nearly 100 children
|

Nearly 100 children wrongly detained as adults under UK-France migration deal

At least 94 children were mistakenly identified as adults and held in immigration detention under Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s “one in, one out” agreement with France, according to details disclosed in a letter from the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB).

Between August 2025 and May 2026, Home Office officials recorded 304 age-disputed cases arising from the scheme, officially named Operation Hillmore, with 31% ultimately confirmed to be minors. Standard UK policy strictly prohibits the detention of unaccompanied minors beyond 24 hours.

The critical findings, sent to Home Office Minister Anna Turley by interim IMB chair Jane Leech, highlighted severe safeguarding and procedural failures. Age assessments at immigration removal centers took up to 40 days to resolve in certain instances, while some individuals faced deportation delays of up to 27 weeks, far exceeding the scheme’s 28-day target. Additionally, detainees were slated for removal despite requiring urgent hospital care or suffering from active tuberculosis.

The Refugee Council condemned the findings, urging the government to rely on social-worker-led assessments rather than administrative border checks. In response, a Home Office spokesperson stated that age assessment procedures are being modernized, including plans to roll out AI tools next year to support determinations.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas Khan to reunite for new TV drama

    Pakistani stars Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbas Khan are set to reunite on screen in an upcoming Geo TV drama, creating excitement among fans eager to see the popular duo share the screen once again. Both actors are regarded as two of the most talented performers in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Over the years, they have built impressive careers with critically acclaimed performances and commercially successful television dramas, earning widespread recognition and a loyal fan base. Sajal Aly has become one of the country’s most celebrated actresses through memorable performances in dramas such as Yaqeen Ka Safar, Alif, Aangan, Zard Patton Ka Bunn and Main Manto Nahi Hoon. Her versatility and emotional depth have made her a favourite among audiences and critics alike. Bilal Abbas Khan has also established himself as one of Pakistan’s leading actors with standout performances in hit serials including Cheekh, Balaa, Pyar Ke Sadqay, Dunk, Ishq Murshid and Meri Zindagi Hai Tu. His ability to portray a wide range of characters has earned him praise and numerous accolades throughout his career. The two stars have previously worked together in the dramas O Rangreza and Kuch Ankahi, where their on-screen chemistry received a positive response from viewers. They also appeared together in the feature film Khel Khel Mein, further strengthening their reputation as one of the industry’s most loved acting pairs. Off screen, Sajal and Bilal are also known to share a warm friendship, which many fans believe contributes to their natural chemistry in front of the camera. Their latest collaboration is expected to be one of Geo TV’s major upcoming productions. Reports suggest that the drama will be a high-budget project, reflecting the channel’s confidence in its star cast and creative team. The drama will reportedly be directed by Syed Wajahat Hussain, who has earned praise for his work on successful projects such as Khaie and Case No. 9. The script has been written by Saqilain Abbas. While details regarding the storyline remain under wraps, the supporting cast has not yet been officially announced, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project. The announcement has generated significant buzz on social media, with fans expressing excitement over Sajal and Bilal’s reunion. Many viewers believe the pair’s proven chemistry, combined with their strong acting abilities, will make the drama one of the most anticipated television releases of the coming season. Several fans have predicted that the project will become another major success, pointing to the actors’ recent string of hit dramas and their consistent ability to deliver memorable performances. Others have said they had been waiting to see the duo reunite ever since Kuch Ankahi and are looking forward to watching them share the screen again. Although an official release date and additional casting details are yet to be revealed, expectations are already high. With an acclaimed director, an experienced writer and two of Pakistan’s biggest television stars leading the cast, the upcoming drama is shaping up to be one of the industry’s most highly anticipated projects.

