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NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Last week the Isle of Man government introduced new work permit rules which it says are destined to make the Island more ‘business friendly’.

Control of Employment regulations that have existed on Mann for decades are an important protection for Manx working people and there is general support for the so called ‘work permit system’. However the regulations have not been liked by some elements of government or the business community for well over two decades but previous attempts to dismantle the regulations failed miserably.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Even Ukrainians locked in a conflict with their major energy supplier Russia currently have a better deal on gas prices than the Manx people.

Following revelations this week that Manx Gas would simultaneously cut prices but increase standing charges if we are not there already Manx people are certainly close to facing the highest prices in Europe for Gas.

In such a situation one would have thought the government would be taking a lead role in addressing what may as autumn turns to winter become a crisis.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

“We don’t think Putin will be too alarmed at the next few days of sabre-rattling by NATO. It appears some of the French ‘sabres’ are a bit rusty!”

Looks like Vladimir Putin hasn’t got a lot to fear from the French Navy. With much vaunted NATO Exercise Joint Warrior (JW 15-2) just twenty four hours from getting underway it looks as if the French Aeronavale maritime reconnaissance participation has had to go home!

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

There is concern that jamming of GPS during the NATO Joint Warrior (JW 15-2) exercise which starts this weekend could pose a danger.

The major land, sea and air exercise will be one of the largest held for several years and ships, submarines and aircraft are already gathering ahead of the official exercise start time on Monday 5th October.

During the first stage of the exercise (JW 15-1) in April a Co Down fishing vessel was snagged by a Royal Navy submarine (although it was several weeks before responsibility was admitted).

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Eventually after much trumpeting and a ‘media love-in’ that had become almost nauseating at times the Manx Reserve Force has ‘dug in’ at a disused school on the Isle of Man.

The Reserves have unveiled ‘50’ new recruits although figures are distorted somewhat by talk of 150 expressions of interest after ‘military-fest’ on Douglas promenade in the spring of this year.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Celtic League have written to the Canadian High Commissioner expressing outrage that Canadian authorities tried to resolve via a ‘back room deal’ allegations about a so called ‘tax sham’ involving the Isle of Man which was exposed via the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Earlier this week CBC in an update said ‘confidential discussions’ between authorities and the firm involved had broken down and the matter was proceeding in the Federal Courts (see link):

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The ‘KPMG Tax Sham’ involving the Isle of Man reported last month by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation continues to reverberate according to further reports by the Corporation.

It is now understood up to 25 people may have used the ‘tax plan’ which Canadian Revenue authorities are pursing.

CBC also report that attempts to settle the issue quietly have broken down (link):

Manx Gaelic singer, Ruth Keggin, is well known for her success as both a solo performer and as part of a number of vocal groups, including Nish as Rish, Caarjyn Cooidjagh and the Ruth Keggin Band, but a recent collaboration with fellow singers from Ireland and Scotland has moved her career into a new dimension.

Re-uniting the Scottish, Irish and Manx Gaels into a successful vocal partnership, this revolutionary combination moulds all that is best from each nation's musical heritage into something extraordinary.

With the recently refurbished Sailors' Shelter in Peel gaining a reputation as an exhibition venue, the Isle of Man Guild of Silk Painters became one of the latest organisations to exhibit there; showing how art can be inspired in many ways.

Core members of the Isle of Man Guild of Silk Painters put on a colourful display, which explored the different techniques which can be achieved in this medium.

As those charged with looking at the future role of St Paul's Church in Foxdale consider how best to keep it a part of village life, it became a temporary setting for an exhibition with an unusual theme.

Women in Motorsport was originally exhibited at the Manx Museum before it was transferred to the west of the Island during the Festival of Motorcycling.

The exhibition covered a broad church, highlighting a number of areas in motorsport where women had made their mark and continue to do so.