elsewhere.
According
to reports in the British Press, an estimated 150 Zimbabweans
leave the country every week to settle or seek employment
in the UK.
Most
of the people gathered outside the British High Commission
offices yesterday said they were not deterred by the restrictive
visa requirements and steep airfares because they were
prepared to pay through the nose just to get away from
the depressing economic environment in Zimbabwe.
Nomathemba
Sibanda said she was being forced to leave the country
because of unemployment.
She
said: "I am a university graduate who can't seem
to get a job anywhere, besides possessing adequate qualifications
for my chosen profession.
"I
will pay anything possible as long as I get to leave the
country and settle in a better environment.
"It
is such a sad scenario, but there is no choice for most
of us but to seek greener pastures elsewhere and in my
case, the United Kingdom is my chosen destination."
Zimbabwe's
unemployment level is pegged at 70 percent. Alfred Mapedzauswa,
who was also queuing for a visa, said the introduction
of the high fees were not a deterrent at all.
Mapedzauswa
said: "Though the visas are expensive, they will
also save Zimbabweans from being harassed by British immigration
officials."
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22. Travel: Travel advice visiting South Africa
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Most
visits to South Africa are trouble-free, but visitors
should be aware that the overall level of crime throughout
the country remains high.
Following recent developments, including the terrorist
bombing of a night club in Bali on 12 October 2002 and
the Mombassa bombing of 28 November 2002, UK nationals
world-wide should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate
attacks on civilian targets in public places, including
tourist sites. Visit our NEWS
DESK link.
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23. Travel: A visit to Scotland for the New Year
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An
interesting account of how to wear the kilt like a local
and enjoy a haggis. What is haggis? Where can you find
the best whisky? Read this interesting travel account.
(For our reader who can't wait to find out what "Haggis"
really is, here is the definition.")
HAGGIS, Def: a dish consisting of a calf's,
sheep's or other animal's heart, liver and lungs, and
also sometimes of the smaller intestines, boiled in the
stomach of the animal with seasoning of pepper, salt,
onions, &c., chopped fine with suet and oatmeal. It
is considered peculiarly a Scottish dish, but was common
in England till the 18th century. The derivation of the
word is obscure. The Fr. /zachis, English "hash,"
is of later appearance than "haggis." It may
be connected with a verb "to hag," meaning to
cut in small pieces, and would then be cognate ultimately
with " hash."
Buy some of the best Scotch whisky available online,
visit
this website.
The
"Clan Shop" is Scotland's premier gift shop
for all items related to your clan, family, clan name
and history. You are invited to browse through the online
store and look at the clan clothing, kilts and tartans,
gifts related to Scottish heritage, books about your family
history and clan origins. For more details go to this
website
Editors Note: The management and staff of
"Delamere-Pennine Associates"
wish all our clients and website visitors, a happy and
peaceful New Year and a restful holiday.
This
Month's Quote:
"A man can make what he wants of himself if he
truly believes that he must be ready for hard work and
many heartbreaks."
Thurgood
Marshall
Although
great effort has been made
in compiling and checking
the information contained
in this Newsletter is accurate,
the publisher shall not be
held responsible for any errors,
omissions or inaccuracies
in this electronic publication,
or for any consequences arising
there from.
Editorial materials published
herein are provided for information
only. The publisher expressly
disclaims any and all liability
to any person, whosoever,
in respect of any loss, damage,
death, personal injury or
other consequences, by their
use of, or reliance upon in
any way, the information contained
in this electronic publication.
Copyright 2002 by "Delamere-Pennine
Associates - International Business
Consultants" All Rights
Reserved.
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not join our Preferred Travelers
Club? click
here
If
you wish to use any of the
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permission is granted only
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