http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/foreigners/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:29:55 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418321/posts Four foreigners face execution over China drugs: report (AFP) – 5 hours ago HONG KONG — Four foreigners could face the death penalty in China after their arrests in connection with a major heroin bust, a report said Thursday, days after the execution of a Briton convicted on drugs charges. The foreigners are among nine people arrested in September in southern China after police uncovered about 145 kilograms (320 pounds) of heroin stuffed inside cotton bales, the Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao newspaper reported. The paper did not specify the nationalities of the four foreigners. "Under Chinese law they may... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418321/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:29:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374777/posts The US is to end its 22-year ban on people with HIV entering the country, President Barack Obama has confirmed. Mr Obama made the announcement as he extended funding for an act that provides HIV/Aids related health care. "If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/Aids, we need to act like it," Mr Obama said. The US is one of only about a dozen countries barring entry on HIV status. The ban is expected to be lifted at the beginning of 2010. 'End the stigma' Mr Obama confirmed the move as he signed the Ryan White HIV/Aids... bbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374777/posts#comment Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:51:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359562/posts KABUL – Thousands of foreign fighters have poured into Afghanistan to bolster the Taliban insurgency, the country's defense minister said Saturday as he called for more international troops. The remarks come as the U.S. debates whether to substantially increase its forces in Afghanistan or to conduct a more limited campaign focused on targeting al-Qaida figures — most of whom are believed to be in neighboring Pakistan. The minister's comments hit on a key worry of the United States — that not sending enough troops to Afghanistan will open the door back up to al-Qaida. They also suggest that the Afghan... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359562/posts#comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:25:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303092/posts Salon is paving the way for an "it's OK" rationale just in case BO did commit fraud regarding his birth certificate. Salon's wisdom includes "How did this discriminatory clause get incorporated in the Constitution?" and "Some of the greatest traitors in American history have been natural-born citizens." Let's watch for a continued effort in the media to create a "So what?" context for the possible revelation of a birth certificate fraud by their messiah. Salon.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303092/posts#comment Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:41:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230830/posts U.S. citizens and residents have an annual obligation to report the existence of all “foreign bank, securities or ‘other’ financial accounts” if the aggregate value of those accounts exceeded US$10,000 at any time during the preceding year. Those failing to do so face a fine up to US$250,000, imprisonment up to five years, or both. Lucky you: if you can demonstrate you didn't "willfully" violate this requirement, the IRS will generally impose a civil fine of "only" US$10,000. Now, the U.S. Treasury has extended this obligation to any foreign person "in or doing business" in the United States. If you... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230830/posts#comment Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:37:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2214455/posts MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (AFP) – A suspected US missile strike killed up to seven alleged Al-Qaeda militants on Wednesday in an extremist stronghold of northwest Pakistan on the Afghan border, security officials said. At least one vehicle was targeted in the strike in the Makeen area of the semi-autonomous tribal district of South Waziristan, where suspected Afghan and Pakistani Taliban militants are also holed up, local officials said. Initial reports said no high-value targets were believed to have died. "A vehicle carrying six foreign militants was targeted in a single missile attack in Makeen area on the border between North and... AFP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2214455/posts#comment Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:32:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2182251/posts Reporting from Sacramento — A panel of three federal judges, saying overcrowding in state prisons has deprived inmates of their right to adequate healthcare, tentatively ruled Monday that the state must reduce the population in those lockups by as many as 57,000 people. The judges issued the decisionafter a trial in two long-running cases brought by inmates to protest the state of medical and mental healthcare in the prisons. Although their order is not final, U.S. District Court Judges Thelton Henderson and Lawrence Karlton and 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt effectively told the state that it... Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2182251/posts#comment Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:22:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138591/posts Estate agents in the United States hope a new administration in Washington D.C. will kick start talks for a retirement visa, the so-called “silver card” which would allow foreigners to easily retire in the U.S. “I’m encouraged,” said Tony Macaluso, the Florida-based agent championing the visa. The retirement visa is one of those ideas that’s so simple and makes so much sense it’s amazing that it’s never been adopted. While countries like Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico and Belize present a variety of programs to encourage international pensioners to buy homes, the U.S. offers no simple path for a foreign citizen... International Hearald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138591/posts#comment Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:06:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2087459/posts The Obama/Biden campaign continues to be bolstered by widespread support. The Russian newspaper Pravda advised voters to reject the McCain/Palin ticket, referring to Senator John McCain (R-Ariz) as a “decrepit warmonger” and Governor Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as a “worthless bag