LONDON APPROVES MIGRATION CENTER DESPITE LOCAL OPPOSITION

The British government has approved the conversion of a former military site near Piddington, Oxfordshire, into a reception center capable of housing up to 1,256 asylum seekers, exclusively men aged 18 to 65. The project has sparked fierce opposition from local residents, who held a symbolic referendum in September demanding independence for their village: 285 out of 312 votes were cast in favor of secession. Residents cite security concerns, among other things. The government hopes to reduce the use of hotels to house migrants, but the approval granted does not yet constitute a final decision to open the center.