LONDON: The number of migrants arriving in Britain by crossing the Channel on boats hit a record in the first half of 2024, but regular immigration by health workers and students fell, official data showed Thursday.
The UK processed 13,489 so-called small boat migrants in the six months, an 18 percent jump year-on-year and the highest figure ever for that period, according to the interior ministry statistics.
That compared to 11,433 migrants making the perilous journey — across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes — from January to June in 2023.
The figures are a reminder of the challenge facing the UK’s new Labour government as it tries to reduce the cross-Channel arrivals amid public unease over the issue.
The data came in the wake of more than a week of disorder — dubbed anti-immigration riots — across England and in Northern Ireland which saw some rampaging mobs chant “stop the boats.”
The phrase was an unfulfilled pledge from Conservative former premier Rishi Sunak, who lost last month’s general election to Labour’s Keir Starmer.
The disturbances, which hit more than a dozen English towns and cities, followed a deadly knife attack on a group of children, an attack wrongly blamed on a Muslim asylum seeker.
However, the number of arrivals of health sector and other workers as well as students and their dependents dropped in the most recent quarter, and year to June.
It coincided with tighter visa regulations announced by Sunak’s government last December and imposed in April aimed at lowering record immigration levels.
Visas issued for health and care workers, a sector suffering from staffing shortfalls, fell by four-fifths from April to June compared to the same period in 2023.
Student visas granted reduced 13 percent in the year to June, and those issued to students’ dependants dropped 81 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024.
Various industry and higher education lobby groups have voiced concerns at the new restrictions, which prevented some dependents from coming to the UK and hiked minimum salary requirements for some workers.
On Channel crossings, the latest figures showed 81 percent of arrivals by people without legal permission to enter the UK in the year to June were on small boats from mainland Europe.
UK officials began counting these “irregular” arrivals in 2018, when there were just 11 in the first half of the year.
Since then, more than 133,000 have arrived — 70 percent of them men and around a fifth under-18s, according to the data.
Afghans comprised 18 percent of the arrivals in the year to June — the single largest nationality cohort — followed by Iranians (13 percent), Vietnamese (10 percent), Turkish (10 percent) and Syrians (nine percent).
The new statistics revealed the average numbers in each boat had increased again, from 10 in the year ending June 2019, 44 in the year ending June 2023 to 51 people in the latest corresponding period.
UK authorities have repeatedly warned that smuggling gangs organizing the crossings are adapting their methods, using bigger boats and packing more people in.
Starmer has vowed to “smash the gangs” as the centerpiece of his strategy to tackle the issue, after scrapping contentious Conservative plans to deport thousands of migrants to Rwanda.
UK sees record Channel migrant arrivals in 2024 as regular immigration falls
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UK sees record Channel migrant arrivals in 2024 as regular immigration falls
- The figures are a reminder of the challenge facing the UK’s new Labour government as it tries to reduce the cross-Channel arrivals amid public unease over the issue
Sister of North Korea’s leader threatens South Korea over drone flights
- The ministry said North Korean forces will prepare “all means of attack” capable of destroying the southern side of the border and the South Korean military
- “The moment a South Korean drone is discovered once again in skies above our capital, a terrible calamity will surely occur,” she said
SEOUL: The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday accused South Korea of deliberately avoiding responsibility for the alleged flights of South Korean drones over the North’s capital, and warned of a “terrible calamity” if they continue.
The statement by Kim Yo Jong came a day after North Korea’s Foreign Ministry claimed that South Korean drones carrying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets were detected in the night skies over Pyongyang on Oct. 3, and Wednesday and Thursday this week.
The ministry said North Korean forces will prepare “all means of attack” capable of destroying the southern side of the border and the South Korean military, and respond without warning if South Korean drones are detected in its territory again.
South Korea’s defense minister initially denied the accusation, but the South’s military later adjusted its response, saying it couldn’t confirm whether or not the North’s claims were true.
In comments published through state media, Kim, one of her brother’s top foreign policy officials, said that the South Korean military’s vague statements should be taken as proof that it was “either the main culprit or accomplice in this incident.”
