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UK, France vow to protect passengers on Channel ferries

In a statement, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said: “As Home Secretary, the protection of the public and our citizens is paramount…reports Asian Lite News.

UK emergency responders will have more power to deal with terrorist incidents in the Channel thanks to a new treaty which the Foreign Secretary signed in Paris on Monday.

The UK-France Maritime Security Treaty, negotiated between the UK Home Office and French Secrétariat général de la Défense et de la Sécurité nationale, aims at a seamless joint and coordinated action to be taken by UK and French forces in response to an incident, such as a terrorist attack on board a ferry or other large vessel in the Channel.

 “As close allies it is vital the UK and France work together to protect our citizens and values,” Dominic Raab said in a statement. “Today’s signing of the UK-France Maritime Security Treaty will reinforce our ability to jointly respond swiftly and effectively to terrorist threats in the Channel.”

Government said the treaty strengthens UK security by fully equipping law enforcement and emergency responders to respond to terrorist incidents, no matter where they occur.

In a statement, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said: “As Home Secretary, the protection of the public and our citizens is paramount. The intelligence and security tools this new cooperation provides will give law enforcement and our emergency responders the additional support they need to protect us all. In an uncertain world we must continue to work effectively with international partners to prevent and disable serious security threats.”

The Treaty includes provisions which will enable the UK and France to: share security information concerning potential security threats; mount swifter and stronger initial responses to serious security incidents; coordinate more efficient joint responses, and cooperate more effectively in the aftermath of an attack or incident.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary met their French counterparts for joint discussions. The meeting covered key security and foreign policy issues including new fields of co-operation on emerging technologies, European security, security in Africa and the Levant, and our joint work concerning China, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and the Indo Pacific.

ALSO READ-France and UK Come to Terms on Channel

READ MORE-UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

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-Top News COVID-19 Europe

‘Delta variant now dominant in most of Europe’

Recently, the Spanish government had announced that travellers from Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia and Namibia will have to spend 10 days in quarantine following their arrival in the country…reports Asian Lite News.

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern is now the dominant variant in most of Europe, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Monday.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the WHO said that efforts to prevent transmission of the Delta variant must be reinforced.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows that between June 28 and July 11 the Delta variant was dominant in the majority (19 countries) of the 28 countries that reported sufficiently complete genetic sequencing information,” says a statement from WHO and ECDC.

“In these 19 countries, the median proportion of all nationally sequenced virus isolates detected that were Delta was 68.3 per cent, overtaking that for the previously dominant Apla variant (22.3 per cent) across the region,” it said.

The Delta variant will be the globally dominant strain over the coming months and has already been identified in almost all European countries. It will continue to spread, displacing circulation of other variants unless a new more competitive virus emerges.

According to the latest statement by ECDC: “The emergence of significantly more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the B.1.617.2 (Delta) is causing an upsurge of COVID-19 cases in several EU/EEA countries. This is likely to continue until a larger proportion of the general population is fully vaccinated unless more stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are implemented. (ANI)

Recently, the Spanish government had announced that travellers from Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia and Namibia will have to spend 10 days in quarantine following their arrival in the country.

The decision was published in the Spanish Official State Bulletin (BOE) on Saturday, which said the measure will come into effect from July 27 as a result of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the four countries.

The 10-day quarantine may end earlier if the travellers get a negative Covid-19 test result on the seventh day after their arrival.

Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia and Namibia thus join a list of over 25 countries from outside the European Union that are considered to be high risk. Travellers from these countries have to spend time in quarantine after arriving in Spain. The Spanish Health Ministry said last week that the ban on arrivals from Brazil and South Africa, which was imposed earlier in the year, will remain in place until at least August 3.

ALSO READ-EMA says two jabs vital for protection against Delta variant

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-Top News Europe

France urges EU to handle migrants at Northern Borders

In 2020, more than 9,500 crossings or attempted crossings of the Channel were registered, four times as many as in 2019, while the tally for the first half of 2021 already tops the total for last year…reports Asian Lite News.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin asked for the EU border agency Frontex’s assistance and the closer cooperation of northern European states in stemming the flow of illegal migrants crossing the Channel en route to the United Kingdom.

“We need European air surveillance. I myself have contacted Frontex, which is predominantly taking care of southern Europe, and asked them to deal with northern Europe, too, particularly the coastline of Nord-Pas-de-Calais,” Darmanin said during his visit to the northern French city of Calais, a point from which many migrants try to cross the Channel to reach the UK, as quoted by The Times.

