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May 9, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
Media

BBC Star Pleads Guilty to Terror Offenses Linked to Hezbollah.

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❓What Happened: A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) presenter has pleaded guilty to financial terror offences linked to the terrorist group Hezbollah.

👥 Who’s Involved: Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, Hezbollah, Nazem Ahmad, Metropolitan Police.

📍 Where & When: London, England on May 9.

💬 Key Quote: “Nazem Ahmad is a suspected terrorist financier and at the time of the business relationship between them it was directly within the knowledge of the defendant that Ahmad had been sanctioned as a terrorist financier of Hezbollah by the United States.” — The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

⚠️ Impact: The case is just the latest to see a BBC presenter pleading guilty to serious crimes in the United Kingdom.

IN FULL:

A Nigerian-British television star and art dealer has pleaded guilty to financial terrorism offences linked to the Islamist terrorist group Hezbollah following a police probe. Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, who starred in the BBC program Bargain Hunt, admitted to eight counts of “failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector” on May 9.

The guilty plea came just a day after Ojiri was charged by prosecutors in London for the offences between October 2020 and December 2021. London’s Metropolitan police said that the charges stemmed from Ojiri’s relationship with a man named Nazem Ahmad, who is suspected of being a source of funding for Hezbollah.

Ahmad, a dual citizen of Belgium and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, has previously been sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the United States due to his links to the terror group. Ojiri sold art worth around $186,000 to Ahmad.

“Nazem Ahmad is a suspected terrorist financier and at the time of the business relationship between them it was directly within the knowledge of the defendant that Ahmad had been sanctioned as a terrorist financier of Hezbollah by the United States,” the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Sentencing for Ojiri is expected next month. So far, the BBC has yet to comment on the case, claiming that any comment would not be appropriate.

The case is just the latest to see a BBC personality prosecuted for serious crimes in recent months. Last year, former lead BBC news anchor Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. Edwards, once the highest-paid news anchor at the BBC, was known worldwide for announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

In Australia, another BBC personality was jailed last August for ten years for raping and killing dozens of dogs. pleading guilty to 56 charges of bestiality and animal cruelty the year prior.

Image by Matt Cornock.

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26 minutes ago
News
War

US Army Purchasing One Million Drones to Catch Up to Russia, Ukraine.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Army announced plans to purchase at least one million drones within the next two to three years, with an emphasis on increasing domestic production capabilities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, Major General John Reim, and other military officials, alongside drone manufacturers and lawmakers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made during a visit to Picatinny Arsenal, with plans to implement over the next two to three years.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We expect to purchase at least a million drones within the next two to three years.” – Daniel Driscoll

🎯IMPACT: The initiative aims to strengthen U.S. military readiness, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers, and modernize the Army’s approach to drone warfare.

IN FULL

The U.S. Army has announced an ambitious plan to purchase at least one million drones within the next two to three years, marking a dramatic expansion of its unmanned systems program. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll confirmed the initiative during a visit to Picatinny Arsenal, highlighting the service’s efforts to modernize drone warfare and strengthen domestic production. “We expect to purchase at least a million drones within the next two to three years,” Driscoll said.

He emphasized that the Army aims to reduce its dependence on foreign manufacturers, particularly China, which currently dominates the global drone market. Driscoll said the military must view drones not as expensive assets but as expendable tools comparable to ammunition—cheap, replaceable, and used in large quantities.

The plan follows the Pentagon’s broader push to increase its drone capabilities. In 2023, the Department of Defense, now the Department of War, launched the Replicator initiative, designed to deploy thousands of autonomous drones by 2025. Although updates on that effort have been limited, U.S. lawmakers have since proposed building a massive drone production facility in Texas that could produce up to one million units annually.

Rather than rely solely on major defense contractors, Driscoll said the Army will prioritize partnerships with smaller, commercially oriented drone makers. “We want to partner with other drone manufacturers who are using them for Amazon deliveries and all the different use cases,” he explained. The approach is intended to expand innovation while diversifying the industrial base for military drone production.

The move also reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts. Drones have proven decisive in the Russia-Ukraine war, where both sides now produce millions of low-cost systems each year. Notably, Ukraine previously turned to purchasing Chinese-made drones after struggling with reliability issues in American models.

