Fifteen people, including children, were killed when a truck carrying migrants crashed in the western Turkish province of Izmir on Sunday, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.

The mangled wreckage of the open top truck lay toppled over in an irrigation canal, some 20 metres below a highway from which it apparently fell after crashing through a barrier, video and photos published by Anadolu showed.

According to the private Demiroren news agency, 18 people were killed in the accident which happened in the early hours of Sunday. It said many were also injured in the crash.

Ambulances were sent to the area after the truck veered off the road while travelling from Aydin to Izmir and toppled over, Anadolu said. There were no details on the identities of the migrants.

A CNN Turk correspondent at the scene said work was continuing to try and retrieve the dead and wounded trapped beneath the truck.

Fifteen people, including children, were killed when a truck carrying migrants crashed in the western Turkish province of Izmir on Sunday, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.

Fifteen people, including children, were killed when a truck carrying migrants crashed in the western Turkish province of Izmir on Sunday, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. The mangled wreckage of the open top truck lay toppled over in an irrigation canal, some 20 metres below a highway from which it apparently fell after crashing through a barrier, video and photos published by Anadolu showed. According to the private Demiroren news agency, 18 people were killed in the accident which happened in the early hours of Sunday. It said many were also injured in the crash. Ambulances were sent to the area after the truck veered off the road while travelling from Aydin to Izmir and toppled over, Anadolu said. There were no details on the identities of the migrants. A CNN Turk correspondent at the scene said work was continuing to try and retrieve the dead and wounded trapped beneath the truck.

At least 15 killed as truck carrying migrants crashes in Turkey: Agencies

Germany said Friday it was extending by another half year border controls with Austria, which were reintroduced in several places in the passport-free Schengen zone in response to the migrant influx.

German interior ministry spokeswoman Eleonore Petermann said the new measure would begin on November 12 and apply for six months.&nbsp;

"It is important to say in this context that it is still our aim to return to a Schengen without borders, without border controls," Petermann told reporters.

"Travel without border controls is one of the greatest achievements (of the European Union). But we still see problems with the protection of the EU's external borders and we still have high numbers for illegal secondary migration" between member states.

Since 2015, several countries in the 26-nation Schengen zone have reintroduced border controls due to the largest migrant crisis since World War II -- effectively suspending its principle of open-borders travel.

EU rules say countries in exceptional circumstances can reintroduce border controls for up to two years, in periods of up to six months at a time.

Petermann said more than 7,000 people crossed the German-Austrian border illegally this year until August, of whom nearly 4,000 were turned back.

The decision was ordered by Germany's hardline Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, whose conservative party is facing a tough election in the border state of Bavaria on Sunday.

Seehofer nearly toppled Chancellor Angela Merkel's shaky coalition government over the summer with a threat to unilaterally turn back migrants at the border with Austria. Arrivals there have dropped off steeply since 2015-2016.

The dispute was resolved with a more moderate compromise plan involving bilateral agreements between Germany and EU member states.

Merkel's spokesman said Friday that Seehofer's decision on the border checks had been agreed with the rest of the government.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Germany said Friday it was extending by another half year border controls with Austria, which were reintroduced in several places in the passport-free Schengen zone in response to the migrant influx.

Germany said Friday it was extending by another half year border controls with Austria, which were reintroduced in several places in the passport-free Schengen zone in response to the migrant influx. German interior ministry spokeswoman Eleonore Petermann said the new measure would begin on November 12 and apply for six months. "It is important to say in this context that it is still our aim to return to a Schengen without borders, without border controls," Petermann told reporters. "Travel without border controls is one of the greatest achievements (of the European Union). But we still see problems with the protection of the EU's external borders and we still have high numbers for illegal secondary migration" between member states. Since 2015, several countries in the 26-nation Schengen zone have reintroduced border controls due to the largest migrant crisis since World War II -- effectively suspending its principle of open-borders travel. EU rules say countries in exceptional circumstances can reintroduce border controls for up to two years, in periods of up to six months at a time. Petermann said more than 7,000 people crossed the German-Austrian border illegally this year until August, of whom nearly 4,000 were turned back. The decision was ordered by Germany's hardline Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, whose conservative party is facing a tough election in the border state of Bavaria on Sunday. Seehofer nearly toppled Chancellor Angela Merkel's shaky coalition government over the summer with a threat to unilaterally turn back migrants at the border with Austria. Arrivals there have dropped off steeply since 2015-2016. The dispute was resolved with a more moderate compromise plan involving bilateral agreements between Germany and EU member states. Merkel's spokesman said Friday that Seehofer's decision on the border checks had been agreed with the rest of the government.

Germany extends Austria border controls over migrants

Recent happenings in Gujarat are unfortunate. I thought the Constitution of India guaranteed free movement of its citizens throughout the country. Hence, what is happening is certainly not acceptable.

Now, the revelation has come out that certain sub-ethnic group's involvement is being suspected. A leader of the said ethnic group, who is sitting MLA from the opposition side, has been suspected of engineering the exodus of workers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from Gujarat. To what extent will they go and where will this all end?

Gujarat, over the course of my innumerable visits, has endeared itself to me, and its people are of enterprising nature. Knowing them so, I do not think any ordinary Gujarati will support this.

Not new

At the same time, it is also borne by the record that this is not new in India. Oft and on we have such sons-of-soil and other movements happening in different parts of the country, in different states of India at different points of time.

I remember in the recent past, I had to cancel my visit in a place close to Ramnagaram, near Mysuru, because there were disturbances en route at Mandya, on account of an unacceptable Supreme Court Order in the Cauvery dispute case. I had to return from Bengaluru on that day in September 2016.

Karnataka incidents

The state of Karnataka witnesses two kinds of movements to drive away other ethnic groups. In cases of specific discord on the interests of the state with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the local Tamils are attacked. This is reciprocated in equal measure by their Tamilian counterparts against Kannadigas.

The other kind is a general disdain for people from Northeastern states, who are such friendly people and always likeable in the face of fiercest persecution in most parts of India outside their region.

Maharashtra incidents

Events such as these are common and repetitive in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra. Some political parties have eked out their survival out of such an in-group political ideology. Call it the Shiv Sena or MNS and whatever, it is indeed a reality. The migrants from UP/ Bihar are referred to with disdain as 'bhaiyyas'.

No matter how long they might be staying in the state, they are persecuted. In fact, on this, I have made references in my book also as to how this repeatedly creates a law and order problem in Maharashtra requiring the Union government's intervention. These are realities of India, and one wishes they do not exist.

Negative stereotype outgroups

In this context, one prominent and highly-respected social anthropologist, Prof Sachidanda, whose works we used to devour in the 1980s, has opined that every hamlet, village, community, caste, and other formations always regard any intruder into the group with disdain. This phenomenon he names as negative stereotype outgroup. This trend in Maharashtra has now extended to Gujarat, where migrants from UP/ Bihar have become negative stereotype outgroups.

Why do migrations take place

When it comes to the question of sacrificing their self-esteem and security, why does the population of UP and Bihar have to migrate? This is a question that is not asked enough. This is a question the politicians of these states owe an answer.

Whenever there is an attack or untoward incident or movement, these politicians resort to all sorts of rhetoric. I underline, I do not support this trend. But we have to address the genesis of the problem.

