Latest news with #Nigerians
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Despite deportations and visa denials, Indians stand by Donald Trump
Indians continue to hold a relatively high opinion of U.S. President Donald Trump and his ability to handle immigration policies, even though confidence in his leadership has declined sharply or remained low among people of other countries. This strong support comes despite incidents of forced deportations of Indians and a rise in visa denials for Indian students. Pew Survey data also shows that a smaller share of Indians considers him 'dangerous' or 'arrogant' compared to those of other countries. In the survey conducted between February and April, only 27% of Indians said that they had 'no confidence' in Mr. Trump to handle the country's immigration policies. This is the third lowest share among the 24 countries surveyed (Chart 1). Notably, 29% of Indians declined to offer an opinion on this issue — the highest such share by a wide margin. The remaining 45% expressed confidence in Mr. Trump's handling of immigration policies. Chart 1 shows the % of respondents who have confidence/no confidence in Trump to handle immigration policy The opinions in India were recorded in the same month as well as in the months following the deportation of about 1,000 Indians by the U.S. In fact, in February, the first month of Mr. Trump's presidency, U.S. visas issued to Indian students declined by 30%. This drop was much steeper than what was recorded for Chinese, Vietnamese, or Japanese students. In the survey, 59% of Japanese respondents expressed no confidence in Mr. Trump's ability to handle immigration policies, while 87% of Mexicans believed so. More recently, the Trump administration paused the scheduling of new visa interviews globally and expanded its vetting of foreign students' social media accounts. The U.S. government also terminated or revoked the visas of more than 1,000 international students — many of them Indians. In the survey, 53% of Indians expressed confidence in Mr. Trump's ability of handling climate change issues. This was the third highest share among the 24 countries surveyed, behind Kenyans and Nigerians (Chart 2). This answer came a month after Mr. Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. Chart 2 shows the % of respondents who have confidence/no confidence in Trump to handle climate change Only 34% of Indians described Mr. Trump as 'arrogant' — the second lowest share among the 24 countries surveyed, and well below the 24-country median of 80% (Chart 3). Similarly, only 36% of Indians considered him 'dangerous'. This was again the second lowest share; the median was 65%. Half the Indian respondents said Mr. Trump is 'able to understand complex problems'. This was among the highest shares across the countries surveyed. The share of Indians who described him as 'honest' was 50% — the third highest share after Nigerians and Kenyans; the median was 28%. Chart 3 shows the % who say Trump is... Over 90% of people in Canada, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Spain considered Mr. Trump 'arrogant' and over 70% of them said he was 'dangerous'. In Sweden, only 19% of people said that he understands complex problems and only 20% in Germany said that he is honest. Also, 52% of Indians have confidence in Mr. Trump of doing the right thing in world affairs. This is the fourth highest share behind Israelis, Nigerians, and Kenyans. Just 23% of Indians said they have no confidence in Mr. Trump to do the right thing; this is the second lowest share behind Nigerians (Chart 4). Chart 4 shows the % of respondents who have confidence/no confidence in Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs In the Netherlands and France, only 22% of the respondents said they had confidence in Mr. Trump's ability to do the right thing. In Sweden and Mexico, over 85% of respondents said they had no confidence in him to do the right thing. Source: Pew Research Center vignesh.r@ Also Read: Impacts of the U.S.' crackdown on foreign-born students : Data
DW
a day ago
- Health
- DW
DW News Africa with Michael Okwu, 19 June 2025 – DW – 06/19/2025
06/19/2025 June 19, 2025 What makes Nigerians so vulnerable to narcotics? More and more are getting high - and many are doing it on the cheap. Plus: The number of people who've been driven from their homes has doubled. Eight of the ten worst-hit countries are in Africa, with Mozambique new on the list. And: the Kenyan AI app that's bridging the gap between the deaf community and those who can hear.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Africa's online casino boom: Insights and lessons from Finland's playbook
