Pope&nbsp;Francis, struggling with&nbsp;leg&nbsp;pain, on Sunday said countries should always help those trying to survive "amidst the waves of the sea" as he wrapped up a&nbsp;trip&nbsp;to one of the Mediterranean countries at the heart of Europe's migration debate.

At the start of the last day of his&nbsp;trip, Francis visited the grotto in the town of Rabat, where according to tradition, St. Paul lived for two months when he was among 75 people shipwrecked on their way to Rome in the year 60 AD. The Bible says they received unusual kindness.

"No one knew their names, their place of birth or their social status; they knew only one thing: that these were people in need of help," the&nbsp;pope&nbsp;said in a prayer in the grotto.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-invasion-pope-francis-implicitly-criticises-russian-president-vladimir-putin-for-first-time-467777">&nbsp;Ukraine invasion: Pope Francis implicitly criticises Putin for 'savage' war</a>

The 85-year-old pontiff is suffering from a flare-up of&nbsp;leg&nbsp;pain&nbsp;and had difficultly walking in the small grotto. He has been sitting in ceremonies more than usual. At a Mass for about 20,000 people afterwards, he mostly sat while Valletta Archbishop Charles Scicluna led much of the liturgy.

Francis had to use a freight lift to board his flight in Rome and disembark on arrival in Valletta on Saturday, and at the end of Sunday's Mass, he skipped the traditional exit procession with all the bishops.

Malta, one of the more important routes used by&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;who cross from Libya to Europe, was a natural venue for the&nbsp;pope&nbsp;to repeat his appeal for the safety of&nbsp;migrants.

"Help us to recognise from afar those in need, struggling amidst the waves of the sea, dashed against the reefs of unknown shores," he prayed at the grotto.

Watch |&nbsp;Landmark reform by Pope Francis: Women and Lay Catholics to head departments

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The government of Prime Minister Robert Abela insists that the island, by far Europe’s most densely populated country, is "full up", refusing to allow the disembarkation of&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;other than those rescued within its own rescue zone.

Malta&nbsp;says any rescued&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;must be taken to the nearest harbour.

On Friday, German NGO ship Sea Eye IV was off Maltese territorial waters seeking to disembark 106&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;rescued from Libyan waters and was denied entry.

Human rights organisations have criticised the island for its involvement in "pushbacks" where&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;rescued in coordination with&nbsp;Malta&nbsp;are taken back to Libya. The organizations say this breaks international law since Libya is not a safe country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-warns-of-a-global-conflict-over-ukraine-war-465997">Pope Francis warns of a global conflict over Ukraine war</a>

Speaking to government officials on Saturday, Francis denounced "sordid agreements with criminals who enslave other human beings". He has in the past compared conditions in centres holding&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;in Libya to Nazi and Soviet camps.

Malta&nbsp;argues that Europe should have an effective "burden sharing" mechanism, saying that&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;want to go to mainland Europe. Francis also has called several times for shared responsibility for&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;among European countries.

Pope Francis, struggling with leg pain, on Sunday said countries should always help those trying to survive "amidst the waves of the sea" as he wrapped up a trip to one of the Mediterranean countries at the heart of Europe's migration debate.

Pope Francis, struggling with leg pain, on Sunday said countries should always help those trying to survive "amidst the waves of the sea" as he wrapped up a trip to one of the Mediterranean countries at the heart of Europe's migration debate. At the start of the last day of his trip, Francis visited the grotto in the town of Rabat, where according to tradition, St. Paul lived for two months when he was among 75 people shipwrecked on their way to Rome in the year 60 AD. The Bible says they received unusual kindness. "No one knew their names, their place of birth or their social status; they knew only one thing: that these were people in need of help," the pope said in a prayer in the grotto. Also read | Ukraine invasion: Pope Francis implicitly criticises Putin for 'savage' war The 85-year-old pontiff is suffering from a flare-up of leg pain and had difficultly walking in the small grotto. He has been sitting in ceremonies more than usual. At a Mass for about 20,000 people afterwards, he mostly sat while Valletta Archbishop Charles Scicluna led much of the liturgy. Francis had to use a freight lift to board his flight in Rome and disembark on arrival in Valletta on Saturday, and at the end of Sunday's Mass, he skipped the traditional exit procession with all the bishops. Malta, one of the more important routes used by migrants who cross from Libya to Europe, was a natural venue for the pope to repeat his appeal for the safety of migrants. "Help us to recognise from afar those in need, struggling amidst the waves of the sea, dashed against the reefs of unknown shores," he prayed at the grotto. Watch | Landmark reform by Pope Francis: Women and Lay Catholics to head departments The government of Prime Minister Robert Abela insists that the island, by far Europe’s most densely populated country, is "full up", refusing to allow the disembarkation of migrants other than those rescued within its own rescue zone. Malta says any rescued migrants must be taken to the nearest harbour. On Friday, German NGO ship Sea Eye IV was off Maltese territorial waters seeking to disembark 106 migrants rescued from Libyan waters and was denied entry. Human rights organisations have criticised the island for its involvement in "pushbacks" where migrants rescued in coordination with Malta are taken back to Libya. The organizations say this breaks international law since Libya is not a safe country. Also read | Pope Francis warns of a global conflict over Ukraine war Speaking to government officials on Saturday, Francis denounced "sordid agreements with criminals who enslave other human beings". He has in the past compared conditions in centres holding migrants in Libya to Nazi and Soviet camps. Malta argues that Europe should have an effective "burden sharing" mechanism, saying that migrants want to go to mainland Europe. Francis also has called several times for shared responsibility for migrants among European countries.

Pope struggles with leg pain on Malta trip, defends migrants

USSR allowed Jews to migrate to Israel. However, Russian Jews refused to take any sides as they have families in Russia as well as Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine War: Invasion sparks migrant crisis, USSR allows Jews to migrate to Israel

Scores of protesters have been staging protests against “illegal migrants”. Members protested in what they called “Operation Dudula”.

Protest in South Africa against ‘illegal’ migrant workers

Canada, which is heavily reliant on migrants as workforce, has set an ambitious plan to welcome over 1.3 million immigrants over the course of three years.

On Monday, the Justin Trudeau government announced its new immigration-level plans 2022-24 with an aim to help Canada’s economy recover from the COVID-19 onslaught.

Under the plan, Canada aims to add more than 431,000 permanent residents this year, 447,000 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024.

Figures for this year and 2023 have been revised higher from earlier targets of 411,000 and 421,000, respectively.

“Immigration has helped shape Canada into the country it is today,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement.

“We are focused on economic recovery, and immigration is the key to getting there.”

Immigration had been one of the key drivers of Canada’s economy and accounts for almost all of the nation’s employment growth.

Last year, Canada welcomed more than 405,000 newcomers, the largest single-year increase in its history.

