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09 Oct 2026
Canada asylum claim process Parliament Ottawa

Canada Launches New Asylum Claim Process on 3 November

Categories Canada, Immigration

Canada will switch to a new online process for asylum claims on 3 November 2026, with the cutover at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 2 November, CIC News reports. Anyone who has started a claim in the IRCC Portal but not submitted it before then will have to answer new questions.

On this page

What the cutover means for claimants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the date on 1 October through updates to its pages on claiming asylum from within Canada and at the border. For in-Canada online claims, a claim started but not submitted must be completed with the new questions and old answers reviewed; a claim already submitted is unaffected. For claims made at the border, a claim not yet linked to a Portal account means re-entering personal and family details; one linked but unsubmitted needs the new questions; a submitted claim is unaffected.

Who can claim and what happens next

CIC News outlines two grounds: Convention refugee (persecution based on race, religion, politics, nationality or social group) and person in need of protection (risk of torture, cruelty or death). Eligible claims go to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a decision. People refused, or found ineligible for referral, can apply for a pre-removal risk assessment.

Work permits while you wait

Since 2022 a public policy lets referred claimants apply for an open work permit while awaiting their hearing. Per CIC News, Canada took a first step on 19 June 2026 toward making early access permanent through regulatory amendments, and on 26 March 2026 extended access to some claimants awaiting a pre-removal risk assessment. Related reading: our guide to Canada work permit processing times and the PRRA waiver for Israel and Palestine claimants.

What to do before 3 November

If you have an unsubmitted claim, submit it before the cutover to avoid extra questions, or be ready to answer them. Official guidance is on the IRCC website. If you are weighing other routes to Canada, try the visa eligibility checker.

Canada asylum process: common questions

When does the new process start?

3 November 2026, with the cutover at 11:59 p.m. ET on 2 November.

Do I have to redo a submitted claim?

No. Claims submitted in the IRCC Portal before the cutover are not affected.

Can asylum claimants work in Canada?

Referred claimants can apply for an open work permit under a policy in place since 2022, per CIC News.

What if my claim is rejected?

You may be able to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment, usually the last chance to seek protection in Canada.

Related reading: Ontario workforce priority stream.

09 Oct 2026
OpenAI revenue AI chips

OpenAI Revenue Reportedly $20 Billion Below Projection

Categories Business, Tech

OpenAI’s annualised revenue is reportedly “approaching $50 billion”, about $20 billion below the roughly $70 billion figure reported two weeks earlier, according to TechCrunch, which cites the Financial Times. OpenAI had not confirmed the lower number on the record, TechCrunch said.

Inside this story

Where the two numbers came from

Axios reported on 29 September 2026 that OpenAI’s annualised revenue was approaching $70 billion. Per the Financial Times, as relayed by TechCrunch, that figure came from information shared with OpenAI investors and was an attempt to compare OpenAI directly with Anthropic. The Financial Times now reports OpenAI has told investors the figure is closer to $50 billion.

The Anthropic comparison

CNBC reported on 17 August 2026 that Anthropic’s annualised revenue reached $65 billion in July. TechCrunch notes the two companies calculate the metric differently: Anthropic counts sales made through its cloud partners, while OpenAI does not. That accounting difference means the headline numbers are not like-for-like. Anthropic is a competitor of OpenAI, so each side’s figures should be read with that interest in mind.

Funding and IPO backdrop

TechCrunch lists OpenAI’s $122 billion funding round in March 2026, and notes CNBC reported on 19 August that the company’s IPO has been pushed to early 2027. Leaked 2025 financials reported by Inc. showed about $13 billion in revenue, with spending significantly higher. Investor appetite for AI-linked listings is a live question, as our coverage of the data-centre backlash and the stalled listings in our data-centre IPO report shows.

What to watch

The key tests are whether OpenAI confirms its figure, whether investors accept a like-for-like methodology across AI labs, and how the revision affects the IPO timetable. For more on the company’s recent turmoil see our report on the safety researcher resignation.

OpenAI revenue: questions answered

What is OpenAI’s reported annualised revenue now?

Approaching $50 billion, according to the Financial Times as relayed by TechCrunch.

What was the earlier figure?

Axios reported on 29 September that it was approaching $70 billion.

Has OpenAI confirmed the new number?

TechCrunch’s article carries no on-the-record confirmation.

Why are OpenAI and Anthropic hard to compare?

Anthropic counts sales through its cloud partners; OpenAI does not, per TechCrunch.

Related reading: Google bug bounty AI freeze and OpenAI rogue agents alerts.

09 Oct 2026
Nobel Peace Prize 2026 Oslo

Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Categories World

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Navi Pillay, a former South African jurist and former UN human rights chief, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced in Oslo on Friday 9 October 2026, Al Jazeera reports. The committee honoured her “work to promote peace and international law”.

