Student with kidney disease has fees refunded

A PhD student has had her tuition fees refunded due to the distress caused by being unable to pay for her studies.

Sue Agazie, a former Newcastle University student from Nigeria, made a complaint when she faced removal from the UK for not paying her fees while being treated for stage five kidney disease.

According to the complaint outcome, seen by the BBC, the university reimbursed Mrs Agazie £13,285, waived rent arrears and awarded £5,000 for distress and inconvenience, but found no evidence to support parts of her complaints about her treatment.

It said it could not comment on individual cases but said complaints were "investigated thoroughly" and reimbursement of fees was a possible outcome.


Mrs Agazie previously said her PhD supervisor promised her funding when she was recruited which did not materialise and resulted in her being unable to pay her fees and facing removal from the UK.

The complaint outcome found no evidence she was promised funding, but said the financial communication she received from the accommodation and tuition fee teams was "regrettable".

'Critical care'

The complaint was partially upheld, with the university acknowledging Mrs Agazie's anxiety caused by her inability to pay for her studies and that she was unable to continue because of this.

Mrs Agazie said she hoped "other international students can learn from my case and demand fair treatment that they are entitled to".

She is looking to remain in the UK to continue her "critical care" and has applied for leave to remain outside the rules under compassionate medical grounds for herself, her husband and son.

She previously said she did not have the money to get high quality healthcare for her disease in Nigeria.

Schengen visa holders can now explore two more countries in Europe

Schengen visa holders can now explore two more countries in Europe

As per the latest development, Romania and Bulgaria are likely to become full members of the Schengen area from January 2025. After years of limited inclusion, Romania and Bulgaria are expected to reach a significant milestone, and gain complete membership in the Schengen Area.

As previously reported, border controls were lifted for air and sea travel, while the two Balkan countries that joined the European Union in 2007 were granted partial membership in the Schengen Area in March 2023. However, due to worries about illegal migration, especially those expressed by Austria, which had banned their entry into the zone, there were restrictions at land borders.

Flight Connections From Nigeria

This maybe useful for those flight to and from UK 🇬🇧




Airlines from 9ja to the UK and vice versa




Direct flights

Airpeace - Direct flight

Virgin Atlantic - Direct Flight

British Airways - Direct Flight




Connecting flights, no transit visa required

Qatar Airways - Via Doha

Turkish Airlines - Via Istanbul

Emirates Airlines - Via Dubai

Kenya Airways - Via Nairobi

Egypt Airlines - Via Cairo

Ethiopian Air - Via Addis Ababa

Air Rwanda - Via Kigali

Royal Air Maroc - Via Casablanca




Other Airlines that requires Transit Visas

KLM - Via Amsterdam

Air Francs - Via Paris

Lufthansa - Via Frankfort




But those with BRP or UK permit do not need a transit visit. (Updated)




If you have anything to add,you are free to do so too.




#everyoneシ゚ #viralpost2024 #folllowers

Court of Appeal held that time limit did not start to run where notice of decision failed to mention right of appeal

Court of Appeal held that time limit did not start to run where notice of decision failed to mention right of appeal

The Court of Appeal has held that where a notice of decision fails to advise an applicant of their right of appeal a refusal in breach of the Immigration (Notices) Regulations 2003, the time limit for appealing does not start to run. The consequence of that in this case, R (Chowdhury) v The First-tier Tribunal (Immigration And Asylum Chamber) & Anor [2024] EWCA Civ 1380, is that the respondent has been able to appeal a 2016 decision almost six years after it was made. The First-tier Tribunal and Home Secretary were the appellants here, although as usual only the Home Secretary took an active role in the case.
Background

The respondent, Mr Chowdhury, entered the UK as a student in 2008 and extended his student leave three times with the last grant of leave to remain valid until 25 May 2016. Just before then, Mr Chowdhury applied for a residence card as an extended family member of his great-uncle, an Italian national.

A notice of decision dated 30 November 2016 was sent to Mr Chowdhury, refusing to issue him with a residence card as an extended family member of an EU national under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. The notice expressly told him that he had no right to appeal the decision.

