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UK migration soars to record high despite Tory Brexit promises

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

LONDON — Net migration to the U.K. has hit a new record high of 672,000, four years after the Conservatives pledged to cut it to a third of that level.The latest figures, published by the Office for National Statistics on Thursday morning, show a significant increase on what was already a record-high of 602,000 people back in May.The latest release — covering the 12 months to June 2023 — piles further pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has promised to drastically decrease the numbers of people moving to the U.K. each year.Slashing legal migration was a key pledge in the Conservatives’ last election manifesto, with the party promising that “overall numbers” of migrants would come down from their 2019 level of about 226,000 people a year. Instead numbers have trebled over the course of this parliament.Sunak is already under intense pressure over a separate migration issue — the numbers of undocumented migrants arriving across the English Channel. Sunak’...

WHO asks China for more information on clusters of pneumonia in children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

The World Health Organization has asked China to provide more information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children.The official request from the World Health Organization (WHO) to China for epidemiological and clinical information, as well as lab results, comes in the wake of reports from Chinese authorities, the media and disease surveillance systems that indicate a rise in these flu-like illnesses in the country.While these cases may well be linked to China’s lifting of its COVID-19 restrictions later than other countries and usual circulating winter respiratory viruses, the statement from the WHO will cause concern given allegations of China being slow to alert the world about COVID-19 cases in 2019.The rise in cases started in northern China in mid-October, the WHO said, with China’s National Health Commission reporting an increase in incidence of respiratory diseases on November 13. The authorities attributed this ...

Investigation underway after police respond to Bijou Nightclub in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

A police investigation is underway after a large response to Bijou Nightclub in Boston early Thursday morning.Police officers could be seen working inside a large taped-off section of the street outside the Stuart Street nightclub around 1 a.m.At least two ambulances were seen leaving the area.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Cerullo: Red Sox fans have plenty to be thankful for this holiday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

It hasn’t been an easy year to be a Red Sox fan. The club fell short of expectations again to finish last for the third time in four seasons, and in September the club fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and played out the string amid a never-ending run of rain delays.It was pretty hard to watch at times, but the good news is for all that went wrong the Red Sox appear set up for success going forward.So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are a few things Red Sox fans have to be thankful for this holiday.Casas and Bello stepping upWe’ve been hearing for years about how the Red Sox are building towards the future, and this year two former top prospects made the leap and established themselves as genuine franchise cornerstones.Triston Casas, Boston’s first-round pick in 2018, won the starting first base job out of spring training and shook off a slow start to establish himself as the middle of the order threat he was always billed as. The 23-year-old was one of ...

Driver charged after speeding Tesla flies off exit ramp on DVP: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

Six people are lucky to be okay after the Tesla they were riding in crashed through a guardrail on the Don Valley Parkway and fell into a creek below.Emergency crews responded to a collision on the northbound DVP exit ramp to westbound Lawrence Avenue around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday.A Toronto police source tells CityNews a Tesla with six people inside was speeding when it crashed through a guardrail on the ramp. The car flew through the air before landing in a creek several feet below.No one was injured but police say the vehicle was totalled in the crash.Police say the driver is facing charges and will be billed for the vehicle rescue, including the heavy tow that was needed to pull the car out of the ditch.The northbound DVP ramp to westbound Lawrence was closed for the investigation but has since reopened.With files from Carl Hanstke

Chinese refugee challenges Australian law that imposes a curfew and tracking bracelet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Lawyers for a Chinese refugee claim the tough new measures rushed through Australia’s Parliament to mandate curfews and electronic tracking bracelets on some foreigners with criminal records are unconstitutional, challenging them in the High Court.The man, identified in court documents seen by The Associated Press on Thursday as S151, is one of at least 93 migrants who have been freed in the two weeks since the High Court ruled their indefinite detention in prison-like facilities for foreigners without visas was unconstitutional. S151 was placed in indefinite detention in 2022 after serving a five-year prison sentence for a crime that was not specified in court documents. Australia accepted in June that S151 fits the definition of a refugee, but refused him a visa. That meant at the time that he could not be deported to China and could not be released in Australia, leaving indefinite detention in a migration facility. But after Parliament passed a raft of ...

Temporary cease-fire in Gaza and hostage release now expected to start Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An agreement for a four-day cease-fire in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages held by militants and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel appeared to have hit a last-minute snag. A senior Israeli official said it would not take effect until Friday, a day later than originally announced.The diplomatic breakthrough promised some relief for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, as well as families in Israel fearful for the fate of their loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war.Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, announced the delay late Wednesday, without providing a reason. Negotiators were still “working to create the appropriate conditions” for the cease-fire and swap, according to Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman from the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which played a key role in mediating with Hamas.The Persian Gulf nation said early Thursday that...

Carbon removals: Extra measures to reach climate neutrality  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

To reach the EU’s climate goals, emission reduction efforts will need to be complemented by measures to remove carbon from the atmosphere, Economy.Climate change is already a reality but depending on the measures taken now, it is still possible to limit its consequences. Under the Paris Agreement on global climate action, the EU has committed to pursue limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To reach this goal, EU climate law sets a binding target of net-zero emissions by 2050.The main tool for reaching zero emissions is rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the EU has been making progress in this regard. However, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will be necessary to complement emission cuts. This is because it is difficult to reach zero emissions in some sectors, such as agriculture, cement and steel production or aviation and maritime transport.The EU is working on a certification scheme to make sure any carbon removals in the EU create cle...

Horoscopes Nov. 23, 2023: Miley Cyrus, stay on top of your priorities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Miley Cyrus, 31; Salli Richardson-Whitfield, 56; Robin Roberts, 63; Bruce Hornsby, 69.Happy Birthday: Take your time, fact-check and find your comfort spot before you discuss your plans or make changes that will alter your routine or living arrangements. Stay on top of your priorities, health and getting along with people with something to contribute to your adventure. Take the path that ensures an unforgettable journey filled with gratitude and lifelong memories. Take responsibility for your happiness. Your numbers are 7, 13, 21, 24, 32, 39, 44.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be open about how you feel, and avoid a situation that can stifle your plans. A trip, educational pursuit or meeting will create something new and exciting. Don’t hesitate to reunite with someone you think might be interested in joining you. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t share secrets or participate in joint ventures. You’ll do your best by handling matters y...

Bridge: Nov. 23, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:46 GMT

“What do you call a potato wearing glasses?” my little girl asked me.“I’m afraid to know.”“A spec-tater,” she said delightedly.“That’s the worst joke I ever heard,” I groaned.You’re a spectator in today’s deal. Playing at six hearts, South takes the ace of spades and cashes the A-K of trumps. When East-West follow low, declarer leads a diamond to dummy’s king, returns a diamond to his ace and tables the queen. Both defenders follow, so South draws the missing trump and claims 12 tricks.South then turns around to you as if seeking your congratulations. Do you have any comments?CLUB LOSERSouth’s play was wrong and would have failed if West had held one fewer diamond. West could ruff the queen of diamonds, and South would still have a club to lose.After South takes the K-A of diamonds, he should lead a low diamond. As the cards lie, he is safe; but if West could ruff, South could discard dummy’s l...