July 18, 2023

Major Shake-Up in World’s Passport Power Ranking

LONDON, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Japan has been knocked off the top spot on the Henley Passport Index for the first time in five years and bumped into 3^rd place, according to the latest ranking, which is based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Singapore is now officially the most powerful passport in the world, with its citizens able to visit 192 destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. Germany, Italy, and Spain all move up into 2^nd place with visa-free access to 190 destinations, and Japanese passport holders join those of six other nations — Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden — in 3^rd place with access to 189 destinations without a prior visa.

The UK appears to have finally turned the corner after a six-year decline, jumping up two places on the latest ranking to 4^th place — a position it last held in 2017. The US, on the other hand, continues its now decade-long slide down the index, plummeting a further two places to 8^th spot with access to just 184 destinations visa-free. Both the UK and the US jointly held 1^st place on the index nearly 10 years ago in 2014, but have been on a downward trajectory ever since. Afghanistan remains entrenched at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, with a visa-free access score of just 27, followed by Iraq (score of 29), and Syria (score of 30) — the three weakest passports in the world.

The general trend over the history of the 18-year-old ranking has been towards greater travel freedom, with the average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023. However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked Singapore able to access 165 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, says only eight countries worldwide have less visa-free access today than they did a decade ago, while others have been more successful in securing greater travel freedom for their citizens. “The UAE has added an impressive 107 destinations to its visa-free score since 2013, resulting in a massive leap of 44 places in the ranking over the past 10 years from 56^th to 12^th position. Of the countries sitting in the Top 10, the US has seen the smallest increase in its score, securing just 12 additional destinations. Singapore, by comparison, has increased its score by 25, pushing it up five places over the past 10 years to number one.”

Commenting in the Henley Global Mobility Report 2023 Q3, released today alongside the latest index, Greg Lindsay from Cornell Tech’s Jacobs Institute, says that from a purely mechanical perspective, “the story is a simple one — by more or less standing still, the US has fallen behind. While its absolute score has in fact risen over the last decade, the US has been steadily overtaken by rivals such as South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. America’s relentless slide down the rankings is a warning to its neighbor Canada and the rest of the Anglosphere as well.”

The links between visa-free access and openness

Henley & Partners has conducted exclusive new research into the relationship between a country’s openness to foreigners — how many nations it allows to cross its borders visa-free — and its own citizens’ travel freedom. The new Henley Openness Index ranks all 199 countries worldwide according to the number of nationalities they permit entry to without a prior visa.

The Top 20 ‘most open’ countries are all small island nations or African states, except for Cambodia. There are 12 countries that are completely open to all passports and four that don’t allow anyone in visa-free. While the correlation between a high openness score and high visa-free access score is not straightforward, it is notable that Singapore and South Korea — high climbers on the Henley Passport Index Top 10 over last decade, moving up from 6^th and 7^th respectively in 2013 to 1^st and 3^rd today — boast relatively high degrees of openness compared to the 5 countries with the biggest disparity between the travel freedom they enjoy, versus the visa-free access they provide to other nationalities. US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan have all either slid down the ranking or remained in the same place as their openness stagnates.

Prof. Peter J. Spiro, who holds the Charles Weiner Chair in international law at Temple University, says America’s extension of visa-free access is low, even by the standard of developed economies. “EU states grant visa-free privileges to more than twice the number of states than does the US. Processing delays, high refusal rates, and a reputation for disagreeable customer service are tarnishing the attractiveness of the US as a destination. Add to that the growing reputation of the US as ridden with gun violence and one can project a long-term trajectory in which US global standing further erodes.”

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July 18, 2023

Changement majeur dans le classement mondial de la puissance des passeports

LONDRES, 18 juill. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pour la première fois en cinq ans, le Japon a été détrôné de la première place du Henley Passport Index pour passer à la 3^e place, selon le dernier classement réalisé sur la base des données exclusives et officielles de l’Assocation internationale du transport aérien (IATA). Désormais, c’est Singapour qui délivre officiellement le passeport le plus puissant au monde, permettant à ses citoyens de visiter 192 destinations sur 227 dans le monde sans visa. L’Allemagne, l’Italie et l’Espagne se hissent toutes à la 2^e place avec un accès sans visa à 190 destinations, et les détenteurs d’un passeport japonais rejoignent la position de six autres pays : l’Autriche, la Finlande, la France, le Luxembourg, la Corée du Sud et la Suède — en 3^e place avec accès à 189 destinations sans visa préalable.