At the time of the decision, the Upper Tribunal had held that there was no right of appeal for extended family members refused a residence card, in Sala (EFMs: Right of Appeal : Albania) [2016] UKUT 411 (IAC). This was overturned by the Court of Appeal in October 2017 in Khan v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 1755.

The decision in Khan meant that the notice sent to Mr Chowdhury had failed to tell him that he had a right of appeal, in breach of regulation 5(3)(a) of the Immigration (Notices) Regulations 2003. The Home Secretary did not send a notice correcting the position and the Court of Appeal was told that it was not the practice of the Home Office to do so.

Mr Chowdhury lodged his appeal against the decision of 30 November 2016 on 13 November 2022. The First-tier Tribunal concluded that the appeal was valid as it was against an appealable decision, but declined to extend the time limit, stating that there was no explanation for the delay since the decision in Khan.

That decision was subject to judicial review and the Upper Tribunal allowed the claim, concluding that:


It is now accepted by the Secretary of St

ate that the decision was an EEA decision which carried a right of appeal. But the authorities I have considered above make it quite clear that time did not start to run from the date of the appealable decision: it was only a notice of decision which had that effect. The notice of decision in this case did not comply with the Notices Regulations in several respects and could not cause time to start to run for the purpose of an

appeal. The Secretary of State might have made a valid decision but she issued no valid notice which caused time to run.

The Home Secretary appealed that decision.
Court of Appeal

The Home Secretary submitted that the time limit ran from the date the notice of decision was sent, even where there was non-compliance with the 2003 Regulations. The Home Secretary’s position was that the appeal should be allowed and the First-tier Tribunal should re-consider whether or not the decision notice was invalid. It was argued that, in taking the validity decision, the tribunal should have considered factors including that “there were no materially adverse consequences for Mr Chowdhury in not being given that information as his appeal was doomed to fail in any event” and “there would be procedurally adverse or other consequences in finding that the notice of decision to be invalid”.

Mr Chowdhury’s position was that “a notice of decision complying with the 2003 Regulations had not been sent to Mr Chowdhury. The time within which an appeal had to be brought had not therefore begun to run. Mr Chowdhury could waive the non-compliance and lodge a notice of appeal (which he did in November 2022 once he learnt that he had a right of appeal).”

The Court of Appeal did not accept the Home Secretary’s arguments that the time limit could start running from a defective notice where the appeal would be bound to fail or that adverse procedural consequences were involved. The court said “The simple question in this case is whether the individual was sent a notice of decision which informed him of his right to appeal against the decision. If not, the time within which an appeal against must be brought will not have started to run and the individual can appeal against that decision.”

As the notice of decision did not comply with the 2003 Regulations the time limit to lodge the appeal had not started to run and Mr Chowdhury was entitled to appeal in November 2022.
Conclusion

There are presumably many more people in Mr Chowdhury’s position, namely who had an application for a residence card as an extended family member rejected between Sala (in August 2016) and Khan (in October 2017) and who were told by the Home Office that they did not have a right of appeal when they did actually have one. Some of those people may still be here and so further appeals may be possible, although I can’t imagine that there would be very many.

Has The Schengen Collapsed?

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Denmark and More Tighten Border Measures Impacting Travel in the Schengen Zone: See the Complete List and What You Need to Know

As Europe grapples with rising security concerns and migration pressures, several Schengen Area countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Denmark, have implemented tighter border measures. These changes are set to affect easy travel across the region, even for those planning to move between Schengen countries. While these enhanced controls aim to improve safety and manage migration flows, they may lead to longer wait times, additional checks, and disruptions to travel plans. If you’re planning to visit Europe in the near future, it’s crucial to stay informed about these new regulations. Keep reading for the complete list of countries affected and what you need to know to ensure smooth travel during this period of increased scrutiny.