Meanwhile, Poland recently shot down a large number of alleged Russian drones that violated its airspace, demonstrating how cheap unmanned aircraft are reshaping modern warfare.

Drone proliferation has also become a concern at home. Reports indicate that Mexican cartels are operating thousands of drones along the U.S. southern border for smuggling and surveillance, highlighting the growing domestic security implications of low-cost aerial technology.

Driscoll said the Army’s push is designed to ensure the United States can compete with adversaries already producing drones on a massive scale. “Drones are the future of warfare, and we’ve got to invest in both the offensive and defense capabilities against them,” he said.

Image by Matt Christenson/BLM/2017.

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1 hour ago
Crime
Immigration

Over 300 Pounds of Meth Confiscated in Raid, DOJ Says.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over 300 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a storage facility in Norcross, Georgia.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marco Cueto-Rosales, 47, and federal agents from the DEA, along with a Gwinnett County police K-9 unit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 10, 2025, at a storage unit in Norcross, Georgia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Although the Mexican cartels stockpile and peddle their poison in our community, the quick actions of law enforcement thankfully took these deadly drugs off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.

🎯IMPACT: Federal agents removed over 325 pounds of methamphetamine from circulation, and Cueto-Rosales faces federal drug charges.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that a federal operation successfully seized 300 pounds of methamphetamine at a storage facility in Norcross, Georgia—a suburb of Atlanta—last month. According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents were monitoring the storage facility when they observed Marco Cueto-Rosales, 47, entering one of the units in early October.

Subsequently, a Gwinnett County police K-9 unit was used to search the facility and “alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating” from the unit Cueto-Rosales was observed entering. The unit was searched by federal agents, and upon entering, they uncovered over 325 pounds of methamphetamine.

Cueto-Rosales was subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Hertzberg also revealed that Cueto-Rosales was unlawfully present in the United States. He remarked, “Although the Mexican cartels stockpile and peddle their poison in our community, the quick actions of law enforcement thankfully took these deadly drugs off the streets.”

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2 hours ago
News
Science

Nobel Laureate James Watson, DNA Pioneer, Dies at 97.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the DNA double helix structure, has died at the age of 97.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: James D. Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were key figures in the discovery of DNA’s structure.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Watson passed away in hospice care on November 6, 2025, following a brief illness.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear,” Watson once said.

🎯IMPACT: Watson’s work revolutionized science, medicine, and genetics, but he became an early victim of “cancel culture” after making comments on race and IQ.

IN FULL

The man who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA has died at the age of 97. James D. Watson, who won the Nobel Prize with fellow scientists Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins in 1962, was widely known as one of the founding fathers of modern genetics.

Watson’s discovery opened the door to advancements in genetics, including DNA-based crime-solving, genealogy, and medical treatments. He later became a prominent figure in the Human Genome Project, which aimed to map the complete human DNA sequence. Watson’s scientific career included teaching at Harvard and directing the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he transformed it into a leading research institution.

However, he became an early victim of “cancel culture” later in his career. In 2007, aged 79, he faced backlash for comments about race and intelligence, saying he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours, whereas all the testing says not really.”

This led to his suspension and eventual “retirement” from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Despite initially apologizing, in a 2019 interview, aged 90, Watson reaffirmed his views on race, reiterating that “there’s a difference on the average between blacks and whites on IQ tests. I would say the difference is, it’s genetic.” This prompted the lab to revoke his honorary titles and denounce his statements as “reprehensible.”

Despite this controversy, Watson’s scientific achievements remain significant. “Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear,” Watson once remarked of their work on DNA.

Watson’s son, Duncan Watson, said his father “never stopped fighting for people who were suffering from disease.” Watson’s initial motivation for supporting genetic research was personal, as he hoped it would help his son Rufus, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Watson passed away on November 6, 2025, in hospice care after a brief illness.