Politicians to blame in UP and Bihar

Let us now recall that Lalu Prasad Yadav ruled Bihar for more than a decade. Nitish Kumar, the present CM, with different allies has ruled the state for more than 10 years. Mayawati and Mulayam's parties ruled Uttar Pradesh for close to two decades alternatively, till 2017.&nbsp;

A comparison to this is Narendra Modi, who was CM for about 12 years in Gujarat. See the difference in developmental levels between Gujarat and UP/ Bihar.&nbsp;

Highest investments in pre-1991

Let me also underline one more salient point. During the pre-1991 era, the amount of investments in terms of public sector in UP and Bihar were overwhelming, and other states had miniscule share in comparison.

Also, in that era, location of public sector investments as per the then Industrial Policy and, due to their political might, many private investments were also happening in these two states. Further, Bihar before 2000 was a combined Bihar in which the amount of natural endowments like mineral wealth, etc. are incomparable.&nbsp;

Poor state governance

Still, due to poor governance, these two states could not harness the assets and their poor population remains poor and have to leave the state in search of employment. Will any politician from these two states answer for this?

I underline that what happened in Gujarat is unpardonable, and those behind this should be prosecuted as per law. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/blogs/hate-against-migrants-not-new-in-india-but-there-is-more-to-it-than-meets-the-eye-2147584.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

Recent happenings in Gujarat are unfortunate. I thought the Constitution of India guaranteed free movement of its citizens throughout the country. Hence, what is happening is certainly not acceptable.

Recent happenings in Gujarat are unfortunate. I thought the Constitution of India guaranteed free movement of its citizens throughout the country. Hence, what is happening is certainly not acceptable. Now, the revelation has come out that certain sub-ethnic group's involvement is being suspected. A leader of the said ethnic group, who is sitting MLA from the opposition side, has been suspected of engineering the exodus of workers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from Gujarat. To what extent will they go and where will this all end? Gujarat, over the course of my innumerable visits, has endeared itself to me, and its people are of enterprising nature. Knowing them so, I do not think any ordinary Gujarati will support this. Not new At the same time, it is also borne by the record that this is not new in India. Oft and on we have such sons-of-soil and other movements happening in different parts of the country, in different states of India at different points of time. I remember in the recent past, I had to cancel my visit in a place close to Ramnagaram, near Mysuru, because there were disturbances en route at Mandya, on account of an unacceptable Supreme Court Order in the Cauvery dispute case. I had to return from Bengaluru on that day in September 2016. Karnataka incidents The state of Karnataka witnesses two kinds of movements to drive away other ethnic groups. In cases of specific discord on the interests of the state with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the local Tamils are attacked. This is reciprocated in equal measure by their Tamilian counterparts against Kannadigas. The other kind is a general disdain for people from Northeastern states, who are such friendly people and always likeable in the face of fiercest persecution in most parts of India outside their region. Maharashtra incidents Events such as these are common and repetitive in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra. Some political parties have eked out their survival out of such an in-group political ideology. Call it the Shiv Sena or MNS and whatever, it is indeed a reality. The migrants from UP/ Bihar are referred to with disdain as 'bhaiyyas'. No matter how long they might be staying in the state, they are persecuted. In fact, on this, I have made references in my book also as to how this repeatedly creates a law and order problem in Maharashtra requiring the Union government's intervention. These are realities of India, and one wishes they do not exist. Negative stereotype outgroups In this context, one prominent and highly-respected social anthropologist, Prof Sachidanda, whose works we used to devour in the 1980s, has opined that every hamlet, village, community, caste, and other formations always regard any intruder into the group with disdain. This phenomenon he names as negative stereotype outgroup. This trend in Maharashtra has now extended to Gujarat, where migrants from UP/ Bihar have become negative stereotype outgroups. Why do migrations take place When it comes to the question of sacrificing their self-esteem and security, why does the population of UP and Bihar have to migrate? This is a question that is not asked enough. This is a question the politicians of these states owe an answer. Whenever there is an attack or untoward incident or movement, these politicians resort to all sorts of rhetoric. I underline, I do not support this trend. But we have to address the genesis of the problem. Politicians to blame in UP and Bihar Let us now recall that Lalu Prasad Yadav ruled Bihar for more than a decade. Nitish Kumar, the present CM, with different allies has ruled the state for more than 10 years. Mayawati and Mulayam's parties ruled Uttar Pradesh for close to two decades alternatively, till 2017. A comparison to this is Narendra Modi, who was CM for about 12 years in Gujarat. See the difference in developmental levels between Gujarat and UP/ Bihar. Highest investments in pre-1991 Let me also underline one more salient point. During the pre-1991 era, the amount of investments in terms of public sector in UP and Bihar were overwhelming, and other states had miniscule share in comparison. Also, in that era, location of public sector investments as per the then Industrial Policy and, due to their political might, many private investments were also happening in these two states. Further, Bihar before 2000 was a combined Bihar in which the amount of natural endowments like mineral wealth, etc. are incomparable. Poor state governance Still, due to poor governance, these two states could not harness the assets and their poor population remains poor and have to leave the state in search of employment. Will any politician from these two states answer for this? I underline that what happened in Gujarat is unpardonable, and those behind this should be prosecuted as per law. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Hate against migrants not new, but there is more to it than meets the eye

The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) issued notices Wednesday to the state chief secretary and the director general of police seeking reports on the attacks and exodus of Hindi-speaking migrant workers.

The reports have to be submitted within 20 days, GSHRC chairperson Justice (retired) Abhilasha Kumari told reporters in Gandhinagar.

The notices have been issued to Chief Secretary J N Singh and DGP Shivanand Jha, seeking reports from them on steps taken to ensure the safety of migrant labourers under attack in the state, she said.

"They have been asked to clarify what steps are being taken to maintain peace (following attacks on migrants) in the state and for the safety of people who are being attacked," she added.

Since the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district, around 100 km from here, on September 28, and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people.

Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, was arrested the same day for the toddler's rape.

The migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh fled in thousands after attacks.

Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said Tuesday that 533 people were so far arrested in this connection across the affected districts after 61 cases were filed.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had earlier brought up the exodus of the Hindi-speaking migrants, saying youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being attacked and forced to leave.

However, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday asked whether Gandhi will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat".

The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence.

After the alleged rape of the 14-month-old girl, who belonged to his community, Thakor had blamed in public a "non-Gujarati" for the crime.

The exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants from Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state showed no signs of abating on Tuesday.

Police had intensified patrolling in areas near industrial estates and places where migrant workers stay in a bid to instill confidence among people.

Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said Tuesday that more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far.

He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains.

The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) issued notices Wednesday to the state chief secretary and the director general of police seeking reports on the attacks and exodus of Hindi-speaking migrant workers.

