Almost a decade ago, the world was shocked by images of Kurdish toddler Alan Kurdi lying dead on a Turkish beach. The child drowned while he and his parents – all Syrians fleeing the country’s civil war – were trying to reach Europe by sea. A Turkish court later sentenced two Syrian smugglers to more than four years in prison over Alan’s death and that of four other people.
Crossing rough seas, scrambling across borders at night or stowing away in lorries are all dangerous ways to reach a safe country, but the role of people smugglers who often endanger, threaten or extort desperate people fleeing war and poverty should concern everyone. Women and children are often the most at risk from these criminal gangs; Latina migrants trying to reach the US have told George Madison University’s Institute for Immigration Research how, knowing rape was a possibility, they would receive a contraceptive injection prior to leaving.
Given the appalling threats that migrants and refugees face, one would think that their plight would be viewed humanely. Instead, vulnerable and indebted people are too often castigated as an economic and security threat; some of the campaigning during the recent US election targeted such migrants in ugly outbursts. On the other side of the Atlantic, too, migrants and refugees have become something of a political football; in the UK, incessant demands that the government “stop the boats” show scant concern for their occupants’ welfare.
It is fitting, therefore, that the UK is hosting an Interpol conference this week that is trying to rewrite these toxic narratives. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the assembled policing experts would outline ways to counter people-smuggling operations that run “from the money markets in Kabul through to the Kurdish region of Iraq”, across Europe and into Britain. He also announced that UK’s new Border Security Command will have 300 staff to tackle boat crossings in the English Channel and other smuggling plus 100 specialist investigators from the National Crime Agency dedicated to tackling criminals involved people smuggling.
By refocusing on the criminals who illegally make money from and risk the lives of refugees, it is possible to not only reduce dangerous and illegal migration, but draw a clear distinction between those pushed to leave their home countries and those willing to risk their “customers’” lives for the sake of profit. By treating people smuggling as a policing and intelligence issue – not a political or security one – it may be possible to counter the cruel and inflammatory rhetoric that is often directed at migrants.
Given the appalling threats that migrants and refugees face, one would think that their plight would be viewed more humanely
Different police forces and law-enforcement agencies working together can make a real difference. In June, Operation Global Chain, a six-day effort led by Austria and co-ordinated by Romania, Europol, Frontex and Interpol, led to the arrest of 219 suspected traffickers and the identification of more than 1,370 victims. In January last year, the UAE joined forces with Interpol and local police in Sudan to break up an Eritrean human trafficking ring.
Such successes are important and must be built on. People smuggling is a changing problem given how conflicts ebb and flow, creating new routes for irregular migration. The demand for smugglers’ “services” must also be tackled by embracing the longer-term aim of reducing the push factors that fuel illegal migration, such as war and poverty. Failure to do so will mean criminals will continue to make money as refugees and migrants perish in the shadows.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
World%20Food%20Day%20
%3Cp%3ECelebrated%20on%20October%2016%2C%20to%20coincide%20with%20the%20founding%20date%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20Food%20and%20Agriculture%20Organisation%2C%20World%20Food%20Day%20aims%20to%20tackle%20issues%20such%20as%20hunger%2C%20food%20security%2C%20food%20waste%20and%20the%20environmental%20impact%20of%20food%20production.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
