World & West

Reported

UK splits post-study work visa into two tiers from 2027

1 Nov 2026, 11:44 GMT

Graduates in caps at a graduation ceremony (stock image) — Stock image: McElspeth / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Nigerian students planning to study in the United Kingdom will face new rules on how long they can stay and work after graduation, under changes announced in the UK government's 2026 Budget.

What is changing

From 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa will reportedly be split into two tiers. Most bachelor's and master's graduates will be allowed 18 months to stay and work, down from two years. Graduates of universities with strong immigration compliance records and good graduate job outcomes will keep two years. Doctoral graduates will keep their existing three years. Applications submitted before 1 January 2027 will be decided under the current rules.

Unanswered questions

The UK government has not yet published the list of qualifying universities or the exact criteria that will be used. The change partly reverses an earlier plan to cut the visa to 18 months for everyone.

Why it matters for Nigerians

Nigeria was the third-largest source of sponsored study visas to the UK in the year to June 2026, with more than 26,000 main applicants, behind only China and India. More than 20,000 Nigerians were granted permission on the Graduate route in the same period. Prospective students are being advised to check a university's immigration compliance record and graduate employment outcomes, as well as fees and reputation.

Background

The Graduate visa cannot be extended, so graduates who want to stay longer must switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa. The UK has tightened immigration rules in recent years, including restrictions on bringing family members on student visas.

Most graduates will get 18 months instead of two years from January 2027.
Graduates of high-performing universities keep two years.
The list of qualifying universities has not been published.

More gist

World & WestReported

Sample of a US visa application confirmation page (stock image) — Stock image: U.S. Department of State / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

US appeals court puts hold on order to reopen 2027 visa lottery

1 Nov 2026, 06:42 GMT

A US appeals court has reportedly paused a lower court order that required the State Department to open registration for the 2027 Diversity Visa lottery. Tens of thousands of African hopefuls now have no confirmed date to apply while the appeal continues.

Hopes of an imminent opening of the US Diversity Visa lottery for 2027 have been put on hold after a federal appeals court intervened, according to reports on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

What happened

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reportedly granted an emergency stay on 29 October, pausing an order issued by District Judge Jinsook Ohta on 14 October. That order, made in a case brought by immigration law firm Red Eagle Law against Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had required the State Department to announce registration dates, open applications and notify selected entrants by 3 December. The lower court had set 29 October for publishing registration details and 1 November for opening the application window.

Why it was paused

The appeals judges reportedly found that the law firm had not shown that its financial interest in representing lottery winners was closely enough linked to the programme's goal of increasing immigration from under-represented countries. The court said its decision was not an endorsement of the State Department's failure to open the programme.

Who is affected

The lottery offers up to 55,000 US immigrant visas each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States, and African applicants have long made up a large share of winners. Tens of thousands of hopefuls across the continent now have no confirmed registration date. Nigeria has been excluded from the lottery for several years because of its high number of immigrants to the US, but many Nigerians follow the programme closely and some qualify through a spouse's or parent's country of birth.

What happens next

The registration window will remain closed until the appeal is decided or the State Department announces its own dates.

World & WestReported

A globe of the Earth — Stock image: Zde / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

US Embassy warns of credible threat of attack at Moscow museum

1 Nov 2026, 06:42 GMT

The US Embassy in Moscow has warned Americans of a credible threat of a mass-casualty attack at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve. Russia's security service said it received the information from US partners and was taking action, and the site was reportedly closed.

The United States Embassy in Moscow has issued an urgent warning about a possible attack at one of the Russian capital's best-known historic sites.

What the embassy said

In a statement on Saturday, 31 October 2026, the embassy said it was aware of a credible threat of an event that could cause mass casualties at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve. It advised American citizens to avoid the site that day, stay alert and avoid crowds, and said the US government was coordinating with Russian authorities.

Russia's response

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed it had received information from its American counterparts about possible preparations for a terrorist attack in Moscow and said it was taking appropriate action. Russian media reported that the museum reserve was temporarily closed and that police restricted access to the surrounding park.

Background

Tsaritsyno is a large 18th-century palace and park complex in the south of Moscow, popular with tourists and families. The warning is reminiscent of March 2024, when the US Embassy warned of a possible attack on large gatherings in Moscow shortly before gunmen attacked the Crocus City Hall concert venue, killing more than 140 people. The rare cooperation between US and Russian security services comes at a time of high tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine and Europe.

What happens next

No attack had been reported at the time of writing. Russian authorities are expected to give further updates on their security operation.

World & WestReported

US congressman introduces bill to stop lobbyists working for Nigeria

31 Oct 2026, 14:43 GMT

US Representative Barry Moore has introduced a bill that would bar American lobbyists from being paid to represent Nigeria while it remains designated a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom. He accuses the Nigerian government of paying lobbyists to counter criticism over attacks on Christians.

A United States congressman has introduced legislation aimed at stopping American lobbying firms from working for the Nigerian government.

What the bill does

Representative Barry Moore introduced H.R. 10939, which would bar people and firms in the United States from accepting payment to lobby on Nigeria's behalf for as long as Nigeria is designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations. Firms that take such payments during that period could face sanctions. The bill was reported on Saturday, 31 October 2026, and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Why Moore introduced it

Moore reportedly accused the Nigerian government of paying expensive lobbyists in Washington to play down the persecution of Christians in the country. The allegations of persecution are disputed by the Nigerian government, which has said that insecurity affects people of all faiths and is driven by terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts.

Background

The United States designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, a label for countries accused of severe violations of religious freedom. The designation has strained relations between the two countries, and the Nigerian government has hired lobbying firms in Washington to present its position. The issue gained new attention this week after a Christian woman was convicted in Borno State over converting an adult, a case criticised by Christian groups.

What happens next

The bill must pass through committee and both houses of Congress before it can become law. The Nigerian government had not responded publicly at the time of the report.

World & WestReported

Pope Leo XIV casts mail-in ballot in US midterm elections

30 Oct 2026, 20:49 GMT

The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV has voted by mail in the US midterm elections in his home state of Illinois, believed to be the first time a pope has voted in an American election. The Vatican said he believes citizens have a right and duty to take part in democracy.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has voted in the United States midterm elections, the Vatican has confirmed.

What happened

The Holy See press office said on Friday, 30 October 2026, that the Pope had cast a mail-in ballot in Illinois, where he was born. It said he had exercised his right to vote as a US citizen whenever he was eligible, and that he believes citizens have both a right and a duty to take part in democratic processes. His ballot is expected to include races for the US Senate, the governorship of Illinois and the House of Representatives. He is believed to be the first pope ever to vote in an American election.

Background

The Pope was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and holds both American and Peruvian citizenship, having spent many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru. He was elected pope in May 2025 after the death of Pope Francis. Public records show he voted regularly in Illinois before becoming pope, including in the 2024 presidential election. The Vatican did not say who he voted for.

Why it matters

The US midterm elections in November will decide control of Congress, and the Pope's decision to vote has drawn wide attention because of his role as a global religious leader. Supporters praised him for setting an example of civic duty, while others questioned whether a pope should take part in a national election.

What happens next

The Pope is expected to continue his public schedule, including a planned visit to South America.