The 2024 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development International Migration Outlook report has shown that the top three nationalities for the Health and Care visa for 2023 were Indians, Nigerians, and Zimbabweans. Each edition provides the latest statistical information on immigrant stocks and flows, immigrants in the labour market, and migration policies. “The Health and Care visa for accompanying family members accounted for the bulk of the increase. Starting March 2024, new care workers under the Health and Care visa are no longer eligible to sponsor accompanying dependents. “Labour migration to the United States (excluding accompanying family) fell quite sharply in 2023 compared to 2022 (by -43 per cent, to 82,000).

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pledged to revamp the state’s security architecture and flush out criminal elements following recent attacks on security personnel in the state. “If you are a criminal in Abia State, whether you call yourself a bandit, a kidnapper, or anything else, this state will not be safe for you. The governor reassured residents, visitors, and investors that his administration was committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state. “I want to assure everyone in Abia that the government is more than capable of addressing any security challenges. The governor also extended his condolences to the Nigerian Army and police over the loss of personnel in recent attacks at Ekenobizi, Ubakala, and Ohafia.

The latest vote of no confidence came from SBM Intelligence Africa Country Instability Risk Index which classified the country as vulnerable to instability in its 2024 report. Nigeria dropped six points on the Risk Index this year, scoring 45 compared with 39 in 2023. According to SBM Intelligence, a higher score in the risk index means a higher level of political risk to business. The report highlights Nigeria’s deteriorating economic environment, worsened by factors such as rising food inflation, insecurity, and rising poverty level as the drivers of instability in the country. Analysis of the 2024 SBM Intelligence Africa Country Instability Risk Index, shows that Sub-Saharan Africa recorded an average of 45.4 per cent in 2024, an improvement from 47.7 per cent in the previous year.

Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju admitted on Saturday to “some nerves” ahead of his quest to become the youngest undisputed world chess champion. The 18-year-old will begin a best-of-14 series for the title against reigning champion Ding Liren of China on Monday in Singapore. “The world championship is a very special event and I have been looking forward to being here since I first began to play chess,” he told reporters. Victory in Singapore would see the teenager surpass Garry Kasparov, who was just 22 when he beat Anatoly Karpov in 1985 to be crowned world champion for the first time. “The last time, in my first world championship match, I was very nervous,” he said.

Photograph: Rodger Bosch/AFP/Getty ImagesI married a farmer, Jan, and we did irrigation farming for 21 years in another area. In 2012, we had a severe flood on the farm, and then no rain for the next five years. About the series This is climate breakdown was put together in collaboration with the Climate Disaster Project at University of Victoria, Canada, and the International Red Cross. There were farmers and farm workers that did not have enough food on the tables every day, so we supplied them with humanitarian aid, assisted by Gift of the Givers. This testimonial was produced with the help of the Climate Disaster Project; thanks to Sean Holman, Aldyn Chwelos, Darren Schuettler, Ricardo Garcia, Cristine Gerk, Tracy Sherlock and Lisa Taylor.

Natural gas powers more than 175,000 vehicles in the United States and 23 million vehicles worldwide. Particularly, Nigeria must shift her focus away from fossil-fuel and do everything possible to encourage gas-powered and electric vehicles (EVs) deployment. Switching to natural gas can reduce hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Report has shown that vehicles that use compressed natural gas (CNG) can reduce their GHG emissions by 13-18 per cent. Natural gas vehicles offer additional air quality and environmental justice benefits too.

Sharing his experiences, the CEO of Autoproject, Raymond Iyoha, a dealer partner with Cars45, said: “Our biggest challenge was getting the right car to buy. But since partnering with Cars45, when it comes to verification, I’m rest assured.”Levi Bereiweriso, a business owner who specialises in selling cars on Jiji, narrated how he experienced firsthand the benefits of selling online. “Jiji has really helped me to stay connected, to stay competitive in the car-selling business. I’ve sold numerous cars to customers all over Nigeria and made profits. Jiji helped me begin with small ads on their platform and over time.I was able to increase my investment as my business expanded.”

