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More than 600 persons cross the channel in a single day. 

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The Home Office reported that on Sunday, more than 600 migrants made it across the English Channel, the most in a single day thus far this year.

Twelve small boats carrying approximately 616 people from France were spotted making the journey. The previous record for this year’s daily high was 497 people on April 22. This year, more than 8,000 migrants have made the journey, which is about 2,000 fewer than at the same time last year. Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a speech in Dover that his plan to reduce the number of migrant boats crossing the Channel was working, and that for the first time, numbers were down.

According to Chris Mason, a political editor at the BBC, crossings into the UK had decreased by a fifth, and the number of Albanians travelling to Britain had decreased by ninety per cent. As of now last year, the total figure had recently passed 10,000. This past year, there were 45,755 crossings all together. Mr Sunak has made lessening the quantity of Channel intersections a vital piece of his prevalence, including by means of the Unlawful Relocation Bill.

Those who attempted to enter the UK without permission would be detained and promptly deported, either to their home country or to a third nation like Rwanda, according to the plans.

Migrants would be prohibited from claiming asylum, and the bill would establish extensive new powers for detention and search. It would still apply to someone who claims to have been a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking.

Campaigners have criticized it severely, and earlier this week, the Joint Committee on Human Rights, made up of MPs and peers, stated that it would violate “a number of the UK’s human rights obligations.”

Despite the fact that the bill has already been approved by the Commons, it was harshly criticized on Monday during a debate in the House of Lords that lasted into the early hours of Tuesday morning. Liberal Leftist Aristocrat Ludford said peers had been “abused, bullied and intimidated” by the public authority over the plans.

But Mr. Sunak and ministers from the government say that tough measures are needed to stop people-smuggling networks from making money off of the risky Channel route. Stephen Kinnock, the shadow immigration minister for Labour, stated that the PM “needs to roll up his sleeves and start doing the hard graft, rather than ploughing on with the headline-chasing, government-by-gimmick approach.” Kinnock was referring to the PM’s strategy.

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Brittany: Girl from British family shot dead in France named

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Solaine Thornton, an 11-year-old British girl, was tragically shot and killed while playing on a swing in her family’s garden in the village of Saint-Herbot, north of Quimper in Brittany, France. The incident occurred during a barbecue that the family was hosting on a Saturday evening. Solaine’s parents, Adrian and Rachel Thornton, were also injured in the shooting and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Adrian Thornton sustained serious injuries as reported by local media.

The mayor of the commune where the family resided, Marguerite Bleuzen, identified the family. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated that they are offering support and assistance to the affected British family.

According to reports, Solaine and her eight-year-old sister were playing on a swing while their parents were tending to the barbecue. It was during this time that a neighbor, described as a 71-year-old Dutch national, began shooting at them with a shotgun through a hedge. The younger sister, in a state of shock, ran to a neighbor’s house to seek help and raise the alarm, shouting that her sister was dead.

The suspect barricaded himself in his house following the incident, but he eventually surrendered to the police and was arrested along with his wife. Local residents mentioned that the man had a reclusive nature and was involved in a dispute with the British family regarding a piece of land adjacent to their properties.

The motive behind the shooting is still unclear, and Prosecutor Carine Halley stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated. The mayor and other local residents expressed shock and disbelief over the tragic event, emphasizing that the family was well-known and regularly participated in village events.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that they are in contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the British family affected by the shooting.

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France knife attack: ‘Backpack hero’ praised for facing attacker

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Henri, a 24-year-old Catholic pilgrim, has been hailed as a hero by French media for his courageous attempt to stop a knife attack in Annecy, which resulted in serious injuries to four children. Henri, who had been touring France’s cathedrals, instinctively pursued the attacker and used his backpack as a weapon to defend against the assailant.

President Emmanuel Macron personally commended Henri for his bravery during their meeting in the town. Macron praised Henri’s actions as a “source of hope” while acknowledging that he had also experienced a traumatic event. The French leader visited the victims of the stabbing and expressed his gratitude to the first responders.

Video footage captured Henri swinging his backpack at the attacker and chasing him across a grassy area. The hashtag #MerciHenri began trending online, and Henri himself posted on Instagram, urging people to pray for the children and assuring them that he was fine.

In an interview with CNews the following morning, Henri explained that he believed it was unthinkable to do nothing in such a situation. He acted on his instincts and did what he could to protect those who were vulnerable. While Henri modestly stated that he was not the only civilian who intervened, he emphasized that he felt compelled to act and defended the weak, just as any French person would.

Henri’s father expressed his belief that his son’s actions prevented further harm, crediting him with scaring off the assailant and preventing carnage. Prior to the incident, Henri had been interviewed about his nine-month tour of France’s cathedrals, where he relied on walking and hitchhiking. He mentioned his habit of knocking on random doors near cathedrals to find accommodation, explaining that it helped him open up to people.