The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) issued notices Wednesday to the state chief secretary and the director general of police seeking reports on the attacks and exodus of Hindi-speaking migrant workers. The reports have to be submitted within 20 days, GSHRC chairperson Justice (retired) Abhilasha Kumari told reporters in Gandhinagar. The notices have been issued to Chief Secretary J N Singh and DGP Shivanand Jha, seeking reports from them on steps taken to ensure the safety of migrant labourers under attack in the state, she said. "They have been asked to clarify what steps are being taken to maintain peace (following attacks on migrants) in the state and for the safety of people who are being attacked," she added. Since the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district, around 100 km from here, on September 28, and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, was arrested the same day for the toddler's rape. The migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh fled in thousands after attacks. Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said Tuesday that 533 people were so far arrested in this connection across the affected districts after 61 cases were filed. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had earlier brought up the exodus of the Hindi-speaking migrants, saying youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being attacked and forced to leave. However, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday asked whether Gandhi will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. After the alleged rape of the 14-month-old girl, who belonged to his community, Thakor had blamed in public a "non-Gujarati" for the crime. The exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants from Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state showed no signs of abating on Tuesday. Police had intensified patrolling in areas near industrial estates and places where migrant workers stay in a bid to instill confidence among people. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said Tuesday that more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains.

Violence against migrants: Gujarat State Human Rights Commission issues notice to DGP, chief secy

Italy will close its airports to unauthorised planes carrying migrants from Germany, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Sunday, ratcheting up a dispute between the EU partners over how to share responsibility for asylum seekers.

The two countries have been working on a deal under which Germany would send back to Italy migrants who have already applied for asylum there, but the accord has yet to be signed.

Italian daily La Repubblica reported on Saturday that Germany's refugee agency had sent "dozens of letters" to migrants advising them of a planned transfer back to Italy, possibly via charter flights. The first such transfer is planned for Oct. 9, it said.

"If someone, in Berlin or Brussels, thinks of dumping dozens of immigrants in Italy via unauthorized charter flights, they should know that there is not and there will be no airport available," Salvini said in a statement.

"We will close the airports as we closed the ports."

Germany's interior ministry and the refugee agency could not immediately be reached for comment on the report in La Repubblica.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said last month that a deal with Italy had been reached and that he expected it to be signed shortly. But Salvini denied that a day later, demanding more concessions from Germany.

The Italian minister said at the time that he had received reassurances from Germany that for every migrant it returned to Italy the German authorities would accept a bonafide asylum seeker from Italy.

But Salvini wants concessions on two other issues - a revision of both the EU's Dublin Treaty on how Europe handles asylum requests, and of the EU's Sophia naval mission which is patrolling the Mediterranean.

Seehofer urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to intervene to end the standoff.

"The agreement has been negotiated and follows the same principle as with Greece," Seehofer told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "We return refugees back to Italy, but we must take in the same number from sea rescues."

He added: "But now Salvini is suddenly saying: I will only sign if Germany backs Italy's position on asylum in the European Union. The heads of government are required to act (to solve this)."

Italy is seeking an overhaul of the Dublin Treaty so that there is an automatic distribution of asylum seekers throughout the EU, instead of requiring them to stay in the country where they first touch European soil, as is the case now.

It also wants to change the mandate of Operation Sophia, which at present says that all migrants picked up in the Mediterranean must be taken to Italy.

Italy has become the main route into Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers arriving by sea since the other main route from Turkey to Greece was largely shut in 2016. However, numbers have fallen dramatically over the past 12 months. 
&nbsp;

Italy will close its airports to unauthorised planes carrying migrants from Germany, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Sunday, ratcheting up a dispute between the EU partners over how to share responsibility for asylum seekers.

Italy will close its airports to unauthorised planes carrying migrants from Germany, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Sunday, ratcheting up a dispute between the EU partners over how to share responsibility for asylum seekers. The two countries have been working on a deal under which Germany would send back to Italy migrants who have already applied for asylum there, but the accord has yet to be signed. Italian daily La Repubblica reported on Saturday that Germany's refugee agency had sent "dozens of letters" to migrants advising them of a planned transfer back to Italy, possibly via charter flights. The first such transfer is planned for Oct. 9, it said. "If someone, in Berlin or Brussels, thinks of dumping dozens of immigrants in Italy via unauthorized charter flights, they should know that there is not and there will be no airport available," Salvini said in a statement. "We will close the airports as we closed the ports." Germany's interior ministry and the refugee agency could not immediately be reached for comment on the report in La Repubblica. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said last month that a deal with Italy had been reached and that he expected it to be signed shortly. But Salvini denied that a day later, demanding more concessions from Germany. The Italian minister said at the time that he had received reassurances from Germany that for every migrant it returned to Italy the German authorities would accept a bonafide asylum seeker from Italy. But Salvini wants concessions on two other issues - a revision of both the EU's Dublin Treaty on how Europe handles asylum requests, and of the EU's Sophia naval mission which is patrolling the Mediterranean. Seehofer urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to intervene to end the standoff. "The agreement has been negotiated and follows the same principle as with Greece," Seehofer told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. "We return refugees back to Italy, but we must take in the same number from sea rescues." He added: "But now Salvini is suddenly saying: I will only sign if Germany backs Italy's position on asylum in the European Union. The heads of government are required to act (to solve this)." Italy is seeking an overhaul of the Dublin Treaty so that there is an automatic distribution of asylum seekers throughout the EU, instead of requiring them to stay in the country where they first touch European soil, as is the case now. It also wants to change the mandate of Operation Sophia, which at present says that all migrants picked up in the Mediterranean must be taken to Italy. Italy has become the main route into Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers arriving by sea since the other main route from Turkey to Greece was largely shut in 2016. However, numbers have fallen dramatically over the past 12 months.

Italy will close airports to unauthorised migrant flights: Interior Minister Salvini

A group of 120 migrants were brought to Malta on Sunday after having been found drifting in a small boat off the Mediterranean island.

The Malta armed forces said the boat was spotted during a routine patrol by one of its patrol boats. The nationalities of the migrants were not immediately known.

Migrants crossing in small boats across the Mediterranean have increased since Italy and Malta closed their harbours for migrant rescue ships operated by voluntary organisations.

This is the biggest group to arrive in a small boat since 61 made it to the island in April.

A group of 120 migrants were brought to Malta on Sunday after having been found drifting in a small boat off the Mediterranean island. The Malta armed forces said the boat was spotted during a routine patrol by one of its patrol boats.

A group of 120 migrants were brought to Malta on Sunday after having been found drifting in a small boat off the Mediterranean island. The Malta armed forces said the boat was spotted during a routine patrol by one of its patrol boats. The nationalities of the migrants were not immediately known. Migrants crossing in small boats across the Mediterranean have increased since Italy and Malta closed their harbours for migrant rescue ships operated by voluntary organisations. This is the biggest group to arrive in a small boat since 61 made it to the island in April.

Over 100 migrants rescued at sea and brought to Malta

A total of 675 migrants, including children and babies, were rescued off the Spanish coast over the weekend, a government spokesman said.

On Saturday, 405 were picked up from what are often unseaworthy people smugglers' vessels, with seven children and babies among the African migrants.

The rescuers were unaware of any who were in serious medical condition or lost overboard.

Spain has become the biggest port of entry for clandestine migration into Europe after Italy largely closed its borders under pressure from far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

More than 40,000 migrants have reached Spain since the start of the year, most via the maritime route but also by making their way into Spain's two tiny enclaves in Morocco -- Ceuta and Melilla -- according to the International Organization for Migration.

That represents 40 per cent of the roughly 100,000 arrivals throughout Europe over the period. Meanwhile, more than 1,700 people were lost in the Mediterranean Sea.

A total of 675 migrants, including children and babies, were rescued off the Spanish coast over the weekend, a government spokesman said. On Saturday, 405 were picked up from what are often unseaworthy people smugglers' vessels, with seven children and babies among the African migrants.