Indians account for the biggest nationality gaining permanent residency in Canada, accounting for about 60 per cent of the total number, according to the 2021 Annual Report on Immigration that was tabled in Canada Parliament this week.

The onset of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a massive effect on the country’s immigration process, but of the 184,606 permanent residents admitted that year, Indians accounted for 42,876, or 23 per cent of the total, followed by China at 16,535.

The latest announcement on immigration plans come at a time when Trudeau has been facing heat over a delay in clearing out visa applications for around 2 million people.

As of February 1, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shown that the country has a backlog of 1.8 million.

According to media reports, the backlog includes applications from future citizens, permanent residents, international students, temporary workers, and visitors.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada, which is heavily reliant on migrants as workforce, has set an ambitious plan to welcome over 1.3 million immigrants over the course of three years. On Monday, the Justin Trudeau government announced its new immigration-level plans 2022-24 with an aim to help Canada’s economy recover from the COVID-19 onslaught.

Canada, which is heavily reliant on migrants as workforce, has set an ambitious plan to welcome over 1.3 million immigrants over the course of three years. On Monday, the Justin Trudeau government announced its new immigration-level plans 2022-24 with an aim to help Canada’s economy recover from the COVID-19 onslaught. Under the plan, Canada aims to add more than 431,000 permanent residents this year, 447,000 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024. Figures for this year and 2023 have been revised higher from earlier targets of 411,000 and 421,000, respectively. “Immigration has helped shape Canada into the country it is today,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement. “We are focused on economic recovery, and immigration is the key to getting there.” Immigration had been one of the key drivers of Canada’s economy and accounts for almost all of the nation’s employment growth. Last year, Canada welcomed more than 405,000 newcomers, the largest single-year increase in its history. Indians account for the biggest nationality gaining permanent residency in Canada, accounting for about 60 per cent of the total number, according to the 2021 Annual Report on Immigration that was tabled in Canada Parliament this week. The onset of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a massive effect on the country’s immigration process, but of the 184,606 permanent residents admitted that year, Indians accounted for 42,876, or 23 per cent of the total, followed by China at 16,535. The latest announcement on immigration plans come at a time when Trudeau has been facing heat over a delay in clearing out visa applications for around 2 million people. As of February 1, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shown that the country has a backlog of 1.8 million. According to media reports, the backlog includes applications from future citizens, permanent residents, international students, temporary workers, and visitors. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada sets up ambitious immigration policy, plans to add 1.3 million in three years

At least 290 migrants heaved a sigh of relief after the Spanish coast guard rescued the people trying to get to the Canary Islands. Most of the migrants were from Morocco.

At least 290 migrants rescued in Spain near Canary Islands

At least 19 irregular migrants were found frozen to death in Greek-Turkish border after they were pushed back from Greece. Turkey accuses Greece's border policy for the deaths.

Turkey accuses Greece's border policy for the death of 19 migrants

Official figures in US showed on Monday that about 180,000 migrants were apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Mexico in December. These detentions brought total number of these detentions to almost 2 million. This is a record.

As the figure emerged, the Republican Party accused Democratic President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris of creating a "historic humanitarian crisis."

"On their watch, cartels and smugglers are thriving, border officials are overwhelmed, our communities are less safe," said Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement.

Migrant arrivals to the United States declined markedly during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic but began to pick up later in 2020, before surging since President Joe Biden took office in January last year.

His arrival in the White House, with a promise of a more humane approach towards migrants, led to an increase in flows of undocumented foreigners fleeing poverty and violence.

Figures over the summer demonstrated a deviation from seasonal trends.

Punishingly hot summer weather usually sees the number of migrants attempting to cross decrease but the US Department of Homeland Security said an "unprecedented" number of migrants -- around 200,000 -- were intercepted illegally crossing the US-Mexico border in July.

The arrivals pose a considerable human, logistical and financial challenge to the Democratic administration, particularly as it has pledged not to turn back unaccompanied minors.

Its efforts to overhaul the migration system have stalled in Congress, and the issue is expected to be a major issue in the midterm elections in November.

(With inputs from agencies)

Official figures in US showed on Monday that about 180,000 migrants were apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Mexico in December. These detentions brought total number of these detentions to almost 2 million.

Official figures in US showed on Monday that about 180,000 migrants were apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Mexico in December. These detentions brought total number of these detentions to almost 2 million. This is a record. As the figure emerged, the Republican Party accused Democratic President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris of creating a "historic humanitarian crisis." "On their watch, cartels and smugglers are thriving, border officials are overwhelmed, our communities are less safe," said Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement. Migrant arrivals to the United States declined markedly during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic but began to pick up later in 2020, before surging since President Joe Biden took office in January last year. His arrival in the White House, with a promise of a more humane approach towards migrants, led to an increase in flows of undocumented foreigners fleeing poverty and violence. Figures over the summer demonstrated a deviation from seasonal trends. Punishingly hot summer weather usually sees the number of migrants attempting to cross decrease but the US Department of Homeland Security said an "unprecedented" number of migrants -- around 200,000 -- were intercepted illegally crossing the US-Mexico border in July. The arrivals pose a considerable human, logistical and financial challenge to the Democratic administration, particularly as it has pledged not to turn back unaccompanied minors. Its efforts to overhaul the migration system have stalled in Congress, and the issue is expected to be a major issue in the midterm elections in November. (With inputs from agencies)

Nearly 2 million migrants apprehended on US-Mexico border in 2021, a record figure

Hundreds of Hondurans and Nicaraguans on Saturday reached the Guatemalan border but were prevented from crossing by Guatemalan security forces, the first such U.S.-bound migrant caravan to be formed this year in Central America.

Hundreds of Hondurans & Nicaraguans prevented from crossing by Guatemalan security forces

As the UK government finds it hard to persuade enough councils to look for permanent homes, around 12,000 Afghan refugees will usher in the new year in hotels, said a report by the Guardian. &nbsp;

As per the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), from the 16,500 people, who were airlifted from Afghanistan to the UK since August, “over 4,000 individuals have either moved into a settled home or are in the process of being moved or matched to a suitable home.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-signs-electricity-supply-contract-with-tajikistan-amid-power-crisis-440678" hreflang="en">Afghanistan signs electricity supply deal with Tajikistan amid power crisis</a>

The rest of the refugees are still waiting for the news when they can begin rebuilding their lives. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a spokesperson of the Home Office, over 300 local authorities in the country are making concerted efforts to offer permanent accommodation. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-education-minister-says-co-education-is-against-islamic-values-440211" hreflang="en">Afghan education minister says co-education is against Islamic values</a>

As the government has decided to not force local authorities to rehouse the refugees, they may not be evenly distributed across the UK, said the report.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As per the sources at both the DWP and Home Office, over 12,000 Afghan evacuees still remained in hotels as of December 22. According to London Councils, around 4,000 are in London. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As the UK government finds it hard to persuade enough councils to look for permanent homes, around 12,000 Afghan refugees will usher in the new year in hotels, said a report by the Guardian.