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2 hours ago
Education

Cornell Settles with Trump Administration for Millions.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cornell University has agreed to new policies and financial commitments in response to federal funding requirements under the Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cornell University, the Trump administration, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Friday, with changes to be implemented over the next three years at Cornell University.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The months of stop-work orders, grant terminations, and funding freezes have stalled cutting-edge research, upended lives and careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell.” – Michael Kotlikoff, Cornell University President

🎯IMPACT: The agreement includes financial penalties, policy changes, and new compliance measures, potentially shifting the university’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

IN FULL

Cornell University has agreed to significant financial commitments and policy changes tied to federal funding under the Trump administration. The university announced on Friday that it will pay $30 million over three years to the federal government for unspecified purposes. Additionally, Cornell will invest another $30 million into programs incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, such as Digital Agriculture and Future Farming Technologies.

The agreement also includes measures such as conducting annual surveys to evaluate campus climate for students, specifically those with Jewish ancestry. Furthermore, the university will seek experts on laws and regulations regarding sanctions enforcement, anti-money laundering, and terrorist financing prevention. Cornell has also agreed to provide anonymized undergraduate admissions data directly to the federal government.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” will serve as a framework for Cornell’s compliance. The memo prohibits using race, sex, or other protected characteristics to discriminate in employment, program participation, and resource allocation. It also bans race-based scholarships and certain cultural training programs.

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff had expressed concern over the impact of federal funding freezes, stating, “The months of stop-work orders, grant terminations, and funding freezes have stalled cutting-edge research, upended lives and careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell.”

Image by Claude-Étienne Armingaud.

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3 hours ago
Immigration
World

Trump Praises Hungary, Warns Migrants Are ‘Flooding Europe’ and Driving Crime Waves.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House and praised his immigration policies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Viktor Orbán, and European Union leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The meeting took place at the White House on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Look what’s happened to Europe with the immigration. They have people flooding Europe all over the place. And it’s hurting it. The crime rates are way up,” said Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Hungary faces European Union (EU) sanctions for its strict immigration policies, while Trump reiterated his support for Orbán.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump praised the immigration restrictions imposed by Hungary during a meeting with the country’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, at the White House on Friday. The America First leader argued that the European Union (EU) should respect the measures taken by Orbán “very strongly, because he’s been right on immigration.” Trump emphasized, “Look what’s happened to Europe with the immigration. They have people flooding Europe all over the place. And it’s hurting it. The crime rates are way up. A lot of bad things are happening. His crime rates are very low. They’re the same as they always were, which is very little crime. Because he’s kept it the way it should be.”

During the meeting, Trump added, “He was right on immigration. They were wrong. They are flooding Europe with people from all over the world. And Europe is becoming a different place. And I tell the leaders all the time, ‘You better stop or you’re not going to have Europe anymore.’ It’s a very dangerous thing they’re doing.”

Prime Minister Orbán provided further details on his country’s policy, stating, “On migration… just for clarification, in Hungary, the number of illegal migration is like that—zero, zero because we have a crystal-clear system. If somebody would like to come to Hungary, first he should ask for that. If he [gets] permission, they can step in. Nobody can step on the territory of Hungary without having permission from the Hungarian authorities. This is the regulation.”

Orbán also highlighted the consequences Hungary faces for its stance, saying, “What is the consequence of that? We are under sanctions, financial sanctions of [the] European Union, because we don’t let the illegal [immigrants] come to Hungary and to the European Union as well. So we have to pay, just to inform you, we have to pay every day €1 million as a punishment… this is the absurd world we are living now in Europe.”

Notably, the European Union’s top court ordered Hungary to pay a $223 million fine in June 2024 for depriving migrants of their right to apply for asylum, alongside an additional fine of 1 million euros per day for non-compliance. Trump continued his praise for Orbán, stating, “Viktor’s had a very hard stance on more than anything else, immigration or even illegal immigration. He literally has accepted no one over the years. Think of how much greater these countries would be if they didn’t have the tremendous crime that has come in with the immigration, people just flowing into Europe. They’ve got to stop it and not only stop it, they have to reverse it. They have to get them out.”

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4 hours ago
News

Crew Rescued After Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Somali pirates attacked the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite, which was later rescued by European naval forces.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The crew of the Hellas Aphrodite, Somali pirates, and a European Union (EU) naval force under Operation Atalanta.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on Thursday off the coast of Somalia, with the rescue concluding on Friday.