A total of 675 migrants, including children and babies, were rescued off the Spanish coast over the weekend, a government spokesman said. On Saturday, 405 were picked up from what are often unseaworthy people smugglers' vessels, with seven children and babies among the African migrants. The rescuers were unaware of any who were in serious medical condition or lost overboard. Spain has become the biggest port of entry for clandestine migration into Europe after Italy largely closed its borders under pressure from far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. More than 40,000 migrants have reached Spain since the start of the year, most via the maritime route but also by making their way into Spain's two tiny enclaves in Morocco -- Ceuta and Melilla -- according to the International Organization for Migration. That represents 40 per cent of the roughly 100,000 arrivals throughout Europe over the period. Meanwhile, more than 1,700 people were lost in the Mediterranean Sea.

Nearly 700 migrants rescued off Spain over the weekend

Migrants protest against European Uinion Summit in Salisburg 

Malta today reiterated its refusal to open its ports to an NGO migrant rescue ship in the Mediterranean with hundreds of people on board, ignoring calls from Italy's hardline interior minister to not "look the other way".

Some 629 migrants were saved by SOS Mediterranee yesterday and are stuck aboard the French NGO's ship Aquarius, which is currently between Malta and Sicily waiting for a secure port at which to dock.

Matteo Salvini, in a joint statement with Danilo Toninelli, the minister in charge of the Italian coastguard, insisted that Malta "cannot continue to look the other way when it comes to respecting precise international conventions on the protection of human life."

"That's why we ask the government in Valletta to take in the Aquarius in order to offer first aid to the migrants on board," the statement continued.

Malta's government replied saying Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had spoken to Italian premier Giuseppe Conte, and underlined "that Malta is acting in full conformity with its international obligations".

"As such Malta will not take the said vessel in its ports," the statement continued.

Media reports earlier said Salvini had threatened to close access to Italian ports for migrant rescue ships if Malta fails to act.

In the meantime, Conte said that Italy has sent two patrol ships with doctors on board "ready to intervene and ensure the health of anyone on board the Aquarius who might have the need".

Speaking to AFP, a Maltese government spokesman insisted that the rescue of the migrants took place in the Libyan search and rescue area and was headed up by the rescue coordination centre in Rome, meaning Malta has no legal obligation to take in the migrants.

Speaking to news channel Sky TG24, Aquarius crew member Alessandro Porro said that they were north of Malta and had "received no communications from the Maltese authorities".

"The people we saved yesterday were in a difficult condition, at least 50 were at risk of drowning. We need to have an idea of what port to go to, something that up to now we haven't had."

The migrants were rescued by Aquarius in six separate night-time operations in the central Mediterranean yesterday.

The French organisation said that among those saved and brought on board are 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 small children and seven pregnant women.

Italy's spat with Malta began after its reported refusal to come to the aid of another rescue ship Seefuchs, which was stranded with 126 migrants on board due to violent seas until it was allowed to dock in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo yesterday.

Media reports earlier said Salvini had threatened to close access to Italian ports for migrant rescue ships if Malta fails to act.

Malta today reiterated its refusal to open its ports to an NGO migrant rescue ship in the Mediterranean with hundreds of people on board, ignoring calls from Italy's hardline interior minister to not "look the other way". Some 629 migrants were saved by SOS Mediterranee yesterday and are stuck aboard the French NGO's ship Aquarius, which is currently between Malta and Sicily waiting for a secure port at which to dock. Matteo Salvini, in a joint statement with Danilo Toninelli, the minister in charge of the Italian coastguard, insisted that Malta "cannot continue to look the other way when it comes to respecting precise international conventions on the protection of human life." "That's why we ask the government in Valletta to take in the Aquarius in order to offer first aid to the migrants on board," the statement continued. Malta's government replied saying Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had spoken to Italian premier Giuseppe Conte, and underlined "that Malta is acting in full conformity with its international obligations". "As such Malta will not take the said vessel in its ports," the statement continued. Media reports earlier said Salvini had threatened to close access to Italian ports for migrant rescue ships if Malta fails to act. In the meantime, Conte said that Italy has sent two patrol ships with doctors on board "ready to intervene and ensure the health of anyone on board the Aquarius who might have the need". Speaking to AFP, a Maltese government spokesman insisted that the rescue of the migrants took place in the Libyan search and rescue area and was headed up by the rescue coordination centre in Rome, meaning Malta has no legal obligation to take in the migrants. Speaking to news channel Sky TG24, Aquarius crew member Alessandro Porro said that they were north of Malta and had "received no communications from the Maltese authorities". "The people we saved yesterday were in a difficult condition, at least 50 were at risk of drowning. We need to have an idea of what port to go to, something that up to now we haven't had." The migrants were rescued by Aquarius in six separate night-time operations in the central Mediterranean yesterday. The French organisation said that among those saved and brought on board are 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 small children and seven pregnant women. Italy's spat with Malta began after its reported refusal to come to the aid of another rescue ship Seefuchs, which was stranded with 126 migrants on board due to violent seas until it was allowed to dock in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo yesterday.

Europe migrant crisis: Malta rejects Italy's calls to take in rescue ship with 629 migrants

The United Nations called on the United States on Tuesday to stop detaining irregular migrant families and separating children on its frontier with Mexico, saying this broke the law.

Several hundred children crossing the southern U.S. border have been held in custody since October 2017 following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump when he took office in January 2016, it said.

"The U.S. should immediately halt this practice of separating families and stop criminalising what should at most be an administrative offence – that of irregular entry or stay in the U.S.," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a briefing in Geneva.

"Entering a country without the relevant papers should not be a criminal offence...so these people should not be detained," she said, adding that some children were very young, including a one-year-old infant.

Poverty, as well as deepening violence from criminal gangs and drug traffickers has driven hundreds of thousands of Central Americans to try to cross the U.S. border illegally or seek asylum in the country.

The Trump administration will soon begin fingerprinting parents claiming custody of children who entered the United States illegally without an adult relative, officials said a week ago, prompting criticism that children may be abandoned by those who fear being identified and deported. [nL2N1T01BY]

Shamdasani, asked about comments by senior U.S. officials that it was normal to remove children from parents in custody, said: "There is nothing normal about detaining children.

"Detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation," she said.

The United States - the only country in the world not to have ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child - still has obligations as a signatory to that treaty and as a party that has ratified other rights treaties, Shamdasani said

"Our position is that preserving family unity is a fundamental tenet of refugee protection," U.N. refugee agency spokesman William Spindler said.

Most crossing the U.S. southern border are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador where there is rampant violence and persecution targetting children and youth, he said.

"The fact that you have people coming from countries experiencing violence and might be subject to persecution by gangs and other criminal violence, would certainly ... give them the right to receive international protection," Spindler said.