Le Royaume-Uni semble avoir finalement inversé la tendance après une baisse de six années consécutives en regagnant deux places dans le dernier classement pour passer à la 4^e place, une position que le pays a occupé pour la dernière fois en 2017. Les États-Unis, en revanche, poursuivent depuis maintenant une décennie leur dégringolade dans le classement de l’indice, chutant de deux places supplémentaires à la 8^e place avec un accès sans visa à seulement 184 destinations. Il y a près de dix ans, en 2014, le Royaume-Uni et les États-Unis occupaient conjointement la 1^ère place de l’indice, mais ont suivi depuis une trajectoire descendante. L’Afghanistan reste bien ancrée au bas du Henley Passport Index, avec un score d’accès sans visa de seulement 27, suivi de l’Irak (29) et de la Syrie (30), ces trois pays délivrant les passeports les plus faibles au monde.

Au cours des 18 années de l’histoire du classement, la tendance générale a été vers une plus grande liberté de voyager, le nombre moyen de destinations auxquelles les voyageurs peuvent accéder sans visa ayant presque doublé, passant ainsi de 58 en 2006 à 109 en 2023. Cependant, l’écart de mobilité mondiale entre ceux qui se trouvent au sommet de l’indice et ceux qui se trouvent en bas de celui-ci est à présent plus large qu’il ne l’a jamais été, avec Singapour en tête du classement, ce pays pouvant accéder sans visa à 165 destinations de plus que l’Afghanistan.

Christian H. Kaelin, président de Henley & Partners, déclare que seuls huit pays dans le monde disposent d’un accès sans visa plus limité aujourd’hui qu’il y a dix ans, tandis que d’autres pays ont mieux réussi à obtenir une plus grande liberté de déplacement pour leurs citoyens. « Les Émirats arabes unis ont ajouté le nombre impressionnant de 107 destinations supplémentaires à leur accès sans visa depuis 2013, ce qui a entraîné un bond massif de 44 places dans le classement au cours des 10 dernières années, passant de la 56^e à la 12^e position. Parmi les pays figurant dans le Top 10, les États-Unis ont enregistré la plus faible augmentation de leur score, n’obtenant que douze destinations supplémentaires. Singapour, en comparaison, a augmenté son score de 25 destinations supplémentaires, faisant grimper ce pays de cinq places au cours des dix dernières années pour devenir numéro un du classement. »

Greg Lindsay de l’Institut Jacobs de Cornell Tech, commentant le Henley Global Mobility Report 2023 Q3, publié aujourd’hui en même temps que le dernier indice, déclare que d’un point de vue purement mécanique, « l’explication est toute simple : en restant plus ou moins dans l’immobilisme, les États-Unis ont pris du retard. Alors que leur score absolu a en réalité augmenté au cours de la dernière décennie, les États-Unis ont été régulièrement dépassés par des rivaux tels que la Corée du Sud, le Japon et Singapour. La chute incessante de l’Amérique dans le classement est un avertissement pour son voisin, le Canada, ainsi que pour le reste de l’anglosphère. »

Les liens entre accès sans visa et ouverture

Henley & Partners a mené de nouvelles recherches exclusives sur la relation qui existe entre l’ouverture d’un pays aux étrangers – à combien de nations il permet de traverser ses frontières sans visa – et la liberté de voyager de ses propres citoyens. Le nouveau Henley Openness Index classe les 199 pays du monde en fonction du nombre de nationalités auxquelles ils autorisent l’entrée sans visa préalable sur leur territoire.

Le Top 20 des pays « les plus ouverts » sont tous des petits États insulaires ou des États africains, à l’exception du Cambodge. On dénombre ainsi douze pays complètement ouverts à tous les passeports, et quatre autres qui n’autorisent personne à entrer sur leur territoire sans visa. Bien que la corrélation entre un score d’ouverture élevé et un score d’accès sans visa élevé ne soit pas toujours simple, il est à noter que Singapour et la Corée du Sud – qui enregistrent les meilleures progressions du Top 10 du Henley Passport Index au cours de la dernière décennie en passant de la 6^e et de la 7^e place respectivement en 2013 à la 1^e et à la 3^e place aujourd’hui – affichent des degrés d’ouverture relativement élevés par rapport aux cinq pays présentant la plus grande disparité entre la liberté de voyager dont ils bénéficient et l’accès sans visa qu’ils offrent aux autres nationalités. Les États-Unis, le Canada, l’Australie, la Nouvelle-Zélande et le Japon ont tous reculé dans le classement ou sont restés à la même position parce que leur degré d’ouverture a stagné.