Regarding the attacker’s claim of identifying as a Christian, Henri rejected the notion, stating that it was profoundly unchristian to target the vulnerable. Instead, he believed that something deeply negative possessed the assailant.

Henri’s courageous response to the knife attack has garnered widespread admiration in France, with many praising his selflessness and humility.

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France stabbing: Children attacked in Annecy park in stable condition

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Four young children who were stabbed in a park in Annecy, France, are now in stable condition, according to officials. The children, aged between one and three, are receiving treatment in the hospital.

The attacker, a 31-year-old Syrian man with refugee status in Sweden, was apprehended by the police after entering a children’s playground to carry out the attack. Two adults were also injured, with one in critical condition.

The incident, described as “abominable” by regional deputy Antoine Armand, is currently under investigation, although authorities have limited information. The attack appears to lack any terrorist motivation, according to Annecy prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis. The assailant invoked the name of Jesus Christ during the attack, but his motive remains unclear.

France has experienced knife attacks in recent years, often carried out by young men with criminal backgrounds and potential ties to Islamist extremism, but this incident seems to differ in nature. The attack is expected to contribute to the ongoing immigration debate in the country.

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France destroys 35,000 ‘champagne’ soda bottles

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French border police in Le Havre have destroyed around 35,000 bottles of a soda drink that falsely claimed to be champagne. The bottles, originating from Haiti and containing a bright orange liquid, were seized in October 2021 after customs officials noticed the label “Couronne Fruit Champagne.”

The use of the term “champagne” is reserved exclusively for sparkling wine products from the French Champagne region, according to France’s Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system, which grants exclusive rights to certain geographical indications. The bottles were intended for sale in the French market.

The destruction of these bottles reinforces the importance of the AOC regulation and serves to protect the reputation of the appellation, as stated by Charles Goemaere, the director-general of the Champagne Committee. This action is part of the ongoing effort to combat the misuse of the Champagne name, which has been protected since 1844.

Previously, the same product had faced an investigation and recall due to excessive benzoic acid levels. This incident follows a similar case in which over 2,000 bottles of American beer referred to as the “Champagne of Beer” were destroyed in Belgium at the request of the Champagne Committee.

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Channel migrants tragedy: Five French soldiers accused of failing to help

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Five soldiers in France have been charged in connection with the deaths of 27 people who drowned while attempting to cross the English Channel on November 24, 2021. The soldiers, along with four others, were detained for questioning and are accused of failing to assist the distressed boat. Reports indicate that the boat made 15 distress calls that went unanswered. The victims were predominantly Iraqi Kurds, ranging in age from seven to 46.

The news of the charges has been welcomed by Utopia 56, an organization representing migrants. A spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the progress in the criminal investigation. The tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of all but two individuals on board, occurred shortly after the boat departed from the French coast.

Le Monde newspaper previously reported that the passengers had contacted French officials, informing them of their deflating boat and failed engine. They also sent their location via WhatsApp, but no response was received. Rescue teams eventually responded after ten hours when fishermen alerted them.

The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) described the incident as the largest single loss of life in the English Channel since it began collecting data in 2014. Following the tragedy, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his dismay and pledged to take action against human trafficking networks.

In November 2022, a 32-year-old man appeared in a London court in connection with the incident, accused of being part of a group involved in transporting the migrants. Additionally, last June, French police arrested 15 individuals, mostly from Afghanistan, suspected of being part of a smuggling ring related to the deadly incident.

In response to the increasing number of migrants crossing the English Channel via small boats, the UK government has committed to addressing the issue.

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Tariq Ramadan: Islam scholar cleared of Swiss rape charges

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Tariq Ramadan, a renowned Islamic studies scholar and Swiss citizen, has been acquitted of charges of rape and sexual coercion by a Swiss court. The case was brought forward by a Swiss woman who claimed that Ramadan had raped her in a Geneva hotel in 2008. Ramadan, the grandson of the founder of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, denied all the charges but admitted to having met the woman. If convicted, he could have faced up to three years in prison.

Ramadan had gained recognition as a prominent voice in Islamic thought, condemning terrorism and advocating for human rights. He faced criticism from some quarters, particularly in France, where he was accused of anti-Semitism by leading academics. In 2017, Ramadan’s reputation suffered a blow when he was accused of rape by a French woman, leading to more women coming forward with similar allegations. By 2020, he faced multiple charges of rape in France and Switzerland, spending nine months in detention in France before being released on probation.

The Swiss trial marked the first to go to court, and tension was palpable in the Geneva courtroom. Ramadan’s accuser, using the pseudonym Brigitte, requested a screen to be put up so she would not have to face the man she accused of rape. She provided a detailed account of the alleged attack, expressing fear for her life. Ramadan admitted inviting her to his hotel room but denied any violence, asserting that the accusations against him were politically motivated attempts to discredit him.