Several hundred children crossing the southern U.S. border have been held in custody since October 2017 following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump when he took office in January 2016, it said

The United Nations called on the United States on Tuesday to stop detaining irregular migrant families and separating children on its frontier with Mexico, saying this broke the law. Several hundred children crossing the southern U.S. border have been held in custody since October 2017 following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump when he took office in January 2016, it said. "The U.S. should immediately halt this practice of separating families and stop criminalising what should at most be an administrative offence – that of irregular entry or stay in the U.S.," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a briefing in Geneva. "Entering a country without the relevant papers should not be a criminal offence...so these people should not be detained," she said, adding that some children were very young, including a one-year-old infant. Poverty, as well as deepening violence from criminal gangs and drug traffickers has driven hundreds of thousands of Central Americans to try to cross the U.S. border illegally or seek asylum in the country. The Trump administration will soon begin fingerprinting parents claiming custody of children who entered the United States illegally without an adult relative, officials said a week ago, prompting criticism that children may be abandoned by those who fear being identified and deported. [nL2N1T01BY] Shamdasani, asked about comments by senior U.S. officials that it was normal to remove children from parents in custody, said: "There is nothing normal about detaining children. "Detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation," she said. The United States - the only country in the world not to have ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child - still has obligations as a signatory to that treaty and as a party that has ratified other rights treaties, Shamdasani said "Our position is that preserving family unity is a fundamental tenet of refugee protection," U.N. refugee agency spokesman William Spindler said. Most crossing the U.S. southern border are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador where there is rampant violence and persecution targetting children and youth, he said. "The fact that you have people coming from countries experiencing violence and might be subject to persecution by gangs and other criminal violence, would certainly ... give them the right to receive international protection," Spindler said.

US should stop detaining migrants, separating children: UN

By: Melissa Tandiwe Myambo*

Politicians and the media expend inordinate amounts of energy debating migration, often using nativist, populist and xenophobic rhetoric. This is despite the fact that, as of 2017, only three out of every 100 people – a mere 3.4 per cent of the world’s population – have left their home nations to migrate to a new country.

The message from people like US President Donald Trump and the UK’s "Brexiteers" is that migrants should be kept out at all costs to "save" their economies. Yet many scholars have argued that attracting and keeping migrants is essential to economic competitiveness in a globalising world. Some countries are responding positively to such arguments, embracing the benefits migrants can offer to their economies. Others – African countries among them – are far behind the curve.

Many developing countries are immigrant-sending countries which can have some negative effects. In 2017, 74 per cent of all immigrants were of working age. It makes sense that losing this vital demographic can damage a country's economy and that gaining these workers can help grow another’s.

This is borne out by history, too: in the 19th century, migrant-receiving countries like the US grew faster than migrant-sending countries like Italy and Ireland because these migrants added to their host country's workforce and left their home countries with fewer workers.

In my research on migration, I have found that countries like Vietnam, India and China are actively trying to recruit people from their diasporas – those living outside the region where they or their ancestors were born – to help build their economies.

My research focuses on frontier migration: the movement of people, technology, ideas and capital from a "developed" to a "developing" economy. Among them are increasing numbers of frontier return migrants who were born and raised in one country, leave it for some time but are now opting to return home.

Researchers used to assume that once people migrated to the West, they and their children would stay there. But this is increasingly not the case. Another category I focus on our frontier heritage migrants those raised in the diaspora who return to the land of their ethnic heritage.

Globalisation has spurred increasing numbers of all types of frontier migrants. One of the unexpected consequences is that developed countries might lose out as more and more frontier migrants set their sights on emerging market economies.

The US is losing out

The world’s most powerful country and its largest economy, the US, was until recently known as a country of immigrants.

Since 2017, the Trump administration has championed a number of measures to keep immigrants and refugees out: building a wall on the country’s southern border with Mexico, limiting refugees and even deleting the phrase, "nation of immigrants" from an official mission statement. But this shift didn’t begin with Trump: it started in earnest after the events of September&nbsp11, 2001.

Migration and tech researcher Vivek Wadhwa has warned for years that putting up barriers to immigration will reduce the US’s innovative, technological and economic edge. After all, many US businesses are started by immigrants, and just over half of the country’s one billion dollar startup companies had at least one immigrant founder.

Wadwha’s research among STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) graduate students who came to the US to study for advanced degrees revealed alarming shifts. Before 2001, most of these sorts of graduates would remain in the US after completing their degrees. After 2001, hostile immigration policies “pushed” them to become frontier return migrants, going home to countries like India and China.

The US was forced to change policy to counter the trend towards STEM students’ return migration.

India and China, meanwhile, have also realised the value of attracting their own diasporas back home, and drawing talent from elsewhere in the world. They’ve developed several new policies to make this easier.

For example, China recently changed its visa policy so that “overseas Chinese” can have multiple-entry visas valid for five years instead of just one. A number of other initiatives have also been introduced to entice skilled migrants to China.

Robin Li, the billionaire entrepreneur behind the internet company Baidu – often referred to as China’s Google – is one of those who’ve pointed out that the US’s loss could be his country’s gain, saying

this is a good time that China stand up and say, ‘Hey, come to us, we welcome immigrants…’

China and the US are in a battle over which nation will dominate the 21st-century technologically and immigration is at the heart of this battle.

However, it is not only technology migrants who add value to an economy. Workers with all different skill sets are necessary. For example, US agriculture largely relies on foreign workers and Japan, a highly industrialised country with an ageing population, will need to bring in more and more young foreign workers to survive.

Policy benefits for Africa?

African countries are not seizing the opportunity presented by the migration-economic nexus.

Only a handful of African countries – among them Liberia and Ethiopia – have actively worked to bring in more migrants.

I have found that people in general and people of African descent in particular, both in Africa and the West, are particularly interested in moving to South Africa to work. This is because South Africa has a well-developed infrastructure and offers what many migrants refer to as “lifestyle” – a good quality of life.

South Africa is trying to position itself as the gateway to the African continent and needs a strong economy to do so. The country would therefore benefit tremendously from a more migrant-welcoming policy.

Building a robust economy has always required migrant workers of all types. That’s not going to change any time soon. The country with the most open immigration policy will be best positioned to succeed in the global economy.

Melissa Tandiwe Myambo is a Research Associate, Centre for Indian Studies, University of the Witwatersrand

(This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/countries-must-compete-for-migrant-workers-to-boost-their-economies-96231">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Countries like Vietnam, India and China are actively trying to recruit people from their diasporas – those living outside the region where they or their ancestors were born – to help build their economies