As the UK government finds it hard to persuade enough councils to look for permanent homes, around 12,000 Afghan refugees will usher in the new year in hotels, said a report by the Guardian. As per the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), from the 16,500 people, who were airlifted from Afghanistan to the UK since August, “over 4,000 individuals have either moved into a settled home or are in the process of being moved or matched to a suitable home.” Also Read: Afghanistan signs electricity supply deal with Tajikistan amid power crisis The rest of the refugees are still waiting for the news when they can begin rebuilding their lives. According to a spokesperson of the Home Office, over 300 local authorities in the country are making concerted efforts to offer permanent accommodation. Also Read: Afghan education minister says co-education is against Islamic values As the government has decided to not force local authorities to rehouse the refugees, they may not be evenly distributed across the UK, said the report. As per the sources at both the DWP and Home Office, over 12,000 Afghan evacuees still remained in hotels as of December 22. According to London Councils, around 4,000 are in London. (With inputs from agencies)

12,000 Afghan evacuees to usher in new year in hotels as UK govt fails to look for homes

Hundreds of Middle Eastern migrants, camped in a Belarusian warehouse are still clinging to the hope of a future in western Europe as the year draws to a close.

Migrants camped in Belarus warehouse still hope of a future in European Union

WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis and brings you a quick round-up of all the top headlines and breakings from all across the world.

WION Speed News: Pentagon's rules to tackle extremism | Migrants seek humanitarian visas

A cargo truck jammed with people rolled over and crashed into a pedestrian bridge over on a highway in southern Mexico on Thursday, killing at least 49 people and injuring nearly five dozen others, authorities reported.

Mexico: 49 migrants killed, dozens injured in Mexico truck accident

Nigeria's Borno state will shut all camps that are holding thousands of internally displaced persons by the end of the year. WION tells you more.

Nigeria's Borno state plans to shut all migrants camps

At least 53 migrants were killed in Mexico after the truck they were hiding in hit a retaining wall. The accident also injured several dozen people, who were taken to hospitals in the area.

At least 53 migrants killed in cargo truck accident in Mexico

Pope Francis, during his visit to the Greek island of Lesbos urged the world not to use migrants for political gains. This was Pope's second visit to the Greek island, in his latest visit to Lesbos, Pope met refugees at Mavrovoni camp which holds 2300 people.

Pope Francis visits island of Lesbos in Greece, warns against neglect of migrants

Pope Francis arrived in Cyprus on Thursday, beginning a five-day trip that would also bring him to Greece and its island of Lesbos, where in 2016 he made a defining visit to refugees living in horrid conditions and brought some back to Rome on his plane.

The trip, the 35th abroad for Francis, who turns 85 later this month, reflects his determination to maintain a global focus on the plight of migrants and lands torn by strife, despite the world’s preoccupation this week with the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

His journey will include other hallmarks of the Francis papacy, including encouraging tiny Catholic minorities and reaching out to other religious leaders, this time in the Greek Orthodox Church. He is expected to help relocate to Italy some migrants in Cyprus — and possibly Lesbos again — this time.

“Europe cannot ignore the Mediterranean Sea that hosted the spread of the Gospel and the development of great civilizations,” Francis said in a video message before the trip. He lamented the sea becoming a “great cemetery” and said that in the age of the pandemic and climate change, it was imperative to “sail together, and not to split up by going our separate ways.”

The trip is the third this year for the pope, who is believed to have received a booster shot, though that has not been confirmed. He made a historic pilgrimage to Iraq in March and a politically symbolic trip to Hungary and Slovakia in September during which he appeared to speak out against nationalism.

This trip, which refocuses attention on the priorities of his pontificate, including opening borders and welcoming the destitute, comes as migrants are again facing awful conditions and tragic deaths, including at the Belarus-Poland border and in the English Channel, where at least 27 people died last week. But it also comes at an unpredictable and deeply concerning phase of the pandemic as countries around the world shut their borders to try to protect their populations from a variant whose effects are still very much unknown.

“The recommendation in general is prudence,” Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, said when asked about coronavirus precautions and worries that the new variant would eclipse the main themes of the trip.

Francis is the second pope, after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, to visit Cyprus, and Thursday he will meet with local Catholic priests and the president and diplomats in Nicosia, the capital. On Friday, he will visit with the Orthodox archbishop and celebrate a holy Mass at an outdoor stadium.

He will end the day with a prayer at a parish church with migrants, and the Vatican has arranged to have about 50 migrants relocated to Italy.

Francis will stay at a Franciscan monastery in Nicosia — the divided capital of Cyprus. The medieval city is separated by a U.N.-protected buffer zone.

He will then spend Saturday reaching out to Orthodox leaders and meeting with officials before travelling on Sunday to Lesbos, which Bruni said had “become a symbolic place.”

Bruni said that the Cyprus visit would allow Francis to underline key themes of his pontificate, as it had over the centuries been “Europe’s outermost border to the Middle East, a laboratory of coexistence and a land of encounter with orthodoxy.”

Still, Cyprus is far from a tranquil place.

With Turkey to the north, Syria to the East, Israel to the South and Greece to the West, Cyprus is a small, stingray-shaped island between worlds and a crossroads for cultures and migrations.

The country has effectively been partitioned since 1974, with its Greek and Turkish communities — and its capital, Nicosia — separated by a buffer zone known as the Green Line.

The internationally recognized government of the Republic of Cyprus controls only the southern two-thirds of it, and the remaining third is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey.

Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but the island is still divided along ethnic lines. Unification efforts start and stop periodically, most recently in 2017, but the talks broke down over Turkey’s refusal to remove its troops. They led to Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declaring, “Turkey will be in Cyprus forever,” and rejecting a unified federation.

A recent uptick in migrant arrivals has intensified hard-right, nationalist sentiment and the resistance of the Republic of Cyprus government, which has appealed to the European Union for permission to stop processing asylum requests. But the spike in numbers, and suspicions that Turkey is funnelling the migrants to the border, have deepened the animosity between the north and the south.

Nearly 80% of the island’s population is Orthodox Christian, and about 20% is Sunni Muslim. There is only a tiny population of Catholics, about 38,000, who mostly fall under the jurisdiction of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and who trace their roots to the Crusades. That is less than the estimated number of Turkish troops based in the north.

Rev. Georgios Armand Houry, a Cypriot priest, said that many Catholics were hoping that the pope would help members of the faith “return home” to uninhabited towns after displacement earlier during the conflict.

During Benedict’s 2010 trip, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, accused Turkey of an “obscure plan” to take over the entire island and called for the pope’s “active cooperation” in resolving the long-standing dispute.

