UAE freezes 'Desi Bling' star Satish Sanpal's assets over money laundering probe
Besides the financial services accounts and digital wallets of Satish, the FIU freezing order, issued about a fortnight ago, extends to accounts of Tabinda and companies linked to Sanpals.
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Canadian citizenship by descent: These 2 documents are key for Indian-origin families applying under new IRCC rules
Canada's citizenship by descent rules now prioritize original birth and marriage certificates. Applicants must submit documents issued by the original authority for family lineage proof. Long-form birth certificates and marriage certificates are crucial for establishing parent-child relationships. Missing records require documented proof of genuine search efforts by applicants. Processing times for these applications have significantly increased to nineteen months.
A recent US report advocates for minimizing dependence on international STEM graduates for national security purposes. It highlights how America invests heavily in training foreign talent, only to see them leave. The report stresses the need to enhance domestic research and manufacturing, urging for more investment in American scientists and students to cultivate a robust local talent pool for future leadership.
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New Zealand announces major overhaul of seasonal worker scheme; changes from 2027
New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme will see reforms starting in 2027. These changes aim to simplify recruitment and improve worker protections for overseas staff. Employers will experience streamlined accreditation and agreement processes under the new framework. Workers will benefit from strengthened support and clearer cost recovery agreements. The government intends to maintain worker protections while prioritizing local job opportunities.
Immigrant employment in the European Union reached a record high in 2025. This progress narrowed the gap with native-born workers significantly. Non-EU immigrant employment saw the biggest improvement from 2017 to 2025. However, outcomes varied widely across different member states. The report highlights untapped potential among women and highly educated migrants.
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Canada sharpens focus on study permit finances; proof of funds under scanner
Immigration officers are now examining the source and stability of funds more closely, with nearly half of study permit refusals linked to inadequate proof of finances. While fewer applications are being processed, approval rates have improved, including for Indian students.
Howard University has rescinded admission for hundreds of students who missed enrollment deadlines. Other universities are now offering these students a chance to enroll for the upcoming semester. New York state universities are expediting admissions and offering financial assistance to affected students. Keana Johnson, a student from a New York shelter, hopes to still attend an HBCU. Many students are scrambling to find new educational opportunities before classes begin.
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Maldives launches Favara-UPI payment service with India
Maldives has launched real-time fund transfers to India using UPI. This integration connects Maldives' Favara system with India's popular payment platform. Individuals can now send money instantly to UPI-enabled accounts in India. This initiative strengthens digital financial connectivity and bilateral economic cooperation. Future phases will introduce more cross-border payment solutions.
Small and mid-sized Indian banks are ramping up FCNR(B) deposit rates to attract non-resident Indians after interest rate deregulation, offering returns above 7.4–7.5% without leverage benefits. In contrast, larger banks are focusing on structured offerings with high leverage (9–19x) but keeping base rates below 7%, leveraging their global partnerships and strong NRI relationships.
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Air India to launch seasonal Mumbai-Toronto non-stop flights from October 25; deploys new Dreamliner on Delhi route
Air India will launch a new seasonal Mumbai-Toronto service starting October 2026. The airline is also introducing its brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the Delhi-Toronto route. This expansion adds approximately 4,400 seats monthly between India and Canada. Upgraded Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will operate the new Mumbai-Toronto flights. All Toronto services will feature new or upgraded cabin interiors by January 2027.
Egypt will launch a digital visa-on-arrival system at Cairo International Airport from August 1, replacing paper visa stickers with QR codes during a pilot phase. While the process becomes digital, eligibility rules remain unchanged, meaning only certain Indian passport holders can use the visa-on-arrival facility.
UAE freezes 'Desi Bling' star Satish Sanpal's assets over money laundering probe
Besides the financial services accounts and digital wallets of Satish, the FIU freezing order, issued about a fortnight ago, extends to accounts of Tabinda and companies linked to Sanpals.
