Latest news with #European-led
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Europe-led people-trafficking sweep frees 1,200 victims, yields 158 arrests
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox AMSTERDAM - A week-long European-led drive against people-trafficking has netted 158 suspected traffickers and ensured the safety of 1,194 victims in 44 countries, Europol said on Friday. Dubbed 'Operation Global Chain', the campaign, led by Austria and Romania with support from Europol, Frontex and Interpol, brought together law enforcement, border control and labour inspectors from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. More than 276,000 checks at airports, border crossings and elsewhere uncovered exploitation in agriculture, construction and domestic work as well as coercion of victims into crime. Several organised crime groups were dismantled. "Close and effective cooperation between international law enforcement and border authorities remains essential in protecting those who are most vulnerable to exploitation," said Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle. "Each individual safeguarded from exploitation represents an invaluable success." REUTERS
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK, France unveil migrants deal as Macron wraps up state visit
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom - London and Paris unveiled a 'pilot' programme on July 10 to return to France some of the migrants arriving in the UK on small boats across the Channel, as President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal, hammered out during the French leader's three-day visit, 'groundbreaking' and capable of stemming the record numbers of people who have embarked on the perilous journey so far this year. 'This is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model, and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, then you'll end up where you started,' he said, in a joint press conference with Mr Macron. 'In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here' in a safe manner, Mr Starmer said, adding that the scheme would start within 'the coming weeks'. Although Mr Starmer did not say how many people might be returned to France, media reports suggest it could initially total around 50 people a week. In comments likely to infuriate pro-Brexit groups, Mr Macron said Britain's 2020 departure from the EU had worsened the situation in the Channel, cutting off legal migration routes and access to the bloc's own return agreements. 'So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal way, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing,' Mr Macron said. 'This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing – exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.' Wide-ranging focus Alongside migration, the two leaders used the visit to work on a raft of initiatives and shared concerns over defence, trade and culture. They included addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and a 'reboot' of defence ties, including joint missile development and nuclear cooperation. Among the announcements was a commitment to increase from 10,000 to 50,000 troops a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) established more than a decade ago. The cross-Channel allies also said they would order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles – long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the allies – while stepping up work on a replacement system. The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia following Moscow's full-scale 2022 invasion. Mr Starmer and Mr Macron dialled into a meeting on July 10 of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' on Ukraine, announcing that new headquarters for the European-led, 30-nation grouping had opened in Paris. Britain and France are spearheading talks among the coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. Meanwhile, Mr Macron urged joint UK-France recognition of a Palestinian state, calling such moves 'the only hope for peace' in the conflict-ridden region. Time for pomp The visit also saw the typical British pomp and pageantry of such occasions, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcoming Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on July 8. The entourage enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage procession, a 41-gun salute and a banquet at Windsor Castle, west of London, where the Francophile king and French leader toasted a new 'entente amicale'. However, much of the attention over the three-day visit focused on the vexing issue of cross-Channel migration. It has become a major headache for Mr Starmer's year-old Labour government, as support for the upstart anti-immigrant Reform UK party soars. More than 21,000 migrants have made the Channel crossing in rudimentary vessels this year alone. As the leaders met on July 10, the UK Coastguard said a number of the small boats headed to south-east England had been sighted in the Channel. Meanwhile Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted to the returns deal, branding it 'a humiliation for Brexit Britain'. 'We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French President,' Mr Farage said on X. The main opposition Conservative Party also criticised the plan, accusing Mr Starmer of 'weak and ineffective gimmicks' The mooted migrant-exchange scheme has also sparked 'serious concerns' among some other European nations. AFP
DW
5 days ago
- Politics
- DW
France and UK agree to joint migration deal – DW – 07/10/2025
France and the UK agreed on a "one in, one out" returns scheme, to address migrant crossings over the English Channel. UK PM Keir Starmer had been under pressure to address a high influx of migration into Britain. France and the United Kingdom on Thursday reached several deals on migration, nuclear cooperation and support for Ukraine, after a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron to London. The three-day visit was hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and included a carriage procession to Windsor Castle with King Charles and a state banquet. Starmer and Macron held a press conference on Thursday where they announced the deals, highlighting tougher migration controls. The two countries agreed on a "one in, one out" returns scheme, where the UK would be deporting undocumented people arriving in small boats to France, in return for accepting an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with British family connections. "I'm pleased to announce our agreement today on a groundbreaking returns pilot. For the very first time, migrants arriving in small boats will be detained and returned to France in short order," Starmer said. "This will show others trying to make the same journey that it will be in vain," he added. The agreement would need "prior legal scrutiny in full transparency and understanding with the Commission and EU member states," which may delay its implementation. Starmer had been under pressure to address high levels of immigration in the UK, including asylum seekers arriving by small boats across the Channel from France, as his popularity has sunk and the populist Reform UK party, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, has grown in prominence. Aside from migration, the two leaders also addressed the key issue of support for Ukraine. Starmer and Macron dialed into a meeting Thursday of the so-called "coalition of the willing" on Ukraine, announcing that new headquarters for the European-led, 30-nation bloc had opened in Paris. The two leaders also pledged to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles, while stepping up work on a replacement system. The long-range, air-launched missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia. During the visit, the two leaders also touched on Israel's war in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron urged joint UK-France recognition of a Palestinian state. Macros said it represented "the only hope for peace" in the region. The French president said he wanted to "initiate this political dynamic" of recognizing Palestinian statehood. Macron said in London that a ceasefire was a matter of "absolute urgency." "We are aware that a political way out is crucial, and I believe in the future of the two-state solution as a basis for regional security architecture which will enable Israel to live in peace and security alongside its neighbors," he added.