  • | |

    Three accused in doctor Akash murder case eliminat…

    Three suspects arrested in the murder case of young doctor Akash were killed during a police operation in Karachi after an alleged exchange of fire between law enforcement officials and criminal suspects. According to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the incident took place in Umar Brohi Goth area of Gulshan-e-Maymar. Police officials said the arrested suspects had provided information about their escaped accomplices, following which a raid was carried out to arrest the remaining members of the group. During the operation, the alleged criminals opened fire on police teams. Officials said a police officer was also injured in the firing. The SIU claimed that the three suspects already arrested in connection with Dr Akash’s murder were killed after being hit by bullets fired by their own accomplices during the clash. The case relates to a robbery incident in Karachi’s Clifton area on July 13. Dr Akash was killed when armed suspects opened fire outside a bank during a cash-snatching attempt. Police said the suspects had targeted people carrying large amounts of cash. During the incident, the criminals allegedly took away Rs25 million from a total amount of Rs50 million withdrawn from the bank. Investigators later found that the suspects arrested in the case were allegedly involved in other criminal activities, including robberies outside banks and attacks on traders in Karachi. The police investigation also revealed the possible involvement of an unidentified woman in the robbery case. Officials said further investigation was being carried out to determine her role and identify other members of the criminal network. Authorities said efforts are continuing to trace the remaining suspects linked to the gang. The police have vowed to take action against individuals involved in organised street crimes and cash robbery incidents across the city.

  • | |

    ‘Delulu’, ‘Clock it’: ‘Cockroach’ prot…

    India’s parliament echoed with the language of memes and Instagram reels this week, as lawmakers debated a new anti‑exam leak bill in the wake of youth‑led protests that forced the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Phrases like “delulu”, “FOMO” and “clock it” — once confined to group chats and comment sections — were deployed by MPs across party lines. Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde accused the opposition of being “MIA” and “delulu,” while Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda mocked the government with the viral protest catchphrase “waste‑guna‑huiya.” BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having “clocked it” by introducing the bill, while Tejasvi Surya accused critics of being “delulu.” The unusual moment underscored the influence of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical online collective that morphed into a protest movement over exam irregularities. Organised on WhatsApp and Telegram, and amplified through Instagram reels, the CJP drew thousands of young people into the streets with humour, memes and sardonic edits. Digital anthropologist Payal Arora noted that borrowing Gen Z slang signals cultural awareness rather than political transformation. Political scientist Rahul Verma added that Indian politicians have long adopted popular culture references, from cricket metaphors to Bollywood catchphrases like “How’s the josh?” Yet the government’s response has been uneasy. Authorities have sought removal of protest content and pursued cases against activists, prompting warnings from CJP leaders that they will return to the streets if charges are not dropped. Critics argue the irreverent humour trivialises serious issues, while supporters insist irony is simply the language of a generation raised online. Whether parliament’s new lexicon endures remains uncertain. Internet slang evolves quickly, often disappearing as fast as it emerges. For many protesters, hearing politicians adopt their vocabulary was less impressive than seeing meaningful change. As one student put it: “Speaking our language isn’t going to impress us without accountability. That’s cringe.”

  • | | | |

    S&P upgrades Pakistan’s rating to ‘B’ o…

    S&P Global Ratings has upgraded Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating from ‘B-’ to ‘B’, citing improvements in economic stability, foreign exchange reserves and reform progress. The global rating agency maintained a stable outlook for Pakistan, indicating expectations that the country’s economic recovery will continue if current policies and reforms remain in place. S&P said the rating upgrade reflects stronger institutional capacity and Pakistan’s progress in implementing reforms under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) programme. The agency highlighted that the $7 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) has played an important role in improving economic management, supporting fiscal reforms and rebuilding external financial buffers. According to S&P, Pakistan has achieved most of the IMF programme targets so far, which has helped maintain the flow of financial assistance and improve investor confidence. The rating agency also pointed to a major improvement in Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. It said reserves increased to around $25.3 billion, including gold holdings, by the end of last month. This is a significant rise compared with the low level of around $6.7 billion recorded in December 2022. S&P said the improved reserve position provides greater capacity to manage external payments and cover upcoming foreign debt obligations. The agency added that continued support from international partners, multilateral institutions and access to global financing markets would help Pakistan strengthen its external position. S&P projected further improvement in Pakistan’s fiscal performance, saying the government deficit could decline to around 4% of GDP by fiscal year 2027. This compares with nearly 8% during the economic difficulties faced in 2022 and 2023. The agency also noted that economic reforms, fiscal discipline and improved financial management could help Pakistan achieve sustainable growth in the coming years. However, S&P warned that a slowdown in reforms, increased fiscal pressures or worsening external conditions could create risks for the country’s future rating. The agency said Pakistan could receive another rating improvement if it continues reducing fiscal deficits, increasing revenues, lowering financing costs and strengthening external economic indicators.