The north continues to use the Turkish lira and has an economy closely tied to the Turkish mainland.

In recent years, tensions have risen after the discovery of rich natural gas deposits under the eastern Mediterranean. Greece, with its islands scattered in the area, claims that it has sole drilling rights. The potential for enormous wealth from the deposits has created a profit-sharing unity among surrounding nations, including Greece, Israel, Israel, Egypt, Italy and Jordan.

But Turkey has used northern Cyprus as its toehold, sending drilling ships, accompanied by warships, to explore for gas off Cyprus; that, in turn, has prompted retribution by the European Union against Turkish companies. The prospect of a clash between Greece and Turkey, two NATO allies with centuries of bad blood, has proved worrying.

“It’s a wound that has been open for some time,” Bruni said. “The Holy See undoubtedly supports every effort to strengthen bilateral talks, which are the only solution for the island and its people.” He suggested Francis would indirectly take those issues on, saying that he would touch on environmental themes by speaking of the horrible fires that burned Greece’s forests this summer but also “the exploitation of the seabed.”

Cyprus is an ancient Christian land. Tradition holds that St. Paul arrived here around A.D. 46 to preach the Gospel with Barnabas, a Cypriot and a saint.

Francis, in his video message, said he would come “in the footsteps of the first great missionaries,” and for the chance “to drink from the ancient wellsprings of Europe: Cyprus, the outpost of the Holy Land on the continent; Greece, the home of classical culture.”

Pope Francis arrived in Cyprus on Thursday, beginning a five-day trip that would also bring him to Greece and its island of Lesbos, where in 2016 he made a defining visit to refugees living in horrid conditions and brought some back to Rome on his plane.

Pope Francis arrived in Cyprus on Thursday, beginning a five-day trip that would also bring him to Greece and its island of Lesbos, where in 2016 he made a defining visit to refugees living in horrid conditions and brought some back to Rome on his plane. The trip, the 35th abroad for Francis, who turns 85 later this month, reflects his determination to maintain a global focus on the plight of migrants and lands torn by strife, despite the world’s preoccupation this week with the omicron variant of the coronavirus. His journey will include other hallmarks of the Francis papacy, including encouraging tiny Catholic minorities and reaching out to other religious leaders, this time in the Greek Orthodox Church. He is expected to help relocate to Italy some migrants in Cyprus — and possibly Lesbos again — this time. “Europe cannot ignore the Mediterranean Sea that hosted the spread of the Gospel and the development of great civilizations,” Francis said in a video message before the trip. He lamented the sea becoming a “great cemetery” and said that in the age of the pandemic and climate change, it was imperative to “sail together, and not to split up by going our separate ways.” The trip is the third this year for the pope, who is believed to have received a booster shot, though that has not been confirmed. He made a historic pilgrimage to Iraq in March and a politically symbolic trip to Hungary and Slovakia in September during which he appeared to speak out against nationalism. This trip, which refocuses attention on the priorities of his pontificate, including opening borders and welcoming the destitute, comes as migrants are again facing awful conditions and tragic deaths, including at the Belarus-Poland border and in the English Channel, where at least 27 people died last week. But it also comes at an unpredictable and deeply concerning phase of the pandemic as countries around the world shut their borders to try to protect their populations from a variant whose effects are still very much unknown. “The recommendation in general is prudence,” Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, said when asked about coronavirus precautions and worries that the new variant would eclipse the main themes of the trip. Francis is the second pope, after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, to visit Cyprus, and Thursday he will meet with local Catholic priests and the president and diplomats in Nicosia, the capital. On Friday, he will visit with the Orthodox archbishop and celebrate a holy Mass at an outdoor stadium. He will end the day with a prayer at a parish church with migrants, and the Vatican has arranged to have about 50 migrants relocated to Italy. Francis will stay at a Franciscan monastery in Nicosia — the divided capital of Cyprus. The medieval city is separated by a U.N.-protected buffer zone. He will then spend Saturday reaching out to Orthodox leaders and meeting with officials before travelling on Sunday to Lesbos, which Bruni said had “become a symbolic place.” Bruni said that the Cyprus visit would allow Francis to underline key themes of his pontificate, as it had over the centuries been “Europe’s outermost border to the Middle East, a laboratory of coexistence and a land of encounter with orthodoxy.” Still, Cyprus is far from a tranquil place. With Turkey to the north, Syria to the East, Israel to the South and Greece to the West, Cyprus is a small, stingray-shaped island between worlds and a crossroads for cultures and migrations. The country has effectively been partitioned since 1974, with its Greek and Turkish communities — and its capital, Nicosia — separated by a buffer zone known as the Green Line. The internationally recognized government of the Republic of Cyprus controls only the southern two-thirds of it, and the remaining third is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but the island is still divided along ethnic lines. Unification efforts start and stop periodically, most recently in 2017, but the talks broke down over Turkey’s refusal to remove its troops. They led to Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declaring, “Turkey will be in Cyprus forever,” and rejecting a unified federation. A recent uptick in migrant arrivals has intensified hard-right, nationalist sentiment and the resistance of the Republic of Cyprus government, which has appealed to the European Union for permission to stop processing asylum requests. But the spike in numbers, and suspicions that Turkey is funnelling the migrants to the border, have deepened the animosity between the north and the south. Nearly 80% of the island’s population is Orthodox Christian, and about 20% is Sunni Muslim. There is only a tiny population of Catholics, about 38,000, who mostly fall under the jurisdiction of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and who trace their roots to the Crusades. That is less than the estimated number of Turkish troops based in the north. Rev. Georgios Armand Houry, a Cypriot priest, said that many Catholics were hoping that the pope would help members of the faith “return home” to uninhabited towns after displacement earlier during the conflict. During Benedict’s 2010 trip, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, accused Turkey of an “obscure plan” to take over the entire island and called for the pope’s “active cooperation” in resolving the long-standing dispute. The north continues to use the Turkish lira and has an economy closely tied to the Turkish mainland. In recent years, tensions have risen after the discovery of rich natural gas deposits under the eastern Mediterranean. Greece, with its islands scattered in the area, claims that it has sole drilling rights. The potential for enormous wealth from the deposits has created a profit-sharing unity among surrounding nations, including Greece, Israel, Israel, Egypt, Italy and Jordan. But Turkey has used northern Cyprus as its toehold, sending drilling ships, accompanied by warships, to explore for gas off Cyprus; that, in turn, has prompted retribution by the European Union against Turkish companies. The prospect of a clash between Greece and Turkey, two NATO allies with centuries of bad blood, has proved worrying. “It’s a wound that has been open for some time,” Bruni said. “The Holy See undoubtedly supports every effort to strengthen bilateral talks, which are the only solution for the island and its people.” He suggested Francis would indirectly take those issues on, saying that he would touch on environmental themes by speaking of the horrible fires that burned Greece’s forests this summer but also “the exploitation of the seabed.” Cyprus is an ancient Christian land. Tradition holds that St. Paul arrived here around A.D. 46 to preach the Gospel with Barnabas, a Cypriot and a saint. Francis, in his video message, said he would come “in the footsteps of the first great missionaries,” and for the chance “to drink from the ancient wellsprings of Europe: Cyprus, the outpost of the Holy Land on the continent; Greece, the home of classical culture.”

