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Politics
His supporters cheer while illegal migrants scream in rage
As Donald Trump swore his oath of office on Monday, his supporters cheered throughout the American capital.
Not everyone is happy with the new president, however. During an immigration raid an illegal Haitian migrant with 18 previous convictions reportedly told police, “F*** Trump, Biden forever!”.
With the dawn of Trump comes his long-awaited policy of mass deportations of immigrants.
In his inauguration address, Trump promised to deport “millions and millions” of illegal aliens.
Within hours of his swearing in, he began to deliver on his core promises by signing dozens of executive orders on issues ranging from immigration to energy.
He banned DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programmes across government, ended affirmative action (racial discrimination in favour of ethnic minorities), and declared a national energy on the US southern border.
One of the more controversial orders ended birthright citizenship for illegal migrants and those on temporary visas, meaning the children of illegal migrants are no longer given automatic citizenship. This order is set to be challenged in court as some argue that birthright citizenship is enshrined in the constitution.
Trump’s famed mass deportations programme also began within hours of his taking office, with immigration raids being launched in Chicago and Boston.
Under Joe Biden’s four years in the White House, more than eight million illegal migrants entered the United States according to estimates, though some experts suggest the number could be much higher.
Immigration, like in 2016, was one of the major reasons Donald Trump won the White House.
On Monday the freezing conditions and tight security in Washington DC did not deter the new president’s most hardcore fans who turned the usually liberal city into a MAGA heartland.
Trump’s supporters could hardly contain their excitement as their president returned to the Oval Office for the second time.
For more than half of the country, Trump’s inauguration represented a return to American exceptionalism: to expansionism, masculine energy, strong borders and self-confidence.
After witnessing murders being committed by illegal migrants, including, infamously, against the young Laken Riley, millions of Americans have now been filled with hope that they will be deported. Dreams of deportations are not simply a bigoted reaction to ethnic minorities, they are a shared desire to keep Americans safe.
Britain, where there are an estimated 1.2 million illegal migrants, could learn from Donald Trump. One in twelve people in London are reportedly in the country illegally, and the country is unified in believing that levels of immigration are too high.
In both America and Britain, the public are furious that illegal migration has been allowed to occur in record numbers. Such anger may have led to the fall of both Biden and Sunak’s regimes, though Keir Starmer does not see immigration in the same way as Donald Trump.
Under Trump’s leadership, the United States could be set to enter a period of radical transformation. Alongside his immigration crackdown, the president has announced plans for sweeping economic reforms aimed at reinvigorating American industry and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturing.
His administration has already signaled its intent to withdraw from trade agreements deemed “unfair” to American workers, with whispers of a renewed focus on domestic production under the slogan “Made in America.” This economic nationalism, while energising his voter base, has sparked concerns among business leaders who fear retaliatory tariffs and disrupted supply chains.
Trump’s energy policies are also shaping up to be as contentious as his immigration measures. On his first day back in office, the president ordered the immediate expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling, promising to make the United States “energy independent within months.”
Social policies, too, are poised for dramatic change. Trump’s ban on DEI programmes has sent shockwaves through corporate America, with companies scrambling to understand the implications. Critics have accused Trump of stoking cultural divides, while his administration claims such measures are necessary to restore meritocracy. Universities, long seen as bastions of progressive ideology, are likely to face increased scrutiny under new federal guidelines discouraging affirmative action.
Beyond the policy announcements, the mood in Washington reflects a nation deeply divided. Protesters gathered in cities across the country during Trump’s inauguration, denouncing what they called his “authoritarian” approach. The Capitol building itself remains under heavy security, a stark reminder of the turbulent political climate that has come to define modern America.
For Trump’s supporters, however, this is the beginning of what they see as a national revival. The president’s focus on immigration, energy, and economic sovereignty reflects a return to priorities they feel were neglected under Biden. While critics accuse Trump of authoritarianism, his backers argue that he is merely delivering on promises that resonate with millions.
NewsBeat
Search continues for missing mum six months after she was last seen | UK News
The search is continuing for a missing mother from Cardiff six months after she was last seen.
The last confirmed sighting of Charlene Hobbs was in a photograph taken on a mobile phone at a property in the Adamsdown area of the city on 24 July.
