International
Smuggler who killed 39 in lorry to pay £65,000 to families
Smuggler who killed 39 in lorry to pay £65,000 to families
A smuggler who killed 39 people in the back of a lorry is to pay more than £65,000 (81,735 million dollars) as compensation, bringing the total to more than £280,000.
Romanian Gheorghe Nica, 46, was jailed for 27 years in 2021 for the manslaughter of the Vietnamese nationals, aged between 15 and 44, found in a vehicle in Essex on October 22 2019.
The victims died in sweltering conditions as they were transported in an airtight container from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet.
Nica, of Basildon in Essex, was ordered to pay 65,157.65 pounds sterling to the victims’ families through a confiscation order made at the Old Bailey, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Friday.
Nica was one of five gang members jailed for the manslaughters, with others convicted of people-smuggling.
The confiscation order made against him brings the total ordered by the court to be paid to families of the victims by the gang to 283,802.58, pounds Sterling the CPS said.
A hearing in October heard how Nica made at least 90,000 pounds sterling from people-smuggling.
The court heard how the 39 deaths marked the end of a long-running and profitable operation in which migrants would pay up to 13,000 pounds sterling for what they thought was a “VIP service.’’
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Seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although investigators believe there were probably more.
Migrants would board Lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain, where they would be picked up by fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica to a safe house until payment was received.
On Friday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC ruled that the total amount by which Nica benefited was 186,587.65 pounds sterling.
After assessing the defendant’s assets, the judge ordered him to pay 65,175.65 pounds sterling within three months.
According to the judge, a failure to pay would result to a further year in prison.
The judge said: “I direct that the confiscation sum be paid as compensation to the families of those killed in this terrible tragedy.’’
Previously, Nica’s partner in crime, haulage boss Ronan Hughes, from Armagh, Northern Ireland, was ordered to pay the victims’ families more than 180,000 pounds sterling after being jailed for 20 years.
The lorry driver, Maurice Robinson, of Craigavon in Northern Ireland, who found the bodies in the back of his trailer and was jailed for 13 years and four months, had to sell his 4×4 vehicle and watch to pay more than 21,000 pounds sterling.
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Romanian Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, from Essex, was ordered to pay 3,000 pounds sterling after being jailed for three years after admitting conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.
Another people-smuggler, Valentin Calota, from Birmingham, was ordered to pay more than 1,000 pounds sterling.
Darren Fox from the CPS said, “Nica profited from smuggling people into the country, which ended in 39 people dying in the most horrific circumstances.
“The CPS worked with the police financial investigators to identify Nica’s criminal benefit from this tragedy and what assets he currently holds.
“The confiscation order set by the judge reflects all the assets available to Nica.
“He also made a compensation order for that amount to be paid to the families of the victims.
“ We will continue to ensure that money will be paid by defendants for the proceeds of these awful crimes.”he added.
Smuggler who killed 39 in lorry to pay £65,000 to families
(dpa/NAN)
International
Trump Says US Warships Being Reloaded With Weapons to Strike Iran If Pakistan Talks Fail
Trump Says US Warships Being Reloaded With Weapons to Strike Iran If Pakistan Talks Fail
United States President Donald Trump has said American warships are being rearmed with advanced weaponry and prepared for possible strikes against Iran if ongoing peace negotiations in Pakistan fail to produce an agreement.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said the United States is in what he described as a “reset” phase, insisting that military readiness is being strengthened while diplomatic talks continue.
“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously and we blew them apart,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.”
His remarks come as Vice President JD Vance leads a high-level U.S. delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, for crucial Iran peace talks in Pakistan aimed at preventing a renewed escalation in the Middle East.
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Vance, who is known for his scepticism toward long-term military interventions, is expected to engage Iranian officials in discussions focused on stabilising a fragile ceasefire and preventing further military confrontation.
Before departing, Vance issued a warning to Tehran, telling Iranian authorities not to “play” the United States, signalling Washington’s firm stance ahead of the negotiations.
According to diplomatic sources, the talks will address key issues including nuclear compliance, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions-related disputes that have fueled tensions between both countries.
President Trump also posted a cryptic message on his Truth Social platform, referring to what he called the “WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET!!!”, further fueling speculation about Washington’s combined military and diplomatic strategy.
