A boat with dozens of migrants rips apart in the English Channel off France, killing 12

Update A boat with dozens of migrants rips apart in the English Channel off France, killing 12
Firefighters and Civil Protection agents stand next to bags containing the bodies of migrants who died after the sinking of a migrant boat attempting to cross the English Channel to England, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, on Sep. 3, 2024. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 03 September 2024
Follow

A boat with dozens of migrants rips apart in the English Channel off France, killing 12

A boat with dozens of migrants rips apart in the English Channel off France, killing 12
  • “Unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open,” said Olivier Barbarin, mayor of Le Portel near the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer
  • “If people don’t know how to swim in the agitated waters ... it can go very quickly“

PARIS: A boat carrying migrants ripped apart in the English Channel as they attempted to reach Britain from northern France on Tuesday, plunging dozens into the treacherous waterway and leaving 12 dead, authorities said.
Many didn’t have life preservers in what one official called the deadliest migrant accident in the channel this year.
“Unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open,” said Olivier Barbarin, mayor of Le Portel near the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where a first aid post was set up to treat victims. “If people don’t know how to swim in the agitated waters ... it can go very quickly.”
The mayor said 12 died after initially giving a toll of 13. Lt. Etienne Baggio, a spokesman for the French agency that oversees that stretch of sea, said rescuers pulled a total of 65 people from the waters in a search operation that lasted more than four hours. Doctors confirmed 12 died, he said.
Baggio called it the deadliest migrant boat tragedy in the English Channel this year. In July, four migrants died while attempting the crossing on an inflatable boat that capsized and punctured. Five others, including a child, in another attempt in April. And five dead were recovered from the seas or found washed up along a beach after a migrant boat ran into difficulties in the dark and winter cold of January.
Many of those aboard the vessel that broke up in the English Channel on Tuesday didn’t have life vests, Baggio said. It was not immediately clear what kind of boat it was. Three helicopters, a plane, two fishing boats and more than six other vessels were involved in the rescue operation.
In another sea tragedy Tuesday involving migrants seeking a better life in Europe, a boat carrying migrants capsized off the Libyan coast, leaving one person dead and 22 missing, Libyan authorities said.
The agency overseeing the rescue operation in the English Channel said the boat got into difficulty off Gris-Nez point between Boulogne-sur-Mer and the port of Calais further north. Sea temperatures off northern France were around 20 degrees C, or about 68 F.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin went to Boulogne-sur-Mer to meet those involved in handling what he described as the “terrible shipwreck.” He said the boat was frail and small — less than 7 meters (23 feet) long — and that smugglers are packing more and more people aboard such vessels.
Last week, the leaders of France and Britain agreed to deepen cooperation on illegal migration in the channel.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called it “a horrifying and deeply tragic incident” and paid tribute to French rescuers “who undoubtedly saved many lives, but sadly could not save everyone.”
“The gangs behind this appalling and callous trade in human lives have been cramming more and more people onto increasingly unseaworthy dinghies, and sending them out into the Channel even in very poor weather,” she said.
“They do not care about anything but the profits they make, and that is why — as well as mourning the awful loss of life — the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to strengthen border security is so vital and must proceed apace.”
Europe’s increasingly strict asylum rules, growing xenophobia and hostile treatment of migrants have been pushing them north.
At least 30 migrants have died or gone missing while trying to cross to the UK this year, according to the International Organization for Migration. That figure doesn’t include the latest deaths.
At least 2,109 migrants have tried to cross the English Channel on small boats in the past seven days, according to UK Home Office data updated Tuesday. The data includes people found in the channel or on arrival.


Austria faces uncertainty after far-right historic election win

Austria faces uncertainty after far-right historic election win
Updated 30 September 2024
Follow

Austria faces uncertainty after far-right historic election win

Austria faces uncertainty after far-right historic election win

VIENNA: Austria entered uncharted territory Monday after the far right scored a historic national election win, with parties facing an uphill task to form a new government.

The far-right Freedom Party, also known as FPOe, under Herbert Kickl has rapidly regained ground lost in a string of corruption scandals, winning 28.8 percent in Sunday’s vote, according to preliminary projections.

The FPOe beat the ruling conservative OeVP into second place and the left-wing Social Democrats, also known as SPOe, into third on 21.1 percent.

But all other parties have refused to work with Kickl because of his radical proposals.

“Winner — and what now?” said the daily Kurier’s main headline with a photo of Kickl giving a thumbs-up.

A vocal critic of the EU and its sanctions against Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kickl’s abrasiveness has left him isolated among Austrian lawmakers — and beyond.

