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U.S. and Canada reach a deal to close a popular but unofficial border crossing

admin — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:38:38 +0000

The U.S. and Canada have reached a deal that would give both countries the authority to turn away asylum-seekers at unofficial crossing points on their shared border, President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday. Starting early Saturday morning, migrants who cross into Canada between official ports of entry will be quickly returned to the U.S., Trudeau said at a joint press conference in Ottawa. The new agreement will also allow the U.S. to send asylum-seekers who cross the northern border at unofficial crossing points back to Canada, according to the published text of a rule that is set to be published in the Federal Register. The deal is the latest move by the Biden administration to discourage migrants from crossing the border illegally in order to seek asylum, over the objections of immigrant advocates and some Democrats. “Today’s coordinated actions with the Government of Canada will protect the integrity of the asylum process, discourage dangerous crossings between ports of entry, and encourage lawful pathways for migration,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. The U.S. and Canada have long had what’s known as a Safe Third Country Agreement in place that allows them to turn back migrants if they cross through official ports of entry. But Canada has seen a dramatic uptick in traffic at unofficial crossings. Last year, more than 39,000 asylum-seekers crossed into Quebec outside official ports of entry — many of them using Roxham Road, a small road in northern New York that dead-ends at the U.S.-Canada border. That’s led Canadian officials to call for tougher restrictions. Many of those migrants initially came to the U.S. at the southern border and were bused to New York City. But tens of thousands have since found themselves in limbo — unable to work legally, or to send money back to their relatives in Venezuela and other countries in Latin America and beyond. “We couldn’t just shut down Roxham Road. People would’ve looked for other places to cross. That’s why we chose to modernize the Safe Third Country Agreement,” Trudeau said at the joint press conference. As part of the deal, Canada has also agreed to provide “access to legal pathways” for an additional 15,000 migrants per year from Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the Department of Homeland Security. “We will increase the number of asylum-seekers who we accept from the Western Hemisphere to compensate for closing these irregular crossings,” Trudeau said in French through an interpreter. But immigrant advocates criticized the deal for limiting the movement of asylum-seekers. “It’s an unfortunate development for asylum seekers seeking protections and basic human dignity,” said Elora Mukherjee, the director of Columbia Law School Immigrants’ Rights Clinic. “Asylum seekers flee violent conditions to build better futures for themselves and their families—they undergo extreme journeys across thousands of miles in search of safety and relief,” said Murad Awawdeh, the executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, in a statement. “To now restrict the movement of asylum seekers is to recklessly endanger their lives.”

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‘Oh my daughter’: Volunteer medic, 29, buried in Ukraine

admin — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:45:24 +0000

VINNYTSIA, Ukraine (AP) — As the mother’s cries of anguish pierced the cold morning air, mourners who had fought back tears could hold them no longer. “Oh Yana, oh my daughter,” Olena Rikhlitska howled. “My baby, my little one.” Her only child, 29-year-old Yana Rikhlitska, lay in a coffin before her, the younger woman’s blonde hair still in the tight braids she adopted when she voluntarily joined the Ukrainian army as a medic late last year. Just over a week ago, Associated Press journalists filmed Yana Rikhlitska as she helped treat wounded soldiers in a field hospital outside Bakhmut, which Russian forces have pulverized during a three-sided assault to seize the city in eastern Ukraine. A few days later she was dead. Rikhlitska and another medic were killed by shelling as they shuttled between the field hospital and the front line. As friends, colleagues and relatives gathered Tuesday in her home city of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine to bid her a final farewell, they remembered a person full of vitality and spurred by a life-long drive to help others. “She was really friendly and kind,” said Viktor Fateyev, 39, a colleague from the IT company where she worked in the human resources department. “She was like a mother to everyone; she was the focus point everyone gathered around.” Rikhlitska was in Brazil just before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. She spent a few months in the South American country practicing capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, Fateyev said, clutching a bunch of yellow tulips as he waited to pay his respects at the funeral. She flew home after the invasion, he said, and straight away began fundraising and working as a volunteer for troops to help the Ukrainian defense effort. It wasn’t long before she decided to become a front-line medic. He spotted her in the AP video when it aired, Fateyev said, and posted it in a group chat of her co-workers. “Everyone was so excited,” he said. “And then, the next day…” he trailed off. Tetiana Obraztsova, 30, a member of a volunteer combat medic group who met Rikhlitska in September, said Rikhlitska ferried humanitarian aid to Bakhmut even before she became a medic. Russia has been trying to capture the city for six months. “She did all that she could, right from the start of the full-scale war,” Obraztsova said. Fellow volunteer Anastasia Muzyka, 29, recalled Rikhlitska as bright, kind and indefatigable. “She was fiery, in a good way. She was so dedicated. It was like she was never tired,” Muzyka said. In combat, eventually even soldiers need to rest, she added, “but not Yara. She was always there, helping everyone.” It was during her volunteer work in August that she met her future husband, Oleksandr, who was in the Ukrainian army. Amid the din of war, their love blossomed, and the couple married on Dec. 31, 2022. “She was fire, the fire that cannot be extinguished.” said Oleksandr, who would only give his first name. Childhood friend Snizhana Zaliubivska, 28, remembered Rikhlitska displaying a desire to help even as a little girl. The two had lost touch in recent years, but Zaliubivska was devastated to hear of her friend’s death. “It wasn’t a surprise that she was volunteering. She was a true patriot of the country,” she said. “She would never refuse anyone, she was always helping everyone who would ask.” Draped with the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, Rikhlitska’s coffin was transported to the military section of the local cemetery and opened once more. Ashen-faced, her mother gently stroked her daughter’s cheek, and kissed her one last time. “No, no!” Olena Rikhlitska sobbed as the coffin was carried to the grave and lowered to the sound of a gun salute. Only the support of her husband, Mykola, and another relative prevented her from sinking to the ground.

