A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Refugees must have valid visa, says France
PARIS – France will not allow in Tunisian immigrants without a valid visa, the government said yesterday, just days after thousands of illegal migrants from the north African country began arriving in Italy.
“Visa rules will apply to Tunisia, all visa rules and nothing but visa rules,” government spokesman Francois Baroin told reporters following a cabinet meeting.
“There is no question of welcoming other immigrants who do not respect the rules on visas,” he said.
The European Union estimates says that 5,500 people from Tunisia have arrived illegally on the Italian island of Lampedusa in the past few days, following the overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben in a popular uprising. – (Reuters)
Pope's visit to UK cost €7 million
LONDON – The pope’s state visit to the UK last year cost the taxpayer at least £7 million before security, the foreign office has disclosed.
It included an £18,735 dinner for the papal delegation with the foreign secretary, and £22,530 on helicopter flights.
The figures were published in a written statement by junior minister Henry Bellingham. The £6.98 million costs of the state elements are being met by the public purse with the Catholic Church asked to reimburse the taxpayer another £6.35 million for pastoral events. Direct costs already met by the UK’s Catholic churches are estimated at £3.8 million. Policing and local authority costs were “met within existing budgets”. – (Reuters)
Tea Party governor rejects $2.4bn fund
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s Tea Party-backed governor Rick Scott yesterday rejected $2.4 billion in government funds to build a high-speed passenger rail line, prompting a sharp rebuke from Washington as political tensions grew over the federal budget deficit.
“Government cannot spend more than it takes in,” the Republican governor said in an announcement making clear the rail project would not go forward.
“Government has become addicted to spending beyond its means and we cannot continue this flawed policy,” he added.
At a news conference in the state capital, Mr Scott strongly criticised President Barack Obama’s budget proposal for 2012 unveiled on Monday.
He said federal grants earmarked for Florida to begin work on a high-speed rail link between Tampa and Orlando would be turned down. – (Reuters)