Latest news with #FreedomofMovement
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Meet AB de Villiers, the sneakerhead
'I love sneakers; they go with everything," AB de Villiers, the South African cricketer who played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team from 2011-21, says when we meet at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai. Our meeting was three days before a video went viral, showing Virat Kohli, visibly emotional, hug de Villiers after his team Royal Challengers Bengaluru team won its maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The reason for our meeting is the announcement of de Villiers as the India brand partner for Sneaker LAB, a South African company that specialises in eco-friendly shoe care products, including wipes, cleaners and odour protectors. He has also invested in the Indian business arm of Sneaker LAB. In an interview, De Villiers talks about his love for shoes, Virat Kohli's sense of style, and why he dislikes the trend of wide-leg trousers. Edited excerpts: Do you wear sneakers everywhere? I do. I'm a practical guy. I prefer comfort over style and fashion, but sneakers offer the best of both worlds. So there's a South African brand called Freedom of Movement, and those are my favourite sneakers; I have several pairs from them. I also have Air Jordans, and other Nikes. I love sneakers; they go with shorts and jeans, even formal evenings these days. How many pairs do you have? I have so many pairs now. And when I go abroad, I look for more sneakers. I don't want to (count them), as I'm embarrassed about it (smiles). Also read: Tommy Hilfiger: My first collection was made in Mumbai Were you always a sneakerhead? Early 20s is when it started for me, when I realised that trainers don't always work everywhere (laughs). It was either trainers or leather shoes and there was no real in between. And then sneakers absolutely boomed in the last eight to 10 years for me. They are just an all-rounder. Do you miss the spikes (cricket shoes)? I don't. Not at all (smiles and covers face). It's very important to play with them, but they is pretty uncomfortable and you wear them for many, many hours and there is a lot of sweat, so I don't miss them (laughs). What's your personal style? Easygoing. I love to look good, but it's not an obsession for me. It's not like it defines me as a person, but it is comforting and nice to know that you feel good in the clothes and the sneakers that you're wearing, as long as they are clean (laughs). A trend you are not on board with? The big wide denims that the ladies are wearing, and I see it's becoming fashion of the men as well and it's absolutely shocking. I don't like that. But maybe one day (laughs). The most stylish cricketer? Virat Kohli. Who needs a little help? Oh, there's many of them (laughs). Initially, it was Yuzvendra Chahal, he was terrible. But in the last few years, he has upped his game. He's a lot better these days, but I'm going to mention his name. Because I'll get a call once he reads this (laughs), Yuzi is a good man (smiles). A colour that dominates your wardrobe? I like olive green. A colour in season now at home is a maroon-ish colour, and my wife's trying to filter that into my wardrobe. But I've always been a big fan of greenish tinges. A sport you pursue as a hobby post retirement? Padel. I grew up playing a lot of tennis. So it's a sport that comes naturally to me and this is very similar to tennis. I want to stay healthy, but I hated treadmill and running on the road. I play Padel for 90 minutes and the heart rate is up there, but it's also fun at the same time. Cooking also helps me unwind, as does music. What do you like to cook? Anything. I love pasta, and I try to make that as healthy as possible. I make it protein-heavy, so if it's a chicken pasta, I'll just add more chicken, and mushrooms, lots of greens, and garlic, chilli and butter. I love a bit of chilli. Dhara Vora Sabhnani is a Mumbai-based writer. Also read: Inside India's hush-hush hype luxury economy
Local Norway
19-02-2025
- General
- Local Norway
How to organise your language test for Norwegian citizenship or permanent residence
For Members People applying for Norwegian citizenship or a permanent residence permit will need to prove their language skills by passing a test. Given there are only a few opportunities to take these exams per year, being organised pays off. Generally, these rules apply to non-EEA nationals, with those benefitting from the Freedom of Movement rules not needing a test. However, almost all citizenship applicants will need to prove their Norwegian language skills, and the most accepted way of doing this is the Norskprøve exam. The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills puts the exams together, and when you register for the test, you can choose to take three levels: A1-A2, A2-B1 or B1-B2. You can choose to take all four sections of the exam, which are the reading test, listening test, writing test, and speaking test, or just a single module. What you need to book will depend on your situation. Registering for the test There are only a few opportunities to take the tests each year, typically in the spring, summer, winter and autumn. Furthermore, there are limited windows where one can actually register to take the test, too, meaning that if you miss one set of tests you'll have to wait a few months for your next opportunity to sign up. Given that tens of thousands of people apply for permanent residence and citizenship every year, slots get snapped up quickly. The first thing to know is that you can find out the next registration windows by heading to the website of the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. However, the registration portal, i.e. where you sign up for the exam won't be available until the registration window. These registration windows typically only last a few days. When the registration portal is open, you will select a test centre and choose the exams you wish (or have to) sit. Once you are registered you'll receive a confirmation via text and email. One thing to note is that you won't know the exact time you take your test until you receive an email or letter with all the details a couple of weeks before taking the exam. To make things tricky, registration is binding – meaning you must pay for the test. However, you can take it again later without paying if you are sick on the day. If you've signed up for all four sections, then the exams will be spread across a couple of days. Test results are sent as either an email or letter a few weeks after the test. Once the result is published, you will have a short window to appeal the result. Payment for the test While you book an exam through the central registration system, how much you will pay will depend on your local authority as the tests are organised locally. Depending on the test and the centre, the cost can range from 400 kroner to 2,500 kroner (or more in some cases). Those who are obligated to participate in Norwegian language tests as part of their residence can take the partial tests once for free. The good news is that it will be down to the text centre to organise the exams too. However, should you need to re-sit these tests, you must handle registration and payment yourself.
Local Norway
13-02-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
How Norway's new income requirements for family immigration work
Stricter income requirements for family immigration permits to Norway were introduced on February 1st. Norway's Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl said the rule change was to try and slow immigration into Norway. Family immigration permits are typically for non-EU nationals who wish to join a spouse, partner, parent or child in Norway. The new rules will not affect those in Norway under the EEA Freedom of Movement rules. The application for family immigration refers to two people: the applicant and the person the applicant is moving to be with. The person the applicant is moving to be with is referred to as the reference person. In addition to the other requirements, which may change depending on your circumstance, the reference person must document that they have a source of adequate income. How the rules are changing Those who register the application for family immigration and pay the application fee as of February 1st 2025, will be required to have a future income of 396,890 kroner when applying. They will also need to have a past income of 2.7 times G if the application is processed before February 1st 2026. "G" refers to the National Insurance Basic Amount, which changes yearly but was 124,028 kroner in May of 2024. At the time of writing, 2.7 times G is 334,875 kroner. If the application is processed after February 1st 2026, the reference person will have needed a previous income of 3.2 G, which at the time of writing is 396,889 kroner. The previous income is calculated from various sources but generally comes from salary reported to the Norwegian Tax Administration by your employer. Income from employment is counted, as are sickness benefits, pregnancy benefits, parental support, disability benefits or retirement pensions from the National Insurance Scheme. Other permanent pensions or periodical benefits and loans or grants received in connection with studies are also included. If the applicant is legally employed in Norway already, their income can also count towards this requirement. Should the reference person be on a work permit, then there is no requirement for previous income. Furthermore, if the reference person receives a retirement pension or disability benefits, there are no changes to the income requirements. The new rules also won't apply to family reunification cases involving children under 18 or to those who submitted their application before February 1st 2025.
