2 days ago
Fact checking Trump's Washington DC crime claim
Update:
Date: 11:41 BST
Title: How many people have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year?
Content: Rob EnglandBBC Verify senior data journalist
As of 10 August, 26,555 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2025, according to official figures, external.
That's the highest number at this point in the year since records began in 2018.
Since last year's general election, 49,797 people have been detected making the journey. That number could pass 50,000 when yesterday's figures are published later today.
A Home Office spokesperson said the crossings were dangerous and undermined the UK's border security.
The government has pledged to 'smash the gangs' behind the illegal crossings and recently launched a 'one in, one out' agreement with France.
Under this deal the UK returns small boat arrivals in exchange for accepting asylum seekers from France through a newly created legal route.
You can learn more about the government's pledges on illegal migration and asylum here.
Update:
Date: 10:57 BST
Title: Drone strike reported against Russian industrial site
Content: Joshua CheethamBBC Verify journalist
We're looking into reports of a drone strike against a plant - called JSC Monocrystal - in the city of Stavropol, in southern Russia.
The facility produces synthetic sapphires, which can be used to make optical fibres and other electrical equipment.
We've verified a video of the aftermath, which emerged on social media earlier today. It shows a plume of smoke rising from near the plant.
Another video shows an explosion, but it is dark and we've been unable to verify it.
Local authorities have yet to confirm that an attack took place on the facility.
Update:
Date: 10:28 BST
Title: Is Trump right to claim Washington DC crime is 'out of control'?
Content: Jake HortonBBC Verify senior journalist
Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order declaring 'a crime emergency in the District of Columbia,' citing 'rising violence in the capital.'
His administration is taking control of the city's police department and plans to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, DC.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser pushed back against the claim, saying the city has 'seen a huge decrease in crime' and is 'at a 30-year violent crime low'.
So who is right?
While studies suggest the capital's crime rate is higher than average compared with other major US cities, violent crime in 2024 fell to its lowest level in 30 years - and has continued to decline so far this year.
Read our team's full fact-check.
Update:
Date: 10:06 BST
Title: Tuesday's BBC Verify Live
Content: Tom EdgingtonBBC Verify live editor
Good morning and welcome to
today's BBC Verify Live.
This is where we share the
work of our verification, fact-checking and data journalists.
Our verification experts have
started their day looking into reports of drone strikes in Ukraine and Russia -
including one that allegedly targeted an industrial plant in southern Russia.
We'll bring you their findings shortly.
Elsewhere, the latest small
boat crossing figures are expected to show 50,000 migrants have arrived since
Labour took office in July last year. Our data experts will be looking at the
numbers (due early in the afternoon) and asking where it leaves the government's
'smash the gangs" pledge.
While we wait for those
figures, you can
read our overnight fact-check on President Trump's claim that crime in
Washington DC is 'out of control.'
As ever - you can find more
of our work on the BBC
Verify section of the BBC News website.
