
UK-registered firms linked to payments for small-boat crossings, BBC finds
BBC investigation reveals UK businesses facilitating payments for illegal Channel crossings.

Kami Rita Sherpa has set a new world record by summiting Mount Everest for the 32nd time, while Lakpa Sherpa has achieved her 11th ascent, breaking her own record as the top female climber.
Mentioned in this story
A renowned Nepali mountain guide has broken his own world record for the most summits of Mount Everest, after scaling the world's tallest peak for the 32nd time.
Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, known as the "Everest Man", was leading clients up the 8,849m (29,032ft) peak on Sunday when he set the new record.
On the same day, Lakpa Sherpa, 52, known as the "Mountain Queen", also broke her own record for the most ascents by a female climber, after her 11th Everest summit.
This climbing season has been especially busy, with a record number of permits issued to Everest aspirants and delays in opening the route to the peak.
Nepal's tourism department has congratulated both climbers for the "historic achievement".
So did Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who said that the climbers had "once again written history".
"Such historic success can only be achieved through unwavering courage, rigorous self-discipline, and honest dedication to one's work," he wrote on X.
Kami Rita Sherpa first summited Everest in 1994 and has made it to the peak almost every year since. Some years he's even scaled it twice.
According to his personal website, he was born in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal to a family of climbers.
In 2018 he became the first person to climb Mount Everest 22 times, breaking the 21-time record he previously held with two other Nepali Sherpa mountaineers, who then retired.
Kami Rita Sherpa summited Everest on Sunday while guiding clients for the 14 Peaks Expedition company.
As for Lakpa Sherpa, she first summited Everest in 2000, becoming the first Nepali woman to successfully reach the peak and descend the mountain.
She is also the subject of a 2023 documentary, titled Mountain Queen, about her multiple Everest summit climbs and life as a single mother.
Almost 500 foreign climbers have been granted permits to scale Mount Everest this year. Most attempt the ascent with at least one Nepali guide, who do not require permits.
Some have raised safety concerns of potential "traffic jams" on Everest after delays caused by a large, dangerous chunk of glacier blocking the route up the mountain from Base Camp in Nepal.
Kami Rita Sherpa has summited Mount Everest 32 times, setting a new world record.
Lakpa Sherpa broke her own record for the most ascents by a female climber, achieving her 11th summit.
This climbing season has seen a record number of permits issued to Everest aspirants, indicating increased interest in climbing the peak.

BBC investigation reveals UK businesses facilitating payments for illegal Channel crossings.

Residents near RAF Lakenheath notice signal drops during US military activity.

Survey shows two-thirds of NHS nurses believe understaffing endangers patients.

The UK’s next ambassador to Japan, Corin Robertson, may be called to testify regarding Peter Mandelson's security clearance decision. This inquiry is part of a broader investigation into Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.

Sydney's electric ferry trial set for 2028, aiming for cleaner transport

The UK’s suspension of refugee family reunions has left hundreds of children at risk of separation from their families each month, according to the British Red Cross. Estimates suggest that between 550 and 1,360 children could remain separated monthly due to this policy.
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.