Throughout the trial, Ramadan’s family, as well as prominent figures like Noam Chomsky and Ken Loach, supported his claim of being unfairly targeted. However, the prosecution argued that Brigitte could not have fabricated the detailed account of the alleged attack. Ramadan’s defense lawyer maintained his client’s innocence, describing the charges as baseless.

After a week of deliberation, the three Swiss judges found Ramadan not guilty. While he has been cleared in Switzerland, the possibility of further trials looms, as French prosecutors are still evaluating whether charges should be brought against him in France. Ramadan continues to assert his innocence in all cases and intends to clear his name.

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France bans short-haul flights to cut carbon emissions

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The French government has implemented a ban on domestic short-haul flights in situations where there are train alternatives available, as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions. This law took effect two years after lawmakers initially voted to end routes where the same journey could be completed by train within two-and-a-half hours. As a result, air travel between cities like Paris, Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux will be largely prohibited, while connecting flights are not affected by the ban.

Critics of the measure have referred to it as merely a symbolic gesture. Laurent Donceel, the interim head of the industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E), expressed his belief that these bans would only have minimal effects on reducing CO2 emissions. He suggested that governments should instead focus on supporting more substantial and practical solutions to address the issue.

The global airline industry has already experienced significant setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of flights in 2020 decreasing by almost 42% compared to 2019, as reported by Flightradar24.

Initially, France’s Citizens’ Convention on Climate, formed by President Emmanuel Macron in 2019 and consisting of 150 members of the public, proposed eliminating plane journeys where train alternatives of under four hours were available. However, this limit was reduced to two-and-a-half hours following objections from certain regions and the airline Air France-KLM.

French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir had previously urged lawmakers to maintain the four-hour limit, highlighting that planes emit 77 times more CO2 per passenger than trains on these routes, despite trains being cheaper and the time difference being only 40 minutes. The group also called for safeguards to prevent the French national railway company, SNCF, from raising prices artificially or diminishing the quality of rail services.

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Nicolas Sarkozy to wear tag after losing corruption appeal

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a prison sentence for corruption. However, the Paris appeals court has ruled that he can serve his sentence at home with an electronic monitoring device instead of going to jail.

In 2021, Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for attempting to influence a judge in a separate case. This made him the first former French president to receive a custodial sentence.

Sarkozy’s lawyer has announced plans to challenge the ruling further with the Court of Cassation, one of France’s highest jurisdictions, stating that Sarkozy is innocent. In addition to the prison sentence, Sarkozy has been banned from holding public office for three years. There are multiple corruption cases involving Sarkozy, but he denies any wrongdoing.

Recently, prosecutors requested that he face trial over allegations of illegal contributions to his 2007 presidential campaign by the Libyan government, but the final decision lies with investigating magistrates.

Sarkozy served one term as president from 2007 to 2014 and was known for his tough stance on immigration and efforts to reform France’s economy. Critics criticized his leadership style as excessive and focused on celebrity culture, contrasting with the traditional and grand nature of the role.

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Paris synagogue bomber convicted after 43 years

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A court in Paris has convicted a Lebanese-Canadian university professor, Hassan Diab, of planting a motorcycle bomb that killed four people and wounded 38 others at a Paris synagogue in October 1980. Diab, who called his situation “Kafkaesque”, received a life sentence, but refused to attend the trial.

Prosecutors claimed that he was undoubtedly responsible for the bombing, which was the first attack on Jews in France since World War Two and became a model for many similar attacks carried out by militants in the Middle East. Supporters of Diab have criticized the trial as being “manifestly unfair”.

The investigation into the 1980 Paris synagogue bombing has been marked by confusion and persistence by a small group of magistrates. Hassan Diab, a Lebanese-Canadian university professor, was named as a suspect almost 20 years after the attack and was finally extradited from Canada in 2014.

In 2018, the case was closed due to lack of evidence, but an appeal to reopen the case was successful in 2021, leading to Diab’s recent trial and conviction in absentia. Diab has consistently maintained his innocence, and his conviction may lead to a second extradition request, although its success is uncertain. Diab expressed disappointment that “reason did not prevail”.

Responding to the verdict, the Hassan Diab Support Committee in Canada called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make it “absolutely clear” that no second extradition would be accepted.

They said 15 years of legal “nightmare… is now fully exposed in its overwhelming cruelty and injustice”.

At a news conference, Mr Trudeau said his government “will look carefully at next steps, at what the French government chooses to do, at what French tribunals choose to do”.

“But we will always be there to stand up for Canadians and their rights,” he added.

Over three weeks the court heard an account of the known facts of the case, plus arguments identifying Diab as the bomber and counter-evidence suggesting he was a victim of mistaken identity.

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