BBC News Briefing

23 April, 2024

Jules Darmanin

Hello. In many Western countries, immigration is an ever more pressing and contentious electoral issue. The UK is no exception, and today we're taking a closer look at its newly passed Rwanda law, which should enable British authorities to deport asylum seekers to the East African country. Will Grant reports on the massive influx of Chinese capital into northern Mexico, as businesses try to circumvent the trade war between the White House and Beijing. We're also covering Chinese spying allegations, ravines, and the Taylor Swift economy.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

UK passes law to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

People are crowding a dinghy boat in the distance over a calm sea.

Dozens of people were seen trying to cross the Channel the morning after the bill was passed. Credit: Getty Images

After months of wrangling, the British Parliament has passed a controversial bill, paving the way for asylum seekers to be sent to Rwanda. It’s a flagship immigration policy for the Conservative government of Rishi Sunak, who said it would make clear “if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay". About 52,000 asylum seekers could be sent to the East African country. Yvette Cooper, who oversees interior policies for the Labour opposition, called the plan an "extortionately expensive gimmick". And charities describe it as a "breach of international law". In a statement, Mr Sunak said: "We introduced the Rwanda bill to deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings." On Tuesday morning, after the passing of the bill, my colleagues witnessed about 30 migrants boarding a small boat on a beach in northern France. Five other people, including a child, died as they attempted to cross the Channel.

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The latest: Two top UN officials are calling on the UK to reverse its plan, saying the policy will have a harmful impact on refugee protection. Find more reaction on our live page.

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In Rwanda: Barbara Plett Usher reports from the empty Hope Hostel in Kigali, which has been ready to receive Britain's unwanted migrants for more than two years. She also notes some unease around the scheme among the population.

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Italy's policy: In January, Albania's constitutional court approved an agreement to process asylum seekers who have tried to reach Italy in centres in northern Albania.

WORLD HEADLINES

European parliament: Prosecutors in Dresden have arrested a man working for a German far-right MEP on suspicion of spying for China.

Ivy League protests: Demonstrations against the war in Gaza have spread from Columbia and Yale to other US universities. Footage shows dozens of protesters arrested at Yale on Monday.

LGBTQ rights 'milestone': Dominica's High Court has overturned a ban on consensual same-sex relations in the Caribbean island nation.

Social media feud: Australia's PM Anthony Albanese has called Elon Musk an "arrogant billionaire" over X's reluctance to remove footage of a church stabbing.

Artefact return: Four spears taken from an Aboriginal community by British explorer Captain James Cook and naturalist Joseph Banks during their first contact with Australia are being repatriated. Take a look.

AT THE SCENE

Monterrey, Mexico

Made in Mexico, but made by China

As the trade war between the US and China shows no sign of ending, Mexico has become an effective backdoor for Chinese capital. Many firms relocate to northern Mexico to save on tariffs and on shipping.

Will Grant, Mexico correspondent

The reclining armchairs and plush leather sofas coming off the production line at Man Wah Furniture's factory in Monterrey are 100% "Made in Mexico". They're destined for large retailers in the US, like Costco and Walmart. But the company is from China. As the company's general manager, Yu Ken Wei, shows me around its vast site, he says the move has made economic and logistical sense. "We hope to triple or even quadruple production here," he says in perfect Spanish. The firm only arrived in the city of Monterrey in 2022, but already employs 450 people in Mexico.

Read in full

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

The ravines swallowing neighbourhoods

A large ravine formed where a dirt road was

A gully formed under a road in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Credit: Getty Images

Gully erosion is one of the most aggressive forms of soil degradation caused by rain and waste water. It's not a new geological phenomenon, but researchers say gullies could become more frequent because of climate change, which can make rainfall more intense. Here's more on how they are formed, and how they affect population in Latin America and Africa.

Read the story

A view of a flock of sheep on the island

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

WWII's 'island of death'

Scotland's Gruinard was the site of a clandestine bid to weaponise Anthrax.

Find out more

And finally...

A pub in south London has acquired new punters after being namechecked in one of the songs on Taylor Swift's latest album. The Black Dog in Vauxhall is making the most of its newfound fame, offering Swift-themed burgers and cocktails. I also recommended its Sunday roast to a friend once, but I have yet to get a thank you call.

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– Jules

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