Africa's online casino and sports betting sector is surging, drawing keen interest from investors, regulators, and tech innovators. With millions across the continent now betting via mobile apps, websites, and betting shops, the growth is fueled by a young, tech-savvy population, expanding internet access, and the ubiquity of smartphones. This digital wave has made Africa one of the fastest-growing iGaming frontiers, with experts projecting annual growth around 5–6% through the rest of the decade. As connectivity improves and fintech solutions spread, online gambling platforms are reaching a widening audience. Crucially, many African bettors are leaping straight to mobile wagering – bypassing desktop computers entirely – thanks to affordable smartphones and innovative services like mobile money. (Kenya's M-Pesa, for example, made the country a ground zero for mobile payments in betting.) The stage is set for a boom in Africa's iGaming industry, but sustainable success will depend on smart regulation and user trust. The Digital Gambling Landscape: Nigeria and Beyond Across Africa, several nations have become hotspots for digital gambling. Nigeria, the continent's most populous country, exemplifies both the scale and the opportunity. A 2025 survey estimated that 71% of Nigerian adults have engaged in sports betting, translating to roughly 168 million individuals – the highest volume of bettors in Africa. In fact, some local agencies claim that as many as 60 million Nigerians place bets every day. This huge participation, driven by passion for football and other sports, makes Nigeria the second-largest gambling market in Africa by value. Industry estimates expect Nigeria's gambling revenues to reach $3.6 billion by 2025. Not far behind, Kenya and South Africa also boast vibrant betting scenes – in South Africa, up to 90% of adults gamble in some form, and Kenya sees nearly 84% of adults having tried betting. One common thread is mobile-first growth. In Nigeria, only about 36% of people enjoy traditional internet access, yet there are over 103 mobile subscriptions per 100 citizens. Similarly, Kenya has more mobile lines than people. This means the vast majority of African online gamblers are using phones to play, from placing sports wagers to trying digital casino games. Such widespread mobile connectivity, coupled with innovative payment solutions, enables even those in lower-income or remote areas to participate. The opportunity is massive: high volumes of low-stakes bets are the norm, and cumulatively they form a multi-billion dollar market. However, regulatory oversight varies by country. Nigeria's government, for instance, lifted a blanket gambling ban in 2004 and now regulates betting through the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. Yet enforcement challenges remain – unlicensed operators persist, and consumers have little legal protection when using those sites. This regulatory gap is both a risk and an opportunity: better oversight can increase tax revenue and player safety, while its absence could erode trust if players encounter fraud or unpaid winnings. Finland's Advanced Online Casino Model In contrast, Finland offers a case study of a mature, well-regulated market that prioritizes user experience and trust. Finnish players rank among the world's most active gamblers, and in recent years they have embraced ' no-account ' online casinos powered by Pay N Play technology. At these sites – known locally as 'pikakasinot' – players can start playing in seconds using their online bank credentials, without the hurdle of lengthy registration forms. The Pay N Play system, enabled by Finland's widespread online banking, pulls verified identity data from the user's bank through BankID, handling KYC (Know Your Customer) checks almost instantaneously. This means Finnish gamblers enjoy lightning-fast sign-ups, instant deposits and withdrawals, and a gaming experience that's both seamless and secure. Crucially, this bank-based verification maintains strong security while eliminating the need to submit additional documents in most cases. It also helps operators monitor transactions in real time, a feature that has been used to promote responsible gambling by flagging unusual spending patterns. Beyond convenience, Finland's online casino sphere is built on trust and robust regulation. For decades, gambling was run through a state monopoly (Veikkaus), which ensured all legal gaming was tightly controlled. However, as digital platforms proliferated, Finnish punters increasingly turned to international online casinos offering greater variety and ease. By 2024, the state-owned Veikkaus had seen its market share fall to roughly 61% as offshore sites captured Finnish players' attention. In response, Finland is enacting a major regulatory overhaul: the government has approved a shift to a multi-license system starting in 2026, ending the monopoly era. Under the new framework, foreign and private operators can apply for Finnish licenses by 2026, with full operations expected by 2027. This reform is paired with stringent requirements – licensed casinos must use approved software, implement daily loss limits, and adhere to strict responsible gambling rules. Notably, Finland's regulators are also tackling marketing and bonus offers to keep play fair and transparent. Welcome bonuses for new players will be banned and any promotions to existing customers must be moderate and clearly explained, so as not to encourage reckless spending. In short, Finland's model combines easy user onboarding, rigorous KYC, transparent bonus policies, and a strong regulatory backbone – all