In this report

What the committee said

According to the committee, as relayed by Al Jazeera, Pillay was instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted. The committee received 287 nominations for this year’s prize. Al Jazeera’s early report, marked as developing, carried no statement from Pillay herself.

The contenders she beat

Reported contenders this year included the International Space Station, emergency teams in Sudan, children’s advocates in Ukraine and two of the world’s top international courts, per Al Jazeera. The committee does not publish its shortlist, so such names reflect speculation ahead of the announcement rather than official confirmation.

The Trump angle

Al Jazeera notes that US President Donald Trump has long wanted the prize and has repeatedly said he deserves it. The announcement comes while the United States remains in conflict with Iran, a backdrop covered in our report on the Strait of Hormuz dispute.

What happens next

The Nobel Prizes are formally presented in December. Full details of the citation and the laureate’s biography are published by the Nobel Prize organisation. This article will be read against a wider news cycle that includes the Gaza ceasefire anniversary and continuing debate over international law.

Nobel Peace Prize 2026: key questions

Who won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize?

Navi Pillay, a former South African jurist and former UN human rights commissioner, according to Al Jazeera.

Why was she chosen?

The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited her work to promote peace and international law, and her role in ensuring war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.

How many nominations were there?

287, per Al Jazeera’s report of the announcement.

When was it announced?

Friday 9 October 2026, in Oslo.

Related reading: EU-China trade talks and the Gaza ceasefire anniversary.

08 Oct 2026
Gilman Scholarship study abroad

Gilman Scholarship: Next Study Abroad Deadline Is Feb 25

Categories Scholarships, Study Abroad

The next Gilman Scholarship deadline for study abroad is 25 February 2027, after the fall 2026 cycle closed on 1 October, according to the programme’s deadlines page. Applications for the spring cycle open in mid-January 2027.

On this page

Gilman deadlines for 2027

The spring 2027 cycle has a student deadline of 25 February 2027 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time, an advisor certification deadline of 4 March 2027 and notification in May 2027. It covers programmes starting between 1 May 2027 and 30 April 2028. The fall 2026 cycle closed on 1 October; its notifications are due in December. Late applications are not accepted.

Who can apply

This is a US programme. Per the eligibility page, applicants must be US citizens or nationals, undergraduates at an accredited US institution, receiving a Federal Pell Grant when they apply or able to show they will during their term, and applying to or accepted into a credit-bearing study abroad or internship programme.

Where you can go

The destination must have an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, and areas rated Level 3 or 4 are off-limits. Programmes at institutions on the Section 1286 NDAA list are barred; the page says the list dated 26 June 2026 applies to programmes in China. Recipients can receive the award only once.

Planning your application

Choose the cycle matching your programme dates, and remember advisor certification is a separate, later deadline. Award amounts are on the programme overview page, not the pages we reviewed. If you are not a US student, see our guides to Erasmus Mundus and Commonwealth scholarships, and check your options with our visa eligibility checker.

Gilman Scholarship FAQ

When is the next Gilman deadline?

25 February 2027 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time for the spring cycle.

Is the Gilman Scholarship open to international students?

No. Applicants must be US citizens or nationals studying at US institutions.

Do I need a Pell Grant?

Yes, you must receive one when applying or prove you will during your study abroad term.

Can I use it anywhere?

Only in locations with a Level 1 or 2 travel advisory, and not at barred institutions.

Related reading: UCAS 15 October deadline.

08 Oct 2026
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream

Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Adds 10 Points at $80K

Categories Canada, Immigration

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream now awards 10 points to candidates earning $80,000 or more, up from a previous top bracket of 8 points, CIC News reports. The change took effect on 5 October 2026 and was announced publicly on 7 October.

Quick guide

The new earnings scoring

Under the “Canadian work experience: earnings history” factor, annual earnings score as follows: $80,000 or more, 10 points (new); $70,000 to $79,999, 8; $50,000 to $69,999, 6; $30,000 to $49,999, 4; under $30,000, 0. Income comes from a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment issued within the past five years, and the change was applied automatically to affected profiles.

How the stream works

The Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS) is currently the only route for foreign nationals to seek Ontario provincial nomination for permanent residence. The province revoked all previous pathways on 30 May 2026, launched OWPS on 26 June, unveiled its ranking system on 20 July and opened intake on 4 August.

What is still to come

A second phase will add Priority Healthcare, Entrepreneur and Exceptional Talent streams, with no launch date announced. CIC News cites Ontario’s update page at ontario.ca; check it before acting. Not sure where you stand? Try our visa eligibility checker. Our earlier explainer on Canada work permit processing times may also help.

Ontario OWPS: common questions

What changed in the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream?

A new top earnings bracket: $80,000 or more now scores 10 points instead of 8.

When did it take effect?

5 October 2026, announced on 7 October.

How is income verified?

By a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment issued within the past five years.

Are other Ontario streams open?

Not yet. OWPS is the only one currently available; three more are planned without dates.

Related reading: the Canada PRRA waiver.

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