Channel migrants: over 36,000 arrivals in 2024
In 2024, 36,816 people crossed the English Channel in small boats, a slight increase from 2023’s 29,437 but fewer than the record 45,774 in 2022. Tragically, 2024 became the deadliest year for crossings, with 77 lives lost. On 29 December, a group of 291 migrants arrived, capping a year of heightened risks and debates over immigration policies. The Government continues to collaborate with French authorities to curb crossings, while critics argue for legal, safer routes for those fleeing war and persecution. Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council emphasised the urgent need for policy changes to prevent future tragedies. Labour scrapped the controversial Rwanda deportation plan after winning the election, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who want tougher deterrents. The Home Office highlighted efforts to target people-smuggling gangs and protect lives but acknowledged new challenges as smugglers adapt their methods. More than 150,000 people have crossed the Channel since 2018.
Archbishop says Church must 'be changed' over abuse
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, called for transformative change in the CofE during his Christmas sermon, amid ongoing criticism over abuse scandals. Justin Welby resigned in November following backlash over his handling of prolific abuser John Smyth. Cottrell, set to assume leadership on 6 January, acknowledged the Church’s failures and emphasised the need for justice, humility, and action. His remarks drew mixed reactions. While he urged the Church to 'kneel in penitence' and focus on supporting vulnerable groups, some survivors criticised his leadership. One victim expressed dismay over his involvement with priest David Tudor, who faced abuse allegations but continued serving for years under Cottrell’s oversight. Local clergy reported frustration among parishioners: Rev Matt Woodcock of St Stephen’s Church, York stressed the need for reassurance at the community level, despite widespread disappointment in national leadership.
Azerbaijan: Putin urged to accept responsibility for air crash
President Ilham Aliyev has urged Russia to accept responsibility for the Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which killed 38 of the 67 onboard. The flight, from Baku to Grozny, was diverted from Chechnya and crashed in Kazakhstan. Vladimir Putin has apologised but stopped short of admitting fault, attributing the tragedy to Russian defences countering Ukrainian drone attacks. Aliyev criticised initial Russian explanations, including claims of a gas cylinder explosion and bird strikes, as ‘foolish and dishonest’. He acknowledged the incident was accidental but demanded that Russia admit guilt, punish those responsible, and provide compensation: he commented, ‘No one would have thought that in a friendly country, our plane would be fired at from the ground’. The crew members were honoured for landing the plane in a way that allowed 29 people to survive, even though it led to their own deaths.
Ukraine stops transporting gas to Europe
Ukraine has decided to stop transporting Russian gas to Europe after a deal with Moscow expired, marking a historic and symbolic shift in policy. As a result, both countries will incur financial losses: Ukraine will forfeit $800 million annually in transit fees, while Russia’s Gazprom will lose nearly $5 billion in sales. Europe, which has reduced its dependence on Russian gas from over 40% in 2021 to about 8% in 2023, will now receive Russian gas solely via the Turkstream pipeline. To compensate, the EU has increased imports of liquefied natural gas from the USA and pipeline gas from Norway. While analysts say Europe is unlikely to face energy shortages, refilling reserves may prove challenging, potentially driving up gas prices. Some regions have already reduced heating supplies, highlighting the ripple effects of the expired transit deal. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine have concluded one of their largest prisoner exchanges since the war began: see
