Latest news with #Ali
Telegraph
37 minutes ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
French police ‘will never stop us', say Channel migrants
Channel migrants have vowed that they will 'never give up' on trying to reach Britain despite a looming French crackdown on illegal crossings. French ministers are set to change maritime rules to allow border police, gendarmes and coastguard vessels to stop boats from leaving waters within 300 metres of their coastline. The new strategy will see 'taxi boats' packed with migrants intercepted in shallow waters off Channel beaches. It will probably mean that migrants trying to clamber aboard are pushed back onto dry land by officers armed with shields and batons. However, migrants told The Telegraph that they would 'never give up' trying to reach the UK on small boats. Young men, teenagers and families with small children said they would try to find a way through to Britain, whatever new methods were adopted by the French. Waiting at a makeshift migrant camp on the edge of Loon-Plage, near the port of Dunkirk, was Jamal, a 24-year-old Sudanese man. He had made the two-month journey from North Africa to northern France by any method he could, including boat and horseback. 'If the police stop us in the water when we try to reach the boats, then we will go back to the beach the next day or the next week,' he said. 'We'll never give up.' Ali, a 27-year-old nursing assistant from Afghanistan, had a similar message for the French and British governments. 'Me and my friends are seeking asylum. As Azeris, we cannot express our ethnic identity in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over. It is terrible,' he said. 'That is why I hope the British will give us asylum. That's why we travelled here from Afghanistan. 'I agree people shouldn't be able to cross illegally – only refugees who really need asylum should be protected.' Ali and Jamal, along with their fellow migrants at the Grand-Synthe camp, have faced a heavier than normal police presence on the beach at nearby Gravelines. The beach, which is more than 1,000 yards long, has been a favourite pick-up point for people-smugglers operating 'taxi boats' over the past week. But early morning, patrols of the sands and surrounding dunes by French riot police ensured that no migrant boats left Gravelines on Friday. From before dawn, foot patrols with powerful torches swept the dunes for migrants who might be hidden. As the sun rose, officers patrolled the surrounding paths and roads leading to the beach through holiday homes and children's playgrounds. Detritus left behind by migrants who had recently managed to board boats could be seen piled high on the edge of the beach – trainers, bags, clothes and some identity documents. There was even a crutch left behind by one migrant who was seen earlier in the week using his remaining crutch to clamber into a boat with the help of fellow passengers. There are signs at Gravelines and elsewhere that French police are taking a more interventionist approach in the migrant crisis, in response to criticism by the British Government. In the past week, migrants emerging from the dunes have been sprayed with tear gas. All vehicles approaching Gravelines beach were searched by early morning police patrols on Thursday, with officers checking for any signs of hidden migrants or inflatable boats. Police are also using drones and light aircraft to spot boats along a 75-mile stretch of coastline. At one stage, a patrol van could be seen parked next to a memorial honouring the sacrifice of French and British marines who took part in repeated attempts to reconnoitre German coastal defences in the run up to D-Day – an echo of previous Anglo-French co-operation. But migrant aid charities have warned that the French and British governments will have 'blood on their hands' if police adopt new tactics of intercepting migrants in the waters off the coast. In the past seven days, 2,066 people have crossed the Channel using 33 small boats, with traffickers taking advantage of good weather to make the crossing. Last Friday alone, 919 made the crossing using 14 boats. That was followed by 489 on Tuesday and 244 on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, six French coastguard vessels took part in the rescue of a small group of migrants whose overladen dinghy had run into difficulties mid-way across the Channel. The dinghy had set off unnoticed from a beach close to the port of Calais. The people on board were handed over to the British authorities after being plucked from their boat. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.'