contributing to high consumer confidence in the system. It's also telling that Finnish players rely on independent resources to navigate the casino market. For example, casino comparison platforms like Kasinoranking – which lists the best online casinos – have become popular for helping Finns find reputable sites (with many Finnish-friendly sites operating under Malta or upcoming Finnish licenses). Such platforms serve as an extra layer of trust, guiding users toward casinos known for fair play, fast payouts, and compliance with regulations. Lessons for Africa from Finland's Experience Africa's online gambling stakeholders can draw several insights from Finland's journey to a safe, thriving iGaming environment. Key lessons include: Streamlined User Experience: Simplifying registration and payments can attract more players to legal platforms. Africa's booming mobile money ecosystem could be leveraged to enable 'Pay N Play'-style onboarding – for instance, using mobile wallets or bank USSD codes to verify identity and fund accounts instantly, similar to Finland's bank-ID approach. Reducing friction (while still verifying age and identity) makes the legal sites more appealing than unregulated alternatives. Strong but Smart Regulation: Implementing clear licensing regimes and enforcement in African markets will boost consumer trust. Finland's shift from a monopoly to a licensed multi-operator model shows that opening the market under strict oversight can both protect players and generate revenue. African regulators could license reputable operators (including international ones) under local rules, ensuring they meet standards for fairness, security, and responsible gaming. This helps channel players towards safe, taxed, and monitored platforms, rather than offshore or black-market sites. KYC and Player Protection: Finland demonstrates that fast KYC can go hand-in-hand with safety. African operators and regulators should invest in modern eKYC systems – potentially tapping into national ID databases or telecom data – to verify players quickly and keep out underage or problem gamblers. Additionally, mandated tools like deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion options can be required, mirroring Finland's emphasis on preventing gambling harm. By proactively promoting responsible gambling, the industry can sustain long-term growth and avoid backlash. Transparent Bonuses and Marketing: Hidden wagering requirements or misleading offers erode player confidence. Adopting clear, transparent bonus policies similar to Finland's (which even outlaws large welcome bonuses) could differentiate legal African sites from shady competitors. When players know that promotions are fair and terms are upfront, they are more likely to stick with licensed casinos. Likewise, marketing should be tempered with protective measures – e.g. no targeting minors or problem gamblers – to maintain a positive public image of the industry. Building Consumer Trust: Perhaps the overarching lesson is that trust is the currency of online gambling. Finland's ecosystem benefits from high trust – fostered by visible regulation, dependable payment methods, and community knowledge of which sites are reputable. African markets can cultivate a similar trust by endorsing independent audits and reviews. Encouraging local comparison portals or watchdog groups to highlight the region's best and safest online casinos (much like Finnish players consult platforms such as Kasinoranking for guidance) can empower users to make informed choices. When players feel confident that their money and data are safe – that winnings will be paid and games aren't rigged – they engage more freely, driving the industry's growth. Conclusion: A New Era for Africa's Online Casinos Africa's online casino industry is poised on the brink of significant expansion. The combination of a large youthful population, rapid digitalization, and passion for gaming suggests that the continent could be one of the next global iGaming powerhouses. If African countries can adapt and adopt the best practices from pioneers like Finland – balancing innovation with regulation – the rewards are substantial. We may see local operators offering frictionless 'play now, verify instantly' experiences, governments rolling out licenses that legitimize the sector, and consumers enjoying entertainment with full confidence in its safety and fairness. In the coming years, Africa's iGaming space can evolve from a nascent opportunity into a mature, well-regulated marketplace that rivals more established markets. By learning from Finland's example and tailoring those lessons to regional realities, Africa has the chance to unlock the best of both worlds: a booming online casino sector that is both profitable and principled, delivering fun and fortune in a responsibly managed arena. The cards are on the table – and Africa's digital gambling future looks undeniably bright.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Deportation of 35 Nigerian asylum seekers cost €500,000