On the previous day, she was seen on CCTV at Morrisons Local in Adamsdown.
South Wales Police said specialist search teams are looking for Ms Hobbs, with searches also taking place in neighbouring police force areas.
The force has asked residents in the Roath and Splott areas of Cardiff to look inside any outbuildings or empty properties where she may have found shelter.
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In a previous statement, Ms Hobbs’s family said they were “desperate” to have her home.
“We have been out looking for you and will continue to do all we can to try to find you, and to understand what may have happened,” they added.
Based on information officers have gathered during the investigation, police have searched a number of addresses, derelict premises, vehicles and open land areas across South Wales.
In her last sighting, Ms Hobbs had her hair in a bun, was wearing a dark strapless top and had a distinctive dragon tattoo on her back.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Powell from South Wales Police said there were “several possible explanations” for Ms Hobbs’s disappearance and he was keeping “an open mind”.
“I do believe that answers as to where Charlene is lie in the community and that members of the public can assist us returning Charlene to her family,” he said.
“Charlene is a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to many. Like us, they are all extremely concerned for her welfare and are desperate for answers.”
Two men and a woman who were arrested in connection with the investigation have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
South Wales Police is asking anyone with information which could help find Ms Hobbs to get in touch, quoting reference 2400353044.
NewsBeat
Gender dysphoria diagnoses in children up fiftyfold in a decade – but numbers remain low
The amount of children with a gender dysphoria diagnosis in England has risen fiftyfold over the last decade, although numbers remain low, research has found.
The study, which appeared in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, showed the prevalence of gender dysphoria increased from about one in 60,000 in 2010, equating to 192 children and young people nationally, to about one in 1,200 in 2021 – or 10,291 nationally.
From 2015, there was a quick rise in prevalence among children recorded as female on their health records, which ended up about twice as high as for those recorded male by 2021.
Co-author of the study, University of York Professor Tim Doran, said: “[It’s] still really uncommon, but obviously much, much, much more common than it used to be 10 years ago,” as he said the prevalence among 17 and 18-year-olds was about one in 238 by 2021.
Researchers found that prevalence and incidence rose with children’s age, although there was no link to the level of deprivation in their area, which surprised the researchers.
“If you look at adults with gender dysphoria, or who have transitioned, there’s a steep social gradient,” Doran said, adding that more deprived populations tended to be overrepresented.
While the team found no link to deprivation, they did examine the prevalence of anxiety, depression and self-harm in children with gender dysphoria and found that they were on par with, or exceeded, levels for those with autism or eating disorders.
Over the entire 10-year period, less than five per cent of children with a gender dysphoria diagnosis from the GP had a record of prescription for puberty blockers, while eight per cent had a record of prescription for masculinising or feminising hormones.
Professor Doran said that while the research presents a “rapid increase”, gender dysphoria remained uncommon among children: “most practices will have zero, one or two children, with gender dysphoria on their books. They’re not seeing this very often.”
Researchers examined data relating to young people aged 18 and under attending GP practices in England between 2011 and 2021, encompassing 3,782 individuals with gender dysphoria or similar diagnoses.
The results were based on about 20 per cent of GP practices to show both the number of new cases each year and how prevalent the diagnoses were over the decade.
The study was completed by the team that carried out research informing the Cass Review, which led to a UK ban on puberty blockers and the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock Clinic.
It comes as work by a different team, published in the same journal, found it was impossible to conclusively determine from evidence if puberty blockers and gender hormone therapy helped or harmed children.
NewsBeat
New album Can’t Rush Greatness finally lands
BBC Newsbeat
After more than a decade in the game and eight top 10 singles, Central Cee has decided it’s finally time to drop an album.
He’s not been in a hurry.
The clue’s in the title – You Can’t Rush Greatness.
But some people, like 1Xtra DJ Kenny Allstar, would say it’s been there all along.
He’s been a champion of the West London rapper, also known as Cench, for years and has watched him become one of the UK’s biggest talents.
He says that’s down to the rapper, who understands that music, the industry around it, and how we listen has changed dramatically.
“He studied the game before he entered it,” Kenny tells BBC Newsbeat.
“And now we find ourselves with him producing undoubtedly one of the most eagerly anticipated UK rap projects of all time.”