Monday Okpebholo to recover government vehicles, Mr Kelly Okungbowa, on Friday declared over 200 vehicles missing. He stated that the committee had within 24 hours recovered three vehicles in a private residence in Benin. He disclosed that in one of the Toyota Hiace buses, the committee recovered some palliatives which were meant to have been distributed to Edo people. ”I am glad to announce to you that we have recovered one Hilux and two Toyota Hiace buses in private custody. “This is not private property but the property of Edo citizens and it is not good for a private individual to steal government property,” he said.

A block of classrooms at Limawa Day Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, was engulfed in flames on Thursday evening. The fire was swiftly brought under control by firefighters from the Niger State Federal Fire Service. Eyewitnesses reported that a group of young boys often gathered in the school premises to smoke hemp. “Yesterday, they dropped a burning butt in one of the classrooms, which eventually ignited the fire,” Mohammed said. My suspicion is that the fire may have been caused by some of the neighbours or intruders, as the school premises are encroached upon,” he said.

The House of Representatives members who sponsored the bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for a six-year single term for president have resolved to reintroduce the bill. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill sought the introduction of a six-year single term for the president, governors and local government chairmen. Mr Ugochinyere, who leads 34 other lawmakers, advocating a single term of six years, however, said that all hope was not lost on the bill, as more consultations would be done. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. “If power rotates, it will help de-escalate political tensions, and a six-year single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders to focus on delivering their democratic mandate,” he said.

Because with inflation businesses and households usually perform poorly, and expectedly more money is paid for the same goods and services. However, it was mainly instigated by the continuous rise in the level of inflation rate in Nigeria in recent times. The consequences and impact of inflation (price instability) in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized, we can all feel it. In recent times we have noticed a daily rise in all price of commodities and food prices which is already manifesting as a cost of living crisis. Therefore, investing is key to hedge against a sharp inflation impact because it erodes the value of savings if funds are just left in the bank accounts.

The US government late Wednesday asked a judge to order the dismantling of Google by selling its widely used Chrome browser in a major antitrust crackdown on the internet giant. Justice officials “chose to push a radical interventionist agenda,” Google president of global affairs Kent Walker said in response to the filing. These deals involve substantial payments to secure Google’s search engine as the default option on browsers, iPhones, and other devices. The judge determined that this arrangement provided Google with unparalleled access to user data, enabling it to develop its search engine into a globally dominant platform. From this position, Google expanded its tech and data-gathering empire to include the Chrome browser, Maps, and the Android smartphone operating system.

Location Union Island, the CaribbeanDisaster Hurricane BerylRoseman Adams, a nature conservation officer and part of the island’s disaster preparedness committee, was at home on Union Island when Hurricane Beryl hit on 2 July. It was the earliest-forming category 5 hurricane on record, demolishing almost all of the buildings on the island of 2,500 people. View image in fullscreen Damage caused by Hurricane Beryl on Union Island in July 2024. Hurricane Beryl has opened our eyes to the forces of nature and what is likely to happen in years to come. Hurricane Beryl pressed the reset button and has given us an opportunity to build back stronger and more prepared, but we can’t do that without outside help.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited says it has commenced sales of its latest crude oil grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, to international refiners, six months after it began exploration. It said the development is a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and economic growth efforts. Produced from the Utapate field in the Oil Mining Lease 13 in Akwa Ibom State, the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to the Nembe crude oil grade. He said in bringing the new crude oil blend to the global market, the NNPCL wanted to optimise value for both its producers and counterparties across the globe. The entry of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market is coming barely a year after the NNPCL announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the NNPC/Aiteo operated OML 29 Joint Venture.

As part of efforts to strengthen institutions and hold public officers accountable, Project Lead, Private Sector Development for Democracy (PSDdF), Joy Lawal, has stressed the need to promote ethical journalism in the country. Country Director of the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Lola Adekanye, identified other priority areas as capacity development and civic education, corruption and private sector accountability and land tenure reforms. Adekanye added that there is also a need to tell stories of companies that do business with integrity. He added that there must be consequences for good and bad behaviours. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Business Council, Margaret Olele, disclosed that PSDdF’s main objective is to develop and advocate the National Agenda for Democratic Strengthening to foster economic growth and shared prosperity.