French police are playing a cat-and-mouse game with people smuggling gangs as both sides watch out for the other amid record numbers making the crossing to England.
Police use thermal imaging kits and cars bought by the UK to increase patrols along the coast and try to persuade people not to make the dangerous, sometimes lethal, trek across the English Channel.
Often the boats they capture are small and unseaworthy. Sometimes a boat for two people is used to send 10 out to sea. At other times, migrants hope to make the crossing through one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes using only a couple of paddles.
One of the first signs of smuggler gangs onshore is a spotter looking out for police vehicles and officers.
“When you have a boat with children, women, men in it that are out at sea or who are going to leave, you already know that they are going to put their lives in danger,” said Sgt Patrice Villeilm, a pilot chief with French Border Police.
“We are talking about people on these boats. And what is most dramatic is that people are willing to take enormous risks.”
French police said that once boats enter the water they do not have the legal right to turn them back.
Record numbers of migrants are making the dangerous trip across the Channel to try to reach Britain despite the increased efforts in France.
The British government has given millions of pounds to French authorities as it tries to stop the migrant route from northern France.
On Saturday, more than 800 tried to cross the Channel, Britain’s Home Office said, which was a record for a single day.
French authorities, on the same day, intercepted a further 10 crossing attempts, preventing 193 people from reaching the UK.
In 2018, 286 people reached the UK. In 2019, it was 1,834, according to Peter Walsh Migration Observatory.
In 2020, the figure rose drastically to 8,486 and this year it is already at more than 10,000.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
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The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