  • |

    American tourist killed by lightning strike on Mount Etna

    An American tourist has died after being struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily. Italian firefighters confirmed the incident on Monday, adding new details to the tragedy. The victim, a 29-year-old man from Kansas, was struck on Sunday evening while hiking through an exposed section of the volcano above the tree line. Mount Etna is widely known as Europe’s most active volcano. Emergency crews responded quickly, rescuing the tourist by helicopter following the lightning strike. Despite the swift response, he was later pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene. Authorities have not yet released his identity publicly. The area where the incident occurred had reportedly been closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity. Officials have restricted access to large sections of the volcano’s slopes following an extended period of heightened activity in recent weeks. That same volcanic activity had already caused significant disruption in the region. Catania airport, one of Sicily’s key international travel hubs, was forced to shut down for much of the previous week because of ongoing eruptions. Despite Mount Etna’s frequent volcanic activity, officials noted something notable about the risks the mountain actually poses. Lightning strikes have caused more fatalities on the volcano in recent decades than the eruptions themselves. According to officials, the most recent deaths directly linked to a Mount Etna eruption date back to 1987. That statistic highlights how unpredictable weather, rather than volcanic danger, remains the more immediate threat to hikers today. Mount Etna sits on the eastern side of Sicily, near the city of Catania. Despite ongoing volcanic activity and periodic access restrictions, it continues to draw large numbers of hikers and tourists throughout the year. Sunday’s tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable risks tied to hiking in exposed, high-altitude terrain, even in areas officially closed to the public. Authorities are expected to review safety measures and access restrictions around the volcano following the incident.

  • |

    Aly Goni, Jannat Zubair win Laughter Chefs Season 3

    After weeks of entertaining audiences with cooking challenges, laughter, and teamwork, Aly Goni and Jannat Zubair emerged as the winners of Laughter Chefs Season 3. The popular duo lifted the winner’s trophy in the grand finale, bringing an exciting season of culinary tasks and light-hearted competition to a memorable close. Throughout the season, Aly and Jannat consistently proved to be one of the strongest teams in the competition. Their chemistry, quick thinking, and ability to handle a variety of cooking challenges helped them stand out among the contestants. Whether preparing difficult dishes under time pressure or tackling unexpected twists, the pair impressed both the judges and viewers with their teamwork and determination. As the finale concluded, celebrations quickly began, with Aly sharing the happy moment on social media. Posting a series of photos with Jannat and the championship trophy, the actor reflected on the emotional journey they experienced together during the competition. In his heartfelt caption, Aly expressed that the victory represented much more than simply winning a reality show. He wrote that they had earned not only a trophy but also the love and trust of their supporters while overcoming every challenge that came their way. Describing their partnership as one built on unwavering support and resilience, he dedicated the victory to the bond they developed throughout the competition, calling them champions who stood together until the very end. Jannat also took to social media to celebrate the special occasion. Sharing photographs from the grand finale, she thanked everyone who had supported her throughout the season and reflected on the memories she would cherish long after the show ended. The actress said the experience had given her unforgettable moments, meaningful friendships, and relationships she would always treasure. She admitted it was difficult to fully express her emotions after the finale, adding that the show had become much more than just another television project. She also thanked fans for showering the team with love during the season and said she was already looking forward to reuniting with everyone on set in the future. The duo’s victory was met with an enthusiastic response across social media, where fans congratulated the winners and praised their consistent performances throughout the season. Many viewers highlighted their strong partnership, positive attitude, and entertaining presence as reasons they deserved to win the title. Fellow television personalities also extended their congratulations, celebrating the pair’s successful journey on the show. Laughter Chefs Season 3 combined comedy with cooking, giving celebrity contestants a chance to showcase their culinary skills while entertaining audiences with fun-filled tasks, playful banter, and friendly rivalries. The unique format kept viewers engaged from the premiere to the finale, with each episode featuring new challenges that tested both cooking ability and teamwork. As the curtain falls on another successful season, Aly Goni and Jannat Zubair leave the competition as deserving champions. Their consistent performances, strong friendship, and ability to stay composed under pressure helped them secure the coveted title, making their victory one of the season’s most celebrated moments.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *