deaths

BBC Breakfast’s Roger Johnson and Rachel Burden returned to our TV screens on Sunday’s (March 1) morning to deliver the day’s headlines

BBC Breakfast’s latest broadcast started with a distressing news update on the “most devastating offensive operation in history”.

During Sunday’s (March 1) episode of the BBC hit show, Roger Johnson and Rachel Burden returned to our screens as they delivered the day’s top headline stories from the UK and around the globe.

However, just moments into the live broadcast, Roger shared the news that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

Rachel also revealed: “The Red Crescent says more than 200 people have been killed in the strikes with state media reporting at least 85 deaths following one air strike on a school in Iran.

“Overnight the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would attack US bases and Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s death with what it called ‘the most devastating offensive operation in history of the Islamic Republic.”

This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest news, pictures and videos. You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.

WASHINGTON — At Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities across the country, detainees go without medicine for serious health conditions, endure miscarriages while shackled and are dying in record numbers, a group of U.S. senators said.

In a letter sent Friday to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE senior official Todd Lyons, 22 Democratic lawmakers alleged that a “dramatic” surge in deaths in federal immigration custody is a “clear byproduct” of the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda and rapid expansion of detention.

“Each death in ICE custody is a tragedy and, based on the evidence available from agency records, 911 calls, and medical experts, many could have been prevented if not for this Administration’s decisions,” the senators wrote. The letter, released Tuesday, was led by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and signed by California Sen. Alex Padilla.

At least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, they asserted. That’s triple the previous year’s total and more deaths than were recorded during the entire Biden administration. ICE has reported seven deaths so far this year, as well as seven in December alone.

In the letter, the senators demanded detailed information about the agency’s death investigations, medical standards and oversight procedures.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not respond to the allegations but has repeatedly defended its detention standards. In a statement, ICE said it is “committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments,” adding that detainees receive medical, dental and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arrival, full health assessments within 14 days and access to 24-hour emergency care.

The lawmakers’ warning comes amid mounting allegations that detention facility staff have withheld critical medication, delayed emergency responses and failed to provide adequate mental health care.

The agency came under flak recently after a Texas medical examiner ruled the January death of a Cuban immigrant a homicide after witnesses said they saw guards choking him to death.

In Calexico, Calif., Luis Beltrán Yanez-Cruz, 68, died after more than a month in detention, records show; the Honduran national’s family alleged that he repeatedly reported worsening stomach and chest pain but received only pain medication.

The recent rise in deaths coincides with a dramatic expansion of the detention system. Funding for ICE roughly tripled after Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The agency has used the funds to increase detention capacity, holding more than 67,000 people nationwide after reaching a historic high of approximately 73,000, many of whom have no criminal history, the letter says.

Last week, the Trump administration announced $38.3 billion in partnerships with private prison corporations, including GEO Group and CoreCivic, to further scale up detention space. One planned facility near Phoenix will cost $70 million and span the equivalent of seven football fields, according to the lawmakers. ICE has also reopened facilities that were previously shuttered over chronic staffing shortages and medical concerns.

Concerns about conditions have extended to California. Last month, Padilla and Sen. Adam Schiff toured a for-profit detention center in California City after reports of unsafe facilities, inadequate medical care and limited access to attorneys.

“It’s the tragic result of a system failing to meet the most basic duty of care,” Padilla said in a statement, citing reports of mold in food, unclean drinking water and barriers to medical care.

A federal judge recently ordered the administration to provide adequate healthcare and improved access to counsel at the facility, concluding that detainees were likely to “suffer irreparable harm” without court intervention.

In their letter, the senators argued that the rapid growth of the detention system has outpaced oversight and accountability. They cited internal audits documenting violations of detention standards, allegations that ICE failed to pay third-party medical providers for months and analyses of 911 calls from large facilities showing repeated cardiac events, seizures and suicide attempts.

“Rather than accepting responsibility for deaths in government custody and providing detailed facts about the circumstances of each death,” the senators wrote, “the Department of Homeland Security has attempted to smear deceased individuals’ reputations by emphasizing details about their immigration status and their alleged wrongdoing.”

As detention capacity continues to expand, the climbing death tallies underscore the extent to which the Trump administration has overhauled the immigration detention system, and Democrats say the results are fraught.

The opposition party has grown more unified after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota, which coincided with reports of record high detention deaths in December.

Discord culminated in a partial government shutdown that began Friday when Senate Democrats refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security until the Trump administration agrees to reform at the agency.

WASHINGTON — The leaders of the agencies enforcing President Trump’s immigration crackdown faced tough questioning on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, with one Democratic lawmaker asking the head of ICE if he would apologize to the families of two U.S. citizens killed by federal agents and called domestic terrorists by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Todd Lyons, acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to apologize to the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during the hearing but said he welcomed the opportunity to speak to Good’s family in private.

“I’m not going to speak to any ongoing investigation,” Lyons said.

For the first time since the federal operation in Minneapolis led to the deaths of Good and Pretti, the heads of three immigration agencies testified before the House Homeland Security Committee.

Along with Lyons, the other witnesses were Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Rodney Scott, commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Their agencies fall under the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats and some Republicans have called for increased oversight of the Trump administration’s immigration operations since the shootings last month of Good and Pretti, both 37, by federal agents.

In the aftermath of the shootings, the administration replaced Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official who led the charge in Minneapolis, with border policy advisor Tom Homan, a former ICE official. Officials also withdrew some agents and began requiring those in Minneapolis to wear body cameras.

“We must take the temperature down and look at the record of enforcement actions through rational eyes,” said the committee’s chair, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.).

Garbarino asked for commitment from the ICE and CBP leaders to give the committee the full reports and findings of the investigations into the shootings of Good and Pretti once those conclude. Scott and Lyons agreed.

Scott, the CBP commissioner, told the committee members that officers face an unprecedented increase in attacks by people who interfere with law enforcement action. He said these actions are “coordinated and well-funded.”

“This is not peaceful protest,” he said.

Lyons, the ICE leader, told lawmakers that his agency has removed more than 475,000 people from the U.S. and conducted nearly 379,000 arrests since President Trump returned to the White House. He said the agency has hired more than 12,000 officers and agents.

He condemned so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, which limit the collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE, as well as the rhetoric from public officials against ICE.

Lyons testified that 3,000 out of 13,000 ICE agents wear body cameras. Scott estimated that about 10,000 of 20,000 Border Patrol agents wear cameras, adding that “we’re building that program out.”

The agency heads faced intense questioning from Democrats on the committee, including those from California.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) asked Lyons about his comment last year that the deportation process should work “like Amazon Prime, but with human beings.”

Lyons said the comment had been taken out of context.

“I did say that we need to be more efficient when it comes to removing individuals from the United States, because ICE doesn’t detain people punitively — we detain to remove,” he said. “I don’t want to see people in custody.”

“Well, speaking of human beings, how many times has Amazon Prime shot a nurse 10 times in the back?” Swalwell responded.

Swalwell asked how many agents have been fired for their conduct under Lyons’ leadership. Lyons said he would get that data.

“Can you tell us if, at least — God, I hope at least one person has been fired for their conduct since these operations have begun,” Swalwell said.

Lyons said he wouldn’t talk about personnel.

Swalwell was the one who asked Lyons if he would apologize to the families of Good and Pretti. He also asked if Lyons would resign from ICE. Lyons declined.

Rep. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) questioned Lyons about whether carrying a U.S. passport is enough for people to avoid being detained or deported. An October report by ProPublica identified more than 170 instances of U.S. citizens who were detained at raids or protests.

Lyons said U.S. citizens shouldn’t feel the need to carry their passports.

“No American citizen will be arrested for being an American citizen,” Lyons said.

Correa said a number of U.S. citizens in his district, which is majority Latino, have been detained, some for several days.

Lyons said he wasn’t aware of any cases of detained American citizens.

“Are you surveilling U.S. citizens today?” Correa asked.

Lyons said there is no database for protesters.

“I can assure you there is no database that’s tracking down citizens,” he said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Holidaymakers have been left enraged after major health scares in Cape Verde have caused confusion over whether or not it is safe to travel to the West African archipelago

A major travel warning has been issued as six Brits have tragically died after going on holiday in Cape Verde. More than 150 people have become ill in recent months, dealing with horrifying stomach bugs that cause a range of symptoms, including fever, severe diarrhoea, and stomach cramps.

The UK health authorities have been investigating the sudden spate of illness and found that the outbreak of salmonella and shigella has been linked to travellers to Cape Verde – a popular destination for British holidaymakers looking for some winter sun. Now, terrified tourists have been plunged into chaos, unsure of whether or not to take the risk and travel to Cape Verde for their booked holidays, or potentially take a massive financial hit.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has found that of the 118 cases of shigella reported since 1 October, a staggering 95 percent of people had been to Cape Verde, particularly the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas.

READ MORE: Holidaymakers told to drink bottled water after six Brits dieREAD MORE: ‘My wife went on TUI dream holiday to Cape Verde – now she’ll never come home’

Leading holiday company TUI has come under fire from holidaymakers over the ongoing nightmare, with comments flooding in on a public Facebook group about how the company has allegedly handled the health scare. One furious traveller claims that TUI “lied all through this,” alleging that the company had denied that anyone else had become unwell.

“TUI have lied all through this,” the seething customer claimed. “They told me when I was ill there were no other complaints, this is total rubbish!! I wasn’t the only one ill after 10 days, we had people much worse than me who were hospitalised & they denied it all !!!” It is unclear when the tourist visited Cape Verde, but they posted in the group four days ago.

Another holidaygoer posted that their digestive system has “never been the same again” after falling ill on holiday in Cape Verde back in August 2023, urgently warning other holidaymakers who might have planned trips there to rethink and avoid it altogether. “It was confirmed that the shellfish was carrying shigella from the sea and that’s how I got it – I have never been the same again with my digestive system”. They continued: “Be careful…the pools constantly being closed due to illness as well! It’s a toss up for risking it for sun or changing to somewhere you [know] you’ll be OK I [know] I won’t ever go again.”

Those posting in the group paint a grim picture of the conditions on their TUI holidays, with many criticising the holiday company for how they handle complaints. “I fell ill with Shigella in October and as far as I’m aware [TUI] have never admitted there was ever an issue,” claimed one customer. “I would advise against going. I’ve never felt so poorly or been so scared.”

The complaints about Cape Verde resorts go beyond illnesses. One poster claimed the hotel they stayed in was like a “war zone” and eventually they had to shell out £700 extra to move to a better facility. They claimed that TUI “didn’t want to listen to my legitimate concerns” and “wouldn’t help in any way”.

Insisting that “the hotel I originally booked should never have been advertised on their website,” they added: “I was in Sal and arrived home just 2 weeks ago. I wasn’t staying in a RUI resort. Yes, I too unfortunately got Shigella. Had multiple issues over the week I was there, TUI were less than helpful on their App, using the Complaints process (recommended by a Rep that was at the hotel!).

“This is the first holiday I have ever had where I felt so relieved and happy to be going home. Never Again!!” The holidaymaker added that they “wouldn’t recommend anyone going to Cape Verde at the moment and I won’t be going back, which is a shame as it does have its lovely parts and the people are friendly.”

Another tourist said that they managed to “dodge shigella” but the unhygienic conditions at their hotel were horrifying – with an “intermittent water supply” and “cockroaches EVERYWHERE!”. They wrote: “One of our party had a large cockroach sat on his shoulder as he was eating in the Italian a la carte restaurant”. They claimed that no one at the hotel could wash their hands properly as their was no running water, sewers were being “pumped out” right by the pool, adding that they “ will never go anywhere with TUI again.”

The new UKHSA study found local swimming pools, local water and poor sanitary conditions, as well as possible infection from hotel buffets and excursions, can increase the risk of infections like salmonella, shigella, giardia and cryptosporidium.

Terrifyingly, four of the Brits who died after travelling to Cape Verde all passed away within a four month period. Irwin Mitchell solicitors are representing the families of the six people who have died overall – and also over 1,500 people who have fallen ill after visits to holiday destination.

Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham, Mark Ashley, 55, of Bedfordshire, 64-year-old Karen Pooley, from Gloucestershire, and a 56-year-old man all died last year after contracting severe gastric illnesses while on the islands off the coast of west Africa.

Mark’s family have been left in “complete shock” by his death. His wife, Emma, 55, explained that she never thought when they headed on holiday that she would end up losing her husband. “We went to Cape Verde expecting a relaxing break, but Mark became violently ill and never recovered.”

Mark, a self-employed forklift truck driver, became unwell just three days into the trip to Cape Verde. The couple, who had been married for 26 years, stayed at the five‑star Riu Palace Santa Maria resort in Sal. Mark became extremely lethargic, and suffering from stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever, lawyers representing the family said. Emma – an early years assistant manager – said that their TUI holiday cost over £3,000 and she had raised concerns over the hotel’s hygiene.

Emma says that she reported that her husband had become very unwell via TUI’s app on 9 October. When they got home to Houghton Regis, Mark – who had diabetes – collapsed and was rushed to hospital on 12 November. Tragically, he was pronounced dead by the staff just minutes after.

Other tragedies include part-time nurse and mother-of-one Elena Walsh, who died in August 2025 after falling ill while staying at the Riu Cabo Verde resort on the same island.

And Karen Pooley, from Lydney, died after travelling with a friend to the Riu Funana resort in Sal on October 7, 2025. The fortnight’s holiday cost £3,000 and was booked through Tui, the law firm said. The retired mother-of-two became sick on October 11 with gastric symptoms including diarrhoea, and in the early hours of the next day she slipped on water leaking from a fridge while going to the bathroom.

She was transferred to a local clinic and over the next four days, Ms Pooley continued to experience diarrhoea and vomiting, alongside severe pain from her fractured femur. Deteriorating, the 64-year-old was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care on October 16 and died in the early hours of the next day, lawyers said. Her husband Andy, 62, said: “We’re utterly heartbroken. Karen was the kindest, loveliest person.

“She was a devoted wife and mum who loved swimming, walking the dog in the Forest of Dean, and volunteered at a local charity shop. She was also a wonderful friend who lit up every room she entered. We’re devastated and struggling to understand how she went on holiday and never came home.”

Irwin Mitchell said Karen’s initial death certificate, issued by the Cape Verde authorities, said she died of multi-organ failure, sepsis, cardio‑respiratory arrest and a broken left leg.

The other two Britons who have died since 2023 are Jane Pressley, 62, of Gainsborough, who died in January 2023 after falling ill while holidaying at Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, Sal, the previous November, and a man in his 60s from Watford. He died in November 2024 after suffering gastric illness following a trip to Cape Verde, Irwin Mitchell said. Families of all six people are making personal injury claims for damages against Tui, the provider of many package holidays to the island country.

Now, the UKHSA has updated its travel advice on the Travel Health Pro website for Cape Verde. It urges people to choose food that is freshly prepared, fully cooked and served piping hot. In areas without a reliable clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled water, including when brushing your teeth, and avoid ice in drinks, it added.

People are advised to only eat fruit they peel themselves and avoid salads that may not have been washed in safe water. Shigella is a gastrointestinal bug that can cause severe diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. It can be caught from contaminated food, water or surfaces. Salmonella is often caused by eating or handling contaminated food.

Tui did not respond to requests for comment.