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2023 Elections: Why We Don’t Play Politics of Money – Peter Obi

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 19:51:41 +0000

The former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi has continued to convince Nigerians on the real reason why he should be entrusted with the nation’s power The Labour Party flagbearer, whose fate would be determined at the poll on Saturday, February 25, has maintained that he is not into politics because of money At a solidarity march in Anambra state, the presidential hopeful reminded Nigerians on the need why they should vote a man they can trust with the nation’s resources, a corrupt free candidate PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Mr. Peter Obi, has said that there are strong reasons why he shuns politics of money. He gave the indication on Thursday, February 23, during a solidarity march organized in Ifitedunu community in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Datti Ahmed. Peter Obi says he is not into politics because of money Speaking through the Director of Administration, Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Arch Mike Ikemefuna Nwafor, Obi contended that when you give money to someone that wants to engage you, there is every tendency that you will lose track of the work you come to do, and probably go stealing to recover what you spent while looking for the job. He said, “We don’t share money because, we believe that the concept of sharing money to win elective position is stupid. When you give money to someone that wants to engage you, there is every tendency that you will lose track of the work you come to do, and probably go stealing to recover what you spend while looking for the job. “What LP is bringing on the table is new approach to politics in Nigeria. One of the legacies of the LP presidential candidate is that he has redefined politics in Nigeria – this is one of his legacies. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU BREAKING: Atiku raises alarm, says some elements plan to scuttle election “Before now, Nigeria has made politics synonymous with money. This is why when a politician goes into office, his main mission is how to accumulate wealth. In the past, they will tell you that even a goat with pool of money can win presidency in Nigeria. But today, Peter Obi has made everybody understand that what can make someone win election is competence, credibility, integrity and good records.” Legit.ng’s regional reporter in Anambra, Mokwugwo Solomon, also quoted Nwafor as maintaining that Peter Obi and LP would cover at least, 90% of total votes cast in the Southeast. He also said that Anambra would deliver nothing below 1.8 million votes to Peter Obi and Labour Party; adding that anytime polls are conducted anywhere in the Southeast, at least, 95% of respondents will tip Peter Obi. Speaking, the Head of General Duties, Obi/Datti presidential campaign council, Dr. Francis Asokwu Sea, called on INEC to be a fair umpire, and ensure that it delivers to Nigerians very credible presidential election. He warned that anything short of free and fair election on February 25, would bring bad name to the commission, and likely set Nigeria into turmoil. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU Tension in Labour Party’s camp as governorship candidate in top northern st… Earlier, during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu, Igwe (Dr) Ilouno, the monarch described Peter Obi as the last hope for Nigeria, and called on Nigerians to leverage on the present opportunity to set the country on the right path.

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All climate politics are local, but are local politicians up to the challenge?

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:06:54 +0000

Will the next cohort of local representatives defend essential national infrastructure against hostility towards wind and solar farms? Former speaker of the US House of Representatives Tip O’Neill is famous for joking all politics are local: he said, “everything starts at your back yard”. How to square this political maxim with robust decision-making in respect of Ireland’s renewable energy transition will be one of the most defining issues in the 2024 local elections. Will the next cohort of local politicians have the guts to stand up and defend essential national infrastructure against what appears to be growing hostility towards wind and solar farms? Climate denial is rare in Irish politics, thankfully. But acknowledging the crisis and acting on it are two different things. The climate emergency requires a transformation of the energy system to electrify almost everything and power our economy with renewable energy. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has only raised the geopolitical stakes — a world energy system controlled by authoritarian petrostates is obviously not in our national interest. There appears to be a phenomenon of anti-renewables sentiment countrywide. Solar farms are being opposed in counties Tipperary, Meath, Kildare and Waterford Ireland has ambitious targets for renewable energy, reflecting our outstanding resource potential. The good news is that this transition is both technically and economically feasible, with the potential for massive job creation and rural development. And if done correctly, it doesn’t have to have a negative impact on existing habitats or protected species.

