Former Israeli president set to appeal after being jailed for raping one woman and sexually harassing two other staff Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav has been sentenced to seven years in prison for rape and other sexual offences following a year-long trial which ended with his conviction in December. Katsav, president from 2000 to 2007, said he was innocent and was being persecuted by the courts and Israeli society at large. He is expected to appeal. Katsav was convicted of two counts of rape of an employee at the tourism ministry, where he was minister from 1996-1999. He was also convicted of the indecent assault and sexual harassment of two other employees at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem during his presidency. The president was given the chance of a plea bargain in which he could admit lesser charges but chose to fight all charges in a trial which, although conducted in private, was accompanied by leaks from both sides in the media. The judges told the court: “The crime of rape damages and destroys a person’s soul … Due to the severity of the crime, the punishment must be clear and precise. The defendant committed the crime and like every other person, he must bear the consequences. No man is above the law.” Katsav, 65, sobbed and interrupted the judges repeatedly. “You are all wrong. It’s all lies … The women know they are lying. They are laughing at this judgment,” he said. The former president was also ordered to pay 100,000 shekels (£17,000) to the rape victim and 25,000 shekels to each of the other victims. The rape victim, known in public as Complainant A, told the Israeli press on Monday: “I am not vengeful, but I think the court should send a message. Regardless of how many years he spends in prison, Katsav will always be a villain. The number of years is not the issue here, but the harsh verdict, which proved that Katsav committed these despicable acts and raped me.” While police investigations and trials of prime ministers and ministers is reasonably common in Israel – the former prime minister, Ehud Olmert and current foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman are both currently being investigated on suspicion of financial crimes – the enormity of Katsav’s crimes has shocked Israel. Katsav migrated to Israel from Iran in 1951, his early life was typical of the hardship experienced by many Middle Eastern Jews who migrated to Israel. He and his family lived in a succession of tented transit camps until one was renamed the development town of Kiryat Malakhi, which became his political base. Many Middle Eastern Jews felt discriminated against by the European elite in the early days of the Israeli state. Katsav’s political career mirrored the growing self-confidence of Middle Eastern Jews which translated into the rise of the Likud party, which eventually broke the Labour party domination of Israeli government. The first day of Katsav’s incarceration has not yet been made public. He has been given 45 days to appeal to the supreme court. Israel Middle East Conal Urquhart guardian.co.uk
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Cabinet finalises plans to reform student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk ‘crippling’ a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year to the UK economy The outcome of a Whitehall struggle over how far the coalition’s curb on overseas student numbers should go is to be announced on Tuesday. The cabinet is expected to approve the final details of its reform to student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk “crippling” a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year. Home Office ministers have made clear that overseas student numbers have risen to such an extent that last year they accounted for two-thirds of the visas issued to migrants from outside Europe. The student route into Britain is now far larger than the number of migrants who come to work or join family members. The home secretary, Theresa May, is committed to reducing overall annual migration, which stood at 210,000 last year, to below 100,000 by the next general election and the curbs on overseas student numbers are regarded as essential to achieve that goal. But the universities minister, David Willetts, gave a clear hint two weeks ago that there were “grey areas” and “fuzzy boundaries” in the policy over which he had yet to reach agreement with the Home Office. He particularly identified the ability of overseas students to bring dependants with them and the post-study work route as areas where the original Home Office proposals were under discussion within government. “It is a feature, but there may be ways in which we can tighten it up or make sure it is not abused or becoming a route to settlement,” he said of post-study work route. “There are a whole range of options between complete closure of the route and the status quo. There are certainly universities that tell us very clearly that if they were completely to lose the post-study work option that would put them at a disadvantage,” Willets told MPs. There has also been intense discussions over how far the clampdown should hit “pathfinder” courses which allow overseas students to improve their English or take A-level qualifications and then subsequently go on to British university degrees. The home secretary has promised that the curb on student numbers should not affect genuine students coming to study degrees at British universities. The Home Office insists that tackling the abuse of the student route will help improve the UK’s reputation overseas as a place of quality education and stricter controls will also protect legitimate students