By: Melissa Tandiwe Myambo* Politicians and the media expend inordinate amounts of energy debating migration, often using nativist, populist and xenophobic rhetoric. This is despite the fact that, as of 2017, only three out of every 100 people – a mere 3.4 per cent of the world’s population – have left their home nations to migrate to a new country. The message from people like US President Donald Trump and the UK’s "Brexiteers" is that migrants should be kept out at all costs to "save" their economies. Yet many scholars have argued that attracting and keeping migrants is essential to economic competitiveness in a globalising world. Some countries are responding positively to such arguments, embracing the benefits migrants can offer to their economies. Others – African countries among them – are far behind the curve. Many developing countries are immigrant-sending countries which can have some negative effects. In 2017, 74 per cent of all immigrants were of working age. It makes sense that losing this vital demographic can damage a country's economy and that gaining these workers can help grow another’s. This is borne out by history, too: in the 19th century, migrant-receiving countries like the US grew faster than migrant-sending countries like Italy and Ireland because these migrants added to their host country's workforce and left their home countries with fewer workers. In my research on migration, I have found that countries like Vietnam, India and China are actively trying to recruit people from their diasporas – those living outside the region where they or their ancestors were born – to help build their economies. My research focuses on frontier migration: the movement of people, technology, ideas and capital from a "developed" to a "developing" economy. Among them are increasing numbers of frontier return migrants who were born and raised in one country, leave it for some time but are now opting to return home. Researchers used to assume that once people migrated to the West, they and their children would stay there. But this is increasingly not the case. Another category I focus on our frontier heritage migrants those raised in the diaspora who return to the land of their ethnic heritage. Globalisation has spurred increasing numbers of all types of frontier migrants. One of the unexpected consequences is that developed countries might lose out as more and more frontier migrants set their sights on emerging market economies. The US is losing out The world’s most powerful country and its largest economy, the US, was until recently known as a country of immigrants. Since 2017, the Trump administration has championed a number of measures to keep immigrants and refugees out: building a wall on the country’s southern border with Mexico, limiting refugees and even deleting the phrase, "nation of immigrants" from an official mission statement. But this shift didn’t begin with Trump: it started in earnest after the events of September&nbsp11, 2001. Migration and tech researcher Vivek Wadhwa has warned for years that putting up barriers to immigration will reduce the US’s innovative, technological and economic edge. After all, many US businesses are started by immigrants, and just over half of the country’s one billion dollar startup companies had at least one immigrant founder. Wadwha’s research among STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) graduate students who came to the US to study for advanced degrees revealed alarming shifts. Before 2001, most of these sorts of graduates would remain in the US after completing their degrees. After 2001, hostile immigration policies “pushed” them to become frontier return migrants, going home to countries like India and China. The US was forced to change policy to counter the trend towards STEM students’ return migration. India and China, meanwhile, have also realised the value of attracting their own diasporas back home, and drawing talent from elsewhere in the world. They’ve developed several new policies to make this easier. For example, China recently changed its visa policy so that “overseas Chinese” can have multiple-entry visas valid for five years instead of just one. A number of other initiatives have also been introduced to entice skilled migrants to China. Robin Li, the billionaire entrepreneur behind the internet company Baidu – often referred to as China’s Google – is one of those who’ve pointed out that the US’s loss could be his country’s gain, saying this is a good time that China stand up and say, ‘Hey, come to us, we welcome immigrants…’ China and the US are in a battle over which nation will dominate the 21st-century technologically and immigration is at the heart of this battle. However, it is not only technology migrants who add value to an economy. Workers with all different skill sets are necessary. For example, US agriculture largely relies on foreign workers and Japan, a highly industrialised country with an ageing population, will need to bring in more and more young foreign workers to survive. Policy benefits for Africa? African countries are not seizing the opportunity presented by the migration-economic nexus. Only a handful of African countries – among them Liberia and Ethiopia – have actively worked to bring in more migrants. I have found that people in general and people of African descent in particular, both in Africa and the West, are particularly interested in moving to South Africa to work. This is because South Africa has a well-developed infrastructure and offers what many migrants refer to as “lifestyle” – a good quality of life. South Africa is trying to position itself as the gateway to the African continent and needs a strong economy to do so. The country would therefore benefit tremendously from a more migrant-welcoming policy. Building a robust economy has always required migrant workers of all types. That’s not going to change any time soon. The country with the most open immigration policy will be best positioned to succeed in the global economy. Melissa Tandiwe Myambo is a Research Associate, Centre for Indian Studies, University of the Witwatersrand (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Countries must compete for migrant workers to boost their economies

Dozens of Central American migrants from about 600 travelling in a "caravan" through Mexico arrived at the border city of Tijuana late on Tuesday despite warnings it would be futile to try to cross to claim asylum in the United States.

By evening, two busloads of men, women and children arrived in Tijuana, a city that grazes southern California.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has ordered officials to repel them.

The arrivals spilled into the streets and gazed toward San Diego, visible at spots through a rusty barrier or across a pedestrian bridge, exhausted after their trek that began a month ago near Mexico's southern border with Guatemala.

Another four busloads were making their way north from Hermosillo, a city 432 miles south of the border, where the migrants had been stalled for days.

Many who fled their homes in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras because of what they described as lethal threats or political persecution have clung to the hope of receiving asylum in the United States. But their prospects dimmed after U.S. authorities released statements on Monday saying they would driven back.

Rodrigo Abeja, a coordinator from immigrant rights group Pueblo Sin Fronteras that has been organising similar caravans for several years, said the caravan planned to regroup before making any decisions.

"They will wait for all those seeking asylum to be together," Abeja said.

A third group, resigned to staying in Mexico, awaited processing for year-long visas by immigration authorities in Hermosillo.

Travelling as a group for safety, their numbers were down from a peak of about 1,500 people, dwindling under the twin pressures of waiting for transportation and attacks by Trump, who began lashing out at the caravan on Twitter in early April.

After Trump's comments, Mexican authorities stalled the caravan in a southern town and began handing out temporary visas that gave them legal status to travel to the border.

US President Donald Trump has ordered officials to repel them

Dozens of Central American migrants from about 600 travelling in a "caravan" through Mexico arrived at the border city of Tijuana late on Tuesday despite warnings it would be futile to try to cross to claim asylum in the United States. By evening, two busloads of men, women and children arrived in Tijuana, a city that grazes southern California. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has ordered officials to repel them. The arrivals spilled into the streets and gazed toward San Diego, visible at spots through a rusty barrier or across a pedestrian bridge, exhausted after their trek that began a month ago near Mexico's southern border with Guatemala. Another four busloads were making their way north from Hermosillo, a city 432 miles south of the border, where the migrants had been stalled for days. Many who fled their homes in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras because of what they described as lethal threats or political persecution have clung to the hope of receiving asylum in the United States. But their prospects dimmed after U.S. authorities released statements on Monday saying they would driven back. Rodrigo Abeja, a coordinator from immigrant rights group Pueblo Sin Fronteras that has been organising similar caravans for several years, said the caravan planned to regroup before making any decisions. "They will wait for all those seeking asylum to be together," Abeja said. A third group, resigned to staying in Mexico, awaited processing for year-long visas by immigration authorities in Hermosillo. Travelling as a group for safety, their numbers were down from a peak of about 1,500 people, dwindling under the twin pressures of waiting for transportation and attacks by Trump, who began lashing out at the caravan on Twitter in early April. After Trump's comments, Mexican authorities stalled the caravan in a southern town and began handing out temporary visas that gave them legal status to travel to the border.

Busloads of migrants from 'caravan' arrive at US-Mexico border

Pope Francis issued a warning to Catholics who criticise his calls to welcome migrants with open arms, in a much-awaited text published Monday.

The Argentine pontiff has put the plight of people fleeing war, persecution and poverty at the heart of his five-year papacy, putting him at odds with a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment in many parts of the world.&nbsp

In the third apostolic exhortation of his pontificate -- a guideline on how Catholics can strive for "holiness" -- the 81-year-old unexpectedly hit out at his critics.

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"Some Catholics consider the situation of migrants to be a secondary issue," he wrote.

"That a politician looking for votes might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian for whom the only proper attitude is to stand in the shoes of those brothers and sisters of ours who risk their lives to offer a future to their children."

Citing a passage from the Old Testament urging the welcoming of foreigners, Francis remarked sharply that the issue was not "a notion invented by some pope, or a momentary fad".