Le professeur Peter J. Spiro, titulaire de la chaire Charles Weiner de droit international à l’université Temple, affirme que l’extension de l’accès sans visa proposée par les États-Unis est faible, même par rapport à la norme des économies développées. « Les États de l’UE accordent des privilèges sans visa à plus de deux fois plus d’États que ne le font les États-Unis. Les retards de traitement, les taux de refus élevés et la réputation d’un service client désagréable ternissent l’attrait des États-Unis en tant que destination. Si l’on ajoute à cela la réputation croissante des États-Unis en tant que pays en proie à la violence armée, on peut envisager une trajectoire à long terme dans laquelle la position mondiale des États-Unis s’érode davantage encore. »

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July 18, 2023

Grande Mudança na Classificação Mundial de Passaportes

LONDRES, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O Japão foi destituído do primeiro lugar no Henley Passport Index pela primeira vez em cinco anos e esbarrou no 3^º lugar, de acordo com a última classificação, que é baseada em dados exclusivos e oficiais da Associação Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA). Agora, Cingapura possui oficialmente o passaporte mais poderoso do mundo, com seus cidadãos podendo visitar 192 destinos de um total de 227 ao redor do mundo, sem a necessidade de visto. Alemanha, Itália e Espanha sobem para o 2^º lugar, com acesso sem visto a 190 destinos, e os portadores de passaporte japonês se juntam aos de outras seis nações — Áustria, Finlândia, França, Luxemburgo, Coreia do Sul e Suécia — em 3^ºlugar, com acesso a 189 destinos sem visto prévio.

O Reino Unido parece ter finalmente dado a volta por cima depois de um declínio de seis anos, saltando duas posições na última classificação para o 4^º lugar — uma posição que ocupou pela última vez em 2017. Os EUA, por outro lado, continuam sua queda de uma década no índice, despencando mais duas posições para o 8^º lugar, com acesso a apenas 184 destinos sem visto. Tanto o Reino Unido quanto os EUA ocupavam juntos o 1^º lugar no índice há quase 10 anos, em 2014, mas estão em uma trajetória de queda desde então. O Afeganistão continua entrincheirado na parte inferior do Henley Passport Index, com uma pontuação de acesso sem visto de apenas 27, seguido pelo Iraque (pontuação de 29) e Síria (pontuação de 30) — os três passaportes mais fracos do mundo.

A tendência geral ao longo da história da classificação de 18 anos tem sido no sentido de uma maior liberdade de viagens, com o número médio de destinos que os viajantes conseguem acessar sem visto quase duplicando, de 58 em 2006 para 109 em 2023. No entanto, a diferença de mobilidade global entre aqueles que estão no topo e na base do índice é agora maior do que nunca, com Cingapura no primeiro lugar capaz de acessar 165 destinos a mais, sem visto, do que o Afeganistão.

O Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, presidente da Henley & Partners, diz que apenas oito países em todo o mundo têm menos acesso sem visto hoje do que há uma década, enquanto outros foram mais bem-sucedidos em garantir maior liberdade de viagem para seus cidadãos. “Os Emirados Árabes Unidos adicionaram impressionantes 107 destinos à sua pontuação sem visto desde 2013, resultando em um salto maciço de 44 posições na classificação nos últimos 10 anos, da 56^ª para a 12^ª posição. Dos países que estão no Top 10, os EUA tiveram o menor aumento em sua pontuação, garantindo apenas 12 destinos adicionais. Cingapura, em comparação, aumentou sua pontuação em 25, empurrando-a cinco posições nos últimos 10 anos para o número um.”

Comentando no Henley Global Mobility Report 2023 Q3, divulgado hoje junto com o último índice, Greg Lindsay do Jacobs Institute da Cornell Tech, diz que, de uma perspectiva puramente mecânica, “a história é simples: ao ficarem mais ou menos parados, os EUA ficaram para trás. Embora sua pontuação absoluta tenha de fato aumentado na última década, os EUA têm sido constantemente ultrapassados por rivais como Coreia do Sul, Japão e Cingapura. A queda implacável dos Estados Unidos na classificação é um alerta para seu vizinho Canadá e para o resto da Anglosfera também.”

As ligações entre a isenção de vistos e a abertura

A Henley & Partners realizou uma nova pesquisa exclusiva sobre a relação entre a abertura de um país a estrangeiros — quantas nações ele permite cruzar suas fronteiras sem visto — e a liberdade de viagem de seus próprios cidadãos. O novo Henley Openness Index classifica todos os 199 países em todo o mundo de acordo com o número de nacionalidades que permitem a entrada sem visto prévio.