New figures show the cost of deporting 35 Nigerian asylum seekers earlier this month was half-a-million euro, when prison detention costs are added. When 35 Nigerian asylum seekers - 21 adult men, 9 adult women and 5 children - were deported on 4 June last the Ministers at the Department of Justice said the operation cost €324,714. That figure was for the provision of the operation's flights. When prison costs are taken into account, the bill rises to over half-a-million euro. The Department confirmed to RTÉ's News at One that the figure of €325,000 was for flights and it did not include prison costs associated with holding 28 of the Nigerian deportees for an average of 27 days each. This means 756 prison days were used to accommodate the 28 detainees - 21 adult men and 7 adult women. Calculations based on Department of Justice figures show those costs could have amounted to €205,201. The Department confirmed to Morning Ireland the average cost of holding a prison in jail is nearly €99,072 each year. When that amount is divided by 365 days, the average cost amounts to €271.43 per day to house a prisoner. A more conservative estimate from Irish Penal Reform Trust figures would put the amount to hold the 28 Nigerians for an average of 27 days each at just over €173,000. Irish Penal Reform Trust figures from 2023 estimated the average cost to house a prison is €230 per day. The Department of Justice told RTÉ's News at One that "the cost of detention of the cohort in question" is not available. It said: "The cost of detention for the cohort in question is not available. The Irish Prison Service advise that the average annual cost of an available, staffed prison space for all prisoners during the calendar year 2024 was €99,072. This includes net expenditure incurred within the year (such as salaries, utilities/ maintenance, ICT, prison services, etc.) excluding capital expenditure on buildings, ICT and vehicle purchases." 'Prisons are not appropriate' The Irish Penal Reform Trust said prisons are not appropriate places for failed asylum seekers being deported from Ireland. "Prisons are not the appropriate place for them to be detained - especially if they are sharing spaces with people who have been convicted when they are not convicted themselves," said the Saoirse Brady, executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust. Ms Brady also said sending refugee detainees in Irish prisons was putting pressure on a service where prisoners sleep on mattresses beside toilets. Gabriel Keaveney, Deputy General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association said having additional people sent to Irish prisons adds to the existing overcrowding crisis. Prison service figures showed 5,415 prisoners were in custody on Monday. The bed capacity is 4,665 - that means its operating at 117% capacity - in all of the prisons. 422 prisoners were on mattresses on floors. 585 were on temporary release. The Department of Justice said in a statement: "The majority of those detained were held in Cloverhill Remand Prison or Mountjoy Female Prison (Dóchas Centre) as appropriate. Other places of detention have been Cork Prison, Limerick Prison and Midlands Prison." It added: "The Minister is committed to ensuring that Ireland's immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that the public has confidence in the application of our legislation in this area." Charter flight contract Charter flight services to deport people from Ireland are provided by Air Partner Ltd under a contract entered into in November 2024. This contract, the Department said, was signed following a competitive and open procurement process and the costs for the provision of the aircraft for these operations has been: €102,476 for a one-way flight to Georgia in February; €103,751 for a one-way flight to Georgia in May and €324,714 for a return flight to Nigeria in June. Costs for the provision of supporting charter services such as ground handling services, on-board paramedics and flight manager have been €46,352 so far in 2025. The department added: "The potential value of this contract is €5m over the lifespan of the contract. The term of the contract is 3 years with a possibility to extend it twice by one year, a potential lifespan of 5 years in total. The total expenditure under the contract with Air Partner will be based on the number of Charter Flights provided, the frequency of which will be determined by the operational needs of the State." "So far in 2025, 106 people have been removed on charter deportation flights and 54 deportation orders have been enforced on commercial flights. The majority of these cases have involved periods of detention prior to departure. Any children removed were part of family groups and were not detained. Additionally, 23 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left Ireland unescorted so far in 2025," the statement added. A person who is the subject of a deportation order may be held in detention for up to 56 days for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State. An application to extend this period of detention must be made to the District Court.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Iran fit close Hormuz Strait and how e go affect fuel price for Nigeria and di world?
