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.
A devastating fire has swept through a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya, leaving at least 16 students dead and dozens more injured in one of the country’s worst school tragedies in recent years.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Utumishi Girls Academy, located in Nakuru County, roughly 120 kilometres north of Nairobi. Authorities said the fire broke out around 1:00 a.m. while about 220 students were asleep inside the dormitory.
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Emergency responders, including the Kenyan Red Cross and local security agencies, rushed to the scene and evacuated survivors.
At least 73 students have been hospitalised with varying degrees of burns and smoke inhalation, while rescue operations and search efforts continued into the morning.
Police sources said the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations have been launched to determine what triggered the deadly blaze.
The affected dormitory has since been cordoned off as forensic teams examine the scene.
Parents gathered anxiously outside the school as authorities worked to account for all students. Officials have urged calm, assuring that full details will be released once investigations are completed.
The tragedy adds to a troubling history of school dormitory fires in Kenya, where boarding schools remain common.
In previous years, similar incidents have raised serious concerns about safety standards and emergency preparedness in educational institutions.
Government officials are expected to revisit school safety regulations following the latest disaster.
Global oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday following reports of a new United States military strike on Iran, raising fresh concerns over stability in the Middle East and possible disruptions to global energy supplies.
Brent crude rose significantly in early trading, while West Texas Intermediate also recorded gains as investors reacted to renewed hostilities and uncertainty around the fragile ceasefire in the region.
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According to reports, the latest US action included targeted strikes on Iranian positions following a series of drone and maritime incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military described its operations as “measured and defensive,” aimed at preventing further escalation and protecting strategic interests in the region.
The developments triggered immediate reactions across global financial markets, with Asian stocks mostly declining amid fears that prolonged conflict could disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for nearly a fifth of global crude supply.
Market analysts warn that sustained instability could push energy prices even higher, fueling inflationary pressures worldwide and potentially forcing central banks to maintain tighter monetary policies.
In Asia, major indices recorded losses, while tech-driven gains in select markets were overshadowed by broader investor caution. Safe-haven assets strengthened slightly as traders moved away from riskier positions.
Economists say the situation remains highly volatile, with conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran adding to uncertainty.
Any further escalation, they caution, could send oil prices even higher and deepen global economic pressure.
For now, investors are closely watching diplomatic developments and military activity in the region, as the world braces for possible further shocks to energy markets.
The United States has issued its strongest travel advisory against Uganda, warning citizens to completely avoid travel to the country due to an ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease.
In the updated alert, the United States Department of State upgraded Uganda’s travel status to Level 4, the highest risk classification, which is widely understood as a “Do Not Travel” warning.
The decision was based on serious health threats and the rapid spread of the virus in affected areas.
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Authorities also warned of the risk of cross-border transmission, noting that continued movement across neighbouring countries could worsen the situation despite ongoing containment efforts.
Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had placed Uganda under a lower-level health advisory, advising travellers to take standard precautions.
However, a surge in infections and deteriorating conditions led to the tightening of restrictions.
Meanwhile, Ugandan authorities have stepped up emergency response measures, including stricter border surveillance, movement restrictions in affected zones, and reductions in public transportation and market activities in high-risk areas.
Health agencies remain on high alert as the outbreak continues to raise concern over possible regional spread across East Africa.
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