Darmanin welcomed a deal signed last week under which London pledged 63 million euros (USD 74 million) to help France curb migrant flow to the UK by deploying more security forces and installing the latest surveillance equipment.

The minister called on the Netherlands and Belgium to foster cooperation since up to 60% of migrants that enter France on the way to the UK come from Belgium. The issue is to be placed on the agenda after France takes over the EU presidency in January 2021.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin (IANS)

In 2020, more than 9,500 crossings or attempted crossings of the Channel were registered, four times as many as in 2019, while the tally for the first half of 2021 already tops the total for last year.

Last week, the UK had agreed to pay France an extra 55 million pounds ($74 million) to combat a surge in illegal boats crossing the English Channel, the Home Office in London announced.

In order to stem the rising number of migrants crossing the Channel, British Home Secretary Priti Patel agreed to pay the sum as part of a deal reached with French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

The money, on top of 25 million pounds allocated last year, will pay to double the number of French patrol police to around 200 a day, and to extend the use of surveillance technology over a wider area of the north French coast, the Home Office said on Wednesday.

It is also expected to lead to a joint bid to forge a new pan-European deal for European Union (EU) nations to take back illegal migrants who reach the UK.

The Home Office said the number of people who have made the crossing in 2021 so far is already higher than last year’s record-breaking 8,420 crossings.

Local media reported that almost 1,000 have crossed the Channel to the UK in the past three days as smugglers took advantage of the good weather, bringing the total number to at least 8,452 this year.

Thousands more are expected over the next two months. (ANI/Sputnik/IANS)

ALSO READ-France rolls out Covid passport to enter crowded places

READ MORE-France and UK Come to Terms on Channel

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-Top News Europe USA

US, Germany reach deal on Nord Stream 2 issue

US, Germany reach deal on Nord Stream 2 issue e PIc credit @potus

The 1,230-km gas pipeline, expected to be completed next month, would bring 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea, reports Asian Lite News

The US and Germany have announced an agreement on the issue of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, an effort to reduce the risk that the contentious project could pose to Ukraine.

The 1,230-km gas pipeline, expected to be completed next month, would bring 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

A senior State Department official told reporters during a phone briefing on Wednesday that Washington and Berlin had profound differences over the Nord Stream 2, while the allies agreeing on measures to reduce the risk that the project would pose to European energy security and Ukraine.

“Should Russia attempt to use energy as a weapon or commit further aggressive acts against Ukraine, Germany will take action at the national level and press for effective measures at the European level, including sanctions, to limit Russian export capabilities to Europe in the energy sector, including gas,” according to a US-Germany joint statement.

Both countries acknowledged that gas transit via Ukraine to continue beyond 2024 serves the interests of Ukraine and Europe, said the statement.

“Germany commits to utilise all available leverage to facilitate an extension of up to 10 years to Ukraine’s gas transit agreement with Russia.”

Under their agreement, Germany and the US will also promote at least $1 billion investment for Ukraine to support its energy transition, efficiency, and security.

“These measures represent a significant commitment by Germany supported by the United States, to push back against Russian malign activities and to advance a more secure and sustainable energy future for Ukraine and other frontline NATO and EU countries,” said the senior official.

As a sign of support for Kiev, the White House announced earlier in the day that President Joe Biden will host his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 30.

The US has long claimed that the Nord Stream 2 is a geopolitical manoeuver by Moscow that will undermine Ukraine’s role in transiting energy to Europe and increase European dependence on Russian gas.

Germany and Russia insisted that the project is purely commercial.

The agreement came days after German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to the White House last week, when President Biden said that the two allies are developing practical measures to ensure energy security in Europe.

Some Republican lawmakers however, criticized the joint agreement.

James Risch, a Republican senator from Idaho, said the agreement “is full of promises and assurances, but offers little in the way of meaningful measures to address the key national security threats Nord Stream 2 poses to US allies and interests”.

The Biden administration repeatedly stressed that the project was over 90 per cent completed when it assumed office to defend its position.

Citing the importance of relations with Germany and the difficulty to stop the nearly completed pipeline, the Biden administration in May waived sanctions against a company behind the pipeline project and its German CEO, which led to opposition from bipartisan lawmakers.

