The UK government has apologised for mistakenly leaking the personal data of nearly 18,000 Afghans who applied under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) in 2022. It also revealed a secret relocation scheme, the Afghan Response Route (ARR), set up to protect many of those affected.
Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament that an official mistakenly sent an email containing the full list of more than 18,000 applicants’ names. Fearing Taliban reprisals, the previous government established the ARR, through which around 3,000 individuals underwent strict security checks and were relocated.
A court order had kept details of the breach and the secret programme under wraps for nearly two years. After this injunction was lifted, the government disclosed the incident.
Healey offered a formal apology, stating that while the breach occurred under the previous administration, he was sorry on behalf of the UK government. He added that the Ministry of Defence attempted to contact those affected but faced difficulties due to outdated records.
He described the prolonged secrecy surrounding the issue as “deeply uncomfortable” and called for greater transparency going forward. Healey also urged opposition parties to join in offering an apology.
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The Kremlin said on Friday it presumed that U.S. President Donald Trump was still pursuing efforts to achieve a settlement to the Ukraine conflict despite Trump's statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin had let him down through his actions.
Pakistan’s defence minister has said the country’s nuclear capability will be available to Saudi Arabia if required under a newly signed mutual defence pact.
Israel's military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City on Friday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure, while displaced Palestinians traumatised by the advance said they had no means to flee.
Azerbaijan is emerging as a strategic tourism hub in the South Caucasus following the landmark peace agreement with Armenia, ushering in a new era of regional connectivity and cross-border travel.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
President Donald Trump described his recent phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping as "very productive," noting progress on several key issues, including trade, fentanyl, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin said on Friday it presumed that U.S. President Donald Trump was still pursuing efforts to achieve a settlement to the Ukraine conflict despite Trump's statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin had let him down through his actions.
Pakistan’s defence minister has said the country’s nuclear capability will be available to Saudi Arabia if required under a newly signed mutual defence pact.
The United Nations Security Council did not adopt a draft resolution on Friday to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, but Tehran and key European powers still have eight days to try and agree to a delay.
Israel's military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City on Friday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure, while displaced Palestinians traumatised by the advance said they had no means to flee.
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