Os 20 países “mais abertos” são todas as pequenas nações insulares ou estados africanos, exceto o Camboja. Há 12 países que estão completamente abertos a todos os passaportes e quatro que não permitem que ninguém fique sem visto. Embora a correlação entre uma alta pontuação de abertura e alta pontuação de acesso sem visto não seja direta, é notável que Cingapura e Coreia do Sul — os que mais subiram no Henley Passport Index Top 10 na última década, passando de 6^º e 7^º respectivamente em 2013 para 1^º e 3^º hoje — ostentam graus relativamente altos de abertura em comparação com os 5 países com a maior disparidade entre a liberdade de viagem de que desfrutam, versus o acesso sem visto que proporcionam a outras nacionalidades. EUA, Canadá, Austrália, Nova Zelândia e Japão caíram na classificação ou permaneceram no mesmo lugar com a estagnação de sua abertura.

O Prof. Peter J. Spiro, que ocupa a Cátedra Charles Weiner de Direito Internacional na Temple University, diz que a extensão do acesso americano à isenção de vistos é baixa, mesmo para o padrão das economias desenvolvidas. “Os países da UE concedem privilégios de isenção de visto a mais do dobro do número de países do que os EUA. Atrasos no processamento, altas taxas de recusa e uma reputação de atendimento ao cliente desagradável estão manchando a atratividade dos EUA como destino. Acrescente-se a isso a crescente reputação dos EUA como dominados pela violência armada e pode-se projetar uma trajetória de longo prazo em que a posição global dos EUA se desgasta ainda mais.”

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July 18, 2023

Ex-Twitter Ghana employee having ‘anxiety attacks’

Some of Twitter’s former employees in Africa have told the BBC that they are tired of the drawn-out negotiations over their severance pay.

On Monday we reported that the social media company had been silent since May on all negotiations with the ex-employees’ lawyers following the massive lay-offs in November last year.

Now some of those affected have been speaking to the BBC on the condition of anonymity.

“Some of the decisions made during the negotiations [with Twitter] including the three months’ severance package wasn’t our desire but people want to get over this phase,” one ex-employee said.

For many of the former staff of Twitter’s office in Africa, the silence, along with the attitude of the organisation towards them and their legal representatives, has caused much distress. One person said it had led to “anxiety attacks”.

Some had moved their families from other countries to begin a new life in Ghana as a result of the new job.

“I know I’m entitled to my severance and other benefits, but I’m not waiting on it to move on with my life,” another former employee said.

Twitter opened its only Africa office in Ghana last November and had about a dozen employees but they were then laid off as part of a global staff cull introduced by Elon Musk when he bought the company.

The BBC’s email requesting comment from the company’s press office got an automated response of a poop emoji.

Source: BBC

July 18, 2023

Why Ronaldo and Messi are leading the trends on social media

A recent interview by Portuguese football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo has catapulted him and his perceived rival Lionel Andres Messi to the top trends on social media.

The two footballing greats are competing for the top spot on social media platform, Twitter after Ronaldo made comments that many believe to be a dig at Messi.

In an interview published in the late hours of Monday, July 17, 2023, Ronaldo stated that the Saudi league is ahead of America’s Major League Soccer.

In the said interview, Ronaldo credits himself for being the major factor behind the sudden interest in the Saudi Arabian league by footballers which has seen some of the game’s biggest stars dump European football for the middle east.

“My decision to join Saudi clubs was 100% crucial to bring in new top players. It’s a fact. When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived. Wherever Cristiano goes he generates higher interest”.

“Saudi league is better than MLS. I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league… and now all the players are coming here”, he said.

His statement, as expected has generated heated arguments on social media as many believe he was aiming a shade at Lionel Messi who has moved to MLS side Inter Miami.

Fans of the two footballers are bantering seriously on social media over the claim by Ronaldo.

Messi fans believe that Ronaldo’s statement is a sign of pettiness and unbefitting of his status.

Ronaldo’s fans also believe that he was right with the statement and that the Saudi League as it stands is ahead of the MLS.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr was defeated by 5-0 by Celta Vigo in a pre-season friendly.

Source: Ghana Web

July 18, 2023

Watch video of Abedi Pele with Dede Ayew’s son at all-stars game

It was a father, son and grandpa affair when the Ayews showed up for an All-Stars football match at the Nania park on the University of Ghana campus.

Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew showed up with his son and his father the Abedi Ayew Pele later joined him to witness the match.

The three generations of the Ayews were present as Andre Ayew played in the match that featured Black Stars players Mubarak Wakaso, Afriyie Acquah among others.