ALSO READ: Pegasus row spreads wings across the world

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-Top News COVID-19 Europe

France rolls out Covid passport to enter crowded places

When entering sports and cultural events, visitors can remove their face masks, which remain mandatory in shops, businesses and public transport…reports Asian Lite News.

People who want to go to cinemas, museums, sports matches and other cultural events in France will have to show proof of the Covid-19 vaccine or a negative test starting Wednesday, as the country faces a sudden jumping new cases of coronavirus highly transmissible Delta variant.

A so-called health passport will be needed for all events or venues with more than 50 people before it expands to restaurants, cafes and shopping malls in August, President Emmanuel Macron announced in a televised address last week.

When entering sports and cultural events, visitors can remove their face masks, which remain mandatory in shops, businesses and public transport

.The masks are now again mandatory outside in the southern part of France on the border with Spain, the eastern Pyrenees district, as well as in much of the western French district near Bordeaux, a popular tourist destination where the number of newly infected is growing, a news agency reported.

Wearing masks is mandatory from Tuesday in Toulouse and other nearby cities.

Health Minister Olivier Veran warned on Tuesday of an increase in cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 when 18,000 cases were recorded in 24 hours.

“That means we increased the spread of the virus by about 150 per cent last week, we’ve never seen that before,” Veran told parliament as he began debating stricter rules aimed at encouraging vaccination.

Possession of a Covid-19 passport is regulated by a decree, while lawmakers will vote to extend the possession of a health pass to restaurants, trains and long-haul planes.

From September, the vaccine will be mandatory for both health workers and retirement home workers, many of whom were particularly cautious or refused to be vaccinated.

More than 100,000 people demonstrated on Saturday in France against the health pass, condemning a “dictatorship” that would discriminate against those who oppose the vaccine.

Covid-19 incidence rates now exceed 50 per 100,000 people in Paris and much of southern and western France, where thousands of families traditionally spend their holidays.

But the government hopes mass vaccination will mitigate the spread of the fourth-wave epidemic, which could again fill hospitals or require new blockades.

Millions of French people booked appointments for the vaccine after Macron’s address last week, and more than 37 million people, which is 56 per cent of the population, received at least one of the two required doses.

By the end of July, 40 million people will be vaccinated with at least one dose, a target reached a month ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Jean Castex told lawmakers on Tuesday.

But as a sign of opposition to harsher measures, two vaccination centres were vandalized last week, and MPs from the Macron party are the target of threats on social networks.

Paris prosecutors said on Tuesday they were investigating death threats received by several lawmakers who supported the new rules.

Meanwhile, prosecutors in the Mediterranean city of Toulon have opened an investigation into “public insults” over posters depicting Macron as Hitler saying “Obey, get vaccinated.” (ANI/FENA)

ALSO READ-UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

READ MORE-4th Covid-19 wave hits France

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-Top News Europe UK News

Ireland eases curbs on foreign travel

On Monday, the Irish Department of Health reported 1,017 new confirmed cases in the country…reports Asian Lite News.

Ireland has eased Covid-19 restrictions on inbound international travellers coming from some of the European countries and the US, according to national radio and television broadcaster RTE.

From Monday, travellers from the 27 European Union (EU) member countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Britain and the US were no longer required to quarantine if they had proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, having recovered from the disease, or having had a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival, reports Xinhua news agency citing RTE as saying.

The relaxation comes at a time when Ireland has been witnessing a notable increase in the number of confirmed cases over the last week or so.

On Monday, the Irish Department of Health reported 1,017 new confirmed cases in the country.

London, Sept. 15, 2020 (Xinhua) — People sit on the lawn at Potters Fields Park in front of Tower Bridge in London, Britain, on Sept. 14, 2020. In order to curb the rise in coronavirus cases, tough new limits on social gatherings came into force in Britain on Monday, meaning that in most regions, it is now illegal for groups of more than six to meet up. The “rule of six” kicked off at midnight across England, Wales and Scotland in the latest push to curb the recent surge in coronavirus infections. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua/IANS)

The five-day incidence in Ireland averages 1,159 cases per day, the highest since February 2 of this year, said the Department in a statement.

Earlier in the month, Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the health department, said that the Delta variant of the coronavirus accounted for over 70 per cent of the new confirmed cases in the country.

Ireland has so far reported 285,581 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 5,018 deaths.