from being ripped off. New examples of abuse of the student route cited by the Home Office last night included: • At Mumbai in India, between September and December 2010, the UK Border Agency had concerns about 200 applications from dependants to join students attending privately funded colleges. When they followed these up, in almost 20% of the cases the student was no longer at the college. • In a study of 454 south Asian students studying accountancy courses about which the UKBA had suspicions, 65% failed to demonstrate the required level of English, and over a fifth couldn’t speak English at all. • UKBA found that a college whose licence has been revoked charged six students from the Philippines a total of £25,000 for a year’s study in health and social care that never took place. The students paid extra on top of this to spend the entirety of their time on their work placements. International students Higher education Students Immigration and asylum Theresa May David Willetts Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Cabinet finalises plans to reform student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk ‘crippling’ a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year to the UK economy The outcome of a Whitehall struggle over how far the coalition’s curb on overseas student numbers should go is to be announced on Tuesday. The cabinet is expected to approve the final details of its reform to student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk “crippling” a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year. Home Office ministers have made clear that overseas student numbers have risen to such an extent that last year they accounted for two-thirds of the visas issued to migrants from outside Europe. The student route into Britain is now far larger than the number of migrants who come to work or join family members. The home secretary, Theresa May, is committed to reducing overall annual migration, which stood at 210,000 last year, to below 100,000 by the next general election and the curbs on overseas student numbers are regarded as essential to achieve that goal. But the universities minister, David Willetts, gave a clear hint two weeks ago that there were “grey areas” and “fuzzy boundaries” in the policy over which he had yet to reach agreement with the Home Office. He particularly identified the ability of overseas students to bring dependants with them and the post-study work route as areas where the original Home Office proposals were under discussion within government. “It is a feature, but there may be ways in which we can tighten it up or make sure it is not abused or becoming a route to settlement,” he said of post-study work route. “There are a whole range of options between complete closure of the route and the status quo. There are certainly universities that tell us very clearly that if they were completely to lose the post-study work option that would put them at a disadvantage,” Willets told MPs. There has also been intense discussions over how far the clampdown should hit “pathfinder” courses which allow overseas students to improve their English or take A-level qualifications and then subsequently go on to British university degrees. The home secretary has promised that the curb on student numbers should not affect genuine students coming to study degrees at British universities. The Home Office insists that tackling the abuse of the student route will help improve the UK’s reputation overseas as a place of quality education and stricter controls will also protect legitimate students from being ripped off. New examples of abuse of the student route cited by the Home Office last night included: • At Mumbai in India, between September and December 2010, the UK Border Agency had concerns about 200 applications from dependants to join students attending privately funded colleges. When they followed these up, in almost 20% of the cases the student was no longer at the college. • In a study of 454 south Asian students studying accountancy courses about which the UKBA had suspicions, 65% failed to demonstrate the required level of English, and over a fifth couldn’t speak English at all. • UKBA found that a college whose licence has been revoked charged six students from the Philippines a total of £25,000 for a year’s study in health and social care that never took place. The students paid extra on top of this to spend the entirety of their time on their work placements. International students Higher education Students Immigration and asylum Theresa May David Willetts Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Cabinet finalises plans to reform student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk ‘crippling’ a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year to the UK economy The outcome of a Whitehall struggle over how far the coalition’s curb on overseas student numbers should go is to be announced on Tuesday. The cabinet is expected to approve the final details of its reform to student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk “crippling” a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year. Home Office ministers have made clear that overseas student numbers have risen to such an extent that last year they accounted for two-thirds of the visas issued to migrants from outside Europe. The student route into Britain is now far larger than the number of migrants who come to work or join family members. The home secretary, Theresa May, is committed to reducing overall annual migration, which stood at 210,000 last year, to below 100,000 by the next general election and the curbs on overseas student numbers are regarded as essential