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PM has not allowed vote bank politics to dictate diplomacy: Nadda

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:20:40 +0000

India’s willingness to take a stance on complex foreign policy issues, whether the Russia-Ukraine conflict or Israel, has raised its profile globally, says the BJP president BJP president J.P. Nadda on Wednesday cited India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war as a classic example of how the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has not shied away from taking a stand on complex issues, which has also changed the way the country is being percieved globally. He was speaking at the release of the book, Modi: Shaping a Global Order in Flux, co-authored by the BJP’s foreign affairs cell in-charge, Vijay Chauthaiwale, along with Sujan Chinoy and Uttam Kumar Sinha. On the Russia-Ukraine war, India took a stand which may not have been acceptable to all countries but was being appreciated by all, Mr. Nadda said. “Unlike the past, India now does not shy from taking positions. For a long time, India has been shying from taking hard positions. Under Prime Minister Modi, India on international issues would take a stand on complex issues, that too from positions of strength,” he added. Impact of domestic politics Indian government leaders earlier did not “dare” to visit Israel due to domestic vote bank politics, but Mr. Modi had changed this policy, the BJP president said. “The domestic vote bank politics compelled, and India couldn’t develop a relationship with Israel,” he said, pointing out that Mr. Modi had visited both Israel and Palestine. “This shows India is capable of handling two different countries in the best possible manner,” he added. “Prime Minister Modi has also succeeded in de-hyphenating India with Pakistan which was not the case earlier,” Mr. Nadda said. India is now seen as much ahead of Pakistan internationally and the neighbouring country is isolated on the issue of terrorism, he claimed. He said that not enough has been written about the Prime Minister’s contribution in changing how India is looked globally, and hoped that the new book would start a debate. Changed global image “It is necessary to understand what was the image of India before Modi ji came to power. The economy was declining, India had an image of a corrupt state, repeated terrorist attacks and a lack of stable government. The very sad part was that the authority of the PM was eroded,” said Mr. Nadda. Mr. Modi had visited around 60 countries and undertook over 100 overseas journeys, he said, adding that the PM had strengthened India’s ties with old allies and started new partnerships as well. While India had good ties with countries like the UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal, efforts were not made by previous dispensations to strengthen them, something that Mr. Modi had done, he said. The PM had pursued India’s civilisational credo of “ Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family)“, as India rushed to help other countries facing humanitarian crisises, the BJP president said. India has also been playing a more effective role in multilateral forums, he said, noting that it is now chairing the G-20 and has also taken a lead on environmental issues.

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Ukraine war live updates: Moscow unrepentant after suspending nuclear arms treaty with U.S., with officials saying it was ‘overdue’

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 09:55:24 +0000

The war in Ukraine continues to dominate global geopolitics this week, with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion fast approaching. Officials in Moscow appeared bullish about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Tuesday that Russia was suspending its participation in the New Start nuclear arms control treaty with the United States. It’s a pact that limits the two sides’ strategic nuclear arsenals. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken later dubbed the decision “deeply unfortunate and irresponsible.” The announcement by Putin came on a day of high-profile speeches by the Russian president as well as U.S. President Joe Biden. Neither leader showed any intention to back down from their opposing positions on the war. Putin claimed Ukraine and the West had provoked the conflict with the expansion of NATO and new European anti-rocket defense systems. Later, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily and said Moscow would “never” win the war. Earlier this week, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a new military aid package worth about $500 million. Latvia’s President Egils Levits said the conflict between Russia and Ukraine can end only when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine and returns to its own internationally recognized borders. “Without that, the conflict cannot end … it’s clear that the aggressor should go back, obviously,” he told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick Tuesday. Levits said that Russia poses a dilemma for the West because of its aggressive ideology, and that the West made a mistake in not reacting to earlier provocations by Moscow in Ukraine, with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and nearby Georgia, which Russia invaded in 2008 in a bid to support pro-Russian separatists. ″The lack of real reaction after the Russian attack [on] Georgia in 2008 led to the next attack against Ukraine in 2014, [where there was] also a very weak reaction,” Levits said. That led to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he noted, adding that “we should not make this failure again, to not react.” — Holly Ellyatt

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