of hair.” The Communist Party USA, called Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill), “Americans’ most feasible option for a progressive policy that will further the country’s move toward a truly socialist future.” The New York Times called the addition of the “woefully inexperienced” Governor Palin to the GOP ticket “frightening,” suggesting that “maybe there should be a Constitutional Amendment requiring at least... A Semi-News/Semi-Satire from AzConservative http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2087459/posts#comment Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:32:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072430/posts In my recent letter to you concerning the TTC, I misquoted some information about the company known as Cintra. Mr. Patrick Rhodes of Cintra wrote in response to my mistake. Therefore, I stand corrected with the following: Fellow citizens, the company, Cintra, is not affiliated with ZAI-ACS. Cintra is partnered with Zachry on some TxDOT projects and ACS is partnered with Zachry on some other TxDOT projects. Therefore, I hope this clarifies the over-zealous statements in my letter. Cintra is a Spanish-owned company, and ACS is a larger Spanish-owned company. Zachry, a Texas company, is affiliated with each of them... The Lufkin Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072430/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 16:29:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058983/posts Latinos have led Utah's robust population growth since 2000, surging faster than other residents in 28 of 29 counties, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. In some counties the shift is explosive, such as a 121 percent jump by Latinos in Wasatch County, where the rest of the population grew by 30 percent from the 2000 Census through July 1 last year. In other cases, the diversification just kept chugging along: 48 percent Latino growth in Salt Lake County, which increased by 12 percent overall. The demographics report shows a blending of cultures and colors statewide - a trend... Salt Lake Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058983/posts#comment Sat, 9 Aug 2008 12:13:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058490/posts It is clear that this US presidential election has brought to the surface a bunch of lingering issues inside the country: racial, class and gender stresses. Even more starkly it has rekindled emotions outside the US, affecting how the world views America, from presumably allied countries in Europe to the developing world and, especially the Muslim world. It is amazing how quickly the mind gets cleared of American TV and internet chatter after a business trip to Europe with an added leg in the Middle East. For starters, we may be complaining about the cost of everything in the US,... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058490/posts#comment Fri, 8 Aug 2008 11:53:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034683/posts The airline industry and embassies of 34 countries, including the members of the European Union, are urging the U.S. government to withdraw a plan that would require airlines and cruise lines to collect digital fingerprints of all foreigners before they depart the United States, starting in August 2009. Their opposition could trigger a battle with Congress and the Bush administration, which want the new plan established quickly. Airlines said the change would cost the industry $12.3 billion over 10 years, not $3.5 billion as the Department of Homeland Security estimated in unveiling the proposal in April. Representatives of the nations... wasingtonpost.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034683/posts#comment Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:08:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031783/posts WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court made it easier Monday for some foreigners who overstay their visas to seek to remain in the United States legally. The court ruled 5-4 Monday that someone who is here illegally may withdraw his voluntarily agreement to depart and continue to try to get approval to remain in the United States. [...] Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, joined by his four liberal colleagues. The four conservative justice dissented. Justice Antonin Scalia said, "The court lacks the authority to impose its chosen remedy." Yahoo/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031783/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:04:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019699/posts Silvio Berlusconi declares Naples street rubbish dumps 'military no-go zones' By Malcolm Moore in Naples Last Updated: 10:30PM BST 21/05/2008 Silvio Berlusconi promised to wash Italy clean of fear and use "absolute firmness" against any dissent. The 71-year-old prime minister held the first meeting of his new cabinet in rubbish-strewn Naples in order to resolve the city's perennial problems of crime and unemployment. At the end of the five-hour meeting, Mr Berlusconi promised to govern the city and the country with an iron fist. "We have painful tasks ahead, but we will act with unswerving determination," he said. He reclassified... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019699/posts#comment Thu, 22 May 2008 14:53:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011886/posts On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced he had appointed Deirdre Delisi, his former chief of staff, chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission, which oversees the Texas Department of Transportation. As of today, I will not vote to confirm her appointment in the next legislative session. Ask almost any Texan, especially those who have the need to travel frequently on Interstate 35, about our Texas transportation system and they will tell you that many of our roads have extreme congestion, while other construction projects have experienced significant cost overruns. Last year, TxDOT notified the public that it had experienced a... The Austin American-Statesman http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2011886/posts#comment Tue, 6 May 2008 12:35:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008559/posts Each day, I make the dreaded drive down Interstate 35 to go to work in Fort Worth. Each day, I slug through the snarl and sludge of ceaseless traffic, which intensifies my growing desire to commit hari-kari, or at least incites a vehement curse of the highway gods. Certainly, we in Texas need more lanes, more roads, more rails, more something to deal with the ever-expanding urban population and growing international commerce. Yet how do we solve our transportation needs without carving up the countryside like some congratulatory cake? Or should the construction