Pope Francis heads to Cyprus, aiming to highlight plight of migrants

The European Union, in co-ordination with the US and Britain, imposed sanctions on Belarus' state-owned airline Belavia on Thursday. The bloc has accused the company of flying in migrants as a tactic in order to destabilise European states. This is a new round of punitive measures against Belarus.

Reuters reported the planned sanctions on November 10 and they were approved last month. They came into effect on Thursday after publication in the EU's official journal. Britain and Canada also imposed new sanctions on Belarus on Thursday.

EU governments blacklisted 17 individuals and 11 entities, targeting judges and top Belarusian officials. Those sanctions are in the form of asset freezes and travel bans.

The sanctions on Belavia mean EU companies can no longer lease planes to the Belarusian airline, EU officials have said. It was not immediately clear if Belavia would have to return the 17 aircraft leased through aircraft companies in Ireland.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lithuania-says-nato-military-alliance-needs-to-rethink-stance-towards-belarus-432586">Lithuania says NATO military alliance needs to rethink stance towards Belarus</a>

The decision takes the total number of Belarusian individuals under EU sanctions to 183, along with 26 entities.

The European Union accuses Belarus of flying in migrants, mainly from the Middle East, and pushing them to illegally cross the border with Poland in a "hybrid attack" on the bloc.

Belarus denies fuelling the crisis. Belavia has denied any wrongdoing.

The EU also targeted hotels and travel agents such as Oskartour which have been accused of using their contacts with airlines to help lure in migrants to Belarus.

In the official journal, the EU said President Alexander Lukashenko had agreed with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "on planning the opening of new airline routes for Belavia" to bring in migrants.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union, in co-ordination with the US and Britain, imposed sanctions on Belarus' state-owned airline Belavia on Thursday. The bloc has accused the company of flying in migrants as a tactic in order to destabilise European states.

The European Union, in co-ordination with the US and Britain, imposed sanctions on Belarus' state-owned airline Belavia on Thursday. The bloc has accused the company of flying in migrants as a tactic in order to destabilise European states. This is a new round of punitive measures against Belarus. Reuters reported the planned sanctions on November 10 and they were approved last month. They came into effect on Thursday after publication in the EU's official journal. Britain and Canada also imposed new sanctions on Belarus on Thursday. EU governments blacklisted 17 individuals and 11 entities, targeting judges and top Belarusian officials. Those sanctions are in the form of asset freezes and travel bans. The sanctions on Belavia mean EU companies can no longer lease planes to the Belarusian airline, EU officials have said. It was not immediately clear if Belavia would have to return the 17 aircraft leased through aircraft companies in Ireland. Also Read | Lithuania says NATO military alliance needs to rethink stance towards Belarus The decision takes the total number of Belarusian individuals under EU sanctions to 183, along with 26 entities. The European Union accuses Belarus of flying in migrants, mainly from the Middle East, and pushing them to illegally cross the border with Poland in a "hybrid attack" on the bloc. Belarus denies fuelling the crisis. Belavia has denied any wrongdoing. The EU also targeted hotels and travel agents such as Oskartour which have been accused of using their contacts with airlines to help lure in migrants to Belarus. In the official journal, the EU said President Alexander Lukashenko had agreed with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin "on planning the opening of new airline routes for Belavia" to bring in migrants. (With inputs from agencies)

EU imposes fresh sanctions on Belarus

Days after the accident that resulted in 27 deaths due to drowning in the English Channel, the French and the EU ministers responsible for immigration convened in France to seek help from its European partners in cracking down on people smuggling.

France seek EU help on English Channel migrants

As temperatures are dropping to unbearable degrees, France is witnessing an anti-cyclone which is a weather system with high atmospheric pressure at its center. The colder weather is further posing a greater risk to the health of the migrants who are living in makeshift camps.

France: Migrants battle cold weather after a difficult journey

Migrant crisis has been worsening in different parts of the world. Be it the US-Mexico border, English Channel or Mediterranean Sea, many migrants belonging to different countries travel dangerously to reach their destination every year. &nbsp;

Several people have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, English Channel and other waterways after their boat capsized while many have been sent back after reaching the border. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Many countries like Greece have also build walls to stop the movement of the migrants. The United States have also built several camps to keep a check on migrant crisis. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-violence-in-darfur-adds-to-sudans-crises-432238" hreflang="en">Fresh violence in Darfur adds to Sudan’s crises</a>

In the Americas, people from various poor countries like El Savador, Colombia, Mexico, etc travel on foot, buses, etc to reach US border while in Africa, many of the migrants, who have been fighting hunger, common coups, violent conflicts and others, make attempts to reach the Mediterranean Sea through various land routes and then hitch a ride on a boat to reach Europe. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Many people also try to reach Australia or Canada from various regions. &nbsp;

But not everybody is lucky. Some people drown while others are caught. The people, who somehow reach these countries, live in fear of getting caught and deported someday. Many are forced to take up petty jobs or end up getting exploited. &nbsp;&nbsp;

At the end, very few of these people get to live their dream or even get a fair outcome of the trouble undertaken to travel long distances in inhumane conditions. &nbsp;

The million-dollar question is what drives them to do this and why the so-called wealthy nations not doing anything to solve this crisis. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-britain-agree-to-step-up-efforts-to-limit-channel-crossings-431979" hreflang="en">France, Britain agree to step up efforts to limit channel crossings</a>

The answer to the first question is simple, in several nations in the South America and Africa, there is poverty, violence, hunger and less opportunities to live a life with dignity. &nbsp;

The wealthy nations are just the opposite. They have everything one can dream of. But just lack the will to help. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Instead of making the world a better place to live, several countries have been making concerted efforts to ensure there is turmoil in different parts of many continents so that they are pursuing their agenda or fulfill their vested interests. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2015, Europe was moved after immense criticism over the migrant issue after a dead body of a three-year-old Syrian child washed ashore. The images of the dead body of Alan Kurdi on the beach forced Europe to open its doors for the refugees of the Syrian war. &nbsp;

Are the wealthy nations or the world as a whole waiting for more such bodies or will take action before it’s too late. Only time can solve this riddle.&nbsp;

Migrant crisis has been worsening in different parts of the world. Be it the US-Mexico border, English Channel or Mediterranean Sea, many migrants belonging to different countries travel dangerously to reach their destination every year.

