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UK facing highest number of asylum claims for two decades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

LONDON — New data released by the U.K. Home Office Thursday shows the country received its highest number of annual asylum applications in two decades.According to the release, 78,768 asylum applications were lodged in the U.K. in the year ending June 2023 — marking a 19 percent increase on the previous year. “This is higher than at the time of the European migration crisis (36,546 in the U.K. in year ending June 2016) and is the highest number of applications for 2 decades,” the Home Office release noted.The last time U.K. asylum claims were this high was 2002, when 84,130 applications were made in a single year.The rise in applications comes amid intense political focus on Britain’s asylum system. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to “stop the boats” crossing the English Channel, and the Home Office is grappling with a growing backlog of unprocessed asylum applications.Sunak has also pledged to reduce the number of asylum seekers living in hotels w...

Police investigation underway in Lowell

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

A large police presence gathered in Lowell overnight as an investigation got underway.Officers who responded to Hampshire Place around midnight could be seen scouring a single unit in a taped-off multi-family home.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Soaking In The Sun to Soaking Wet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

What a stretch of weather we’ve had over the last couple of days as full on sunshine, low humidity and comfortable temps has won out. This morning, we’re pretty much pickup up where we left off as morning lows start in the low 50s in the suburbs to low 60s in the city. The weather today is nice overall with a comfortably warm afternoon as the humidity is still on the lower side. We will increase the clouds this afternoon, foreshadowing the wet weather ahead. It’ll start as a few sprinkles, or an isolated shower this evening, then become a steady rain by daybreak tomorrow. Do expect a soaking start to the day with widespread rain for the morning commute. Some of the rain tomorrow will be locally heavy as well, producing a quick 1-2″ of rain. Temps will be stuck around 70 tomorrow, with higher humidity as well. It’ll still be muggy Saturday with a few late afternoon/early evening showers/storm popping up, but a large portion of the day will likely be dry....

Police respond to rollover crash in Dorchester

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

A rollover crash in Dorchester left an SUV on its side. Officers responding to a reported crash at Dorchester Avenue and Gallivan Boulevard around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday found the overturned vehicle. No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

The 7 most interesting players the Orioles could add when rosters expand in September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

As fatigue sets in on an Orioles roster that has battled its way to the top of the American League East, the club is nearing some reinforcements.On Sept. 1, Baltimore can add two players to its roster for the final month-plus of the regular season, supplying much-needed fortifications for both the pitching staff and lineup with the likelihood being the Orioles add one pitcher and position player each; even as rosters expand from 26 to 28, the limit on pitchers they’re allowed to carry increases by only one from 13 to 14.It’s plausible the Orioles use those extra roster spots in a relatively modest fashion, such as activating outfielder Aaron Hicks from the injured list and recalling a familiar reliever such as Bryan Baker, Joey Krehbiel or Logan Gillaspie. But more intriguing options will be available, including numerous top prospects.Here are the seven most interesting players the Orioles could add when their roster expands Sept. 1, in order by likelihood.Tyler WellsWel...

Trump is set to surrender at a Georgia jail on charges he sought to overturn his 2020 election loss

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

By ERIC TUCKER, KATE BRUMBACK and JILL COLVIN (Associated Press)ATLANTA (AP) — Donald Trump is set to surrender Thursday to authorities in Georgia on charges that he schemed to overturn the 2020 election in that state, a booking process expected to yield a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president.Trump’s arrival follows a presidential debate featuring his leading rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination, a contest in which he remains the leading candidate despite accelerating legal troubles. His presence in the state, though likely brief, is expected to swipe the spotlight at least temporarily from his opponents in the aftermath of a debate in which other candidates sought to seize on his absence to elevate their own presidential prospects.The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted. Since then, he’s faced federal charges in Florida an...

2023 Toyota Crown is finally here

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

As Toyota betters their fleet with the elimination of the longtime Avalon, the creation of the Toyota Crown was born. Bringing Lexus to the table, who molds the Crown into the luxury vehicle it deserves, we notice some Lexus interior-like accents and technology.With exterior curvatures similar to the Polestar 2, we notice a midsize luxury vehicle in our 2023 Crown Limited tester. With a base price of just under $40K, the Crown is really a nicely sized and priced vehicle with tons of interior legroom. Did I mention fuel mileage? We noticed 41 miles per gallon with our hybrid engine option on our weeklong test. Powering our Crown Limited tester was the only engine option, a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder hybrid with AWD. This included a 236 hybrid system net horsepower and electronically controlled CVT transmission, which was well designed and quiet for interior passengers unlike other CVTs.Wrapped in Supersonic Red, which is one of nine color options available, the Crown rides on 19-inch wheel...

Building collapse in in Nigeria’s capital leaves two people dead while many are feared trapped

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Rescue crews were searching for survivors Thursday after a building collapse in Nigeria’s capital left two people dead while many others are feared trapped, emergency officials said.The two-story building in the densely populated Garki district of the capital Abuja collapsed during a downpour late Wednesday, witnesses said. It served both as a shopping center and a residential block and some of those trapped were believed to be shoppers.Nkechi Isa, spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the city said 37 people have so far been pulled alive from the rubble. She said the rescue efforts would continue until the rubble has been searched. Crews used an excavator and a bulldozer to clear away debris in search of survivors. A large crowd of people who gathered on the street where the building had stood cheered as crews pulled out survivors. Others awaited news about their missing relatives.Samuel Japhet narrowly escaped the collapse after en...

Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are among 6 nations set to join China and Russia in BRICS economic bloc

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Iran and Saudi Arabia were among six countries set to join Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in the BRICS economic bloc from next year, the bloc announced Thursday, a move that will likely throw more scrutiny on Beijing’s political influence in the Persian Gulf.The United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to become new members of BRICS from 2024.BRICS was set up in 2009 as a group of emerging market economies and has become one of the leading voices for more representation of the developing world and the Global South in world affairs.It currently represents around 40% of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the world’s GDP, although that is set to increase with the new members, which include three of the world’s biggest oil producers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran.Recently, questions have been raised over if BRICS is taking an anti-West turn under the influence of China and Russia amid Be...

A top court in Pakistan will rule on a conviction appeal from ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:52 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A court in Pakistan’s capital is expected to issue a crucial ruling Thursday on an appeal from the country’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan against his recent conviction and three-year sentence in a graft case, one of his lawyers said. The former cricket star and top opposition leader was found guilty of concealing assets after selling state gifts he received while in office and was convicted and sentenced on Aug. 5 by another court. Khan, through his legal team, requested his release, saying the trial court sentenced him in haste. The 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, is currently being held at a high-security Attock prison in eastern Punjab province. Even if Khan’s conviction is set aside, his release is unlikely as other courts have canceled his bail in multiple cases.He has denied the charges of corruption, saying he did not violate any laws.Shortly before the court hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Pan...