News Room

Photo credit: AP News The European Union has given a UN-affiliated body hundreds of millions of dollars to help thousands of African migrants return from failed journeys to Europe and support them back home. But migrants tell the Associated Press that promises by the United Nations-affiliated organization are not fulfilled, leaving them to face trauma, debt and…

Photo credit: Human Rights Watch A group of foreign ministers and senior officials from more than 20 countries have issued a joint statement condemning atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law in Sudan. AA reports that they expressed “deep alarm over reports of systematic violence against civilians.” They described the “deliberate targeting of civilians, ethnically…

Photo credit: SBS As Australia approaches its one millionth permanent visa through its refugee and humanitarian p[rogram, advocates are calling for celebration over the contribution refugees have made to Australia’s national story. SBS News reports that the one millionth permanent humanitarian visa issued since the end of World War II could come as early as…

Photo credit: Curly Tales Oman has expanded its cultural visa and residential system, broadcasting efforts to become a regional hub for the creative industries by allowing the families and first-degree relatives of foreign artists, writers, and cultural entrepreneurs to live and work in the country. Gulf News reports that the updated system adds several vosa and…

I noticed one sometime last week. Since then, several have appeared on my street. When I was a kid, we normally saw them at St Jude’s Church and St Paul’s, too. Christmas lightings! It’s a reminder that the year is coming to an end. Well, while the year has had to bow to COVID 19,…

Photo credit: UNHCR This year, over 42,000 refugees have been able to return home voluntarily in the West and Central Africa region. The UNHCR says this brings the total to more than 272,000 since 2021, offering renewed hope for communities recovering from years of displacement. The majority have returned to Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR). About…

Photo credit: Times of Israel A boat believed to be carrying 990 undocumented migrants from Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Rohingya community has broken apart in waters near the Malaysia-Thailand border. Malay Mail reports that so far six survivors have been rescued, while a Myanmar woman has been confirmed dead.  Kedah police chief said the vessel was part of a…