Migrant crisis has been worsening in different parts of the world. Be it the US-Mexico border, English Channel or Mediterranean Sea, many migrants belonging to different countries travel dangerously to reach their destination every year. Several people have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, English Channel and other waterways after their boat capsized while many have been sent back after reaching the border. Many countries like Greece have also build walls to stop the movement of the migrants. The United States have also built several camps to keep a check on migrant crisis. Also Read: Fresh violence in Darfur adds to Sudan’s crises In the Americas, people from various poor countries like El Savador, Colombia, Mexico, etc travel on foot, buses, etc to reach US border while in Africa, many of the migrants, who have been fighting hunger, common coups, violent conflicts and others, make attempts to reach the Mediterranean Sea through various land routes and then hitch a ride on a boat to reach Europe. Many people also try to reach Australia or Canada from various regions. But not everybody is lucky. Some people drown while others are caught. The people, who somehow reach these countries, live in fear of getting caught and deported someday. Many are forced to take up petty jobs or end up getting exploited. At the end, very few of these people get to live their dream or even get a fair outcome of the trouble undertaken to travel long distances in inhumane conditions. The million-dollar question is what drives them to do this and why the so-called wealthy nations not doing anything to solve this crisis. Also Read: France, Britain agree to step up efforts to limit channel crossings The answer to the first question is simple, in several nations in the South America and Africa, there is poverty, violence, hunger and less opportunities to live a life with dignity. The wealthy nations are just the opposite. They have everything one can dream of. But just lack the will to help. Instead of making the world a better place to live, several countries have been making concerted efforts to ensure there is turmoil in different parts of many continents so that they are pursuing their agenda or fulfill their vested interests. In 2015, Europe was moved after immense criticism over the migrant issue after a dead body of a three-year-old Syrian child washed ashore. The images of the dead body of Alan Kurdi on the beach forced Europe to open its doors for the refugees of the Syrian war. Are the wealthy nations or the world as a whole waiting for more such bodies or will take action before it’s too late. Only time can solve this riddle.

What has led to migrant crisis around world?

France President Emmanuel Macron told Britain to 'get serious' about the migrant issue or be ready to remain out of the talks over curbing flow of migrants escaping war and poverty across the Channel.

France has cancelled invitation to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel to attend meeting on the issue in Calais. This has underlined how fraught ties between France and Britain have become. The two countries are already sparring over post-Brexit trading rules and fishing rights.

Boris Johnson's spokesman said the British prime minister was taking the issue "extremely seriously" and said he hoped France would reconsider its decision to cancel Patel's invite.

The row has erupted after the death of 27 migrants trying to cross the narrow seaway between the two countries, the worst tragedy on record in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-britain-agree-to-step-up-efforts-to-limit-channel-crossings-431979">France, Britain agree to step up efforts to limit channel crossings</a>

"I'm surprised when things are not done seriously. We don't communicate between leaders via tweets or published letters, we are not whistle-blowers. Come on. Come on," Macron told a news conference in Rome.

Macron was responding to a letter from Johnson in which the British leader told "Dear Emmanuel" what he reckoned should be done to stop migrants from making the perilous journey.

Johnson urged France in his letter to agree on joint patrols on its shores and consent to taking back the migrants who make it to Britain.

Infuriated by the letter, and not least by the fact that Johnson published it on Twitter, the French government cancelled an invitation to Patel to attend a meeting on Sunday to discuss with EU ministers how to tackle immigration.

France President Emmanuel Macron told Britain to 'get serious' about the migrant issue or be ready to remain out of the talks over curbing flow of migrants escaping war and poverty across the Channel.

France President Emmanuel Macron told Britain to 'get serious' about the migrant issue or be ready to remain out of the talks over curbing flow of migrants escaping war and poverty across the Channel. France has cancelled invitation to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel to attend meeting on the issue in Calais. This has underlined how fraught ties between France and Britain have become. The two countries are already sparring over post-Brexit trading rules and fishing rights. Boris Johnson's spokesman said the British prime minister was taking the issue "extremely seriously" and said he hoped France would reconsider its decision to cancel Patel's invite. The row has erupted after the death of 27 migrants trying to cross the narrow seaway between the two countries, the worst tragedy on record in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Also Read | France, Britain agree to step up efforts to limit channel crossings "I'm surprised when things are not done seriously. We don't communicate between leaders via tweets or published letters, we are not whistle-blowers. Come on. Come on," Macron told a news conference in Rome. Macron was responding to a letter from Johnson in which the British leader told "Dear Emmanuel" what he reckoned should be done to stop migrants from making the perilous journey. Johnson urged France in his letter to agree on joint patrols on its shores and consent to taking back the migrants who make it to Britain. Infuriated by the letter, and not least by the fact that Johnson published it on Twitter, the French government cancelled an invitation to Patel to attend a meeting on Sunday to discuss with EU ministers how to tackle immigration.

Macron tells UK to 'get serious' over English Channel migrant issue

In what is being termed as the deadliest migrant boat tragedy, at least 27 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank in the English Channel near Calais. The migrants were trying to reach England from France.

In what is being termed as the deadliest migrant boat tragedy, at least 27 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank in the English Channel near Calais. The migrants were trying to reach England from France. "It is Europe's deepest values - humanism, respect for the dignity of each person - that are in mourning," said French President Emmanuel Macron. As an aftermath of the accident, Macron also made an effort to speak to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson about magnifying efforts to stop the traffickers, who have been blamed for an increase in such crossings. Johnson said he was "appalled" and would leave "no stone unturned" to stop people responsible for human trafficking. He further said that Britain had faced "difficulties persuading some of our partners, particularly the French, to do things in a way that the situation deserves," urging tougher action from France. Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter probe. Also read | Havana Syndrome: FBI makes it a top priority, will continue to 'identify the cause' Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 4 suspected traffickers who have been accused of having a direct link are arrested. He further stated that five women and a girl were among those who have lost their lives. Initially, the toll said that 31 migrants had died but the interior ministry later revised this to 27. Prime Minister Jean Castex will hold a crisis meeting early on Thursday. The UK House of Commons will be holding a debate on “the numbers of migrants arriving in the UK illegally by boat.” The British Red Cross has described the incident as “truly heartbreaking” as the society called on the UK government to “rethink its plans” regarding the asylum system. (With inputs from agencies)

'Truly heartbreaking': At least 27 people die after migrant boat sank in English Channel

On Wednesday 27 migrants died when their dinghy capsized as they made a perilous crossing of the English Channel. British and French officials have already started trading the blame.

Worst migrant crossing disaster in English Channel, 27 migrants killed

At least 27 migrants were killed after their dinghy capsized while they were attempting to cross the English Channel from France to Britain, it is one of the worst disaster.

