Latest news with #SimonJones


Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
BBC Breakfast viewers slam news report from Dover branding it a 'joke'
BBC viewers flocked to social media following the report. BBC Breakfast fans weren't happy with Monday's show as the morning programme discussed the surge in migrant crossings over the weekend. On Saturday, 1,100 migrants made their way to UK shores which is the highest number for a single day in 2025. Reporter Simon Jones was reporting live from Dover and told the cameras: "I think it was largely down to the weather, because we saw a week when it was really windy, so no crossings at all, and that's when people are gathering over in Calais waiting for the weather to change. On Saturday, it was really calm out there in the channel, that's why we saw so many people make a crossing. "In total, almost 1200 people arrived in 18 different boats. It takes the total so far this year to around 14,800 people, and given that crossings tend to increase in the summer months, we are well on course to beat the numbers from last year, when 37,000 people arrived in small boats." He then added: "On Saturday, boat after boat launched from northern France, and we saw what are known as taxi boats, so the boats were already in the water. "And then individuals wade into the sea to board the vessel, and the reason smugglers employ this tactic is that French police won't intervene if the boat is already in the water. "On Saturday, we witnessed police officers on the beach seemingly doing nothing; the French government claims it will change the rules to permit police intervention in shallow waters, but this has yet to be implemented." Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has suggested that a recently agreed deal with the EU, allowing EU vessels to fish in UK waters for another 12 years, should be put on hold until the French start intercepting boats at sea, reports the Express. However, this latest development sparked outrage among viewers at home, who took to social media to express their frustration. Many took to X, which was formerly Twitter. One commenter said: "Paying millions of pounds to France to deter these migrants, only to see them taking videos to post on their social media is beyond a joke! But there again, so is this weak, pathetic government." Another user then added: "This government (just like the last one) has failed to tackle the problem." A third commenter fumed: "Useless Government. Starmergeddon."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ledger and Baanx launch Bitcoin rewards debit card in the U.S.
Ledger and Baanx launch Bitcoin rewards debit card in the U.S. originally appeared on TheStreet. U.S. users can now get 1% back in Bitcoin and deposit paychecks directly into crypto through the CL Card, powered by Ledger and Baanx. Baanx, a crypto payments platform, has officially launched its Crypto Life (CL) Visa Card in the U.S., in partnership with Ledger, the leading provider of digital asset security solutions. The card offers 1% cashback in Bitcoin (BTC) or USDC on every purchase and allows users to directly deposit their paychecks into the card account—bridging traditional income with everyday crypto use. 'At Baanx, we believe the future of finance is built on freedom, flexibility, and security,' said Simon Jones, Chief Commercial Officer of Baanx. 'The CL Card, designed for Ledger, is a step toward mainstream, non-custodial crypto payments—right in your pocket. This launch in the U.S. is a major milestone for our mission to put users in control.' Users can top up the card at their discretion, convert income into crypto automatically, or hold it in fiat. The card is non-custodial, meaning users retain full control over their funds. The launch follows Baanx's April 30 announcement and comes at a time when household purchases dominate crypto card usage, making up 63% of total transactions. Discretionary categories like entertainment and fashion are also seeing increased adoption—an area the CL Card aims to tap into. Ledger's EVP of Consumer Services, Jean-Francois Rochet, said the product reflects the company's broader mission. 'We are excited to collaborate with Baanx to bring the CL Card to millions of users in the U.S., with great features for Bitcoin holders. As digital asset adoption accelerates, our goal is to ensure people can make the most out of their digital wealth anywhere, anytime in their lives.' 'Living the crypto life means having ownership, access, and real-world utility over your digital assets. We see the CL card as a tool for financial independence and a fuller asset ownership experience,' Rochet added. 'With 1% Bitcoin cashback and direct paycheck deposits, this is a huge moment for U.S. residents to securely spend and earn on their Bitcoin, with zero compromise on self-custody, enabled by the secure CL Card, powered by our partner Baanx," said Ariel Wengroff, Ledger's EVP of Communications and Marketing. The card will be available in the U.S. (excluding New York and Vermont) starting June 30, 2025. U.S. residents can sign up for early access and notifications. With crypto ownership in the U.S. reaching 28% and growing interest from institutional investors, Baanx and Ledger are positioning the CL Card as a practical gateway for people seeking real-world utility from their digital assets. Ledger and Baanx launch Bitcoin rewards debit card in the U.S. first appeared on TheStreet on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin and Web3 Wallet Firm Ledger Brings 'Crypto Life' Visa Card to U.S. Users
Cryptocurrency hardware wallet firm Ledger has launched its Crypto Life (CL) Visa card in the U.S., offering users 1% cashback in bitcoin (BTC) or USDC on purchases and the ability to directly deposit paychecks into the on-chain card account via bank transfer. Ledger's CL Visa card is facilitated by fiat-to-on-chain card enabler Baanx, which also provides self-custody crypto cards for the likes of MetaMask, Tools for Humanity and most recently wallet firm Exodus. Big card networks Mastercard and Visa are aligning themselves with the self-custodial crypto world and the rapid growth in areas like stablecoin payments. Data on CL card usage shows household purchases dominated crypto card usage at 63% of total transactions, with entertainment and fashion categories showing the strongest growth. Jean-Francois Rochet, EVP of Consumer Services at Ledger, said the collaboration brings the CL card to millions of users in the U.S. with attractive cashback features for bitcoin holders. 'Living the crypto life means having ownership, access and real world utility over your digital assets,' he said in a statement. 'The CL Card, designed for Ledger, is a step toward mainstream, non-custodial crypto payments—right in your pocket', said Simon Jones, Chief Commercial Officer of Baanx. The CL Card will be available in the U.S. (excluding New York and Vermont) on June 30, 2025.


Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major motorway to CLOSE this evening for vital works with diversion in place
This is the road's second major overnight closure in a row MOTOR MAYHEM Major motorway to CLOSE this evening for vital works with diversion in place – check your route A MAJOR motorway will close this evening for essential roadworks. The road is used by up to 120,000 people per day. 5 Lorry drivers waiting on the M20 in Kent Credit: Alamy 5 Operation Brock in action Credit: Alamy 5 Lorry drivers often face delays waiting for ferries in Dover Credit: Getty The M20 motorway will be closed this evening for vital works taking place between 8pm and 6am overnight. The closure will take place in both directions between Junctions four and seven. Junction four offers drivers exits for Rochester, meanwhile Junction 7 does so for Maidstone. The closure covers the road's carriageways, slip roads and lanes for planned barrier works. A National Highway spokesperson said: "These times have been chosen to minimise disruption to road users and ensure the roads are suitable for the traffic.' This comes after other parts of the M20 were closed for the same period last night. Westbound, the road was closed between Junctions 9 and 8, between Ashford and Lenham respectively. Eastbound, the closure extended even further from Junction 9 to Junction 7. Signed diversions were put in place to guide drivers to their destination using nearby roads. Both sides of the road were re-opened today, with the usual national speed limit being re-implemented. Drivers warned of travel chaos this Bank Holiday amid M20 closures These closures took place to remove barriers for a contraflow which had been put in place over the bank holiday, to accommodate for heavy traffic during the school holidays. These were rolled out as part of an initiative called Operation Brock. This is a traffic holding system which enables lorries to queue for English Channel crossings. Under Operation Brock, Dover-bound lorries queue on one side of the M20. Meanwhile on the other side of the carriageway, a contraflow enables traffic to run in both directions. The Operation was originally designed for use if the UK had left the European Union with a no-deal Brexit. It is implemented by a group of local authorities called the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF). Today, the BBC has released new data on the system's cost to the taxpayer. Its use over the bank holiday weekend will have cost between £100,000 to £250,000. Across 10 occasions when Operation Brock has been used between 2019 and 2024, it has required more than £2.7 million in funding. Simon Jones, KMRF strategic lead for border disruption, told the BBC that it was never done "without having clear data of increased border crossings to inform our planning". He said: "Until the government agrees permanent, long-term solutions to tackle disruption on Kent's roads and delays at the border during busy periods, Operation Brock is the only option available." 5 Port of Dover traffic builds up due to border controls checks being carry out in Dover Credit: Getty


The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major motorway to CLOSE this evening for vital works with diversion in place
A MAJOR motorway will close this evening for essential roadworks. The Advertisement 5 Lorry drivers waiting on the M20 in Kent Credit: Alamy 5 Operation Brock in action Credit: Alamy 5 Lorry drivers often face delays waiting for ferries in Dover Credit: Getty The The closure will take place in both directions between Junction four offers drivers exits for The closure covers the road's carriageways, Advertisement Read more Motors A This comes after other parts of the M20 were closed for the same period last night. Westbound, the road was closed between Junctions 9 and 8, between Ashford and Eastbound, the closure extended even further from Junction 9 to Junction 7. Advertisement Most read in Motors Signed diversions were put in place to guide drivers to their destination using nearby roads. Both sides of the road were re-opened today, with the usual national Drivers warned of travel chaos this Bank Holiday amid M20 closures These closures took place to remove barriers for a These were rolled out as part of an initiative called Advertisement This is a traffic holding system which enables Under Operation Brock, Dover-bound lorries queue on one side of the M20. Meanwhile on the other side of the carriageway, a contraflow enables traffic to run in both directions. The Operation was originally designed for use if the UK had left the European Union with a no-deal Brexit. Advertisement It is implemented by a group of local authorities called the Today, the BBC has released Its use over the bank holiday weekend will have cost between £100,000 to £250,000. Across 10 occasions when Operation Brock has been used between 2019 and 2024, it has required more than £2.7 million in funding. Advertisement Simon Jones, KMRF strategic lead for border disruption, told the BBC that it was never done "without having clear data of increased border crossings to inform our planning". He said: "Until the government agrees permanent, long-term solutions to tackle disruption on Kent's roads and delays at the border during busy periods, Operation Brock is the only option available." 5 Port of Dover traffic builds up due to border controls checks being carry out in Dover Credit: Getty 5 Barriers for Operation Brock were removed between J7-9 on Tuesday night Credit: Getty Advertisement