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Your lookahead horoscope: December 21, 2025

  IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY Other people can stick to a rigid plan if they like but you need to be flexible, especially if you have a multitude of ambitions. You don’t need to be the same person every day – in fact you can change your identity as often as you like. ARIES (March 21 - April 20): You have held back long enough from expressing yourself – now it is your turn to show the world what you are capable of. The sun’s move into the career area of your chart marks the start of a phase that is all about winning. TAURUS (April 21 - May 21): One of the very best times of the year is now beginning and the sun’s move through the most adventurous area of your chart over the next few weeks will make it easy to confound those who say you are not daring enough. GEMINI (May 22 - June 21): If you want to spend some time alone as the new week begins then do so. You don’t need anyone’s permission to go off by yourself for a while, so leave behind all the noise and confusion and find a quiet ...

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Controversial U.K. Plan to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda Sparks Debate


The British parliament recently passed a law that allows for the deportation of asylum seekers arriving on British shores without prior permission to Rwanda. Here are the key points about this contentious program:

  1. Background and Motivation:

    • The U.K. government’s plan was developed in response to a surge in migrant and asylum seeker arrivals via small boats from France.
    • Local asylum programs in the U.K. have been overwhelmed and underfunded, leading to housing asylum seekers in hotels where they remain unable to work until their claims are processed, which can take years.
    • These hotels cost the government nearly £8 million (approximately $10 million) per day to rent.
  2. The Rwanda Plan:

    • The new policy grants Britain’s immigration authorities the power to send any asylum seeker who entered the U.K. “illegally” after January 2022 to Rwanda.
    • Even if their aim is to claim asylum and they have legitimate grounds to do so, individuals arriving without prior permission can be immediately sent to Rwanda, which is approximately 4,000 miles away in East Africa.
    • Under this law, asylum seekers could be granted refugee status in Rwanda and allowed to stay there.
  3. Controversy and Criticism:

    • The program has faced intense controversy and political wrangling.
    • In November 2023, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled the program unlawful, citing violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. The concern was that genuine refugees might be deported back to their home countries, where they could face harm.
    • Human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency have condemned the plan.
  4. Royal Assent and Ongoing Debate:

    • The bill now awaits King Charles III’s royal ascent to become an official law.
    • The plan has been criticized by various parties, including King Charles III himself, who reportedly called it “appalling” when it was first proposed.
  5. Recent Tragedy:

    • Hours after the law was passed, French officials reported that at least five people, including a child, drowned in the English Channel while attempting to reach the U.K. on an overcrowded small boat.

In summary, the U.K.'s decision to send asylum seekers to Rwanda remains a highly contentious issue, with strong arguments on both sides. While proponents see it as a deterrent to illegal entry, critics raise concerns about human rights and the safety of vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution. The debate continues as the program awaits final approval from the monarchy.

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