Author: Opalim Lifted

Canada will more than double the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students on January 1, 2024, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) Marc Miller announced on Thursday. Under the current requirement, which has been in place since the early 2000s, study permit applicants need to show they have $10,000 saved to cover their tuition and the cost of living in Canada. However, Miller said the financial requirement hasn’t kept up with the cost of living over time, resulting in students arriving in Canada only to learn that their funds aren’t adequate. “Moving to a more accurate cost of…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has arrested a syndicate of four persons who specialize in vandalising armoured cables and other electrical installations in and around the Awka metropolis. The Public Relations Officer, NSCDC, Okadigbo Edwin, issued a press statement on Friday. Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Awka on Friday, Osuala said the arrest followed credible information received from a concerned citizen who saw a group of persons evacuating armoured cables from an electrical installation in Awka. He said, “At about 0630 hours on Monday, November 4, 2023, the command received a…

French authorities have arrested two men for allegedly scamming elderly people into paying thousands of euros for unnecessary bedbug treatment. Police in Strasbourg said the men would go to their victims’ homes, carry out phoney control services, and then overcharge for bedbug treatment products. They added that 48 people had been scammed altogether, many of them women over 90. Recent months have seen a rise in bedbug infestations across France. The issue has sparked concern across the country, with senior government officials working on measures to address it. Entomologists and health experts have warned that the bedbug outbreak has also…

The stress test conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown that eight commercial banks have fallen short of the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) required for international authorization. The depreciation of the naira against the dollar and other foreign currencies has put pressure on the affected banks to raise their capital base and bridge the gap. Through its 2021 guidelines, the CBN mandated the deposit money banks to maintain a prudential CAR of 10 percent for national and regional banks. Individuals with international authorization must uphold a 15 percent regulatory CAR. However, the CBN report showed a decline…

Santos, Pele’s former club, suffered their first relegation in their 111-year history on Wednesday after losing 2-1 at home to Fortaleza in the final round of Brazil’s Serie A. The city team, along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo, fell to 17th place in the standings with 43 points, shattering their record of never experiencing relegation from Brazil’s top flight, as a result of a dismal five-game winless streak. The 20-team division had already assured relegation for America Mineiro, Coritiba, and Goias. City Football Group-owned Bahia secured their top-flight status with a resounding 4-1 win over Atletico Mineiro, while Vasco da…

Scott McTominay scored twice at Old Trafford for the second time this season to secure a precious victory for Manchester United and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. The Scotland midfielder’s latest effort against Chelsea was not as thrilling as the two he scored in injury time to beat Brentford in October. But on a night when United contrived to waste a succession of chances, including a Bruno Fernandes penalty, amid a total of 28 shots, it was just as welcome. McTominay’s first effort was an instinctive strike from 12 yards as the rebound from Harry Maguire’s blocked…

Leon Bailey’s deflected shot gave Aston Villa a fully deserved victory over Manchester City as the visitors’ recent slump in form continued. Aston Villa were superior throughout against the lacklustre champions, who have now gone four Premier League games without a win for the first time in more than seven years. Man City once again missed the influence of the suspended Rodri, having lost their last five games when the Spaniard has been unavailable, but nothing must detract from an outstanding Villa performance, which confirmed their stunning development under the management of Unai Emery. Aston Villa were fearless going forward…

Liverpool spoiled Chris Wilder’s Bramall Lane homecoming to remain hot on the heels of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Wilder, who led Sheffield United to two promotions in a five-year reign before an unceremonious departure in 2021, received a raucous reaction from the Blades faithful on his return to the dugout. However, swept home a side-footed volley from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner to quell the vociferous home support, despite Blades appeals that he had fouled Anel Ahmedhodzic prior to doing so. There was also an element of controversy about the Reds’ second goal in stoppage time, as Darwin Nunez’s hefty challenge on…

Protesters stormed the National Assembly premises in Abuja on Wednesday over the killing of innocent citizens by a military drone in Kaduna on Sunday. The protesters, who besieged the National Assembly entrance gate for over two hours, demanded justice for victims of the bombing and asked the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to either live up to his responsibility or throw in the towel. A drone of the Nigerian Army bombed a gathering of residents who were celebrating Maulud Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of over 90 villagers in Tudun Biri in Rigasa District of Igabi Local Government Area…

Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, says being a Nigerian is “tough.” The singer, however, noted that, despite how tough it is, if one utilizes their talent and takes it to places where it would be appreciated, it is an honour. She went on to describe being a Nigerian woman as “a miracle,” adding that Nigerian women are blessed and special to her. Tems made this known in a recent interview with Kiss FM, London, United Kingdom. She said, “Being a Nigerian woman is a miracle. Because being a Nigerian, for anybody, is tough. But I think if…