In 2023, Europe saw over 707 million international tourist arrivals, marking a steady recovery from the pandemic, although still slightly below pre-pandemic levels. This strong rebound has continued into 2024, with significant increases in both visitor numbers and spending. Countries across Southern and Northern Europe, including Italy, Spain, France, Denmark, and Sweden, are leading the charge with higher tourist arrivals and spending. However, as tourism thrives, so does the need for increased security measures. Several Schengen Area countries, such as France, Germany, and Austria, have reinstated temporary border checks to address migration and security concerns. With tourism spending in 2024 expected to rise by 13.7% to €800.5 billion, travelers will need to be aware of potential delays and additional border checks as they move across Europe. Staying informed about these changes will be essential to navigating the Schengen Zone while enjoying Europe’s bustling tourism scene.

Europe is tightening its borders in response to rising security concerns, irregular migration, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Several Schengen Zone countries have reintroduced temporary border checks for the upcoming months, aiming to enhance public safety and address growing concerns about terrorism, criminal networks, and migration pressures. This change is significant not only for European citizens but also for U.S. travelers and other non-European tourists planning to visit Europe in 2024 and 2025.

Universal Credit £420 Boost

 

Universal Credit claimants receive £420 boost in Budget
More than a million households in receipt of Universal Credit will benefit from changes to the system announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Budget.


Ms Reeves announced that Labour will be lowering the cap on deductions that can be taken from benefit payments by up to £420 a year.

It is estimated that the change will benefit around 1.2 million households across the country, including 700,000 families with children.

Making the announcement during the Budget, the Chancellor said: "I can today announce that we are introducing a new Fair Repayment Rate to reduce the level of debt repayments that can be taken from a household’s Universal Credit payment each month from 25 per cent to 15 per cent of their standard allowance.

"This means that 1.2 million of the poorest households will keep more of their award each month lifting children out of poverty and those who benefit will gain an average of £420 a year."


The new Fair Repayment Rate will come into force in April 2025, with the deductions cap set at 15 per cent as opposed to 25 per cent.

This is money the government can take off a Universal Credit claimant's allowance to help them make debt repayments.

These deductions can cover a range of debts, including benefit advances, historical overpayments of child tax credits, rent and council tax arrears.

They are deducted from claimant's Universal Credit standard allowance each month until the debt is paid off, but many have complained it puts vulnerable people into severe hardship.

While this may take longer to repay debts, it could be a lifeline to some of the poorest households, already struggling with spiralling costs.

Six unusual sports you can bet on

There's money to be won across a broad spectrum of sports and it's not just from where you'd expect.

When people think of sports betting, they usually consider sports like tennis, football, or horse racing that are available on sportsbook sites like those recommended by Betting Sites LTD.

However, there's a totally different world apart from these mainstream sports that’s full of offbeat and quirky options for bettors.

These sports range from Muggle Quidditch to cow chip throwing and offer betting enthusiasts weird, new, and fun ways to fill their betting slips.

That is why we’ll be showing you six of these sports that are defying convention and providing a new perspective on the sports betting industry.


Muggle Quidditch

The first sport we’d like to tell you about is Muggle Quidditch, also known as Quadball, which is inspired by the Quidditch sport in the Harry Potter books.

Muggle Quidditch has brought the fantastical sport to life by having real players chasing the elusive Snitch, racing on broomsticks, and scoring goals in a whimsical mix of athleticism and indulging in the books’ lore.

Ever since Muggle Quidditch started being noticed by mainstream media outlets, bookmakers have offered odds on many of the game’s aspects.

Some of these include whether the Seeker will snag the Snitch before the first ten minutes and which team will score more goals.

Harry Potter fans can also get similar odds on sports like football and rugby that Quidditch is based on at crypto gambling sites that will offer them anonymity, enhanced security, and quick transactions.



Cornhole

Cornhole is a good mix of leisure and precision throwing, which has unexpectedly become a favourite among sports bettors.

Those who play this quirky sport take turns tossing bags with corn kernels at an angled wooden board with a hole and win points by lobbying them through the hole or landing them on the board.

Bettors can now place wagers on who they think will win throughout this sport’s tournament, from the kickoff battle to the final.



Harness racing

Harness racing, which involves horses pulling chariots or wheeled carts while trotting a specific gait, is another unusual sport bettors can wager on.

Contrary to traditional horse racing, where the horse does most of the legwork, harness racing requires skilled drivers to guide the chariot.

This sport already has a massive niche following that hosts dedicated events and has odds on major sportsbooks.