In April 2016, he flew to a Greek island on the frontline of the migrant crisis, Lesbos, and returned to Rome with three families of Syrian Muslims.

The pontiff also took the opportunity to reiterate his staunch opposition to abortion in the text entitled "Gaudete et exsultate" (Rejoice and be glad). &nbsp

"Our defence of the innocent unborn needs to be clear, firm and passionate," he said, adding that the "lives of the poor" were "equally sacred."

The first years of Francis' papacy were peppered with strong words against governments, which he has accused of not doing enough to welcome the millions of refugees and migrants fleeing their home countries.

But over the years, he has moderated his discourse, suggesting that host countries had the right to regulate the number of arrivals according to their capacity to accommodate and integrate foreigners.

"There are those who feel encouraged by the pope's stance on migrants and it is still a majority," Christophe Dufour, archbishop of the French city of Aix-en-Provence, told AFP.&nbsp

"And there is a small number who say: 'he is naive, let him come and live among migrants, it is not so simple'." &nbsp

The Argentine pontiff has put the plight of people fleeing war, persecution and poverty at the heart of his five-year papacy, putting him at odds with a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment in many parts of the world

Pope Francis issued a warning to Catholics who criticise his calls to welcome migrants with open arms, in a much-awaited text published Monday. The Argentine pontiff has put the plight of people fleeing war, persecution and poverty at the heart of his five-year papacy, putting him at odds with a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment in many parts of the world. In the third apostolic exhortation of his pontificate -- a guideline on how Catholics can strive for "holiness" -- the 81-year-old unexpectedly hit out at his critics. In April 2016, Francis flew to a Greek island on the frontline of the migrant crisis, Lesbos, and returned to Rome with three families of Syrian Muslims × "Some Catholics consider the situation of migrants to be a secondary issue," he wrote. "That a politician looking for votes might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian for whom the only proper attitude is to stand in the shoes of those brothers and sisters of ours who risk their lives to offer a future to their children." Citing a passage from the Old Testament urging the welcoming of foreigners, Francis remarked sharply that the issue was not "a notion invented by some pope, or a momentary fad". In April 2016, he flew to a Greek island on the frontline of the migrant crisis, Lesbos, and returned to Rome with three families of Syrian Muslims. The pontiff also took the opportunity to reiterate his staunch opposition to abortion in the text entitled "Gaudete et exsultate" (Rejoice and be glad). "Our defence of the innocent unborn needs to be clear, firm and passionate," he said, adding that the "lives of the poor" were "equally sacred." The first years of Francis' papacy were peppered with strong words against governments, which he has accused of not doing enough to welcome the millions of refugees and migrants fleeing their home countries. But over the years, he has moderated his discourse, suggesting that host countries had the right to regulate the number of arrivals according to their capacity to accommodate and integrate foreigners. "There are those who feel encouraged by the pope's stance on migrants and it is still a majority," Christophe Dufour, archbishop of the French city of Aix-en-Provence, told AFP. "And there is a small number who say: 'he is naive, let him come and live among migrants, it is not so simple'."

Pope hits out at critics of his pro-migrant policy

On Tuesday, the same day that US President Donald Trump announced his intention to deploy the military to help patrol the US-Mexico border, Edwin Valdez and four other Central American migrants were walking through dense brush at a south Texas wildlife reserve, hoping to escape notice.&nbsp;

The men had illegally crossed into the United States that morning, guided by a smuggler who had since abandoned them. Now they were lost and uncertain how to proceed.&nbsp;

In vehicles nearby, US Border Patrol agents had been alerted to migrants moving through the area, and after detecting movement in the bushes, they swooped in to arrest the men.&nbsp;

It was business as usual in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the busiest crossing points for migrants trying to enter the United States illegally.&nbsp;

In just a few hours that morning, 61 migrants, including Valdez, were rounded up in the area. Ten, including four from China, were caught with the help of a tracking dog in a sugar cane field. Two Hondurans were taken into custody at a public park.&nbsp;

Several of those caught said they were unfazed by tough talk from Trump, who has made headlines around the world with tweets railing about border security and threatening to end the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) unless Mexico does more to "stop the big drug and people flows."

Trump's renewed frustration about border security, rekindled over the weekend by news of a "caravan" of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US border, reflects the broader frustration of his administration.&nbsp;

In the months after Trump took office, the number of migrants caught along the US-Mexico border fell dramatically, hitting a low of about 15,700 in April, from more than 42,400 in January 2017, US Customs and Border Protection data shows.

But arrests have crept back up since, and in the first months of 2018 have reached levels at, or near, those seen during the last year of his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

Rising arrests of families and unaccompanied minors along the border are a particular concern.

In March, their numbers surpassed the previous three years and "rivaled fiscal year 2014, when we had a crisis," Manuel Padilla, chief of the border patrol`s Rio Grande Valley sector, said in an interview.

He said about families with children, who are more difficult to deport quickly, form about 49 per cent of the current apprehensions in his region. He said they often walk up to the first US officials they find to ask for help.&nbsp;

"It doesn`t matter how many agents are out there," when it comes to families, he said, "because this population is turning themselves in."

Valdez, 20, who worked as an electrician's assistant in his home country of El Salvador, said he previously tried to cross the border illegally in 2016.

But he was picked up by border patrol officers after wandering lost and dehydrated in the desert for four days. After six months in detention, he was deported last year but decided to travel north again after gangs threatened him at his job.&nbsp;

While crossing has become more and more difficult in recent years, Valdez said, need is a powerful spur.

"Necessity forces people to leave their countries so they can bring a better life to their families," he said.&nbsp;

"That`s why people are willing to suffer through all this."

After his arrest on Monday, Valdez put his personal belongings in a plastic bag, removed his shoelaces and was searched by the agents who arrested him. Then he and his companions were taken to a processing facility.

People who have been previously deported can often be quickly sent home.&nbsp;

Immigrants travelling with small children when caught often spend only a few days in custody, however, because of a shortage of detention facilities suitable for families and court settlements that preclude prolonged detention of minors.&nbsp;

In the Rio Grande Valley, parents are often released with electronic ankle monitors and ordered to appear with their children in court on a specific date for deportation proceedings. Trump has railed against the practice, which he calls "catch and release."&nbsp;

For migrants like Jose Romero, 27, who made the harrowing days-long trip through Mexico with his 8-year-old daughter in the back of a dark cargo truck, threats from the president are a little deterrent.

In his mountain home in Honduras, Romero made just $4 a day as a farm labourer, not enough to feed his family of five, he said. After his arrest and subsequent release to wait court proceedings, he said he doubted if migrants can be deterred.

"They will keep coming," he said, because of violence and poverty south of the border. "The people are afraid."