Di exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran dey provoke fear for Nigeria and di whole world say Iran fit try to close di Strait of Homuz shipping lane, wey be di world most vital oil transit choke point. Around one fifth of di world crude oil dey go through di channel wey dey only 40km wide for im narrowest point. Iran fit consider closing di strait, according to di commander of Iran naval forces. If Iran decide to close di strait, e go seriously affect Nigeria as dis go make crude oil to become scarce for di whole world. Di price of crude oil go shoot up, meaning say Nigerians go gatz to pay more money pass as dem dey pay now to buy fuel. And since di kontri dey mostly import fuel wey dem don already process from obodo oyibo, dat one sef go make di cost to dey even more expensive. Former head of UK intelligence agency MI6, Sir Alex Younger, bin tell BBC say im worst case scenario include blockading access to di water: "Closing di Strait go obviously become very big economic palava unto di effect wey e go get on oil price." How much oil dey pass through Strait of Hormuz? US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimate say for di first six months of 2023 around 20 million barrels of oil na im bin pass through di strait per day. Dat one equal to nearly $600 billion worth of energy trade per year wey dem dey transport through maritime routes. Any disturb for di waterway fit cause significant delays to di delivery of oil to di world, wit immediate hike on prices. However, analysts dey warn say e fit get even more serious consequence and dat na say e go make di conflict between Israel and Iran worse. Dis one fit draw oda kontris, including United States, wey dey depend on oil wey dem import from Gulf kontris. How narrow Strait of Hormuz dey? Strait of Hormuz na one length of water wey dey between Iran and Oman. Im entrance and exit dey around 50km wide, and about 40km for im most narrow point for middle. However, dis strait only dey deep enof for mighty ships if dem centre demsef for middle of di water. Maritime navigation charts assign one safe lane for ships wey dey enta di strait, safe lane for di ones wey dey come out of am, and buffer zone between di two - all specifically for heavy oil tankers. In total, very big ships must to navigate di channel wey dey only about 10km wide. As tankers dey pass enta di Persian Gulf, dem dey near di islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb - dis na territories wey dey cause quarrel between Iran and Arab kontris. Many sabi pipo dey reason am say di must likely method wey Iran go use disturb shipping for dat strait na through military action. Na so e happun during di ran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988. Defensive doctrine? Analysts say for Iran, closing Strait of Hormuz na wetin dem dey consider as a form of "deterrent power" - equivalent to having nuclear weapon. Just as some kontris bin don dey opposed to Iran interest for military nuclear programme, major powers don tok many times say dem no go allow Tehran to use dia strategic geographical position to choke di world energy supply. Experts don dey predict say Iran fit block di strait temporarily. But many dey confident say United States and dia supporters go sharply re-establish flow of maritime traffic by using military means. How Iran fit take close Strait of Hormuz? One 2012 report by US Congressional Research Service suggest say Iran fit pursue gradual approach. Steps wey dem list include: For di Iran-Iraq war, Iran send Silkworm missiles against oil tankers plus put naval mines for di Gulf waters. One of dis mines strike di USS Samuel B Roberts, wey make US military to revenge. Iran bin fail to fully close di Strait of Hormuz, but majorly raise di price of shipping insurance premiums plus cause expensive maritime congestion for di Gulf exit. Iran military capabilities Two days before Israeli airstrike on Tehran kill Major General Hossein Salami, di den commander of Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), bin visit naval units wey dey for Strait of Hormuz. E bin describe di Persian Gulf and im surrounding areas as one of di Islamic Republic most critical defensive zones. Specifically, im point to high-speed