Curling

Curling is a not-so-famous winter sport where players slide granite stones across an ice surface toward a circular target.

In this sport, players get points based on how close they get the stones to the target. Even though curling is not so popular, it has a vibrant niche following that places bets on it.



Rock, Paper, scissors

Rock, Paper, Scissors is not just a fun casual game anymore as it’s now also a famous sport, especially in Asia, that people bet on.

Rock, Paper, Scissors betting has offered a refreshing break from the seriousness of mainstream betting to both seasoned gamblers and casual bettors.



Cow chip throwing

Cow chip throwing, a long-standing cultural event in Oklahoma, has captivated locals and visitors alike.

This weird sport’s rules are very easy to understand as there is only one, players just need to throw dry cow turds as far as they possibly can.

Even though this sport is not everybody’s favourite, it has a loyal niche following that frequently places bets on who they think will throw the longest distances.

So, despite its unusual nature, this sport has proven that even the most unexpected activities can become big hits.



Conclusion

With this list of six unusual sports that you can place bets on, we hope that you’ll get to watch a few as they are actually very entertaining.

From watching humans (muggles) play a wizard’s sport and bring it to the highly professional levels Quadball is now at or watching a poolside activity like cornhole, which has become huge in its niche, there is something for everyone.

The unique betting angles these unusual sports come with can also help bettors who are familiar with these games and their players.

However, these weird little sports are also great for newbie gamblers as they can have a few chuckles as they place their wagers.

People are learning why UK passports are blue – and what different colours mean

Passports around the world come in various hues, primarily settling on blue, red, green, or black. Each colour carries its own significance, and nations pick their passport colours for specific reasons.

So, why exactly are our British passports blue?

A fascinating Instagram post by @weroad unpacked the symbolism behind passport colours, revealing they convey two key messages. The first is about the emotions or concepts traditionally linked with the colour.

The second aspect is how much freedom the passport grants - in other words, the "mobility" it offers. Passports granting "high mobility" allow holders to travel to numerous countries without visas, while "low mobility" passports mean more red tape for travellers.

The post highlighted that blue passports like the ones now issued in Britain and also found in countries such as Canada, the USA, and Brazil, symbolise "freedom and stability". These passports typically offer high mobility, giving us Brits broader horizons for travel

UK passport warning for anyone who still has an old 'red' one

People using their old 'red' passports have been issued a warning that they could face heightened risk of being stopped at the border, potentially throwing a spanner in their holiday plans. Those with the red or burgundy passport are more likely to be caught out by new 'third-country nationals' rules for entering European Union countries

Passports dished out after 2018 are valid for 10 years and must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended return date. The HM Passport Office also suggests that your passport's expiry date should be at least three months after you plan to depart from the EU for most European destinations.

It's estimated that around 200 people are turned away from getting on aircraft daily in the UK due to not having enough time left on their passport - even if it hasn't expired yet. This rejection usually occurs at check-in or the departure gate.

The UK government ceased issuing burgundy passports before 31 December 2020 and because they're older anyone using them needs to double check even more carefully there's enough time left on the,

Many countries insist that your passport needs to be valid for another six months before you jet off for international travel. This is known as the 'six-month validity rule', and many folks still using old red passports from pre-Brexit times may find their documents don't have enough time left.

Top 10 African countries with the highest number of US Green card recipients

Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest number of US Green card recipients

RankGlobal RankCountryGreen Cards1 

17 🇳🇬 Nigeria 12,385
2 28 🇪🇬 Egypt 8,348
3 32 🇨🇲 Cameroon 5,879
4 33 🇪🇹 Ethiopia 5,720
5 35 🇬🇭 Ghana 5,451
6 37 🇰🇪 Kenya 5,014
7 40 🇲🇦 Morocco 4,756
8 41 🇨🇩 Congo 4,688
9 48 🇿🇦 South Africa 3,535
10 56 🇩🇿 Algeria 3,125

Nigeria ranks 17th globally and first in Africa. It remains a significant contributor to U.S. immigration, with 12,385 immigrants receiving the green card. Egypt followed in second position with Cameroon, Ethiopia and Ghana coming behind.