As well as a string of hits, including 2023’s song of the summer Sprinter, to his name, Cee’s picked up multiple Mobo awards and been nominated for a prestigious Ivor Novello prize.
He’s also teamed up with artists including Brit Award winner Raye, 21 Savage and US star Gunna.
But he’s kept fans waiting for an album, limiting himself to singles and two top 10 mixtapes.
Kenny says holding off until now is a “really smart” move.
“He understood we’re in a singles market,” says Kenny.
“Let’s call it ‘fast food music’.
“The younger generation, they’re not always ready to sit down and listen to a whole in-depth project because we’re getting so much music at such a rapid rate.”
Cee’s singles are quick to get to the hook, says Kenny, and he’s kept his mixtapes short to keep fans engaged.
“Why would you put out a project if the audience isn’t ready to take it in?”
Instead, Kenny says, Cee’s been biding his time, “building a buzz” off the back of his hits until fans are “ready and gagging for the project, the album”.
It’s worked on super fan Jessica Mosses, 21, who says: “I’m so excited to have so many brand new songs that we’ve not had before.
“I’m gonna make sure I’m doing absolutely nothing so I can sit all day and listen.”
Jessica admits she’s excited to finally have an album to listen to, but thinks how an artist releases music is becoming less relevant.
“He’s got to this point just releasing singles and mixtapes,” she says.
“I do think that people don’t really care what they’re releasing as long as it’s new.”
Even though he’s found success without one, others think an album was always going to be on the cards for an artist with Central Cee’s ambitions.
Music journalist Daisy Carter says: “The fact that he’s doing it now shows that it’s still something that’s important for artists.
“I think it creates a stronger bond between the listener and the artists to have a longer body of work that you’re able to get your teeth into,” she says.
“It means that you feel more connected to an artist.”
Kenny agrees, saying: “It’s not just about hit records, it’s about, ‘what can we learn about you as a person through listening to this body of work?’.”
In 2024, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish seemed to be leading a focus on albums with neither releasing singles to promote their albums in advance.
“With the rise of streaming people can flick between individual songs in a way that they never used to be able to when they were just buying records,” says Daisy.
“But the album format is a way for artists to really execute an artistic vision and tell a story.”
But Kenny points out that Central Cee has been working overtime to connect with his fans in different ways, particularly through social media, his work in the fashion industry and going big on the production value of everything else he’s released.
“You don’t need to drop an album if everything you do is big,” he says.
“Marketing is so important in this day and age where everyone’s on TikTok, everyone’s on Insta.
“The music is amazing but how do you influence other subcultures?”
As for the album title, Kenny says it doesn’t just represent the time Central Cee’s taken to get to this stage in his career but also has another, more personal, meaning.
“I don’t mean to toot my own horn,” he says, before sharing how the pair released a freestyle together on Kenny’s channel in 2020.
“There’s a line where he says, ‘this took ages, you should have known you can’t rush greatness, you’re too impatient, one million views ain’t famous‘.
“Five years ago that lyric was birthed. I’m not asking for a writing credit, but it’s just a blessing it happened on my platform.”
And in return for the DJ’s support over his career, Central Cee even asked Kenny to feature in a track on the album – something he says he thought was a prank at first.
“I’m gassed,” he says.
“I speak passionately about UK rap music because it’s everything, I breathe it, I live it.
“So these moments after years of championing artists, this is a payoff.”
Politics
Illegal migrants coming to Britain should be ‘put in camps on a west coast island’, Lowe claims
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has called for a “national emergency” to be declared over illegal migration, suggesting authorities should “round people up and deport” those in the country unlawfully.
Speaking on GB News, Lowe urged for a hardline approach similar to measures being taken in the United States.
NewsBeat
Badenoch accused of political opportunism over Labour Prevent criticism
Kemi Badenoch has been accused of political opportunism for criticising Labour politicians for suggesting counter-terror programme Prevent could alienate communities, having herself co-written a report expressing the same concerns.
The Tory leader signed off a report in 2015 that concluded Prevent was “subject to accusations of police heavy-handedness” and warned “the public must not be the forgotten partner in the fight against extremism”.
But, despite having backed the report and its findings, Ms Badenoch on Tuesday attacked Sir Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper over Labour’s 2019 general election manifesto, which said Prevent has the “potential to alienate communities”.
