Beatrice Tridimas

London

Journalist at Freelance

Digital Producer and Journalist at Context

Journo ✍️✍️ @Reuters @ContextNewsroom

Articles

Boat driver arrests up as EU eyes tighter smuggling laws

2 weeks ago | japantimes.co.jp | Beatrice Tridimas

After days at sea making the risky crossing from West Africa to the Canary Islands, migrants typically face hours of questioning by Spanish authorities trying to identify — and detain — the drivers of the boats they came on. But those drivers usually are neither the ringleaders nor profiteers, and they are being wrongfully charged under European Union counter-smuggling rules, nongovernmental organizations say.
Boat driver arrests intensify as EU set to tighten smuggling laws

2 weeks ago | context.news | Beatrice Tridimas

A migrant waits to disembark from a fiber boat in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Borja SuarezWhat’s the context? New people-smuggling rules will worsen criminalisation of migrants and NGOs trying to help them, rights groups warn.
What is a safe third country for migrants?

3 weeks ago | context.news | Beatrice Tridimas

What’s the context? European governments want to make it easier to send asylum seekers to "safe third countries" as part of overhaul of migration laws. LONDON - European lawmakers are reviewing a legal concept that allows asylum seekers to be transferred to a country other than the one where they made their application for protection as part of an overhaul of the bloc's migration rules.
Europe's firefighters want more funds and staff

1 month ago | omanobserver.om | Beatrice Tridimas

Underinvestment in staff means Europe's fire services are overstretched as climate change raises the risk of deadly blazes, firefighter unions in the world's fastest warming-region have warned. Wildfires fuelled by hotter, drier weather and household fires, which unions say are sometimes caused by uncertified installations of solar technology, are straining fire services across the bloc. Firefighters want more funding and better incentives for the millions of volunteers who prop up the system.
'Not sustainable': Europe's firefighters want more funds and staff

1 month ago | japantimes.co.jp | Beatrice Tridimas

Underinvestment in staff means Europe's fire services are overstretched as climate change raises the risk of deadly blazes, firefighter unions in the world's fastest warming-region have warned. Wildfires fueled by hotter, drier weather and household fires, which unions say are sometimes caused by uncertified installations of solar technology, are straining fire services across the bloc. Firefighters want more funding and better incentives for the millions of volunteers who prop up the system.
UK eVisa technical errors threaten rights of millions of legal residents

2 months ago | scroll.in | Beatrice Tridimas

Britain has failed to resolve years-old issues with its eVisa system ahead of the phase-out of physical immigration documents, jeopardising the rights of around 4 million people living legally in Britain, rights groups say. Hundreds of people have struggled to access new electronic records of their immigration status, making it hard to apply for welfare payments and prove their right to work or rent property.
UK eVisa row: What do refugees and migrants say?

2 months ago | context.news | Beatrice Tridimas

What’s the context? Rights groups say the Britain's new online immigration system is beset by glitches. Here are the voices of some of those affected. eVisa glitches show wrong identity, immigration detailsHome Office support team slow to respondMigrants face increased insecurity without physical documentsLONDON – Hundreds of non-British citizens have reported problems with accessing a new online system for verifying their immigration status.
UK's eVisa rollout dogged by glitches, threatening rights

2 months ago | context.news | Beatrice Tridimas

What’s the context? Britain is switching to online-only immigration records but persistent tech problems with biometric permits fan fears over rights.
Trump and Ukraine: Where are Europe's critical minerals?

Mar 3, 2025 | context.news | Beatrice Tridimas

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 28, 2025. REUTERS/Brian SnyderWhat’s the context? What are the critical minerals U.S. President Donald Trump wants from Ukraine? LONDON - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he is still willing to sign a deal on developing critical minerals with the United States, despite last week's explosive Oval Office meeting.
Britain wants to smash the gangs - but what gangs?

Feb 13, 2025 | japantimes.co.jp | Beatrice Tridimas

New British legislation designed to crack down on smuggling gangs the government blames for a surge in people crossing the Channel in flimsy inflatable boats will fail to deter people from trying, experts say. The Border Security and Asylum Immigration bill, due to be debated in parliament this month, includes measures to rein in organized crime gangs the interior minister, Yvette Cooper, has said are behind the often-deadly Channel crossings.