ALSO READ-Scotland, Ireland ease Covid curbs

READ MORE-Ireland mulls more travel curbs on Britain

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-Top News Europe UK News

UK, France agree to tackle rise in Channel crossings

As part of the deal, the UK will pay more than £54 million and France will double the number of police patrolling its beaches for the second time in a year to prevent illegal migration, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Home Secretary Priti Patel and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Tuesday signed an agreement to strengthen UK-France joint cooperation to tackle illegal immigration across the Channel.

As part of the deal, the UK will pay more than £54 million and France will double the number of police patrolling its beaches for the second time in a year to prevent illegal migration. This follows a rise in dangerous crossings through small boats departing French beaches.

The Home Office said the two countries would also improve intelligence sharing and use better technology to target those who organise the crossings.

On Monday at least 430 migrants crossed the Channel – a record for one day, the BBC reported.

The Home Office said on Tuesday 287 people had landed in the UK. The previous daily high of 416 was set in September last year. Already this year, 8,460 people have reached the UK, which is almost equal to the total number who made the crossing in the whole of 2020, according to the report.

The agreement between two countries comes as the Home Secretary’s New Plan for Immigration is debated in Parliament this week. The Nationality and Borders Bill will address the failures of the current asylum system and the criminal activity behind illegal migration.

The Bill aims to welcome people through safe and legal routes whilst preventing abuse of the system, cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it, rather than allowing people to undertake dangerous journeys to the UK as their preferred destination.

“The British people have simply had enough of illegal migration and the exploitation of migrants by criminal gangs,” the home secretary said. “Illegal immigration is driven by serious organised criminals and people smugglers. The public are rightly angry that small boats are arriving on our shores, facilitated by appalling criminal gangs who profit from human misery and put lives at risk.”

“The government is addressing the challenge of illegal migration for the first time in over two decades through comprehensive reform of our asylum system which will enable us to going after the gangs exploiting people, deter illegal entry into the UK, introduce new and tougher criminal offences for those attempting to enter the UK illegally and strengthen our ability to remove those with no legal right to be in the UK,” she added.

With UK support last year, France doubled the number of officers deployed daily on French beaches, improved intelligence sharing and purchased more cutting-edge technology. This resulted in France preventing twice as many crossings so far this year than in the same period in 2020, the UK government said.

However, as French interceptions increased, organised criminal gangs have changed their tactics, moving further up the French coast, and forcing migrants to take even longer, riskier journeys.

As part of the deal, France will now be able to respond by posting more security forces further up the coast, installing and utilising the latest surveillance equipment throughout northern France.

French officers will patrol wider areas of coastline across the northern coast between Boulogne and Dunkirk, and will expand patrols further north-west around Dieppe. They will also deploy wide-area surveillance technology to improve coverage of the coast of France to prevent crossing attempts, including the use of aerial surveillance.

The package agreed by both parties also include investment in infrastructure to increase border security at key border crossing points along the Channel coast.

Whilst these are important steps, the UK and France agreed that further collaboration would be required to significantly disrupt the organised crime which underpins the small boats phenomenon as well as any other form of illegal migration towards the UK through France.

Both nations agreed to implement a long-term plan for a ‘smart border’ along the coast and improve existing surveillance technology. New cutting-edge technology will identify where crossings are being attempted, directing French law enforcement officers to those locations, thereby stopping migrants from risking their lives in entering the water.

ALSO READ-US tells citizens to avoid travel to UK

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-Top News Europe UK News

Met Office issues first ever extreme heat warning

The amber warning covers large parts of Wales, all of south-west England and parts of southern and central England, the BBC reported…reports Asian Lite News.

The Met Office has issued extreme heat weather warnings for the first time.

Much of England can expect hot weather, particularly in the South West and parts of southern and central England. High temperatures are also expected to persist in these areas overnight offering little respite throughout this period.

The amber warning covers large parts of Wales, all of south-west England and parts of southern and central England, the BBC reported.

It will be in place until Thursday, when temperatures are expected to peak. It warns of the potential impact of the heat on people’s health, as the UK experiences a prolonged period of sweltering conditions.

“The high temperatures are going to continue through a large part of this week, with temperatures regularly in the high 20s and low 30s Celsius by day, along with high overnight temperatures,” Chief Operational Meteorologist at the Met Office Steven Ramsdale said.