Uncertainty over what would happen next dominated the Alpine country, as Kickl’s FPOe could end up being sidelined like some of its far-right allies in Europe.

“Times are changing,” Dutch far-right firebrand Geert Wilders posted on the X social media platform after Austria’s election results were announced, listing 11 European countries where nationalist parties were “winning.”

In neighboring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed the FPOe victory as “another win for the #Patriots.”

With Sunday’s victory ahead of the OeVP, Kickl surpassed results bagged by his predecessors Joerg Haider and Heinz-Christian Strache.

But apart from a few hundred protesters, the far-right win did not trigger major demonstrations.

“We were expecting it, so we’re neither totally shocked nor delighted,” Isabella, a Vienna woman who declined to give her surname, said.

Austria’s powerful Kronen Zeitung tabloid noted that “something revolutionary hangs in the air,” adding that coalition talks would be “tough, long and turbulent.”


Ex-UK lawyer pleads guilty to fraud relating to Iraq abuse claims

Ex-UK lawyer pleads guilty to fraud relating to Iraq abuse claims
Updated 30 September 2024
Follow

Ex-UK lawyer pleads guilty to fraud relating to Iraq abuse claims

Ex-UK lawyer pleads guilty to fraud relating to Iraq abuse claims
  • Phil Shiner, 67, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud relating to applications made in 2007 for public funding for legal action
  • Following the legal challenge led by Shiner, Britain launched a public inquiry into allegations of atrocities by British troops in 2004

LONDON: A former British lawyer who became known for bringing lawsuits on behalf of Iraqi civilians accusing British soldiers of ill-treatment pleaded guilty on Monday to fraud, Britain’s National Crime Agency said.
Phil Shiner, 67, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud relating to applications made in 2007 for public funding for legal action against the Ministry of Defense, the agency said.
Following the legal challenge led by Shiner, Britain launched a public inquiry into allegations of atrocities by British troops in 2004, after a battle at the Danny Boy checkpoint in southern Iraq.
Shiner and his firm Public Interest Lawyers, however, were widely criticized and the inquiry ultimately concluded in 2014 that allegations British soldiers executed captured Iraqi prisoners and tortured or seriously abused others were untrue.
The charges to which Shiner pleaded guilty related to his failure to disclose, when applying for public funding, that he had asked a middleman to approach potential claimants and had paid for referrals, which breached his firm’s contract, the NCA said.
“This conviction is a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex domestic and international investigation,” said Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s International Corruption Unit, in a statement.
“Shiner’s actions resulted in untold pressure and anxiety on members of the British Armed Forces, pursuing legal challenges funded through dishonest actions.”
Shiner will be convicted at London’s Southwark Crown Court in December.


Pakistani court denies imprisoned former premier Khan and his wife bail in graft case

Pakistani court denies imprisoned former premier Khan and his wife bail in graft case
Updated 30 September 2024
Follow

Pakistani court denies imprisoned former premier Khan and his wife bail in graft case

Pakistani court denies imprisoned former premier Khan and his wife bail in graft case
  • Imran Khan is embroiled in more than 150 cases since 2022, when he was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in parliament
  • Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are accused of allegedly retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani court denied on Monday a bail application by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in a graft case, their lawyer said. It’s another blow to the popular opposition leader, who has been in prison for more than a year after being convicted on multiple charges.
Khan is embroiled in more than 150 cases since 2022, when he was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in parliament after several political allies deserted him.
He has accused the military and his archenemy and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of ousting him under a US plot. Charges which they denied.
He faced new charges, including the graft case, in July after a court overturned the convictions and seven-year sentences of the couple in a case questioning the legality of their 2018 marriage, giving way for their release.
Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are accused of allegedly retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules while he was in power. Pakistan allows government officials to buy gifts received from foreign dignitaries but they have to declare their sales as it adds to their income. Khan is charged with undervaluing such proceeds
The couple’s lawyer Intizar Hussain Panjutha denounced the court’s decision. The bail application was heard at Adiala prison where Khan and his wife are held in separate cells.
Oct. 2 is set for the couple’s indictment in the case.
On Monday, Khan’s spokesman Zulfiqar Bukhari claimed on X that Bibi was being mistreated in jail, with officers storming her cell in the middle of the night, being forced to remove her hijab, the Islamic headscarf, and having water thrown on her mattress. “These violations of human and prisoner rights must be reported and stopped,” he wrote.
There was no immediate comment from authorities on his claims.
Recently, some prison officials were fired on charges of violating prison rules to help Khan. It was unclear how they aided him.


