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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
UK asylum racket: PoK migrants pay ₹58 lakh for fake visas, reveals report
Migrants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are reportedly entering the UK on visas obtained using falsified documents and later applying for asylum, according to an undercover investigation by The Daily Telegraph. The report claims some applicants are paying as much as £50,000 (around ₹58.5 lakh) for UK visa applications loaded with fake details. One example uncovered by the investigation involved a job reference letter from a 'fake hospital' in Mirpur, submitted as part of an application to the UK Home Office. Fake CVs, false employers and visa success A consultant based in Mirpur, named in the report, allegedly helped forge employment documents for individuals posing as skilled workers. In one instance, an undercover applicant submitted a fabricated CV and reference letter, which ultimately resulted in a successful work visa. Reacting to the allegations, the UK Home Office said it had launched an investigation. 'Illegal activity will not be tolerated and we will stop at nothing to ensure our immigration rules are respected and enforced,' said a Home Office spokesperson. 'We are already taking firm action to disrupt illegal activity when it is found, including suspending licences, pursuing enforcement, and strengthening safeguards to protect the integrity of the immigration system,' the spokesperson added. What the UK immigration white paper says about asylum misuse The report, published on May 12, 2025, noted growing misuse of asylum routes: 1. People claiming asylum after entering on valid visas (with no change in circumstances) 2. Some misrepresent their age to access certain services 3. Overall misuse undermines system integrity and public trust. The document outlined proposed measures to restrict misuse: • New legislation aimed at limiting the use of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act by asylum seekers • Stronger enforcement through e-visas, biometric checks and digital ID to detect overstayers or rule-breakers • Earlier tracking and deportation of foreign national offenders once convicted, even for minor offences According to Home Office data: • Visa applications dropped by 40 per cent over the past year • Around 30,000 people with no legal status were removed • Arrests linked to illegal working rose by 51 per cent New powers are also being introduced to immediately suspend registered immigration advisers and companies suspected of serious abuse. Asylum claims and trends from Pakistan Pakistani nationals currently top the list of asylum claimants in the UK, followed by Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh. However, they are not among the largest groups arriving via illegal routes such as small boats. In May 2025, the UK government said it would increase intelligence efforts to track foreign nationals using legal entry channels—like study or work visas—to claim asylum later. 'We are building intelligence on the profile of these individuals to identify them earlier and faster,' a Home Office press release said at the time. Official asylum figures show: • Pakistani asylum applications rose 79 per cent in a year, reaching 10,542 • Pakistan and Afghanistan saw a 53 per cent approval rate • Iran had a 64 per cent grant rate • Syria (98 per cent), Eritrea (87 per cent), and Sudan (99 per cent) had the highest approval rates Among the 40,000 asylum seekers who entered the UK last year on valid visas: • 16,000 were international students • 11,500 had work visas • 9,500 entered as visitors Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, asylum applicants facing destitution can access financial and housing support, provided they declare all sources of income and assets.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
High-level Chinese diplomat probes Newcastle City Lord Mayor for AUKUS submarine location in private meeting
A high-level Chinese diplomat based in Australia has pressed Newcastle City Mayor Ross Kerridge for information on AUKUS nuclear submarines during a private meeting between the pair. Australia's ability to secure nuclear submarines is a main pillar of the trilateral AUKUS security agreement and the country has already committed $3 billion to assist United States defence manufacturing in exchange for being able to purchase Virginia class vessels. However, questions have been raised over the availability of US-built of submarines following the Trump administration's announcement it was reviewing the deal, which Australia sees as a critical defence investment of deterrence in the region. The Daily Telegraph has now revealed an encounter on July 17 where the future docking location of AUKUS submarines was discussed, prompted by the Consul General of China in Syndey, Wang Yu. According to minutes of the meeting obtained by masthead, notes taken show that the diplomat asked if submarines secured under AUKUS would be based at Newcastle. '(Consul General) explained that China is concerned that Chinese interests in Australia will be affected by strategic defence decisions,' the meeting document read, according to the masthead. 'For example, is Newcastle Port a potential base for AUKUS submarines? '(The Lord Mayor) explained that we are a nuclear free city, but we will not have the means to stop a decision of this nature taken by the state and/or federal governments. 'China expects that Australia and Newcastle will have good relations with other countries and is also looking to build good relations, but would not like us… to use our good relations with other countries to adversely affect China.' The Daily Telegraph also reported the New South Wales city's Taiwanese and Tibetan communities were talked about during the meeting. It comes just days after The Australian revealed Shanghai Xinyang Chamber of Commerce president Wang Yongxin's family ties to the purchase of commercial port properties at Newcastle and Kembla. Wang family members have reportedly denied they have links to the Chinese Communist Party's United Front. Meanwhile, there have been suggestions Australia may need to increase its financial commitments to ensure Virginia class submarines are provided in line with the terms of the original AUKUS agreement. Last month, Defence Minister Richard Marles said he was not prepared to "speculate" on the Trump administration's review of the pact and insisted the government's focus was directed at "pursuing the optimal pathway" that would see Virginia class submarines being available to Australia from 2032.