Muniru Sulley the brother of Sulley Muntari and ex-Zamalek forward Benjamin Acheampong played on the side of the Black team who wore featured a number of stars.

The team in white featured players like former Asante Kotoko players Christopher Nettey and Imoro Ibrahim.

Stephen Appiah’s son who plays for Great Olympics was also part of the white team as well as Frank Assinki who won the U20 AFCON with Ghana in 2021.

The match was watched by many Ghana football stars like Tony Baffoe, and Fatawu Dauda.

The team in white scored the first goal through former Al Hilal player, Imoro Ibrahim who scored a brilliant curler from 18 yards in the second half.

The team in white tried to get the equalizer on many occasions and managed to win a penalty but Afriyie Acquah squandered the opportunity as he balloon the ball.

Mubarak Wakaso set up Andre Ayew in the final minutes of the game to score the late equalizer for the match to end 1-1.

After the match, the Ayew family were mobbed by some fans who wanted to autographs and pictures with the family.

Source: Ghana Web

July 18, 2023

Why my sports newspaper collapsed – Dan Kwaku Yeboah reveals

Sports Broadcaster and Head of Sports at the Despite Media Group, Dan Kweku Yeboah has revealed his newspaper business collapsed.

Kwaku Yeboah was the Managing Editor of Ghana Sports Newspaper, one of the thriving private sports newspapers which covered stories o the local and international scene.

However, after a few years in the print business, the seasoned sports journalist narrated how the business collapsed.

Speaking on the Peace FM morning show with Kwame Sefa Kayi, Dan said “When I was in the printing business, I quite remember my top printer who did all my printing jobs will refuse to answer my phone calls because he is drunk. When I confront him, he will say boss if you see my mood now, I can’t work today unless tomorrow. You have gone to borrow the printer to work and the worker is not ready, you run at a loss”, he said.

Dan is well-known for being named National Best Radio Commentator three times (2004,2005, and 2008) by the Media Trust Awards, as well as Best Presenter at the Coca-Cola World Cup Launch.

In July 2018 the renowned broadcaster was appointed spokesperson for the FIFA/CAF liaison team which was mandated to manage football in Ghana following the dissolution of the Ghana Football Association Executive Committee following the Anas Aremeyaw expose.

After the end of the Liaison Team era, he was appointed as the spokesperson for the FIFA Normalization Committee.

In October 2020 he was named as a member of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2023 African Games.

Source: Ghana Web

July 18, 2023

You bugged me for 7 months to marry you, I met your family and your son lives with me – Ayisha Modi fires back

Ayisha Modi has shared her side of the story following Abass Sarki’s latest outbursts.

Abass Sariki, in a recent development, was captured in a viral video insisting that no romantic relationship whatsoever exists between him and Ayisha Modi.

The popular business tycoon cum Sowutuom Chief, outlined his stance, following claims that he is married to the popular socialite, but this time around, in a fury approach.

“We have never been in a relationship. Ayisha is a friend and a sister. She is not my wife! This issue makes my heart ache! I can’t ever marry her and it’s time she takes it out of her mind.

“Maybe she likes me, that’s why she keeps mentioning my name. if she has feelings for me, she should keep it in a bible and pray over it and even God will never permit it. She should stop mentioning my name anyhow. If she is depressed, I am a mental man. Tell her not to try me. I need to focus on other important things. She keeps embarrassing me. Mentioning my name anyhow,” Abass fumed in an interview with Daily view GH.

But in a sharp response, Ayisha, insists that she and Abass Sariki are romantically involved with each other.

According to her, Abass approached her on their first day of meeting, with a marriage proposal.

In a Tik Tok live, Ayisha said it took her 6 to 7 months to accept Abass’ marriage proposal and this was because she felt it was too hasty.

“He took me to his mother and told her he intends to marry me. He took me to his first wife and did same. I asked him why he kept taking me around his family members when I had not even accepted his proposal. It took me 6 to 7 months to accept his proposal and my birthday in 2020 was when we started our love journey. He told me in Islam, any woman who is set to marry a man with wives must first appease his other wives. There is a rite for that. I bought all the items needed and did exactly that. He didn’t approach me with a dating proposal. He told me from day one that he wanted to marry me.

Sharing more details to buttress her points, she also claimed that he brought his son to live with her.

“He even brought his child to come live with me. If you come to my house, I have pictures of him in my living room and vice versa. I have been to his hometown and have been introduced to his mother’s family as the woman he intends to marry. He came to see my family and we even set a date for the wedding ceremony and all that,” she added.

Source: Ghana Web