of a superhighway-rail-utility corridor even concern us?... Quarter Horse News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008559/posts#comment Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:29:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007990/posts Minutes south of Interstate 10 and Sealy, the pastures along FM 1458 are their own silent world in the morning. Mists lift to reveal black cattle, brown and spotted horses, snow-white egrets underfoot in lush green grass. Then a concrete mixer comes churning down the blacktop. Just up the road is a small subdivision. More are sure to come as city dwellers, including weekenders and retirees, move out in search of a quieter, simpler life — and relief from city traffic. Although the gradual influx may bring greater changes in the long run, what disturbs residents most is the planned... The Houston Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007990/posts#comment Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:31:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000324/posts Federal authorities expect to identify and deport more than 200,000 immigrants who are convicted criminals serving time in prisons and jails across the country, the country’s top federal immigration enforcement official said Monday. The effort to speed the deportation of foreign-born criminals is part of a campaign by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to help federal and state prisons reduce the costs of housing immigrants, the official, Julie L. Myers, assistant secretary of homeland security and head of the agency, said in an interview. In 2007, Ms. Myers said, the agency, known as ICE, brought formal immigration charges against... new york times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000324/posts#comment Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:23:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993038/posts FORT WORTH -- The Trans-Texas Corridor is now so controversial, merely uttering the words in most political circles is taboo. "We're calling it a 'regional loop' because you can't say 'Trans-Texas Corridor' in the state of Texas anymore," said Michael Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. "The Trans-Texas Corridor is a lightning rod," he told visiting state representatives this week while explaining how the corridor would connect to regional highways by 2030. Opposition to the proposed construction of a $184 billion network of toll roads during the next 50 years is so strong statewide that... The Fort Worth Star-Telegram http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993038/posts#comment Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:55:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1991754/posts State Rep. Jim McReynolds has sent a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation saying he thinks TxDOT should drop the idea of tying the Trans-Texas Corridor in with plans for routing Interstate 69 through East Texas. McReynolds says tremendous negative outcry from his constituents and other East Texas residents has made it clear to him no one wants infrastructure that massive and disruptive to the quality of life to be built, taking big swaths out of the Pineywoods countryside. "Within the past several weeks, I have personally attended every TxDOT hearing held in my district regarding this proposed corridor,"... The Lufkin Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1991754/posts#comment Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:37:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986713/posts There's been a lot of talk about the new Trans-Texas Corridor — the next-generation "super-highway" — and opinions are varying. Now the debate is coming to Lufkin's doorstep. On Monday, the American Land Foundation, Stewards of the Range and TURF will hold a workshop at Lufkin's Pitser Garrison Civic Center on how to stop the Trans-Texas Corridor 69. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A portion of Texas citizens have voiced their opposition to the TTC-69 in public meetings held by the Texas Department of Transportation, but believing they are not being heard, four cities and their... The Lufkin Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986713/posts#comment Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:04:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981527/posts Texas spirit was alive and well at the Navasota DEIS public hearing on Feb. 28. Opposition groups, such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, came from as far as Washington, D.C. to give recorded testimony, and get a first hand look at TxDOT process procedures. Assistant Director of Communications, Leigh Strope, who attended the meeting on behalf of the 34,000 Texas Teamsters Union members, says, “Teamsters want to stop the dangerous trend of selling our roads and bridges to foreign investors so they can slap tolls on the driving public. We are also concerned because the Trans-Texas Corridor would form... The Navasota Examiner & Grimes County Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981527/posts#comment Thu, 6 Mar 2008 21:18:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1979799/posts Heated comments flew around the room as more than 175 citizens gathered to voice their opinions at the TxDOT open house and public hearing on the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor held at the Humble Civic Center on Feb. 28, 2008. Congress designated I-69 as a high priority corridor in 1991 and again in 1998. In 2002, TxDOT unveiled the Trans-Texas Corridor project to accommodate Texas' future transportation needs. The TTC is a part of a 4,000-mile system of rail lines, truck and car lanes and concentrated utility routes to improve international and intrastate movement of goods and people from Canada to the... The Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1979799/posts#comment Mon, 3 Mar 2008 22:01:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976697/posts The debate in Texas over a proposed 4,000-mile network of toll roads that will parallel the state's existing highway system is heating up More than 10,000 people have attended public hearings across Texas to discuss the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor, which has also been dubbed the "NAFTA superhighway." It is a project that is expected to cost an estimated $183 billion over 50 years. (hear audio report) Terry Hall with the group Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom warns the project will create widespread eminent domain abuse and involve foreign control of public infrastructure. "They're taking huge swaths of land, up... One News Now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976697/posts#comment Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:28:30 GMT