France’s Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds

France’s Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds
Updated 30 September 2024
Follow

France’s Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds

France’s Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds
  • The nine-week trial will be closely watched by Le Pen’s political rivals as she remains a strong contender in the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron
  • The National Rally and 27 of its top officials are accused of having used money destined for EU parliamentary aides to pay staff who instead did political work for the party

PARIS: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen denied violating any rules as she and her National Rally party and two dozen others went on trial on Monday, accused of embezzling European Parliament funds, in a case that has the potential to derail her political ambitions.
Arriving at the court in Paris, Le Pen said “we have not violated any political and regulatory rules of the European Parliament” and vowed to present “extremely serious and extremely solid arguments″ in the trial.”
The nine-week trial will be closely watched by Le Pen’s political rivals as she is a strong contender in the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron when the next presidential election takes place in 2027
It comes as a new government dominated by centrists and conservatives just came into office in the wake of June-July legislative elections. Some observers expect the trial could prevent National Rally lawmakers, including Le Pen herself, from fully playing their opposition role in Parliament as they would be busy focusing on the party’s defense.
Since stepping down as party leader three years ago, Le Pen has sought to position herself as a mainstream candidate capable of appealing to a broader electorate. Her efforts have paid off, with the party making significant gains in recent elections at both the European and national levels. But a guilty verdict could seriously undermine her bid to take the Elysee.
The National Rally and 27 of its top officials are accused of having used money destined for EU parliamentary aides to pay staff who instead did political work for the party between 2004 and 2016, in violation of the 27-nation bloc’s regulations. The National Rally was called National Front at the time.
Le Pen, whose party has softened its anti-EU stance in recent years, denies wrongdoing and claims the case is politically driven.
“Parliamentary assistants do not work for the Parliament. They are political assistants to elected officials, political by definition,” she argued in her defense. “You ask me if I can define the tasks I assigned to my assistants; it depends on each person’s skills. Some wrote speeches for me, and some handled logistics and coordination.”
If found guilty, Le Pen and her co-defendants could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million euros ($1.1 million) each. Additional penalties, such as the loss of civil rights or ineligibility to run for office, could also be imposed, a scenario that could hamper, or even destroy, Le Pen’s goal to mount another presidential bid after Macron’s term ends. Le Pen was runner-up to Macron in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.
She served as party president from 2011 to 2021 and now heads the group of RN lawmakers at the French National Assembly.
Despite her denial, her party has already paid back 1 million to the European Parliament, the Parliament’s lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve said. Of that amount, 330,000 euros were directly linked to Marine Le Pen’s alleged misuse of funds.
A longstanding controversy
The legal proceedings stem from a 2015 alert raised by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities about possible fraudulent use of European funds by members of the National Front.
Schulz also referred the case to the European Anti-Fraud Office, which launched a separate probe into the matter.
The European Parliament’s suspicions were further heightened when a 2015 organizational chart showed that 16 European lawmakers and 20 parliamentary assistants held official positions within the party — roles unrelated to their supposed duties as EU parliamentary staff.
A subsequent investigation found that some assistants were contractually linked to different MEPs than the ones they were actually working for, suggesting a scheme to divert European funds to pay party employees in France.
Alexandre Varault, a spokesperson for the National Rally who was elected to the European Parliament in June, told The Associated Press that Le Pen will attend the first day of the trial, adding that he hopes for the acquittal of all the defendants.
Misuse of public funds alleged
Investigating judges concluded that Le Pen, as party leader, orchestrated the allocation of parliamentary assistance budgets and instructed MEPs to hire individuals holding party positions. These individuals were presented as EU parliamentary assistants, but in reality, were allegedly working for the National Rally in various capacities.
The European Parliament’s legal team is seeking 2.7 million euros in compensation for financial and reputational damages. This figure corresponds to the 3.7 million euros allegedly defrauded through the scheme, minus the 1 million euros already paid back.
During the 2014 European elections, the National Front won a record 24 MEP seats, finishing first with 24.8 percent of the vote, ahead of the center-right and the Socialists. This surge resulted in a substantial financial windfall for the party, which faced severe financial problems at the time.
An audit of the party’s accounts between 2013 and 2016 revealed that it was running a deficit of 9.1 million euros by the end of 2016. Yet, the party still had a cash balance of 1.7 million euros and had lent 1 million euros to Le Pen’s 2017 presidential campaign, while also holding 87,000 euros in loans to Cotelec, its funding association.
At the time, the party was also indebted to a Russian bank for 9.4 million euros, a loan taken out in 2014 for 6 million euros.
Suspected systemic practice
The investigation uncovered many irregularities involving prominent party members.
Thierry Légier, the long-time bodyguard of Le Pen’s father Jean-Marie, was listed as his parliamentary assistant. But his resume did not reference this role, and he made no mention of it in his 2012 autobiography. Légier admitted during the investigation that he was not interviewed and signed his employment contract without fully understanding his official role.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, who led the National Front from 1972 to 2011, will not appear in court alongside his former colleagues due to health concerns. Now 96, he was deemed unfit to testify by a court in June. He has 11 prior convictions, including for violence against a public official and hate speech.
He has denied wrongdoing during his time as party leader, stating that the “pool” of assistants was common knowledge. “I did not choose which assistants were assigned to me. That was decided by Marine Le Pen and others. I only signed the contracts,” he said.