Arabian Post
06-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
BRICS Push for IMF Overhaul and Shifts in Global Finance
Finance ministers from the BRICS nations have pressed the International Monetary Fund to adopt sweeping reforms that would recalibrate its governance and better represent developing economies. They jointly advocated for a modernised quota formula, increased voting power for emerging and low-income countries, and the installation of a merit-based leadership system, rather than the customary European-led management. Meeting in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the BRICS summit, ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the newly included members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—united behind a common proposal for the December IMF review. The reforms propose redistributing IMF quota shares to reflect current economic realities, shifting influence away from traditional powers, and safeguarding the interests of poorest nations. A new allocation model is being pushed that would weigh countries' gross domestic product and purchasing power parity, considering currency strength. This aims to boost representation for low-income countries and elevate the voice of underrepresented economies. Ministers also urged the appointment of future IMF heads to be merit-based and regionally diverse, moving away from the de facto European incumbent who traditionally leads the Fund. ADVERTISEMENT The proposal further endorses launching a guarantee mechanism via the New Development Bank, a multilateral financial institution founded by BRICS, to reduce borrowing costs and stimulate development investment in Global South countries. This supports the broader strategy of building complementary structures to traditional Bretton Woods institutions, including the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement and BRICS PAY. Success of the push relies on gaining traction at the IMF's December meeting. Historically, the Fund's governance structure has favoured wealthier, developed nations; a shift would significantly alter the global financial hierarchy. Developing countries have long called for quota reforms; prior changes in 2010 and 2011 incrementally increased quotas for emerging economies, but critics argue the pace has been insufficient. Russia had previously gone further, in October last year urging BRICS to construct an IMF alternative—complete with separate payment mechanisms and financial infrastructure—as a counterweight to Western dominance. The current move stops short of abandonment but signals growing impatience with the status quo in Washington-led multilateral bodies. Within the expanded BRICS bloc, the cohesion displayed in the statement marks a key moment. Representatives noted the increasing complexity of aligning ten members, yet emphasised unity on financial governance. This coordination underscores the group's ambition to act as a collective voice for the Global South. Figures in global finance have responded with caution. Analysts note that while the IMF is under pressure to reform, it also faces domestic constraints from major shareholders reluctant to dilute their influence. Achieving consensus in the Fund's governance, which requires a high threshold for amendments, remains a formidable challenge. However, proponents view the NDB's emerging role in providing financial guarantees and infrastructure loans as a signal that BRICS can provide parallel solutions to the IMF's framework. The bank, which commenced operations in Shanghai and now includes several regional offices, continues to champion infrastructure and sustainable development while aiming to harmonise with global financial systems. As December approaches, the spotlight turns to how the IMF and its political stakeholders will respond. Failure to address BRICS' concerns risks deepening perceptions of inequity in global economic governance. For now, ministers have staked a bold claim: reshape multilateralism to reflect today's economic map—and they have the renewed unity to back it.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erdogan says he's 'optimistic victory will be Iran's' in blistering speech as strikes continue
As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its ninth consecutive day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he's "optimistic that victory will be Iran's" in a blistering speech at a gathering of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Istanbul. Erdogan accused Israel of sabotaging the nuclear talks between Iran and the US — which were ongoing when Israel first launched strikes last Friday, June 13 — adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want to "resolve issues through diplomatic means." He urged the diplomats at the OIC meeting to increase pressure on Israel on the basis of international law and UN resolutions. Erdogan's harsh rhetoric comes days before he's due to join a meeting of leaders of the NATO Alliance this week, including US President Donald Trump, who has dismissed a European-led effort to steer parties to the negotiating table. "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us," Trump told reporters in New Jersey late on Friday. "Europe is not going to be able to help in this one." Meanwhile, Israel said its strikes had targeted Iran's nuclear site in Isfahan, and that it had killed three senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar said in an interview published in Germany's Bild newspaper on Saturday that Israel has already delayed Iran's nuclear programme by "at least two or three years." Euronews brings you rolling coverage and updates throughout the day.
