Swedish officials have ruled out the adoption of Brussels' proposed new migration pact under its six-month leadership of the EU, which means it is not likely to come into force until spring 2024 at the earliest.
“We will definitely advance the work … with full force. [But] you will not see a completed migration pact during the Swedish presidency,” Lars Danielsson, Sweden’s ambassador to the EU, told the Financial Times on Wednesday.
The EU’s migration pact has been under discussion for more than two years. In September 2020, the European Commission made several proposals aimed at addressing imbalances across the European Union.
They include reforms to the EU’s so-called Dublin system, which has overburdened certain countries on popular migration routes such as Greece and Italy, and a renewed attempt to increase the repatriation of failed asylum seekers.
Figures from the EU’s statistics office Eurostat show an increase in first-time asylum seekers in 2022, despite their number remaining lower than 2015 records. There were nearly 90,000 first-time asylum applicants across the EU, according to the latest figures from September. The highest numbers were registered in Germany, Austria and France. Asylum seekers were mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey.
Austria and India on Monday struck a migration deal, with India agreeing to take in failed asylum seekers. In return, Austria said it will make legal migration easier for Indian students and workers. Austrian politicians have described tens of thousands of unregistered migrants at its borders as a security risk.
Mr Danielsson also said that the war in Ukraine would remain at the top of the EU’s agenda under Sweden’s presidency. Consensus is likely to prevail regarding ongoing delivery of humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, but discussing new sanctions packages against Russia, as well as how to hold Moscow accountable for alleged war crimes, may prove more difficult.
“Swedes are known to love preparations … But I think we have to test our ability to improvise,” said Mr Danielsson.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
GOODBYE%20JULIA
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
AUSTRALIA SQUAD v SOUTH AFRICA
Aaron Finch (capt), Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa
