A UK Border Force vessel brings a group of people to the English coast on Monday, two days after six people died in a small boat crossing. PA
A UK Border Force vessel brings a group of people to the English coast on Monday, two days after six people died in a small boat crossing. PA
A UK Border Force vessel brings a group of people to the English coast on Monday, two days after six people died in a small boat crossing. PA
A UK Border Force vessel brings a group of people to the English coast on Monday, two days after six people died in a small boat crossing. PA

French MP calls for 50km exclusion zone around Calais to stop migrant crossings


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

A French MP for the northern coast has called for police to ban illegal migrants from approaching the English Channel.

Pierre-Henri Dumont called for “more severe” measures after six people died in the latest fatal attempt to cross the Channel on a small boat.

Mr Dumont, an opposition MP who represents Calais, said deaths were inevitable when illegal migrants were camped near the coast.

He said French authorities should “understand that every illegal migrant” living in tents near the Channel “is a candidate for passage by small boat”.

Any illegal migrant near France's northern tip should be detained in a zone of “zero migrant tolerance” 50km inland from the coast, he said.

“We have to stop access to the coast. As soon as they are in Calais, as soon as they are in Dunkirk … it's too late,” he said in appearances on French radio on Monday.

“You cannot say you’re doing all that is necessary when at the same time you let tents be put up near the railway tracks.”

French police patrol northern beaches under an arrangement in which the UK pays hundreds of millions of euros a year to stem the flow of migrants.

But there have been calls in Britain for France to do more. Conservative MP John Redwood questioned why French police "are they finding it so difficult to see these obviously unsafe and overloaded boats preparing to leave".

British and French vessels were involved in a rescue mission after a small boat capsized on Saturday. AFP
British and French vessels were involved in a rescue mission after a small boat capsized on Saturday. AFP

Despite the patrols, more than 16,000 people have crossed the Channel this year including 775 last Thursday alone, a record for 2023.

The disaster on Saturday when six people died and dozens more had to be rescued after their boat capsized, was the latest in a series of deadly incidents.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman called it a "stark reminder of how dangerous these crossings are" and "how vitally important it is to disrupt these criminal gangs".

But he said a year-on-year fall in Channel crossings and the arrests of suspected smuggling ringleaders amounted to "tangible results because of the investment we’ve made.”

The alarm was raised early on Saturday when the boat got into difficulty near the French coast. Several warships and lifeboats from both sides of the Channel were involved in a rescue effort.

France is expected to unveil a new immigration law in the coming weeks to speed up deportations while offering some illegal migrants a route to work in the country.

Britain recently passed reforms that provide for people who arrive illegally to be denied residency. Ministers are also fighting legal challenges to their plan to deport failed asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Mourners held a rally in Calais on Sunday after the latest fatal incident in the Channel. AFP
Mourners held a rally in Calais on Sunday after the latest fatal incident in the Channel. AFP

The UK government suffered a separate setback when 39 asylum seekers it was housing on a barge had to be evacuated because of a legionella scare.

The barge, Bibby Stockholm, was meant to house dozens of male asylum seekers to cut the costs of keeping Channel migrants in hotels.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said nobody appeared to have fallen ill, amid accusations that the government brushed off health warnings.

He told Sky News the government would "both maintain safety standards but also reflect the pressure on the taxpayer position".

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Price, base: Dh1.2 million

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm

Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm

Fuel economy, combined:  12.3L / 100km (estimate)

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kandahar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ric%20Roman%20Waugh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EGerard%20Butler%2C%20Navid%20Negahban%2C%20Ali%20Fazal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

If you go

The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road. 

The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Updated: August 14, 2023, 1:17 PM`