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights a resurgence in Somali piracy, partly driven by regional instability from Houthi rebel activity.

IN FULL

The crew of an oil tanker hijacked by Somali pirates was successfully rescued by European Union (EU) naval forces. On Thursday, pirates—using machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades—attacked the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite off the Somali coast, seizing partial control of the vessel with the crew locking themselves in the ship’s citadel.

A rescue operation, led by the ESPS Victoria, a Spanish frigate under the EU’s Operation Atalanta, reached the Hellas Aphrodite on Friday and was able to board the vessel. According to officials, the crew was recovered safely.

This attack marks the first commercial ship seizure off Somalia since May 2024, raising renewed fears about piracy in the region. Previously, a decline in such incidents had been observed. The attack could mark the return of Somali attacks in the region, which recently saw an explosion and subsequent decline in Houthi rebel attacks from Yemen on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

Image by EUNAVFOR.

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4 hours ago
Sports
UK

Anti-Semitic Agitators Overshadow Aston Villa’s Victory Over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: English professional soccer team Aston Villa secured a Europa League victory over Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv amidst anti-Semitic demonstrations outside the former’s Villa Park stadium.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Aston Villa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, pro-Israel and anti-Israel demonstrators, and local officials, including Member of Parliament (MP) Ayoub Khan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 2025, Villa Park in Birmingham, England.

🎯IMPACT: Police herded protestors against a ban on Maccabi fans attending the game into a fenced basketball court, dubbed a “Jew cage” by observers.

IN FULL

English professional soccer team Aston Villa’s 2-0 Europa League victory over Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv was overshadowed by protests and heightened security outside the former’s Villa Park stadium. The match took place amid growing tensions linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, with some pro-Israel and many predominantly Muslim anti-Israel demonstrators gathering near the stadium. Law enforcement deployed around 700 officers from ten police forces to prevent unrest.

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from attending after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group ruled that their presence could pose security risks. The decision drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it sent the wrong message about the ability of police to protect all supporters. Notably, Birmingham is a major Muslim population center, with Pakistani-heritage residents being prone to rioting.

Outside the stadium, predominantly Muslim anti-Israel protesters chanted and waved Palestinian flags, with pro-Palestine demonstrators displaying banners reading “Boycott Israel” and accusing Israelis of shooting babies. Independent Muslim Member of Parliament (MP) Ayoub Khan addressed the crowd, arguing that Israeli clubs should face general suspensions similar to those imposed on Russian teams, drawing loud cheers.

Counter-demonstrators against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being banned from the match were herded by the police into a fenced basketball court, dubbed a “Jew cage” by observers. Inside the stadium, the stands were noticeably empty, with many home fans staying away amid warnings of potential trouble.

The events around the match came against a backdrop of growing concern over anti-Semitism in Britain. Jewish community groups and security organizations have warned that anti-Semitic incidents have surged since the October 7 attacks in 2023. Last month, a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, carried out by a man pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, left two people dead and several others injured. The attack renewed fears about the safety of Britain’s Jewish population and prompted calls for greater protection of places of worship.

Critics of the decision to ban Maccabi supporters argued that it highlighted the severity of the problem. Commentators argued that the move effectively told Jewish and Israeli fans they could not be kept safe, rather than addressing the threat posed by potential aggressors. Starmer condemned the decision, saying, “We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”

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5 hours ago
Immigration

Countries Like This Tiny African Kingdom Are Key to Trump’s Deportation Strategy, Here’s Why:

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has ramped up deportations of illegal immigrants, including leveraging agreements with third-party countries like Eswatini (Swaziland) to bypass legal hurdles.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump’s administration, Simon Hankinson of the Heritage Foundation, and illegal immigrants like Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing deportation efforts under the Trump administration, with countries like Eswatini, Rwanda, and Panama involved in third-party agreements.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If an alien has a veto on being sent home, then it’s a one-way street. It’s just a ratchet and never goes back down again.” – Simon Hankinson

🎯IMPACT: The agreements help the U.S. maintain national security by ensuring deportations proceed even when home-country returns are blocked.