Herald Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Wyong, Corowa best bets, inside mail for Thursday, July 24, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Wyong and top selection at Corowa on Thursday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WYONG TIPS BEST BET Race 1 No.2: SUPER ECLIPSE Will take plenty of benefit from her first-up third. Extra trip suits. NEXT BEST Race 8 No.1: HOW MUCH BETTER Racing well. Will appreciate the step up to 1600m and unbeaten here. VALUE BET Race 7 No.12: GRAPHIC SIGHT Big maiden win first-up. Drawn well and a good chance again. QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 3, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 4 Race 7: 1, 6, 12 Race 8: 1, 2, 4 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Apprentice WILLIAM STANLEY has two rides and both can win. COROWA TIPS BEST BET Race 6 No.5: DEKADANCE Kicked off his campaign with a win and can go back-to-back. NEXT BEST Race 5 No.3: EL PIBE DE ORO Racing in good form on the synthetic. Has place at The Valley. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WYONG INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m) SUPER ECLIPSE (2) wasn't far behind the placegetters in her first two starts at Canterbury. Raced keenly when resuming with a third to Outta Line in a Super Maiden here. ZAMAZING (4) was third to Celtic Sin at his only run here back in May when resuming. Led and caught on the line by Steel Rain over 1600m at Gosford last start. OMAHA SANDS (3) was OK in his first two runs back from a spell before a third to Steel Rain and Zamazing. Was steadied late when awkwardly placed on heels. BET: SUPER ECLIPSE to win. RACE 2: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) GAMP (2) laid in and wasn't fully tested when a length second to Hoku at Newcastle first-up. Led and run down by the favourite Bev's Nine over this track and distance last start. COPPERLINE (7) is a brother to Ritzsun on debut. Very good in leading all the way to win his last two trials, the latest by over four lengths from Star Of Indigo on the Beaumont on July 9. WAL'S ME MATE (1) has solid metro form with placings at Kensington and Warwick Farm over 1250m and 1200m. First go at 1000m. BET: GAMP to win. RACE 3: MIDWAY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m) FIREWORK (1) kicked off last campaign with back-to-back second placings behind Fly Scotty Fly and Money Team over 1100m and 1200m here on his home track. Narrowly beaten by Denial at Kembla first-up this time off the back on one soft trial. Will be better for the run. PICCADERRO (2) was bumped at the top of the straight when third to Sugar Island at Coffs Harbour last start. Blinkers off, winkers and crossover nose band on. ALFRED (4) will be better for his first-up fifth at Gosford and a step up in trip. BET: FIREWORK to win. RACE 4: 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m) EXTRA HEIGHTS (2) is a first starter by Extreme Choice. Jumped well before drifting back and sitting three-wide before sailing down the outside rail when a neck second to Koibito in his July 11 Randwick trial. IMPURITEZE (9) is a debutant by Trapeze Artist from a daughter of Bold Promise. Settled midfield and closed nicely when second to Valedictorian in his Randwick heat the same day. FABRES (7) race wide without cover when third to Sapling and Tequisoda when resuming here on July 5. Drawn out again. BET: EXTRA HEIGHTS to win. RACE 5: BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1350m) AGED CARE (3) had cardiac arrhythmia when resuming at Scone back in May. Had a trial and retuned with a win at Port Macquarie before a second to Malabar here after racing wide without cover. CALIFORNIA SECRET (2) placed once in his first six starts but has found his best form this campaign. He started with a barnstorming win at Muswellbrook and followed with wins at Newcastle to complete the hat-trick. Game in defeat behind Audrey's Lane over 1400m last start. CELTIC SIN (5) has claims on his win two starts back. BET: AGED CARE to win. RACE 6: PROVINCIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m) IMPRESSIONISM (1) ended is first campaign with back-to-back seconds in the country. Resumed over 1300m at Newcastle and defied a betting drift to led all-the-way and beat Bohemian Art before going for another break. THE PACIFIC (4) improved off his first-up run to break his maiden at Kembla second-up last campaign. Will take improvement from his first-up seventh at Newcastle over 1200m. JUSTICE WARRIOR (2) has always shown nice ability and finally broke through with an all-the-way win at Tamworth. Will take plenty of confidence from that victory. BET: IMPRESSIONISM to win. RACE 7: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m) GRAPHIC SIGHT (12) was given a good break after his debut third at Canberra last December when racing three-wide. Returned with a stylish all-the-way win at Goulburn on July 8. BURJ (6) resumed with a sixth behind a dominant Diddle Dumpling over 1000m at Gosford on June 12 and returned there a month later when a short head second to Divine Vicky over 1100m. Her maiden win was over 1300m so she will appreciate a step up in trip here. TRUE AMOR (1) dropped in grade and led all-the-way here last start. Chance again although wide gate isn't ideal. BET: GRAPHIC SIGHT each-way. RACE 8: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m) HOW MUCH BETTER (1) has been good in his three runs this campaign including a last start third to Audrey's Lane over 1400m at Newcastle. Back a little in grade but steps up to the mile which will suit him ideally. Unbeaten on his home track. DUBAI WARRIOR (4) was beaten as an odds-on fav at Wagga when sitting midfield. Freshened and appreciated rolling along in front to win here last start. COSMIC LAD (2) has claims on his first-up win here. BET: HOW MUCH BETTER to win.