“If the military stood by while its own citizens employed drones, a widely recognized multi-purpose military tool, to violate another country’s sovereignty, thereby increasing the risk of armed conflict with a potential adversary, this would amount to intentional acquiescence and collusion,” she said.
“The moment a South Korean drone is discovered once again in skies above our capital, a terrible calamity will surely occur. I personally hope that does not happen.”
South Korea’s military and government didn’t immediately respond to Kim’s comments.
Tensions between the Koreas are now at their worst in years as the pace of both North Korea’s missile tests and the South’s combined military training with the United States have intensified in tit-for-tat. The animosity has been exacerbated by Cold War-style psychological warfare campaigns between the Koreas in recent months.
Since May, North Korea has sent thousands of balloons carrying paper waste, plastic and other trash to drop on the South, in what it described as retaliation against South Korean civilian activists who flew balloons with anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border.
South Korea’s military responded to the North’s balloon campaign by using border loudspeakers to broadcast propaganda and K-pop to North Korea.
North Korea is extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of the authoritarian government of leader Kim Jong Un and his family’s dynastic rule.
South Korean officials have been raising concern that North Korea may seek to dial up pressure on Seoul and Washington ahead of the US presidential election in November. Experts say Kim’s long-term goal is to eventually force Washington to accept North Korea as a nuclear power and to negotiate security and economic concessions from a position of strength.
In written answers to questions by The Associated Press this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said North Korea is likely preparing major provocations around the US election, possibly including a test detonation of a nuclear device or flight-test of an intercontinental ballistic missile test, as it tries to grab Washington’s attention.
Nelson Mandela’s grandson reportedly denied entry to UK ahead of pro-Palestine speaking tour
- Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, a former South African MP, was due to attend events in eight cities
LONDON: The grandson of the late South African president Nelson Mandela has reportedly been denied entry to the UK ahead of a planned speaking tour supporting the Palestinian cause, it was reported this weekend.
Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, a former South African MP, was due to attend events in eight cities, including London, Edinburgh and Brighton, as part of Black History Month.
However, he was forced to join remotely for a Sheffield event after being informed that he required a visa, The Independent reported on Friday.
The Sheffield Palestine Coalition against Israeli Apartheid said in a statement that British officials had initially informed Mandela he did not need a visa due to his South African government passport.
However, on Monday, he was informed otherwise, and despite efforts from senior ANC figures, no visa has been issued.
Mandela, who has openly expressed support for the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, said during the Sheffield event: “It seems that there are those who are intent on preventing me from being physically with you in Britain.”
He added: “I have been criticized for statements that I have made in support of the Palestinian resistance and its various formations.”
Some of Mandela’s remarks have attracted controversy, including his praise of late Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, whom he called “one of the great freedom fighters,” according to Iranian state media.
The UK Home Office has faced pressure regarding Mandela’s entry into the country, with concerns raised over his past statements. A Home Office spokesperson responded by saying: “The UK has robust safeguards to ensure visas are only issued to those who we want to welcome to our country.”
Mandela is expected to visit the Irish capital, Dublin, later this month, and his visa requirement has reportedly been waived.
His grandfather, Nelson Mandela, was an outspoken supporter of the Palestinian cause.
Fire at Chechnya petrol station kills four, including children
- “Unfortunately, four people died, including two children,” Russia’s emergency ministry said
- Officials said the petrol station is on Grozny’s Mohammad Ali Avenue
MOSCOW: A fire at a petrol station in Russia’s Chechnya killed four people, including two children, emergency services said Saturday.
Authorities released images of more than two dozen firefighters extinguishing the blaze at an almost totally destroyed petrol station with burnt-out cars in Chechnya’s main city, Groznyy.
“Unfortunately, four people died, including two children,” Russia’s emergency ministry said.
It said the fire had been put out.
Officials said the petrol station is on Grozny’s Mohammad Ali Avenue, close to the center of the Chechen capital.
Social media videos showed a large explosion with flames going into the air.