English channel migrant crisis: 27 killed after boat sinks, UK and France starts blame game

Thousands of migrants are stuck at Europe's border, what they hope was for a better future but they have instead become pawns in a geopolitical politics.

Humanitarian crisis at Poland-Belarus border, hundreds attempted crossings to Poland | World News

Hundreds of Iraqi who failed t enter the EU from Belarus have returned home. Around 430 Iraqis stranded are being repatriated on a charter flight from Minsk to Baghdad.

Belarus-Poland migrant crisis | Hundreds of Iraqis repatriated from Belarus

Belarus authorities have cleared migrant camps at the border with Poland, a step that could help calm a crisis. Belarus has now moved hundreds of migrants to a warehouse from bring outdoor in the freezing temperatures.

Belarus clears migrant crisis, shifts hundreds to a warehouse | Belarus-Poland crisis

Belarus has announced that it has cleared migrant camps on its border with Poland and moved them to a nearby warehouse that the government has converted into a processing center. This came after Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke twice to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on the telephone.

Belarus clears migrant camps after Merkel speaks to Lukashenko

The hastily constructed migrant encampments at the main border crossing into Poland from Belarus were cleared by the Belarusian government Thursday morning, removing, for the moment, a major flashpoint that has raised tensions across Europe.

The patch of land nicknamed “the jungle”&nbsp;only days ago the site of violent clashes between migrants trying to push through the razor wire and Polish security forces blasting them with water cannons was now a wasteland of garbage, abandoned tents and smoldering fires.

Along the tangle of razor wire at the border, there was not a migrant in sight Thursday afternoon. Under the gray gloom of the November sky, a phalanx of Polish soldiers remained in formation, pressing up against the wire.

While the clearing of the camps promised to ease the immediate suffering of those living in freezing conditions, authorities in Belarus offered no indication of where those who flew to the Eastern European country in the hope of building a life in the West would go now that they were being directed away from the border.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-senior-cleric-arrested-for-having-ties-with-al-qaeda-linked-jemaah-islamiah-430245">Also read |&nbsp;Indonesia: Senior cleric arrested for having ties with Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah</a>

Still, on Thursday, a steady stream of people escorted by heavily armed Belarusian security forces, their faces covered by black balaclavas made their way down a half-mile road to a government-run warehouse where they were offered refuge from the mud and the muck.

For Masoud Mahdi, 35, who had spent 11 days in the jungle with his pregnant wife and young daughter, it was enough to just get out of the cold.

“We were living worse than dogs,” he said as he made his way to the warehouse. “Last night was impossible. It was raining and freezing, and we had to leave.”

Still, Mahdi said, he did not want to return to Iraq. He wanted to make it to Germany.

Western leaders believe the crisis at the border was manufactured by the Belarusian government, which lured migrants, mostly on flights from the Middle East, to Belarus with easily obtainable visas and the suggestion of a path across its borders to the European Union.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/allegations-over-mountbattens-role-in-india-pakistan-partition-raised-in-london-tribunal-430186">Also read |&nbsp;Allegations over Mountbatten’s role in India-Pakistan partition raised in London tribunal</a>

The flow of migrants into Belarus has been largely cut off as airlines restrict flights from the Middle East and the crowds moving to the border appear to have stopped.

But thousands already in Belarus face an uncertain fate, and the authorities have given little indication of where they might go.

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said that 430 Iraqis had registered to return home on a repatriation flight Thursday. But that is only a fraction of the thousands of migrants in Belarus, and there was little sign that most would volunteer to leave. Many expressed hope they could still find a way into the EU. Some said they would simply stay in Belarus, which would present an unexpected challenge for President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.

The hastily constructed migrant encampments at the main border crossing into Poland from Belarus were cleared by the Belarusian government Thursday morning, removing, for the moment, a major flashpoint that has raised tensions across Europe.

The hastily constructed migrant encampments at the main border crossing into Poland from Belarus were cleared by the Belarusian government Thursday morning, removing, for the moment, a major flashpoint that has raised tensions across Europe. The patch of land nicknamed “the jungle” only days ago the site of violent clashes between migrants trying to push through the razor wire and Polish security forces blasting them with water cannons was now a wasteland of garbage, abandoned tents and smoldering fires. Along the tangle of razor wire at the border, there was not a migrant in sight Thursday afternoon. Under the gray gloom of the November sky, a phalanx of Polish soldiers remained in formation, pressing up against the wire. While the clearing of the camps promised to ease the immediate suffering of those living in freezing conditions, authorities in Belarus offered no indication of where those who flew to the Eastern European country in the hope of building a life in the West would go now that they were being directed away from the border. Also read | Indonesia: Senior cleric arrested for having ties with Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah Still, on Thursday, a steady stream of people escorted by heavily armed Belarusian security forces, their faces covered by black balaclavas made their way down a half-mile road to a government-run warehouse where they were offered refuge from the mud and the muck. For Masoud Mahdi, 35, who had spent 11 days in the jungle with his pregnant wife and young daughter, it was enough to just get out of the cold. “We were living worse than dogs,” he said as he made his way to the warehouse. “Last night was impossible. It was raining and freezing, and we had to leave.” Still, Mahdi said, he did not want to return to Iraq. He wanted to make it to Germany. Western leaders believe the crisis at the border was manufactured by the Belarusian government, which lured migrants, mostly on flights from the Middle East, to Belarus with easily obtainable visas and the suggestion of a path across its borders to the European Union. Also read | Allegations over Mountbatten’s role in India-Pakistan partition raised in London tribunal The flow of migrants into Belarus has been largely cut off as airlines restrict flights from the Middle East and the crowds moving to the border appear to have stopped. But thousands already in Belarus face an uncertain fate, and the authorities have given little indication of where they might go. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said that 430 Iraqis had registered to return home on a repatriation flight Thursday. But that is only a fraction of the thousands of migrants in Belarus, and there was little sign that most would volunteer to leave. Many expressed hope they could still find a way into the EU. Some said they would simply stay in Belarus, which would present an unexpected challenge for President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.

Main border crossing with Poland is cleared of migrants

Sports equipment retailer Decathlon said Tuesday it would no longer sell canoes in the north of France to prevent migrants from attempting to use them to cross to England.

"The purchase of canoes will no longer be possible" in Decathlon stores in Calais and Grande-Synthe, near Dunkirk, "given the current context," the retailer told AFP, confirming local media reports.

The items were not being used for their original sporting purpose, but "could be used to cross the Channel," it said.&nbsp;

In such cases, "people's lives would be endangered," the retailer argued.&nbsp;

The stores themselves had decided to stop selling the canoes and management had approved the decision, Decathlon said.&nbsp;

The canoes will continue to be available for online purchase and in other stores. Other safety equipment, such as life-jackets and thermal protection will also still be sold in the Calais and Grande-Synthe stores.

