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Italy Advances Tougher Measures on Migrant Arrivals

ILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured), during his visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026.  Italy’s government has approved a new migration bill that would grant authorities the power to impose temporary naval blockades during periods of intense pressure on the country’s borders. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is designed to curb irregular sea crossings by restricting access to Italian territorial waters. The draft law would allow officials to bar vessels from entering for up to 30 days, with the option to extend the measure to six months if national security or public order is deemed at risk. The plan also strengthens border surveillance, increases penalties for human smuggling, and expands the list of offenses that can lead to deportation. Supporters argue the move is necessary to manage migration flows more effectively, whi...

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C$ falls to a four-week low against the US dollar as investors watch the economy's reaction to rate hikes

 


The Canadian dollar (C$) has slipped against the US dollar as investors are keeping a close eye on the economy's reaction to rate hikes. The C$ fell to a near four-week low against the US dollar, trading 0.4% lower at 1.3395 to the greenback, or 74.65 US cents. The Bank of Canada (BoC) has said that a slowdown in the domestic economy is an indication that its monetary policy is working. Money markets expect the central bank to cut its benchmark interest rate in April after holding it at a 22-year high of 5% for a third straight policy meeting in December. Canadians borrowed heavily during the pandemic to participate in a red-hot housing market. The BoC has said that the domestic economy is particularly sensitive to higher borrowing costs. 



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