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Almost 1,000 jobs including senior roles set to scrapped from Transport for NSW as part of major departmental restructure
Hundreds of Transport for NSW staffers are set to be let go as part of a huge departmental reform. An email from Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray on Wednesday, seen by The Daily Telegraph, notified workers about the impending job cuts. About 950 senior service manager and award roles will be slashed in addition to 300 senior executive jobs, with 200 of the latter cohort having already been actioned. It is understood the changes are part of the next phase of the department's organisational restructure. In his email to staff, Mr Murray acknowledged the announcement would be "concerning" and "unsettling for many". "We have to get back to a model that is sustainable for the long term, delivers on our commitments, and provides appropriate career paths for our people," Mr Murray said. "That also means reducing duplication, removing unclear reporting lines, and ensuring all our people are clear on what's expected of them. "Change of this scale is never easy, and it affects all our people, their work, their teams, and their sense of certainty about the future." There will reportedly be no cuts to front line service roles. In a statement to Mr Murray said the decision to cut jobs was not made lightly but the move is needed to achieve a sustainable and efficient department structure. "These decisions are never easy - they affect real people and teams who've contributed to vital work. But they are necessary to ensure we have a sustainable structure that provides the best possible value to the people of NSW," he said. "As one of the largest public service agencies in the country we have a responsibility to ensure we operate efficiently. "Every dollar saved from our costs is a dollar for schools, hospitals, police or frontline public transport and roads, so we must build our budgets carefully." Mr Murray said the current level of job growth would be "unsustainable", noting Transport for NSW has added an "average of two new senior executive roles" every week from 2021 to 2023. There has also been a 30 per cent increase in senior management and award staff, Mr Murray said. 'A more efficient structure was put in place last financial year to align the size of our workforce with the needs of communities we serve," he said. "We have been centralising functions such as procurement, project support, communications and technology." In 2023, now-NSW Premier Chris Minns made an election pledge to reduce senior executive roles by by 15 per cent.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'It's an expensive relationship': Coronation Street star Farrel Hegarty opens up about the cost of love with her Aussie partner, and whether a permanent move Down Under is on the cards
British soap star Farrel Hegarty has revealed she's contemplating a permanent move to Australia to be with her partner, citing the rising costs of maintaining a long-distance relationship. The Coronation Street actor, who played Lou Michaelis on the long-running ITV soap, recently wrapped up her contract and has been flying back and forth from the UK to visit her girlfriend, Tricia Stone, who lives in Sydney. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Hegarty said the logistics of their cross-continental romance are beginning to take a toll, especially during the cost-of-living crisis. "It's an expensive relationship," she told the outlet in a candid interview published on Tuesday. "Originally, before I got the show (Coronation Street), I was going to move here. But then I got the job and had to stay in the UK. I definitely could (live here)," she added. The 37-year-old, who flew home to the UK on Monday evening, said she's made the trip to Australia around four times in the past year since the couple got together. Looking ahead, Hegarty admitted she's unsure whether the UK is where she sees herself long-term. "I don't think I will settle there forever," she said. "Basically my girlfriend's already said to me that she doesn't want to be there, she sees herself in Australia at the end of her life." During her latest visit, Hegarty shared a glimpse of her stay at Sydney's Shangri-La hotel in Darling Harbour with her 164,000 Instagram followers. She later posted a video from Sydney Airport captioned "Brutal" as she waved goodbye to Stone. In another clip, the actor filmed herself walking through the terminal, telling followers: "I hate saying goodbye. I hate airports and I hate flying." Hegarty made her debut on Coronation Street in February and confirmed in May that she always knew her role was short-term. "I've loved it all and even now, a few months in, it's surreal walking on the cobbles," she told The Mirror. "So much has happened in such a short time, and we've caused chaos. I've never had so many arguments! "To get this role is a dream come true, but I always knew I would one day be leaving." At the time, she also opened up about the emotional challenges of a long-distance relationship, but said Stone had always been supportive of her career. "Having a long-distance relationship is definitely not for the faint-hearted but my partner was never going to be angry that I was going to be in Corrie," she said. "She knows how much it meant to me and how tough it has been." First airing in 1960, Coronation Street follows the lives of working-class residents living on a fictional Manchester street and remains a beloved fixture in British television. The late Queen Elizabeth II was famously a fan of the series and visited the set twice, once in 1982 and again in 2021 to mark its 60th anniversary. During her final visit, the monarch walked the cobbled street and asked veteran actor Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, how filming had continued during the pandemic. "It's really marvellous you've been able to carry on," the Queen remarked. "Well, ma'am, you're the one who has carried on," Roache replied. The visit was broadcast live on ITV in a special programme titled The Queen in Coronation Street.
