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UK Visa Applications Drops 35% Following Introduction of New Immigration Rules

United Kingdom Visa

Over the past year, the United Kingdom has experienced a significant 35 percent decline in visa applications, following the enforcement of stricter immigration rules designed to limit the number of foreign nationals entering the country.

Data released by the Home Office on Thursday, August 8, 2024, shows that visa applications decreased from 141,000 to 91,000 after the new regulations were implemented in January 2024.

The policy changes, introduced in December 2023, were specifically aimed at international students, preventing them from bringing dependants unless they were enrolled in postgraduate research programs or government-sponsored scholarship schemes.

This initiative was part of a larger government strategy to reduce immigration, which had surged to a record 1.22 million last year.

The consequences of these restrictions have been especially evident in the education sector.

From January to July 2024, study visa applications decreased by 16 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Even more notably, there was an 81 percent reduction in visa applications from students’ dependents, highlighting the significant impact of the new regulations.

The healthcare sector has been significantly impacted, with Health and Care Worker visa applications dropping by 80 percent during this time.

This decline came after a surge in applications when care workers were included in the skilled worker visa category in 2022.

However, the trend changed after August 2023, with applications decreasing to only 2,900 by July 2024.

“Monthly numbers of Health and Care Worker visa applications from main applicants increased from 4,100 to 18,300 between February 2022 and August 2023, following the addition of care workers to the skilled worker visa. Applications have decreased since August 2023, falling to 2,900 in July 2024,” the report said.

Nadra Ahmed, the Executive Co-chair of the National Care Association, voiced worries that a growing number of healthcare professionals are choosing to move to countries with more lenient immigration regulations.

In spite of these difficulties, the UK government is determined to maintain strict immigration controls, while also prioritizing the cultivation of a “homegrown workforce” to tackle the country’s skilled worker shortage.

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US to donate 1 mn mpox vaccines to Africa -Biden

The United States plans to donate one million doses of the mpox vaccine to African nations facing an epidemic of the virus, President Joe Biden said Tuesday.

An international emergency was declared by the World Health Organization last month after the surge in cases of a new strain of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to nearby countries.

“We must now move quickly to face (the) mpox outbreak in Africa,” Biden told the UN General Assembly in New York.

“We are ready to commit $500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate one million doses of mpox vaccine, now.”

Biden called on others to match the pledge and “make this a billion-dollar commitment to the people of Africa.”

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, and can be deadly.

A total of 25,093 suspected mpox cases and 723 deaths were reported across the African continent between January and September 8, according to WHO.

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Haaland slammed for disrespecting Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta

Football pundit Mark Goldbridge has criticized Manchester City forward Erling Haaland for showing a lack of respect toward Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Goldbridge’s comments followed Manchester City’s dramatic 2-2 draw against a 10-man Arsenal on Sunday.Haaland was involved in a heated exchange with Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, taunting Arteta by saying, “Stay humble, eh, stay humble,” after the intense match at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian striker had already stirred tensions by throwing the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães’ head after John Stones’ 90+8th-minute equalizer.

On Tuesday, Goldbridge reacted to these incidents, expressing his disapproval.

“Haaland’s lucky I’m not Gabriel; he threw the ball at Gabriel’s head like a coward, then barged into him from the kick-off,” he wrote on X. “Then he’s telling Arteta to be humble? You don’t speak to managers like that.

I hate it when players go after opposition managers—there’s a line of respect.”In the match, Haaland gave City the lead in the 9th minute, but Riccardo Calafiori equalized in the 22nd minute.

Gabriel restored Arsenal’s lead in the 45+1st minute, but the Gunners were reduced to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off in the 45+8th minute. Arsenal held their ground until Stones leveled the score in the 90+8th minute.

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Carabao Cup: Chelsea, City, United 10 others progress to fourth round

Thirteen out of the 16 available spots in the Carabao Cup fourth round have now been secured, following the conclusion of most third-round fixtures.

The teams that have progressed so far are Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Brentford, Southampton, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, and Preston.

On Thursday, Arsenal will face Bolton Wanderers at home, while defending champions Liverpool will take on West Ham at Anfield.

The match between Newcastle and AFC Wimbledon has been rescheduled for October 1 at St James’ Park, following flood damage at Plough Lane.

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Entertainment

Bobrisky speaks on bribing EFCC with N15 million naira

Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has refuted allegations of bribing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15 million.

The allegations surfaced after popular influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice recording allegedly featuring Bobrisky claiming to have bribed EFCC officers to drop money laundering charges against him.

In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly stated that the N15 million bribe ensured he avoided prison despite a six-month jail sentence handed down in April 2024 for naira mutilation.

He also purportedly claimed his godfather arranged for him to serve his sentence in a lodge rather than a prison.

However, Bobrisky has strongly denied these claims, calling the recording fake. In an Instagram post, he clarified: “I did not pay any money to the EFCC. It’s all lies. I served my prison term in full.

Please disregard any false information.”

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UFC fighter, Adesanya dons Enyinba Jersey, places $4,000 on them to beat Lobi Stars

Nigerian UFC fighter Israel Adesanya has placed a $4,000 bet on Enyimba to win their rescheduled matchday three fixture against Lobi Stars.

The match is set to take place at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Wednesday (today).

Adesanya shared the news on social media, posting a message on X alongside a picture of himself in an Enyimba jersey, stating, “It’s a goal.

“His bet suggests confidence in the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions, with an expected payout of $5,930.

As previously reported by pressmen, Adesanya recently placed a $10,000 bet on Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight bout against Daniel Dubois on Saturday but lost.

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Trump warned about threat from Iran to assassinate him

Donald Trump was briefed on Tuesday about “real and specific threats” from Iran to assassinate him, according to his campaign.

They claim the Islamic Republic’s efforts to target the former president, now a Republican presidential candidate, are part of a broader attempt to destabilize the United States.

In a press release, Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, revealed that intelligence officials have observed a surge in coordinated attacks against Trump in recent months.

Cheung also emphasized that law enforcement agencies are actively working to ensure Trump’s safety and maintain the integrity of the upcoming election.

“The Iranian regime thrives on the perceived weakness of Kamala Harris, but fears the strength and determination of President Trump.

He will not be deterred in his fight for the American people and his mission to Make America Great Again,” Cheung stated.

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