Russia’s North Caucasus has seen several deadly blasts at service stations recently.
Last month, an explosion at a petrol station in the neighboring Dagestan region killed 13 people. In August 2023, a similar explosion killed 35 people in Dagestan and injured dozens.
Ukrainian recruiters descend on Kyiv’s nightlife in search of men not registered for conscription
- It is unusual for such raids to take place in the capital, and reflects Ukraine’s dire need for fresh recruits
- All Ukrainian men aged 25-60 are eligible for conscription, and men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country
KYIV: Ukrainian military recruitment officers raided restaurants, bars and a concert hall in Kyiv, checking military registration documents and detaining men who were not in compliance, local media reported Saturday.
Officers reportedly descended on Kyiv’s Palace of Sports venue after a concert Friday night by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy. Video footage aired by local media outlets appears to show officers stationed outside the doors of the concert hall intercepting men as they exit. In the footage, officers appear to be forcibly detaining some men.
Checks were also conducted at Goodwine, an upscale shopping center, and Avalon, a popular restaurant.
It is unusual for such raids to take place in the capital, and reflects Ukraine’s dire need for fresh recruits. All Ukrainian men aged 25-60 are eligible for conscription, and men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country.
Local reports said raids were also conducted in clubs and restaurants across other Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Dnipro in eastern and central Ukraine.
Ukraine has intensified its mobilization drive this year. A new law came into effect this spring stipulating that those eligible for military service must input their information into an online system or face penalties.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said on Saturday that it struck a Russian-controlled oil terminal in the partially occupied Luhansk region that provides fuel for Russia’s war effort.
“Oil and oil products were stored at this base, which were supplied, in particular, for the needs of the Russian army,” Ukraine’s General Staff wrote on Telegram.
Russian state media reported that the terminal close to the city of Rovenky had come under attack from a Ukrainian drone and said there were no casualties and that the fire had been extinguished, but did not comment on the extent of any damage.
On Monday, Ukrainian forces said they struck a major oil terminal on the south coast of the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula.
Both sides are facing the issue of how to sustain their costly war of attrition — a conflict that started with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and that shows no signs of a resolution.
Ukraine’s aim is to impair Russia’s ability to support its front-line units, especially in the eastern Donetsk region where the main Russian battlefield effort is stretching weary Ukrainian forces.
Kyiv is still awaiting word from its Western partners on its repeated requests to use the long-range weapons they provide to hit targets on Russian soil.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said 47 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and destroyed by its air defense systems overnight into Saturday: 17 over the Krasnodar region, 16 over the Sea of Azov, 12 over the Kursk region and two over the Belgorod region, all of which border Ukraine.
Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Saturday that one person had been killed and 14 wounded in Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks over the previous 24 hours.
In Ukraine, the country’s Air Force said air defenses had shot down 24 of 28 drones launched overnight against Ukraine.
Zaporizhzhia regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said two women were wounded Saturday in Russian attacks on the capital of the southern Ukrainian region, also called Zaporizhzhia.
Tribal clashes kill at least 11 people in Pakistan
- Vehicles were targeted in different areas of the district, leading to more casualties
- Efforts were being made to secure travel routes and restore normalcy
PESHAWAR: Tribal clashes killed at least 11 people in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday and injured eight, including women and children, a local official said.
Tensions rose in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, after two people were critically injured in a shooting incident between rival tribes. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the shooting.
Vehicles were targeted in different areas of the district, leading to more casualties, said senior official Javedullah Khan.
Khan said efforts were being made to secure travel routes and restore normalcy. The injured were taken to a hospital.
Pir Haider Ali Shah, a former parliamentarian and member of a tribal council, said elders had arrived in Kurram to mediate a peace agreement between the tribes.
“The recent firing incidents are regrettable and have hampered efforts for lasting peace,” he said.
Last month, at least 25 people were killed in days of clashes between armed Shiites and Sunni Muslims over a land dispute. Although both live together largely peacefully in the country, tensions have existed for decades between them in some areas, especially in Kurram, where Shiites dominate in parts of the district.