On Friday, three migrants were reported missing after trying to cross the Channel to Britain in canoes, as the number of crossings soars.&nbsp;

Two canoes were found adrift off Calais on Thursday and two people were fished out of the water.&nbsp;

Earlier on Tuesday, French police cleared a major migrant camp that was home to around a thousand people hoping to reach Britain. Tensions are high between London and Paris over English Channel crossings.

A record number of migrants crossed the Channel in small boats last Thursday -- 1,185 according to British figures -- which the British government described as "unacceptable".

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin spoke to his British counterpart Priti Patel on Monday, but only after giving a blunt interview in which he said Britain should "stop using us as a punch-ball in their domestic politics".

The French authorities said they carried out 10 separate operations Tuesday in which they rescued 272 migrants who were trying to cross the Channel to England aboard makeshift boats, some of them in difficulty.

Maritime officials said they were taken to the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne-sur-Mer where they were looked after by the border police and firefighters.

Maritime Prefect Philippe Dutrieux said around 15,400 migrants have tried to make the dangerous Channel crossing between January 1 and August 31, with some 3,500 of them rescued from boats in distress and brought to French shores.

In 2020, some 9,500 people crossed the Channel or tried to do so, compared to 2,300 in 2019 and 600 in 2018.

Sports equipment retailer Decathlon said Tuesday it would no longer sell canoes in the north of France to prevent migrants from attempting to use them to cross to England.

Sports equipment retailer Decathlon said Tuesday it would no longer sell canoes in the north of France to prevent migrants from attempting to use them to cross to England. "The purchase of canoes will no longer be possible" in Decathlon stores in Calais and Grande-Synthe, near Dunkirk, "given the current context," the retailer told AFP, confirming local media reports. The items were not being used for their original sporting purpose, but "could be used to cross the Channel," it said. In such cases, "people's lives would be endangered," the retailer argued. The stores themselves had decided to stop selling the canoes and management had approved the decision, Decathlon said. The canoes will continue to be available for online purchase and in other stores. Other safety equipment, such as life-jackets and thermal protection will also still be sold in the Calais and Grande-Synthe stores. On Friday, three migrants were reported missing after trying to cross the Channel to Britain in canoes, as the number of crossings soars. Two canoes were found adrift off Calais on Thursday and two people were fished out of the water. Earlier on Tuesday, French police cleared a major migrant camp that was home to around a thousand people hoping to reach Britain. Tensions are high between London and Paris over English Channel crossings. A record number of migrants crossed the Channel in small boats last Thursday -- 1,185 according to British figures -- which the British government described as "unacceptable". French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin spoke to his British counterpart Priti Patel on Monday, but only after giving a blunt interview in which he said Britain should "stop using us as a punch-ball in their domestic politics". The French authorities said they carried out 10 separate operations Tuesday in which they rescued 272 migrants who were trying to cross the Channel to England aboard makeshift boats, some of them in difficulty. Maritime officials said they were taken to the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne-sur-Mer where they were looked after by the border police and firefighters. Maritime Prefect Philippe Dutrieux said around 15,400 migrants have tried to make the dangerous Channel crossing between January 1 and August 31, with some 3,500 of them rescued from boats in distress and brought to French shores. In 2020, some 9,500 people crossed the Channel or tried to do so, compared to 2,300 in 2019 and 600 in 2018.

Decathlon stops sale of canoes in northern France to curb migrant crossings

A day after Polish forces used tear gas and water cannons against migrants at Poland-Belarus border, Poland said on Wednesday that migrant crisis could last for months or even years. Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak there were more attempts to cross the border during the night.

Thousands of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, are staying on the border in what the West says is a crisis engineered by Belarus to try to divide the EU and hit back against sanctions.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin have refuted the allegations. They have criticised the European Union for not taking in the migrants.

"We have to prepare for the fact that the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border will not be resolved quickly. We have to prepare for months or even years," Blaszczak told Poland's Radio Jedynka.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-to-build-a-wall-as-migrant-crisis-escalates-at-belarus-poland-border-429730">Poland to build a wall, as migrant crisis escalates at Belarus-Poland border</a>

Blaszczak said &nbsp;attempts to cross the border had continued during the night, adding that migrants had used the same "method of attacking the Polish border" as seen on Tuesday at the Bruzgi-Kuznica border crossing.

"The public attention focused on what happened in Kuznica, while smaller groups of migrants tried to break through the Polish border in other sections, also at night," he said.

The border guard service said it had detected 161 illegal crossing attempts on Tuesday, including "two forceful attempts".

Polish police said nine officers, a border guard and a soldier were hurt during Tuesday's clashes -- though no officers were still in hospital on Wednesday.

Belarus and Russia condemned the use of tear gas and water cannon, which came a day after the EU and US said they were expanding sanctions against Belarus.

The West has accused Belarus of luring thousands of migrants, many from Iraq and Syria, with the promise of an easy crossing into the EU and then forcing them to stay at the border.

Eastern EU members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have all refused to take the migrants, leaving many stranded for weeks in forested borderlands.

(With inputs from agencies)

A day after Polish forces used tear gas and water cannons against migrants at Poland-Belarus border, Poland said on Wednesday that migrant crisis could last for months or even years.

A day after Polish forces used tear gas and water cannons against migrants at Poland-Belarus border, Poland said on Wednesday that migrant crisis could last for months or even years. Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak there were more attempts to cross the border during the night. Thousands of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, are staying on the border in what the West says is a crisis engineered by Belarus to try to divide the EU and hit back against sanctions. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin have refuted the allegations. They have criticised the European Union for not taking in the migrants. "We have to prepare for the fact that the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border will not be resolved quickly. We have to prepare for months or even years," Blaszczak told Poland's Radio Jedynka. Also Read | Poland to build a wall, as migrant crisis escalates at Belarus-Poland border Blaszczak said attempts to cross the border had continued during the night, adding that migrants had used the same "method of attacking the Polish border" as seen on Tuesday at the Bruzgi-Kuznica border crossing. "The public attention focused on what happened in Kuznica, while smaller groups of migrants tried to break through the Polish border in other sections, also at night," he said. The border guard service said it had detected 161 illegal crossing attempts on Tuesday, including "two forceful attempts". Polish police said nine officers, a border guard and a soldier were hurt during Tuesday's clashes -- though no officers were still in hospital on Wednesday. Belarus and Russia condemned the use of tear gas and water cannon, which came a day after the EU and US said they were expanding sanctions against Belarus. The West has accused Belarus of luring thousands of migrants, many from Iraq and Syria, with the promise of an easy crossing into the EU and then forcing them to stay at the border. Eastern EU members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have all refused to take the migrants, leaving many stranded for weeks in forested borderlands. (With inputs from agencies)

Migrant crisis may last for years, says Poland

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