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Taxing solar panels to backfire as Pakistan needs time to bolster manufacturing: Experts
Energy experts believe that the imposition of General Sales Tax (GST) on the import of solar panels, regardless of the final tax rate decided by the federal government, will not slow down Pakistan's accelerating transition to renewable energy. Moreover, contrary to the government's assumption that the imposition of GST would promote domestic industry, experts argue that the move would backfire as the local industry remains underdeveloped and is presently unable to meet the market demand. The remarks were made by clean energy experts, industrialists, climate activists, and renewable energy traders during a webinar titled 'Taxing the Sun: Will Solar Still Shine in Pakistan?', jointly organised by Energy Update and Pakistan Solar Association (PSA). During the webinar, participants examined the federal government's recent budgetary proposal to impose GST on solar panels. The government in its federal budget proposed to impose an 18% GST on solar panels imported. This sparked considerable debate; however, after consultations, the government decided to lower the rate to 10%. Waqas Moosa, PSA Chairman, highlighted that the decade from 2020 to 2030 has been globally recognised as a pivotal era for transitioning to clean energy. He indicated that Pakistani consumers would persist in embracing solar energy to power their homes and businesses, regardless of the added cost from GST. Moosa, however, cautioned that Pakistan's local industry is not yet sufficiently developed to meet the growing demand for advanced solar panels in adequate quantity. 'As such, relying solely on local production at this stage could risk stalling progress.' Moosa strongly criticised the proposal to tax imported solar panels, calling it a serious setback to Pakistan's efforts in combating the climate crisis. 'Whether or not a tax is implemented', he said, 'Domestic consumers will continue shifting to solar energy due to persistent power shortages and unaffordable electricity tariffs from the national grid.' Muhammad Zakar Ali, CEO of Inverex Solar Energy, also echoed similar sentiments. He said that the vast majority of electricity users in Pakistan will continue to transition away from grid-supplied electricity, regardless of tax implications. Ali argued that Pakistan needs a minimum of 18-24 months to establish a viable local industry capable of producing clean energy equipment at scale. Imposing a tax prematurely could deter both domestic and international investors, he warned. He further noted that high electricity tariffs for industrial users could discourage investment in solar panel manufacturing plants. Ali, however, remained optimistic that prospective Chinese investors would soon launch joint ventures with Pakistani industrialists to set up such facilities. The Inverex CEO explained that establishing local solar panel manufacturing plants could lead to the development of five supporting vendor industries, significantly boosting the clean energy supply chain in Pakistan. Pakistan's solar surge lifts it into rarefied 25% club Dr Khalid Waleed, Research Associate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), believed that the surge in rooftop solar installations in urban centres presents an opportunity for Pakistan to earn carbon credits on the global climate finance market. During the webinar, Tanveer Barry, Former Vice President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), pointed out that while Pakistan's installed electricity generation capacity exceeds 45,000 megawatts (MW), only around 27,000 MW are currently deliverable to end-users due to outdated and overburdened transmission infrastructure. Barry also highlighted the immense untapped potential for solar energy adoption among off-grid rural households and agricultural communities across the country.
TimesLIVE
9 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Kenyan court sentences two men to 30 years in prison for aiding 2019 hotel attack
Al Shabaab regularly carries out attacks in Kenya to try to pressure the government to withdraw peacekeeping troops from Somalia, where al Shabaab is waging an insurgency to try to seize power. Prosecutors said Abdile and Ali helped two attackers obtain forged identity cards that allowed them to escape from a refugee camp and provided financial support. Abdile and Ali have 14 days to appeal their sentences. Delivering her ruling on Thursday, judge Diana Mochache said without their involvement, the attack may not have happened. 'Without financiers, facilitators and sympathisers, terrorists cannot actualise their activities,' Mochache said. In the January 2019 attack, gunmen stormed the Dusit complex in Nairobi, triggering an assault and siege that lasted more than 12 hours. The Kenyan government said at the time it had killed all the attackers.
