International News
France Joins UK, Canada In Toughening Immigration Rules Against Nigerians
France has enacted stringent immigration regulations, aligning with the United Kingdom and Canada, targeting international students, including Nigerians.
The newly passed law impedes students from bringing their families to France and introduces a tougher immigration policy, delaying access to welfare benefits for migrants.
The legislation also prohibits detaining minors in detention centers, though leaders from a third of French regions have expressed reluctance to comply with specific measures in the law. Controversially, the provision distinguishes between citizens and migrants, affecting eligibility for benefits even for those residing legally in the country.
Following the footsteps of the United Kingdom, which implemented a no-dependant restriction on international students in May, Nigerian students face limited options for their study abroad plans. The UK’s decision was prompted by a surge in net migration, reaching one million individuals, leading Conservative MPs to urge urgent action to regain control over immigration figures.
Nigerian students, traditionally significant contributors to the UK’s international student community, had started exploring alternatives in the European zone, with France being a consideration. However, the new French immigration policy further narrows their options.
Additionally, the alternative route of the skilled worker visa in the UK has undergone changes. In December, Home Secretary James Cleverly raised the minimum salary requirement for the visa, making it £38,700, higher than the existing median average salary for a full-time worker in Britain. The changes also affect health and social care workers, exempting them from the salary increase but preventing them from bringing family dependents.
Canada has also joined the tightening of immigration rules. Starting January 2024, international students must show proof of funds amounting to ₦16,050,000.0000 ($20,000), more than double the previous requirement. This adjustment, the first since the early 2000s, applies to cover 75% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), tuition, and travel costs for a single applicant’s first year.
While implementing these changes, Canada extended the waiver on the 20-hour per week work cap for international students until April 30, 2024. This extension is applicable to students already present in Canada and those who submitted a study permit application as of December 7th, 2023, allowing them to work more than the usual 20 hours per week during class sessions.
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
SEE ALSO: How the Strait of Hormuz Attack Could Trigger a Fresh Global Oil Shock
According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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