International
Canada announces permanent residency visa programme for caregivers
Canada announces permanent residency visa programme for caregivers
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Honourable Marc Miller has announced that the country will be launching enhanced pilot programs where free visa sponsorship will be given to caregivers who will be recruited from overseas.
The announcement was made in Toronto on the 3rd of June, 2024.
The amazing part is that the visa is a Permanent Residence (PR) visa, so those who will be accepted will become a permanent resident in the country and won’t have to worry about the expiration of their visa.
With these pilot programs, foreign caregivers will be able to move into Canada and work for reliable employers with a permanent residence status, and a visa which will be issued to them on their arrival to the country.
Speaking during the announcement He said “Caregivers play a critical role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs need to reflect their invaluable contributions. As we work to implement a permanent caregivers program, these two new pilots will not only improve support for caregivers but also provide families with the quality care they deserve.”
He further spoke on how the importance of caregivers to Canada cannot be overemphasized.
This program aims to resolve the issue of millions of Canadians not having a regular health care provider and having their home care needs unmet. With most of these in need being children, elders, and those with disabilities, this program will come as a more than welcome development for the families of these individuals.
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During the announcement, certain criteria were highlighted which individuals must meet before they can be eligible to apply. These criteria include:
• Basic Level 4 Proficiency In Canadian Benchmark Languages: Applicants need to have at least level 4 proficiency in English and French which are Canadian Benchmark Languages (CBL).
So, they need to know how to, at least, communicate decently in both of these languages
• Canadian High School Diploma Equivalent: Next, they need to hold a credential that is equal to Canada’s high school diploma.
If they are living in African countries like Nigeria or Ghana, their equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma is either a WAEC or NECO certificate. This certificate will serve as proof that they have graduated from high school (secondary school), and they have successfully passed the diploma examination.
• Relevant and Recent Work Experience: Another requirement applicants need to have to be eligible to apply for this pilot program is a reasonable experience in caregiving.
The experience must also be relevant and credible. Although giving care and support to a sick grandparent, disabled sibling, or foster child is also caregiving, it is not official and relevant, and won’t be considered, a formal work experience or internship will suffix.
• A Job Offer from a Care Home: Lastly, to be eligible to apply for this pilot program, applicants need to get a job offer from a care home, whether it is a private home or a care home organization.
These are the four eligible prerequisites that have been revealed for the program so far. However, more information on the full eligibility criteria and application process will be released as time goes on.
So, interested foreign caregivers, it would be wise for you to get right into getting these four requirements sorted while waiting for further updates, because there is not much time left and the available slots for this PR are just 15,000.
For interested individuals with little or no caregiver experience, it will be best for them to enroll for a caregiving program right away with a registered training provider like Clarion College and start working towards becoming certified in the field and getting the needed experience and requirements for this pilot program.
Canada announces permanent residency visa programme for caregivers
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International
Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide
Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide
Three people were killed after two teenage gunmen stormed the Islamic Center of San Diego in California, United States, in what authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime targeting Muslims.
The deadly San Diego mosque shooting, which happened on Monday at the Clairemont-area mosque, also left the two suspects dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that officers responding to reports of an active shooter found three adult male victims dead inside the mosque complex.
One of those killed was identified as a mosque security guard who officials said played a heroic role in preventing the attack from becoming even more devastating.
“One of the deceased is a security guard that works there and I think played a pivotal role in assisting from this being much worse,” Wahl said during a press briefing.
Authorities said the two suspects, aged 17 and 19, were later discovered dead inside a vehicle several blocks away from the mosque after allegedly taking their own lives.
Investigators revealed that one of the suspects had reportedly taken firearms from a parent’s home before carrying out the attack.
Police also disclosed that the teenager’s mother had earlier alerted authorities that her son was missing, suicidal and possibly armed, sparking concern before the shooting unfolded.
The investigation intensified after detectives reportedly recovered anti-Muslim writings and hate-related messages from weapons and materials linked to the suspects.
“We are considering this a hate crime until it’s not,” Police Chief Wahl stated.
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The Islamic Center of San Diego, regarded as the largest mosque in the city, also houses Islamic schools attended by Muslim children.
Witnesses described terrifying scenes as gunfire erupted during activities around midday prayers, forcing worshippers and students to seek cover while heavily armed police officers flooded the area.
A nine-year-old student who survived the attack told reporters he hid inside a closet with classmates as the shooting continued outside.
Police said officers arrived at the scene within four minutes of receiving the first emergency call at about 11:43 a.m. local time.
More than 50 officers later conducted an extensive search of the mosque and surrounding buildings as part of the emergency response.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that federal agents, evidence response teams and victim specialists had joined the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel said federal authorities would provide all necessary resources to support the probe into the deadly attack.
Imam and Director of the mosque, Taha Hassane, condemned the shooting and described the attack on a place of worship as heartbreaking.
“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” Hassane said while thanking emergency responders and community leaders for their support.
Authorities confirmed that all children, teachers and staff members linked to the mosque’s schools were safely evacuated.
Following the shooting, police departments in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Washington increased security patrols around mosques and other places of worship.
United States President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom were also briefed on the incident.
Trump described the attack as “a terrible situation” and said federal authorities were closely monitoring developments.
Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the violence and warned about rising cases of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination across the United States.
Investigators said the motive behind the California mosque shooting remains under active investigation as authorities continue reviewing surveillance footage, weapons evidence and the suspects’ online activities.
Three Killed In California Mosque Shooting As Teen Suspects Die By Suicide
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International
Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer
Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer
Iran has formally submitted its response to the latest United States proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, using Pakistan as a mediator, as tensions continue to rise over the future of the fragile ceasefire between both sides.