Ms Badenoch said: “When the Conservatives were trying to toughen the Prevent anti-extremism programme, Starmer and Cooper were running for office on manifestos worried about Prevent ‘alienating communities’.”
But Ms Badenoch was a member of the London assembly’s police and crime committee in 2015 and one of eight members who authored a 50-page report entitled Preventing extremism in London.
The report said Prevent was “subject to accusations of police heavy-handedness and spying” and that “it has had a troubled history, which has led to it being considered by some as a ‘damaged’ brand, and viewed with suspicion by others”.
“Community engagement is critical to the success of Prevent,” the report went on, noting the risk that “the current ‘top down’ approach to Prevent delivery makes it difficult to engage citizens”.
Concluding, the report said “the public must not be the forgotten partner in the fight against extremism. Community engagement is shown to work, but is also the hardest element to achieve.”
Green peer Jenny Jones, who was a fellow member on the committee at the time, accused Ms Badenoch of political opportunism.
She told The Guardian, which unearthed the report: “As a member of the London assembly, Kemi co-authored a scrutiny report in 2015 which recognised the shortcomings and possible downsides of the Prevent strategy, including the possible alienation of communities, but apparently did nothing to address them when in government.”
Another committee source said Ms Badenoch backed the report “in full”, with no mention of it being “woke”.
The Prevent scheme has faced renewed scrutiny after failing to stop a series of killings in recent years, including the mass stabbing of young girls at a dance class in Southport by Axel Rudakubana, who was referred to Prevent three times before carrying out the attack.
The killer of former Conservative MP Sir David Amess was also referred to the Prevent programme before the attack and his daughter has called for an inquiry into the programme.
Katie Amess said Prevent was not “foiling any terrorist attacks, it is allowing people to commit these crimes”.
She added: “I have been pushing and pushing and pushing for an inquiry from the Conservative government and from, now, the Labour Government.”
NewsBeat
Business secretary hints UK could join European trade area | Politics News
The government has hinted it is open to joining a tariff-free trading scheme as part of its plan to “reset” its relationship with Europe.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested that joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) could be acceptable as it “is not a customs union”.
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The cabinet minister was speaking to the BBC following a meeting on Thursday with Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s trade commissioner responsible for post-Brexit negotiations.
Mr Sefcovic had earlier told the broadcaster the EU would consider the UK joining the PEM, which allows for tariff-free trade of goods across Europe as well as some North African and Levantine nations.
Mr Reynolds described his comments as “incredibly positive” and “helpful”.
He added: “We can improve the terms of trade with the EU in a way which doesn’t revisit customs unions or single markets or the arguments of Brexit, and we can do that whilst pursuing closer trade links around the world.”
Mr Reynolds also declined to rule out a deal on food and farm products that would involve mirroring EU rules, known as “dynamic alignment”, saying this too didn’t cross any of the government’s “red lines”.
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a return to the customs union or single market as part of his ambition for closer ties with Europe following the fractious post-Brexit years.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto instead pledged to “negotiate a veterinary agreement to prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food”. However, details of this have remained vague.
Mr Reynolds’ comments go further than Downing Street yesterday, when a spokesperson said the government did not “currently” have plans to join the PEM and would not “provide a running commentary”.
The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) told Sky News they would support the move, saying their research “indicates it would have majority support among UK businesses who trade in the European region”.
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Head of trade policy, William Bain, said: “Joining would reduce paperwork and costs for many UK firms as it would align rules and regulations on both sides in relation to the sourcing or components and raw materials used in exports.
“This would cover a wide range of markets for our exporters and give greater flexibility across supply and sourcing chains. “
He added that new PEM rules are due to apply in 2026, which could make the transition easier, and recommended a cost-benefit analysis of the deal beforehand “as the advantages will vary by sector”.
The Lib Dems have also been pushing for closer ties with Europe, amid looming concerns over potential Trump tariffs.
Party leader Sir Ed Davey, who ultimately wants a return to the customs union, said ruling out the PEM proposal would be an “act of economic negligence”.
But on the other end of the political spectrum, the Conservatives accused Labour of “bending the knee” to the bloc.