to achieve that goal. But the universities minister, David Willetts, gave a clear hint two weeks ago that there were “grey areas” and “fuzzy boundaries” in the policy over which he had yet to reach agreement with the Home Office. He particularly identified the ability of overseas students to bring dependants with them and the post-study work route as areas where the original Home Office proposals were under discussion within government. “It is a feature, but there may be ways in which we can tighten it up or make sure it is not abused or becoming a route to settlement,” he said of post-study work route. “There are a whole range of options between complete closure of the route and the status quo. There are certainly universities that tell us very clearly that if they were completely to lose the post-study work option that would put them at a disadvantage,” Willets told MPs. There has also been intense discussions over how far the clampdown should hit “pathfinder” courses which allow overseas students to improve their English or take A-level qualifications and then subsequently go on to British university degrees. The home secretary has promised that the curb on student numbers should not affect genuine students coming to study degrees at British universities. The Home Office insists that tackling the abuse of the student route will help improve the UK’s reputation overseas as a place of quality education and stricter controls will also protect legitimate students from being ripped off. New examples of abuse of the student route cited by the Home Office last night included: • At Mumbai in India, between September and December 2010, the UK Border Agency had concerns about 200 applications from dependants to join students attending privately funded colleges. When they followed these up, in almost 20% of the cases the student was no longer at the college. • In a study of 454 south Asian students studying accountancy courses about which the UKBA had suspicions, 65% failed to demonstrate the required level of English, and over a fifth couldn’t speak English at all. • UKBA found that a college whose licence has been revoked charged six students from the Philippines a total of £25,000 for a year’s study in health and social care that never took place. The students paid extra on top of this to spend the entirety of their time on their work placements. International students Higher education Students Immigration and asylum Theresa May David Willetts Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Cabinet finalises plans to reform student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk ‘crippling’ a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year to the UK economy The outcome of a Whitehall struggle over how far the coalition’s curb on overseas student numbers should go is to be announced on Tuesday. The cabinet is expected to approve the final details of its reform to student immigration amid warnings from MPs that ministers risk “crippling” a thriving industry that is worth £40bn a year. Home Office ministers have made clear that overseas student numbers have risen to such an extent that last year they accounted for two-thirds of the visas issued to migrants from outside Europe. The student route into Britain is now far larger than the number of migrants who come to work or join family members. The home secretary, Theresa May, is committed to reducing overall annual migration, which stood at 210,000 last year, to below 100,000 by the next general election and the curbs on overseas student numbers are regarded as essential to achieve that goal. But the universities minister, David Willetts, gave a clear hint two weeks ago that there were “grey areas” and “fuzzy boundaries” in the policy over which he had yet to reach agreement with the Home Office. He particularly identified the ability of overseas students to bring dependants with them and the post-study work route as areas where the original Home Office proposals were under discussion within government. “It is a feature, but there may be ways in which we can tighten it up or make sure it is not abused or becoming a route to settlement,” he said of post-study work route. “There are a whole range of options between complete closure of the route and the status quo. There are certainly universities that tell us very clearly that if they were completely to lose the post-study work option that would put them at a disadvantage,” Willets told MPs. There has also been intense discussions over how far the clampdown should hit “pathfinder” courses which allow overseas students to improve their English or take A-level qualifications and then subsequently go on to British university degrees. The home secretary has promised that the curb on student numbers should not affect genuine students coming to study degrees at British universities. The Home Office insists that tackling the abuse of the student route will help improve the UK’s reputation overseas as a place of quality education and stricter controls will also protect legitimate students from being ripped off. New examples of abuse of the student route cited by the Home Office last night included: • At Mumbai in India, between September and December 2010, the UK Border Agency had concerns about 200 applications from dependants to join students attending privately funded colleges. When they followed these up, in almost 20% of the cases the student was no longer at the college. • In a study of 454 south Asian students studying accountancy courses about which the UKBA had suspicions, 65% failed to demonstrate the required level of English, and over a fifth couldn’t speak English at all. • UKBA found that a college whose licence has been revoked charged six students from the Philippines a total of £25,000 for a year’s study in health and social care that never took place. The students paid extra on top of this to spend the entirety of their time on their work placements. International students Higher education Students Immigration and asylum Theresa May David Willetts Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