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First Post
10 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
History Today: When Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion on June 20, 1967. He refused to be inducted into the US Armed Forces on April 28 during the Vietnam War, citing religious belief. On this day in 1887, the Victoria Terminus was officially established in Mumbai, India read more A pivotal moment in the history of sports and civil rights took place on June 20, 1967, when legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion by a federal court. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On this day in 1975, 'Jaws' directed by Steven Spielberg made its theatrical release. Also, the Victoria Terminus, present-day Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai was formally established in 1887. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that took place on this across the world. Muhammad Ali convicted of draft evasion Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion in Houston, Texas, a momentous event that sent shockwaves through both the sports world and American society. Born Cassius Clay, Ali became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1964 and shocked the public by announcing his conversion to Islam, adopting the name Muhammad Ali. In 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War, he refused induction into the U.S. Army citing religious beliefs. Ali declared, 'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.' He was a conscientious objector, aligned with the teachings of the Nation of Islam, which opposed participation in war. His refusal sparked national outrage and support alike. Critics saw it as unpatriotic, while civil rights leaders hailed his courage. The jury, composed entirely of white men, took just 21 minutes to convict him. Ali was sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000, and banned from boxing while being stripped of his title and license. Ultimately, the US Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in 1978. File image/AP Ali remained free on bail while his legal team pursued appeals. His stance against the Vietnam War and his unwavering commitment to his principles made him a deeply polarizing figure, revered by many as a symbol of civil rights and anti-war activism, while condemned by others. Ultimately, on June 28, 1971, the US Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in the case of Clay v United States. The Court found that the Justice Department had improperly advised Ali's draft board in rejecting his conscientious objector claim. The victory allowed Ali to return to boxing, though he had already lost several years of his fighting career due to his conviction and ban. His legal battle became a landmark case for freedom of conscience and had a lasting impact on the discourse surrounding civil disobedience and individual rights. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Jaws' releases in theatres On this day in 1975, the iconic thriller film Jaws premiered in theatres across the United States, forever changing the landscape of Hollywood and ushering in the era of the 'summer blockbuster.' Directed by then-27-year-old Steven Spielberg, the movie quickly became a cultural phenomenon, terrifying audiences and making countless people hesitant to venture into the ocean. Based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name, Jaws tells the story of a great white shark terrorising a New England resort town, leading to a desperate hunt by a police chief, a marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter. Despite a troubled production with a notoriously malfunctioning mechanical shark (affectionately nicknamed 'Bruce'), Spielberg's masterful direction, combined with John Williams' chilling, two-note score, created unparalleled suspense. A poster of the 'Jaws' movie that released on 1975. Representational image Jaws became the first true summer blockbuster, grossing over $470 million worldwide and holding the record as the highest-grossing film of all time until Star Wars surpassed it in 1977. Its release was historic for being one of the first films to be launched widely across hundreds of theatres simultaneously, rather than the traditional slow roll-out—a marketing strategy that redefined film distribution. Critically acclaimed, Jaws received four Academy Award nominations, winning three of them namely Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound. It remains one of the most influential films in cinematic history, often credited with inventing the blockbuster model and elevating the thriller genre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Victoria Terminus was established Victoria Terminus, now officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), was officially opened on June 20, 1887. The inauguration of the station marked a grand milestone in India's colonial railway history. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria, commemorating her Golden Jubilee. Designed by the British architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens, the construction of this magnificent structure began in 1878 and took ten years to complete. It was built to serve as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and replaced the older Bori Bunder railway station. The terminus is a remarkable example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with traditional Indian architectural influences, featuring intricate stone carvings, towering turrets, and pointed arches. It quickly became a symbol of Bombay (now Mumbai) as a major mercantile port city, earning the moniker 'Gothic City.' In 2004, it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, recognised for its architectural brilliance and historic importance. Today, CSMT is one of India's busiest railway stations, handling millions of commuters daily and remains a vibrant part of Mumbai's urban fabric. Though renamed to honour the 17th-century Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the terminus retains its historical grandeur. This Day, That Year On this day in 1992, a new constitution went into effect in Paraguay, signalling the end of military rule. American automobile-racing driver Barney Oldfield accomplished the first mile-a-minute performance in a car in 1903. Victoria became the queen of the United Kingdom on this day in 1837.
AsiaOne
12 hours ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Kenyan court sentences two men to 30 years in prison for aiding 2019 hotel attack, World News
NAIROBI — A Kenyan court on Thursday (June 19) sentenced two men to 30 years in prison for aiding a 2019 attack by militant members of the al Shabaab group on a hotel and office complex in Nairobi that killed 21 people. Hussein Mohammed Abdile and Mohamed Abdi Ali were convicted in May on charges of facilitation and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism for helping the al Qaeda-linked Islamist group. They had pleaded not guilty. Al Shabaab regularly carries out attacks in Kenya to try to pressure the government to withdraw peacekeeping troops from Somalia, where al Shabaab is waging an insurgency to try to seize power. Prosecutors said Abdile and Ali helped two of the attackers obtain forged identity cards that allowed them to escape from a refugee camp and provided financial support. Abdile and Ali have 14 days to appeal their sentences. Delivering her ruling on Thursday, Judge Diana Mochache said that without their involvement, the attack may not have happened. "Without financiers, facilitators and sympathisers, terrorists cannot actualise their activities," Mochache said. In the January 2019 attack, several gunmen stormed the Dusit complex in Nairobi, triggering an assault and siege that lasted more than 12 hours. The Kenyan government said at the time that it had killed all the attackers. [[nid:717570]]