IN FULL

As the Trump administration continues its efforts to curb illegal immigration, the use of third-party countries like Eswatini, commonly known as Swaziland, has become a key strategy in deportation cases. These agreements allow the U.S. to send deportees to nations other than their home country, addressing claims of torture or harm.

Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, highlighted the importance of these agreements in a recent media appearance, stating, “Our law allows us, if we can’t send someone back to their home country, we can send them back to a country in which they resided for some time, or in which they have gotten protection before or in a pinch to another country that will accept them and will not torture them or otherwise abuse them.”

One high-profile case involves Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, who has delayed deportation by claiming fear of persecution in over 22 countries. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified his legal team that he would be deported to Eswatini, a small African kingdom.

Hankinson emphasized that these third-party country agreements are vital to national security, as they prevent illegal immigrants from having a “veto” on their deportation. “There are a lot of people who were let in under the Biden administration, thousands of people, who have criminal records back home that we know nothing about, and they’re sooner or later going to victimize American citizens,” he said.

While the numbers sent to third-party countries are relatively small for now, Hankinson believes these operations can expand significantly. “I would think that the Trump administration would want to have as many of these deals as possible,” he said, stressing that such agreements ensure deportations proceed despite legal challenges.

Image by Darron Raw.

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6 hours ago
Crime

Transgender Lawmaker Stacie Laughton Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A transgender lawmaker admitted to child sex offences after receiving explicit photos of children from a daycare where his partner worked.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: New Hampshire state Rep. Stacie Laughton and his partner Lindsay Groves.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The plea occurred in November 2025 in Boston. The offences took place between May 2022 and June 2023.

🎯IMPACT: Both Laughton and Groves face up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February.

IN FULL

Stacie Laughton, a former New Hampshire Democrat state representative, pleaded guilty in federal court this week to charges of sexual exploitation of children. The charges were brought after Laughton—who is transgender and a biological man—requested his partner, Lindsay Groves, to send explicit photos of children from the daycare where Groves worked.

Groves, who was employed at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, took the photos of children during routine activities, such as bathroom breaks and nap time, and sent them to Laughton. The images were taken between May 2022 and June 2023 and included at least four sexually explicit photos of children aged three to five.

The Nashua Police Department launched an investigation after receiving a tip, leading to Laughton’s arrest in June 2023. Groves had already confessed to taking and sending the images to Laughton, who was serving as the first transgender elected to a state legislature at the time.

Laughton has a history of legal issues, including arrests for domestic violence, sexual assault, making bomb threats, and misusing emergency services. Despite this, he was elected for a second term in 2022, but unable to serve due to being jailed on stalking charges.

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6 hours ago
Immigration
UK

Over 1,000 Boat Migrants Surge Across the English Channel in a Day.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over 1,000 migrants on small boats crossed the English Channel over 24 hours.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Migrants, British and French maritime authorities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The English Channel, over the past 24 hours.

🎯IMPACT: The total arrivals this year have already surpassed last year’s total of 36,816, reaching approximately 38,000.

IN FULL

More than 1,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats over the past 24 hours. The latest arrivals include over 600 people who reached the United Kingdom on Thursday and around 400 more who have either landed or are currently heading towards British waters. These crossings mark the first in two weeks, after poor weather conditions temporarily halted people-smuggling operations across the Channel.

In one incident on Thursday, 94 migrants were rescued when their boat broke apart just four miles from Dunkirk, France. French maritime authorities reported that three of those rescued were taken to the hospital and treated for hypothermia.

The new surge brings the total number of arrivals this year to approximately 38,000, already exceeding the 36,816 who crossed during the whole of last year. It damages the credibility of some in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s infamous lieutenant Alastair Campbell, who had been gloating over the brief lull in crossings.

The renewed wave of Channel crossings comes amid growing concern about the British government’s handling of illegal migration. In particular, the government continues to face pressure over the cost of accommodating those who arrive illegally. Reports suggest that housing migrants in taxpayer-funded hotels is now costing the British taxpayer around £108 million (~$142.1m) a month.

Immigration enforcement also remains a major challenge. Official figures indicate that Britain has deported only about 0.5 percent of boat migrants since 2020. Efforts to send some migrants to third countries, particularly Rwanda, were scrapped by Starmer when he entered office in mid-2024.

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