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Retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991 UK inflation rose to 4.4% last month, its highest level since October 2008, as rising heating and clothing costs continued to drive up the cost of living. February’s consumer prices index reading, which was higher than the City had expected, pushed the pound to a new 14-month high of 1.6377. The retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991. Economists believe the rising cost of living will force the Bank of England to hike UK interest rates above the current record low of 0.5%, with several some expecting a rise in May. However, Bank governor Mervyn King has repeatedly insisted that CPI will fall back to the official target of 2% in the medium term . King has also pointed out that many of the causes of the rising cost of living, such as the high oil price and record commodity and food costs, are external factors that would not be significantly affected by a change to the cost of borrowing. Inflation Economics Bank of England Interest rates Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991 UK inflation rose to 4.4% last month, its highest level since October 2008, as rising heating and clothing costs continued to drive up the cost of living. February’s consumer prices index reading, which was higher than the City had expected, pushed the pound to a new 14-month high of 1.6377. The retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991. Economists believe the rising cost of living will force the Bank of England to hike UK interest rates above the current record low of 0.5%, with several some expecting a rise in May. However, Bank governor Mervyn King has repeatedly insisted that CPI will fall back to the official target of 2% in the medium term . King has also pointed out that many of the causes of the rising cost of living, such as the high oil price and record commodity and food costs, are external factors that would not be significantly affected by a change to the cost of borrowing. Inflation Economics Bank of England Interest rates Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991 UK inflation rose to 4.4% last month, its highest level since October 2008, as rising heating and clothing costs continued to drive up the cost of living. February’s consumer prices index reading, which was higher than the City had expected, pushed the pound to a new 14-month high of 1.6377. The retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991. Economists believe the rising cost of living will force the Bank of England to hike UK interest rates above the current record low of 0.5%, with several some expecting a rise in May. However, Bank governor Mervyn King has repeatedly insisted that CPI will fall back to the official target of 2% in the medium term . King has also pointed out that many of the causes of the rising cost of living, such as the high oil price and record commodity and food costs, are external factors that would not be significantly affected by a change to the cost of borrowing. Inflation Economics Bank of England Interest rates Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991 UK inflation rose to 4.4% last month, its highest level since October 2008, as rising heating and clothing costs continued to drive up the cost of living. February’s consumer prices index reading, which was higher than the City had expected, pushed the pound to a new 14-month high of 1.6377. The retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991. Economists believe the rising cost of living will force the Bank of England to hike UK interest rates above the current record low of 0.5%, with several some expecting a rise in May. However, Bank governor Mervyn King has repeatedly insisted that CPI will fall back to the official target of 2% in the medium term . King has also pointed out that many of the causes of the rising cost of living, such as the high oil price and record commodity and food costs, are external factors that would not be significantly affected by a change to the cost of borrowing. Inflation Economics Bank of England Interest rates Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991 UK inflation rose to 4.4% last month, its highest level since October 2008, as rising heating and clothing costs continued to drive up the cost of living. February’s consumer prices index reading, which was higher than the City had expected, pushed the pound to a new 14-month high of 1.6377. The retail prices index, which includes housing costs, hit 5.5% – its highest level since July 1991. Economists believe the rising cost of living will force the Bank of England to hike UK interest rates above the current record low of 0.5%, with several some expecting a rise in May. However, Bank governor Mervyn King has repeatedly insisted that CPI will fall back to the official target of 2% in the medium term . King has also pointed out that many of the causes of the rising cost of living, such as the high oil price and record commodity and food costs, are external factors that would not be significantly affected by a change to the cost of borrowing. Inflation Economics Bank of England Interest rates Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk
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