The Pakistan-hosted talks bring together senior U.S. officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, alongside Iranian representatives led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Iran’s participation underscores ongoing efforts by both sides to prevent a full-scale collapse of the ceasefire, which has already been strained by mutual accusations of violations.
Analysts say the outcome of the Islamabad negotiations could determine whether the crisis moves toward a lasting settlement or escalates into renewed military confrontation with wider regional consequences.
Trump Says US Warships Being Reloaded With Weapons to Strike Iran If Pakistan Talks Fail
International
Trump Orders JD Vance to Lead Iran War Exit Strategy Ahead of Pakistan Talks
Trump Orders JD Vance to Lead Iran War Exit Strategy Ahead of Pakistan Talks
United States President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed Vice President JD Vance to urgently explore diplomatic pathways to end the ongoing U.S.–Iran war crisis, as preparations intensify for high-level peace talks scheduled to hold in Pakistan.
The directive comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns that a fragile ceasefire arrangement could collapse, potentially triggering a wider escalation in the region.
Vice President JD Vance, known for his long-standing scepticism toward prolonged U.S. military interventions abroad, is expected to depart on April 10 for Islamabad, where he will lead the American delegation in the upcoming Iran peace talks in Pakistan.
He will be accompanied by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, both of whom have previously been involved in indirect diplomatic engagements with Iranian officials on nuclear issues and regional security concerns.
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The talks are expected to focus on de-escalation measures, nuclear-related assurances, and broader security arrangements aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Iran has also confirmed its participation in the negotiations, sending a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The Iranian team is expected to present its position on sanctions relief, regional security, and maritime concerns, particularly issues relating to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Reports indicate that the temporary ceasefire between both sides is increasingly under strain, with accusations of violations and renewed mistrust threatening to derail diplomatic progress.
President Trump has publicly accused Iran of failing to honour commitments linked to maritime security, writing on Truth Social: “That is not the agreement we have!”
The statement has added fresh tension to already fragile negotiations and raised concerns about possible disruptions to global energy markets if hostilities resume.
Pakistan has emerged as a key diplomatic venue for the talks, hosting both direct and indirect engagements between U.S. and Iranian officials in an effort to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Diplomatic observers say the outcome of the Islamabad meeting could determine whether the crisis moves toward a lasting ceasefire or deeper confrontation involving regional and global powers.
The growing urgency of the negotiations reflects mounting international pressure on Washington and Tehran to reach a political settlement and avoid further destabilisation of the Middle East.
Trump Orders JD Vance to Lead Iran War Exit Strategy Ahead of Pakistan Talks
International
Hajj 2026: US Warns Citizens Over Travel Risks to Saudi Arabia
Hajj 2026: US Warns Citizens Over Travel Risks to Saudi Arabia
The United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised American citizens to reconsider participating in the Hajj pilgrimage this year, citing ongoing regional security concerns and intermittent travel disruptions across parts of the Middle East.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the embassy referenced the Saudi Arabia travel advisory, warning that the current security environment remains unstable and could affect movement and access to holy sites during the pilgrimage season.
“Per the Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory, and due to the ongoing security situation and intermittent travel disruptions, we advise reconsidering participation in Hajj this year,” the embassy said.
It also announced new entry regulations for Mecca ahead of the pilgrimage period, stating that from April 18, only individuals with valid permits will be allowed access. These include a Hajj permit, a Mecca-issued residency ID, or a valid work permit linked to Mecca. The embassy further warned that individuals on other visa categories should leave Mecca before the enforcement date to avoid penalties.
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The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. Each year, millions of pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for the rites performed in and around Mecca.
The advisory comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts and security incidents affecting several countries in the region. The U.S. has previously warned that instability could disrupt air travel routes, border crossings, and emergency response capacity in affected areas.
Regional tensions have escalated in recent months following intensified military exchanges involving Israel and Iran, along with related spillover effects across neighbouring countries. These developments have raised concerns over aviation safety, infrastructure security, and crowd management during major international gatherings such as Hajj.
The embassy also urged American citizens already in the Kingdom or planning to travel to remain vigilant and closely monitor official travel updates issued by both U.S. and Saudi authorities.
While no evacuation order has been issued, officials stressed that travellers should carefully reconsider non-essential trips depending on their personal risk assessment.
Hajj 2026: US Warns Citizens Over Travel Risks to Saudi Arabia
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