According to reports by Al Jazeera and Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on Monday that Tehran’s latest position had been delivered to Washington through Pakistani intermediaries.
“The points raised are Iranian demands that have been firmly defended by the Iranian negotiating team in every round of negotiations,” Baghaei said during a press briefing.
The diplomatic exchanges come amid growing uncertainty surrounding a ceasefire that largely halted six weeks of fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Talks mediated by Pakistan have reportedly stalled in recent days, with US President Donald Trump warning that the truce was “on life support.”
Iran’s latest demands reportedly include the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, the lifting of US sanctions, compensation for war-related damages, and the removal of what Tehran described as a blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran is also insisting on a complete halt to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israeli military operations and airstrikes have reportedly continued despite ceasefire arrangements.
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According to Iranian media outlet Fars News Agency, the latest US proposal presented a five-point framework that conditioned a permanent cessation of hostilities on Tehran entering formal peace negotiations with Washington.
The proposal reportedly included demands for Iran to maintain only one operational nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
Washington has also reportedly pressed Iran to dismantle key elements of its nuclear programme and ease restrictions affecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic oil shipping routes.
Before the conflict escalated, the Strait of Hormuz reportedly handled nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Iran, however, has maintained that it would continue to oversee activities around the waterway, which has remained partially disrupted since the beginning of the war.
Fars also claimed that the United States had refused to release “even 25 percent” of Iran’s frozen assets or agree to reparations for damages caused during the conflict.
Over the weekend, Trump intensified pressure on Tehran in a post shared on Truth Social.
“The Clock is Ticking,” Trump wrote, warning that Iran “better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to urge G7 finance ministers to align with US sanctions aimed at cutting off financing to what he described as Iran’s “war machine.”
US news outlet Axios also reported that Trump is expected to meet national security advisers on Tuesday to discuss possible options for renewed military action should negotiations collapse completely.
Analysts say concerns are growing that hostilities could resume within days if diplomacy fails.
Mohamad Elmasry, a professor of media studies at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that competing influences within the Trump administration and pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could push Washington back toward military confrontation.
Despite the mounting pressure, Iranian officials insist the country is prepared for any escalation.
“As for their threats, rest assured that we are fully aware of how to respond appropriately to even the smallest mistake from the opposing side,” Baghaei said during the televised briefing.
The developments have continued to trigger concerns across global energy markets and diplomatic circles, with fears that a collapse of negotiations could further destabilise the Middle East and disrupt international oil supplies.
Iran Demands Sanctions Relief In Response To US Peace Offer
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International
Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent
Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent
MORBI, India – In a shocking case of exploitation and betrayal, a labourer and his landlord have been arrested in Gujarat’s Morbi district after police uncovered a horrific arrangement where the husband allegedly allowed the landlord to repeatedly rape his wife and 13-year-old daughter in exchange for waiving off pending house rent of just ₹2,000 per month.
The case has sparked outrage across the country, highlighting how extreme financial distress can lead to unimaginable human rights violations. Police have registered charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
How the Exploitation Began
According to the First Information Report (FIR) and police statements, the family—originally from Surendranagar—had moved to Morbi six months ago in search of work. They rented a house for ₹2,000 per month. However, as the husband’s financial condition worsened and his small business failed, they fell behind on rent for three to four months.
Police Inspector Y.B. Jadeja of Morbi ‘A’ Division stated that the landlord, aged 55, took advantage of the family’s desperation. Instead of pursuing legal recourse for the unpaid rent, he allegedly proposed a criminal “oral agreement” : sexual favours from the labourer’s wife in exchange for clearing the rent debt.
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Father’s Alleged Consent Led to Repeated Assaults
Shockingly, police investigations revealed that the husband consented to the arrangement. Following this, the landlord allegedly raped the woman multiple times—at their rented home, at the landlord’s residence, and at another property in Tankara.
The situation escalated when the landlord’s demands turned to the couple’s minor daughter, aged 13. According to police, the father again gave his consent, leading to the serial sexual abuse of the child by the landlord and another individual.
How the Case Came to Light
The cycle of abuse might have continued indefinitely had it not been for police intelligence. Officers received confidential information about the exploitation and began discreet inquiries. When they confronted the family, the husband allegedly tried to send his daughter away to relatives to evade investigation.
Police traced the maternal grandmother of the minor victim (the wife’s mother), who was unaware of the atrocities. Disturbed by the revelations, she filed a formal complaint on April 24 (or May 1 per some sources), triggering the formal legal process.
Arrests and Legal Action
Following the complaint, Morbi Police swiftly arrested:
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The landlord (55) – Charged with rape under BNS and POCSO Act.
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The labourer (husband/father) – Charged with abetment of rape for consenting to the crimes against his own wife and child.
A third accused—a relative or aide of the landlord—is currently absconding and is accused of raping the wife. Police have formed special teams to track him down.
The landlord was initially remanded to one day of police custody before being sent to judicial custody. The father has been sent to jail. The case has been registered under stringent sections of the BNS and the POCSO Act.
Official Statements
Deputy Superintendent of Police J.M. Lal confirmed the arrests and stated that investigations are ongoing. “We have recorded the statements of the victims and collected forensic evidence. The third accused will be arrested soon,” he said.
No comment has yet been issued by the landlord or the labourer’s legal representatives.
A Grim Reminder of Vulnerability
This case has reignited debates about tenant rights, economic coercion as a tool for sexual exploitation, and the failure of social safety nets. Child rights activists have demanded the strictest punishment under the POCSO Act, including the possibility of the death penalty for the landlord and the father as an abettor.
Man ‘Allowed’ Landlord to Rape His Wife, Daughter to Settle Unpaid Rent
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