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: “These latest reports that the government might shackle us to the European Union are deeply concerning, and once again make clear that Keir Starmer and his chums are all too happy to put their ideology ahead of our national interest, no matter the cost.”
Politics
Keir Starmer urged to ‘declare national emergency’ on illegal migration after shock London figures: ‘Deport, deport, deport!’
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has called for a “national emergency” to be declared over illegal migration, suggesting authorities should “round people up and deport” those in the country unlawfully.
Speaking on GB News, Lowe urged for a hardline approach similar to measures being taken in the United States.
“We have to declare a national emergency, rather like Trump’s doing, and we have to then be actually prepared to take hard decisions and deport, deport, deport,” he said.
The Reform UK politician criticised the current Labour Government’s handling of immigration, claiming the Prime Minister is “up to his neck in this”.
Rupert Lowe demanded that the Prime Minister declare a ‘national emergency’ on illegal migration
GB News / PA
“If it means we have to round people up and deport, and that’s what we have to do,” Lowe stated.
A confidential report commissioned by Thames Water has revealed that as many as one in 12 Londoners may be living in the capital illegally.
The study, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, suggests up to 585,000 illegal migrants are currently residing in London.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the reported figures “deeply alarming”.
Lowe outlined proposals for dealing with illegal migrants, suggesting they should be housed in “tented camps” on a UK island.
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“Put them on a West Coast island with a limited, uncomfortable tented camp and minimal food, and encourage them then to go back to where they came from and apply to come back legally,” he said.
The Reform UK MP claimed most arrivals are economic migrants rather than asylum seekers.
He criticised the current immigration system as “weak,” suggesting much of the process relies on applicants’ own statements.
Lowe expressed concern about voting rights, stating: “What worries me is, after six years if we’re not very careful, these people have full voting rights.”
Lowe told GB News that migrants could be housed on a ‘UK island’
GB News
He pointed to Australia’s approach as a model to follow. “The Australians have shown us what to do. You only have to look. They stop the boats coming, and then people realise it’s a waste of time, spending whatever it is 500 euros to get here,” he said.
Lowe called for Britain to exit various international treaties beyond the ECHR to “take back control of our own borders.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “This Government is strengthening global partnerships and rooting out the criminal gangs who profit from small boat crossings which threaten lives.
“We have also removed 16,400 illegal migrants in just six months, the highest figure in half a decade, making it clear that those who arrive illegally will be returned.”
NewsBeat
Hugh Grant backs Prince Harry’s call for fresh police investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s media empire
Hugh Grant has backed Prince Harry’s call for a fresh police investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
The actor called on Keir Starmer to show ‘leadership’ and stop ‘criminal abuse by big corporations’ after the Prince won a multi-million pound settlement this week over phone hacking claims against The Sun newspaper.
Mr Grant accepted a large settlement from Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) last year after dropping his own claim of being illegally targeted by The Sun.
Prince Harry’s settlement came after NGN admitted for the first time that The Sun had been involved in illegal intrusion.
In the past it had said it was restricted to the News of the World which closed in 2011 as a result of the phone hacking scandal.
Mr Grant said he and Prince Harry were determined to ‘get at the real truth’ but had been prevented from doing so because NGN had ‘gamed the system’ by paying more than £1 billion in settlements to hacking victims to avoid court proceedings.
Mr Grant told the BBC that in the light of Prince Harry’s settlement ‘the CPS and police should launch a new criminal investigation into this.
“That was the aim of the Prince Harry case as I understand it and it was certainly my original aim,” he said. “We need leadership from the Prime Minister. If a government is there for anything, particularly a Labour government, it is to protect the public from the abuses of criminality by big corporations.”
Mr Grant criticised Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of NGN, who is a former editor of The Sun.
“The people who were giving the orders are still there in positions of great power – in fact the CEO of NGN was editor of The Sun at the time when, as they have now admitted, it was indulging in criminality.”
Mr Grant said that he and other members of the ‘Hacked Off’ group who have campaigned for tougher curbs on press abuses did not think sufficient action had been taken to stop it happening again or to hold those responsible to account.
”We do not think it is job done by any means,” he said.
NGN has denied the allegations but issued an apology to Harry as the settlement was announced on Wednesday.
The statement said: “NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.
“NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World.
“NGN further apologises to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.
“We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.”
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