World
The most popular day of the week for Channel migrant crossings | World | News

Figures that show the most popular days for migrants to cross the English Channel have caused a row over the working arrangements of French border guards.
Home Office statistics show that 40% of crossings occur at weekends, with Saturday the most popular day for those attempting the perilous journey.
In 2024, 38,816 people crossed the Channel, with 8,421 doing so on a Saturday and 6,133 crossing on a Sunday. The figure for Mondays was 2,963, Tuesdays 4,817, Wednesdays 5,610, Thursdays 3,834 and Fridays 5,038.
The stats have led to accusations that French gendarmerie, police and Border Force officers do not plan their staffing adequately at weekends, meaning that people are better able to make the crossing.
The French have strongly denied any insinuation that the popularity of the date is to do with working patterns.
But a former immigration minister has accused the French border force of “rigidity” in their shift patterns, meaning that they fail to quickly increase staffing levels when the sea is calm and journeys are more likely, allowing them to cut shifts when the sea is stormy and migrants are unlikely to make a crossing attempt.
The former minister told the Telegraph: “I believe at weekends that they don’t deploy as many officers, which means people-smugglers target their efforts at the weekend if the weather is good.”
This was backed up by another source who told Sky News that “gangs have realised there are lower or less engaged staffing on weekends on the French side.””
Pierre Henri Dumont, who was the Calais MP from 2017-2024 hit back at the claims, arguing the issue was not really one of staff size.
He said: “The reality is you can have as many police officers as you want, but people will cross the Channel. If you have eight rather than 100 police officers, that won’t change anything at all.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has urged France to copy Belgium’s method for preventing crossings, claiming they have seen attempts stop “almost entirely”.
He said: “They have policed it very hard and been willing to do interceptions at sea near the Belgian coast to return people.
“That has meant illegal migrants and people smugglers no longer bother trying.
“The French should adopt that, because it is in their interest. It would mean in a few months the illegal migrants would give up.”
A Downing Street spokesman said: “[We understand that] French law enforcement officers patrol beaches throughout the week, including weekends, and … our joint work with the French saw over 28,000 of these crossing attempts prevented last year.”
World
Israeli hostages live: Three more on verge of release as Trump deadline approaches | World | News

Three more Israelis held captive in the Gaza Strip are on the verge of being freed on Saturday as part of a shaky ceasefire deal which requires Israel to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
The truce that began nearly four weeks ago had been jeopardised in recent days by a tense dispute that threatened to renew the fighting.
US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to remove more than two million Palestinians from Gaza and settle them elsewhere in the region has cast even more doubt on the future of the ceasefire. Mr Trump has said all hostages should be released by noon today local time (10am) or he would propose cancelling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and “let hell break out”.
But Hamas said Thursday it would move ahead with the release of more hostages after talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials. The group said the mediators had pledged to “remove all hurdles” to assure Israel would allow more tents, medical supplies and other essentials into Gaza.
It will be the sixth swap since the ceasefire took effect on January 19. So far, 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners have been freed during the first phase of the truce.
Of the 251 people abducted on October 7, 2023, 73 remain in Gaza, around half of whom are believed to be dead. Nearly all the remaining hostages are men, including Israeli soldiers.
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World
The incredible £50bn railway with world’s fastest bullet train that now faces crisis | World | News

The future of Japan’s incredible £50 billion train line hangs in the balance as the project faces delays.
Japan‘s ambitious Maglev bullet train project, designed to revolutionise high-speed travel, has hit significant roadblocks, delaying its progress.
Short for Magnetic Levitation, Maglev, also known as the Chūō Shinkansen, is an ambitious high-speed rail project that uses magnetic levitation technology instead of traditional wheels.
This allows for ultra-fast speeds, reduced friction, and a smoother ride. The project is self-funded by JR Central, without direct government financial aid.
However, it has faced resistance due to concerns about tunnel construction impacting water sources.
The train line was planned to connect Tokyo and Nagoya (177 miles) in 40 minutes, later extending to Osaka (totaling 272 miles).
The route was supposed to open in 2027, but that’s not likely to happen anymore.
It is reported that he Shizuoka Prefecture government has refused to approve construction, citing concerns that tunneling under the Southern Japanese Alps could impact local water supplies.
Shizuoka’s Ōi River provides drinking water for millions, and officials fear that groundwater could be permanently diverted.
The Governor of Shizuoka, Heita Kawakatsu, has remained firm in his opposition, demanding further environmental studies.
Local residents and environmental groups argue the project prioritises speed over sustainability.
Negotiations between JR Central (Japan Railways Central) and local authorities have stalled over the years, causing indefinite delays.
While construction has continued on other parts of the route, progress in Shizuoka Prefecture remains at a standstill.
At present, the Japanese government and JR Central are exploring compromises and environmental solutions, but no resolution has been reached.
World
Spain to spend £1.6million housing migrants in holiday hotspot loved by Brits | World | News

The Spanish Government is reportedly planning to spend around £ 1.6 million (2 million euros) on housing migrants in a four-star Costa del Sol hotel until April, The Olive Press has reported.
The migrants will remain until at least April 24, after which they will be relocated to other areas along the Costa del Sol, including Marbella and Estepona.
According to the report, the Hotel Oh Nice Caledonia, in Bel Air, is being paid around £50 (60 euros) per person per night.
It means around £17000 per night or £1.6million will be paid during the three months when the hotel is normally closed for the winter season.
In comparison, one night at the hotel for paying guests costs €65 minimum, though no bookings are being taken yet for this summer.
Bel Air resident Joerin Reiddel told The Olive Press: “It’s a win for the hotel, probably more than they get in the high seasons. It’s too much to give to people who don’t contribute.”
A 52-year-old expat resident explained: “They shouldn’t be showered with money, clothes and food. If they want to become Spanish citizens they should prove it by serving in the military.”
On the other hand, most locals were in favour of the decision to house the migrants
Dutch resident Marjolijne Reedijk said: “We are talking about basic things people should have. We have everything we need, a house, food, safety, they deserve that too.”
Meanwhile, the Spanish Government has also decided to grant one-year residency and work permits to as many as 25,000 foreigners affected by catastrophic flash floods that hit an eastern area of the country last October.
The measure, which was approved by the Spanish cabinet earlier this week, will facilitate paperwork for those now left homeless in dozens of towns affected by the floods, principally in the Valencia region.
The government has embarked on a major recovery and reconstruction effort after the 29 October disaster, which killed 227 people and destroyed countless homes and businesses.
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