“Many areas of the UK will continue to reach heatwave thresholds, and whilst the highest temperatures are likely to be in central and southern parts of the UK, some of the most unusually high temperatures are likely to be seen over parts of the west, particularly over Northern Ireland.”

“There’s also a continuing risk of isolated thundery downpours late in the afternoons but most should stay dry until later in the week. Temperatures should fall for most areas into the weekend along with some more unsettled conditions also looking to develop,” he added.

All four UK nations recorded the hottest day of the year over the weekend, and forecasters warned temperatures would continue to climb and could reach 33C (91.4F) in some western areas.

Meanwhile, Public Health England (PHE) has extended its heat-health alert as the Met Office forecasts the current hot weather will last until Thursday 22 July.

Health risks can increase over a prolonged period of heat. PHE has issued a Level 3 heat-health alert which is supported by an amber extreme heat warning issued today by the Met Office.

heatwave

“Everybody can be affected by high temperatures and most people are aware of good health advice for coping with hot weather. However, it’s important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable such as older people and those with heart or lung conditions,” Dr Owen Landeg, Scientific and Technical Lead at PHE, said.

“As we experience the first hot weather episode of the year, it’s important for everyone to remember to adapt their behaviours. This is particularly important during the pandemic with many people self-isolating.”

“Most of us want to enjoy the sun. Remember to look out for signs of heat exhaustion and follow our simple health advice to beat the heat,” Dr Landeg added.

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-Top News Europe India News

India, France complete partnership naval exercise

(Photo Indian Navy)

Earlier this month, the seventh edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was also hosted by the French Navy at La Reunion in Italy…reports Asian Lite News.

On completion of a port visit to Brest in France, Indian Navy Ship Tabar undertook a maritime partnership exercise with the French naval frigate FNS Aquitaine in the Bay of Biscay recently.

An NH 90 helicopter from FNS Aquitaine and four Rafale fighters from the French Navy also participated in the exercise. Operations that were undertaken included surface maneuvers, Replenishment At Sea approach, firing on target, Vertical Replenishment and cross-deck activity, a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said in a tweet.

“INS Tabar undertook maritime partnership exercise with French Navy Frigate FS Aquitaine in the Bay of Biscay on 15-16 Jul,” the tweet said.

Earlier this month, the seventh edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was also hosted by the French Navy at La Reunion in Italy.

Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, participated virtually in the inaugural session of the three-day event.

IONS, conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008, seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among Navies of the littoral states of the IOR by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues that would lead to a common understanding on the way ahead. (ANI)

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-Top News COVID-19 Europe

Vaccinated arrivals from France must still quarantine

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19 after feeling “a bit groggy”…reports Asian Lite News.

Britain announced on Friday that it is lifting planned mitigation measures against the spread of coronavirus for visitors from France, which should take effect on Monday due to the continued presence of a beta variant of coronavirus first spotted in South Africa.

Everyone coming from France will have to go to quarantine at home or in other accommodation for ten days, even if they are fully vaccinated, the British Ministry of Health announced.

The quarantine request will be lifted as planned on Monday for fully vaccinated travellers from other countries in the UK’s coronavirus risk categorization, which includes most of Europe. Just over two-thirds of British adults are fully vaccinated.

Monday marks the end of most of all coronavirus control rules in England, including the legal obligation to wear masks. Travellers from abroad, however, are subject to coronavirus quarantine and testing.

“With the lifting of restrictions across the country on Monday, we will do everything we can to ensure that international travel is done as safely as possible and to protect our borders from the dangers of coronavirus variants,” News agency reported citing Health Minister Sajid Javid.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19 after feeling “a bit groggy”.

Earlier on Saturday, Javid said in a tweet: “I tested positive for Covid. I’m waiting for my PCR result, but thankfully I have had my jabs and symptoms are mild.

“Please make sure you come forward for your vaccine if you haven’t already.”

Confirming the positive test later in the day, he tweeted: “My positive result has now been confirmed by PCR test, so I will continue to isolate and work from home.”

Javid became the Health Secretary following the resignation of his predecessor Matt Hancock last month, reports Xinhua news agency.

Hancock broke Covid-19 social distancing guidelines during an alleged affair with his aide, which reportedly caused an outrage in the country. (ANI/FENA/IANS)

ALSO READ-UK Health Secy Sajid Javid tests Covid positive

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