All posts tagged: Crossings

Russia Closes Border Crossings With Several NATO States After Finland Lifts Nuclear Ban

Russia Closes Border Crossings With Several NATO States After Finland Lifts Nuclear Ban

Finland’s parliament has finally followed through with a previously threatened move to reverse its decades-long ban on nuclear weapons. The June 17 vote to lift the ban in effect legally authorizes the Nordic country to receive, transport, and facilitate the movement of nuclear weapons on its territory as part of allied operations, with the representatives’ final tally at 125 to 61. Finland officially became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023 – having abandoned its historic neutrality in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in what was among the fastest accession processes in the Western military alliance’s history. Now it is already willing to host allied nukes on its territory, making it a target of Russian retaliation. Moscow has long warned against such an ultra-provocative move. The Kremlin said Monday that this requires a response – given also the fact that Russia and Finland share an over 800-mile long border, which is made up largely of Arctic frontier. “The results of the vote represent both bright and unflattering victory of the blind Russophobia of the past …

Why the UK has announced a border security deal with China – and what it could mean for small boat crossings

Why the UK has announced a border security deal with China – and what it could mean for small boat crossings

The UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, recently visited China to announce what was described as a reset in relations between London and Beijing. Among the economic and diplomatic announcements was a surprising element: a new agreement on border security. Under the deal, the UK and China committed to closer cooperation to disrupt the supply of engines and equipment used in small boat crossings of the English Channel. Numbers of small boat arrivals to the UK in 2025 were the second-highest on record. The prime minister is under pressure to deliver on his commitment to “smash the gangs” and reduce unauthorised arrivals. At first glance, China might appear an unlikely partner in this regard. Chinese nationals are nowhere close to the top nationalities crossing the Channel by small boat. But the agreement is part of the British government’s efforts to tackle people smuggling by targeting the global supply chain of small boats and engines used for crossings. The aim is to disrupt Channel crossings well before migrants reach the French coast. Engines and dinghies recovered in …

Animal Crossing’s ​new ​update ​has revive​d ​my ​pandemic ​sanctuary | Games

Animal Crossing’s ​new ​update ​has revive​d ​my ​pandemic ​sanctuary | Games

Nintendo’s pandemic-era hit Animal Crossing: New Horizons got another major update last week, along with a £5 Switch 2 upgrade that makes it look and run better on the new console. Last year, I threw a new year’s party for my children in the game, but apart from that I have barely touched my island since the depths of lockdown, when sunny Alba was my preferred escape from the monotonous misery of the real world. Back then, I spent more than 200 hours on this island. Stepping out of her (now massive) house, my avatar’s hair is all ruffled and her eyes sleepy after a long, long time aslumber. I half-expected Alba to be practically in ruins, but it’s not that bad. Aside from a few cockroaches in the basement and a bunch of weeds poking up from the snow, everything is as it was. The paths that I had laid out around the island still lead me to the shop, the tailors, the museum; I stop by to visit Blathers the curatorial owl, and …

Regent’s Park Outer Circle to have new pedestrian crossings to curb cyclist ‘velodrome’

Regent’s Park Outer Circle to have new pedestrian crossings to curb cyclist ‘velodrome’

Mr Share added: “The Royal Parks are shared spaces, and we all have a role to play. By encouraging road users to slow down, respect speed limits and be considerate of others, alongside making practical improvements like these crossings, we hope to foster a culture of mutual respect and create a safer, more enjoyable experience for all visitors.” Source link

Small Boat Crossings Reached Embarrassing High In 2025

Small Boat Crossings Reached Embarrassing High In 2025

2025 saw the second highest number of small boat crossings on record, according to the Home Office. The government has revealed 41,472 people arrived in the UK by coming across the English Channel in 2025, despite Keir Starmer’s promises to cut down on irregular migration. That’s second only to 2022′s record when 45,774 people came to the UK. Crossings were on track to be at an all time high earlier this year but the rate slowed down during November and December, pushing 2025′s numbers into second place. Immigration has become a major sore spot for the government after the prime minister fought the 2024 general election on the promise that he would “smash the gangs” which bring across migrants. He also negotiated a “one-in, one-out”deal with France last year to discourage further crossings. But the lack of impact is a gift to his political opponents who have called for more extreme measures, like withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, to crack down on crossings. Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp has called for …