Meet the Filipino chef behind TikTok’s viral Dubai chocolate bar

Meet the Filipino chef behind TikTok’s viral Dubai chocolate bar
Updated 30 September 2024
Follow

Meet the Filipino chef behind TikTok’s viral Dubai chocolate bar

Meet the Filipino chef behind TikTok’s viral Dubai chocolate bar
  • One video of the chocolate-pistachio dessert bar has racked up over 80m views
  • Filipino chef Nouel Catis Omamalin says his flavors are inspired by a sense of nostalgia

MANILA:  On TikTok, people’s feeds have been taken over by the “Dubai chocolate bar,” a gooey and crunchy candy stuffed with crispy knafeh and a creamy pistachio spread. 
The bar, with its artistic paint-like exterior, and textured, green-colored filling, shot to social media fame last December when UAE-based food influencer Maria Vehera posted a video of herself enjoying a taste, racking up over 80 million views to date. 
Since then, millions more have watched other content creators reacting to this viral confection, while cooks and businesses have created copycat versions across the globe, from New York to Auckland. 
Originally sold by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” is the brainchild of Filipino chef Nouel Catis Omamalin and British Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda, who partnered in 2021 to launch the company. 
When Hamouda tapped Omamalin for his culinary expertise to create a chocolate bar brand that was “beyond ordinary,” he sought inspiration for his flavors through nostalgia. 
“I always go back to the nostalgia of things, the childhood memories of a certain culture, even any culture in general,” he told Arab News. “It never goes wrong when you think about nostalgia.” 
Omamalin thought of knafeh — the Middle Eastern dessert with chunks of pistachio enjoyed as a treat by Arab children — and how it had a particular crunch that lent itself well to chocolate.
“Everyone was just having the same kind of (chocolate) bar, and we thought, why not have a dessert in a chocolate bar? And knafeh is my favorite Arabic dessert,” he said. 
“So, I thought, let’s try to fuse them, and the challenge was to make it like dessert on top of chocolate without making it too sweet. That’s how the pistachio knafeh came about, because this is something that I am really passionate about in the kitchen — to recreate how nostalgia in this region would be enjoyed in a different manner.” 
Omamalin was born and raised in the Philippines, and trained as a pastry chef at L’Ecole Valrhona Paris. He has been running a culinary consulting company in Dubai for the past 15 years. Although he was no longer a partner at Fix when the chocolate bars went on sale in 2022, he stayed on to help perfect the candy. 
“I was working as a friend of Sarah’s,” he said. “I was helping her out because I really wanted her to succeed.” 
This entailed creating the bars by hand during the early days, a painstaking process that took Omamalin and his team six to eight hours to complete — from manually piping the filling to letting it set and packaging the items.
The process meant that only 25 bars could be produced each day, which meant the products sold out almost immediately. Fix has since scaled up its operations, but the bars still to sell out regularly in Dubai. 
Global social media fame also sparked high demand in other countries, including the Philippines, where unofficial resellers sell the Fix bars as high as $32 a piece, almost twice its UAE price. 
The Filipino chef, who grew up in Dipolog City in the southern Philippines, said living and working in Dubai since 2009 had given him a platform “to play around with ingredients” and “interact with different cultures.” 
After graduating from the University of the Philippines, and later studying pastry and baking at the French Culinary Institute, Omamalin pursued a career in the hospitality industry, before eventually moving to Dubai in search of greener pastures. 
“I’ve always been an artisan and I needed to craft something that is really different from anyone else,” he said. 
“I wanted to be the first Filipino who would break ground… I think that has always been my driving force up to now.” 
With the viral chocolate bar now being recreated across the globe, Omamalin found validation for his work. 
“For me, the biggest form of flattery is always when you copy someone’s work, and I have no problem with that at all because it means you’ve done something over and above what you have expected,” he said. 
“When people copy you that means you’ve really triggered a lot of their emotions or creativity.”