missile-launching vessels wey dey capable of travelling 10km in less dan three minutes. General Salami say dis fast attack craft, heavier combat vessels, and missiles na im dem go use for defensive operations. Im also highlight anti-ship naval mines as "one of di most decisive weapons for naval warfare". Salami say dem don expand di naval drones "in terms of range, capabilities, and mission diversity". Wetin analysts dey predict? Experts dey say one of Iran most effective ways to stop di 3,000 or so ships wey dey pass di waterway each month go be to put mines using fast attack boats and submarines. Iran regular navy and di Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy fit potentially launch attacks on foreign warships and commercial ships. However, large military ships also fit become easy targets for Israeli or US airstrikes. Iran fast boats dey most times get anti-ship missiles, and di kontri dey also operate many surface ships, semi-submersible craft and submarines. Currently, maritime tracking websites wey dey use satellite imagery dey report movements of Iran military vessels near di kontri southern maritime borders. Which kontris go suffer am pass if di strait close? Research wey analytics company Vortexa show say Saudi Arabia dey export around six million barrels of crude oil per day through Strait of Hormuz - more dan any neighbouring kontri. China, India, Japan, and South Korea dey among di top importers of crude oil wey dey pass along am. Di EIA estimate say for 2022, around 82% of crude oil and condensates (low-density liquid hydrocarbons wey dey typically occur wit natural gas) wey dey leave di strait dey go Asian kontris. On 16 April 2025, just three days before Israel missile strike Iran air defences, Iran official news agency IRNA quote South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol say 60% of of im kontri oil supply dey go through di Strait of Hormuz. Di EIA say United States dey import around 700,000 barrels of crude oil and condensates from di strait per day - roughly 11% of im total oil import and 3% of im petrol consumption. Europe total share of oil wey dem dey transport through di strait be like e dey less dan 1 million barrels per day. As e be so, na Arab and Asian kontris go lose more from potential closure of Strait of Hormuz pass United States or European powers, wey don politically join Israel side for dis recent conflict. Many Asian kontris get good or even close relationship wit Iran. China influence China na one of di largest consumers of oil wey dey pass through Strait of Hormuz. Most of dis oil, na Iran dey sell give China at prices below international market rates - dis na vital economic lifeline wey dey help Tehran cope wit crippling US sanctions. As major consumer of Iran oil, Beijing dey highly unlikely to welcome any rise for oil prices or disturbance to shipping routes. China fit to use dia full diplomatic weight to prevent any closure of dis vital energy corridor. Anas Alhajji, na partner for energy consultancy Outlook Advisors, im tell tori pipo CNBC say closing di Strait of Hormuz go harm Iran supporters more dan dia enemies. "Dem [Iran pipo] no wan do sometin wey go wound dem first," im say. Alternative routes dey to bypass di blockade? Di persistent threat to close Strait of Hormuz over di years, don make oil-exporting kontris for di Gulf region to develop alternative export routes. According to one EIA report, Saudi Arabia don activate dia East–West pipeline, wey be one 1,200km-long line wey dey capable of transporting up to 5 million barrels of crude oil per day. For 2019, Saudi Arabia temporarily repurpose one natural gas pipeline to carry crude oil. United Arab Emirates don connect dia inland oilfields to di port of Fujairah wey dey Gulf of Oman through one pipeline wit daily capacity of 1.5 million barrels. For July 2021, Iran inaugurate Goreh–Jask pipeline, wey dem plan to take move crude oil to Gulf of Oman. Dis pipeline currently fit carry around 350,000 barrels per day - although reports dey suggest say Iran never do am yet. Di EIA estimate say dis alternative routes fit collectively handle around 3.5 million barrels of oil per day - roughly 15% of di crude wey dem dey currently ship through di strait.