It is still business as usual in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the busiest crossing points for migrants trying to enter the United States illegally

On Tuesday, the same day that US President Donald Trump announced his intention to deploy the military to help patrol the US-Mexico border, Edwin Valdez and four other Central American migrants were walking through dense brush at a south Texas wildlife reserve, hoping to escape notice. The men had illegally crossed into the United States that morning, guided by a smuggler who had since abandoned them. Now they were lost and uncertain how to proceed. In vehicles nearby, US Border Patrol agents had been alerted to migrants moving through the area, and after detecting movement in the bushes, they swooped in to arrest the men. It was business as usual in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the busiest crossing points for migrants trying to enter the United States illegally. In just a few hours that morning, 61 migrants, including Valdez, were rounded up in the area. Ten, including four from China, were caught with the help of a tracking dog in a sugar cane field. Two Hondurans were taken into custody at a public park. Several of those caught said they were unfazed by tough talk from Trump, who has made headlines around the world with tweets railing about border security and threatening to end the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) unless Mexico does more to "stop the big drug and people flows." Trump's renewed frustration about border security, rekindled over the weekend by news of a "caravan" of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US border, reflects the broader frustration of his administration. In the months after Trump took office, the number of migrants caught along the US-Mexico border fell dramatically, hitting a low of about 15,700 in April, from more than 42,400 in January 2017, US Customs and Border Protection data shows. But arrests have crept back up since, and in the first months of 2018 have reached levels at, or near, those seen during the last year of his predecessor, President Barack Obama. Rising arrests of families and unaccompanied minors along the border are a particular concern. In March, their numbers surpassed the previous three years and "rivaled fiscal year 2014, when we had a crisis," Manuel Padilla, chief of the border patrol`s Rio Grande Valley sector, said in an interview. He said about families with children, who are more difficult to deport quickly, form about 49 per cent of the current apprehensions in his region. He said they often walk up to the first US officials they find to ask for help. "It doesn`t matter how many agents are out there," when it comes to families, he said, "because this population is turning themselves in." Valdez, 20, who worked as an electrician's assistant in his home country of El Salvador, said he previously tried to cross the border illegally in 2016. But he was picked up by border patrol officers after wandering lost and dehydrated in the desert for four days. After six months in detention, he was deported last year but decided to travel north again after gangs threatened him at his job. While crossing has become more and more difficult in recent years, Valdez said, need is a powerful spur. "Necessity forces people to leave their countries so they can bring a better life to their families," he said. "That`s why people are willing to suffer through all this." After his arrest on Monday, Valdez put his personal belongings in a plastic bag, removed his shoelaces and was searched by the agents who arrested him. Then he and his companions were taken to a processing facility. People who have been previously deported can often be quickly sent home. Immigrants travelling with small children when caught often spend only a few days in custody, however, because of a shortage of detention facilities suitable for families and court settlements that preclude prolonged detention of minors. In the Rio Grande Valley, parents are often released with electronic ankle monitors and ordered to appear with their children in court on a specific date for deportation proceedings. Trump has railed against the practice, which he calls "catch and release." For migrants like Jose Romero, 27, who made the harrowing days-long trip through Mexico with his 8-year-old daughter in the back of a dark cargo truck, threats from the president are a little deterrent. In his mountain home in Honduras, Romero made just $4 a day as a farm labourer, not enough to feed his family of five, he said. After his arrest and subsequent release to wait court proceedings, he said he doubted if migrants can be deterred. "They will keep coming," he said, because of violence and poverty south of the border. "The people are afraid."

Migrants at US-Mexico border say Trump's tough talk won't deter them

Israel announced&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;it had reached a deal with the UN refugee agency to cancel a controversial plan to deport African migrants and replace it with a new one that will see thousands sent to Western countries.

A minimum of 16,250 migrants will be resettled in unspecified Western nations under the agreement announced in a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.&nbsp;

Netanyahu in January announced the implementation of a programme to remove migrants who entered illegally, giving them a choice between leaving voluntarily or facing indefinite imprisonment with eventual&nbsp;forced expulsion.

According to interior ministry figures, there are currently some 42,000 African migrants in Israel, half of them children, women or men with families, who are not facing immediate deportation.

They are mainly Sudanese and Eritrean.

As the migrants could face danger or imprisonment if returned to their homelands, Israel offered to relocate them to an unnamed African country, which deportees and aid workers said was Rwanda or Uganda.

The statement&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;said the new plan meant there was no longer a need to send migrants to unnamed third countries.

The plans had drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations refugee agency as well as from some Israelis and rights activists.

The migrants' presence in Israel has become a political issue, with Netanyahu referring to them as "not refugees but illegal infiltrators".

Some 16,250 migrants will be resettled in unspecified Western nations

Israel announced Monday it had reached a deal with the UN refugee agency to cancel a controversial plan to deport African migrants and replace it with a new one that will see thousands sent to Western countries. A minimum of 16,250 migrants will be resettled in unspecified Western nations under the agreement announced in a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Netanyahu in January announced the implementation of a programme to remove migrants who entered illegally, giving them a choice between leaving voluntarily or facing indefinite imprisonment with eventual forced expulsion. According to interior ministry figures, there are currently some 42,000 African migrants in Israel, half of them children, women or men with families, who are not facing immediate deportation. They are mainly Sudanese and Eritrean. As the migrants could face danger or imprisonment if returned to their homelands, Israel offered to relocate them to an unnamed African country, which deportees and aid workers said was Rwanda or Uganda. The statement on Monday said the new plan meant there was no longer a need to send migrants to unnamed third countries. The plans had drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations refugee agency as well as from some Israelis and rights activists. The migrants' presence in Israel has become a political issue, with Netanyahu referring to them as "not refugees but illegal infiltrators".

Israel cancels controversial plan to deport African migrants

Eladio Sanchez is unimpressed by the eight border wall prototypes looming over his house in Tijuana, Mexico, almost within spitting distance of where US President Donald Trump will visit Tuesday (Mar 13).

At age 30, he has already snuck over the border several times and doesn&#39;t expect Trump&#39;s wall will have much effect on undocumented migrants like him.

Pointing to the only prototype with an angular barrier at the top - a concrete structure built by Texas Sterling Construction Company - Sanchez says that one might slow him down a little more than the others.

But, he told AFP, &quot;you can get over it anyway.&quot;

&quot;It&#39;s just a little more complicated. But people are always looking for a way to get over - out of necessity, not because we want to.&quot;

In Tijuana, Trump&#39;s visit to the prototypes looks like just the latest slap in the face from a man who launched his presidential campaign calling Mexican immigrants &quot;criminals&quot; and &quot;rapists&quot; and has since driven US-Mexican relations to their lowest point in recent memory.

It&#39;s as if &quot;he wants to come just to tell us he&#39;s here, that he&#39;s going to do what he promised with the wall,&quot; says Sanchez, who lives in a small gray house in a poor neighborhood that juts up against the border, across from Otay Mesa, on the outskirts of San Diego.

&quot;WE WILL NEVER PAY&quot;

Sanchez has watched the barrier between the United States and Mexico grow over the years, blocking his view of the mountains more every time.

It started with a fence built during the Bill Clinton administration, then was beefed up with barbed wire.

&quot;They just keep adding more, making it taller,&quot; he said from his rooftop.

From there, he has an unimpeded view of the hulking prototypes, which stand about 9m&nbsp;tall and cost $300,000 to $500,000 each.

If Trump gets his way, whichever prototype or prototypes win will snake across much of the nearly 3,200km&nbsp;border.

The cost is estimated at up to $20 billion. Trump&#39;s insistence that Mexico will foot the bill is a source of national outrage.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto reportedly cancelled plans for a visit to Washington recently over the issue - the second time he has done so.

&quot;He firmly repeated what all Mexicans have always said: We will never pay for a wall on the border,&quot; said Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray.

&quot;POWERFUL ENERGY&quot;

An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, many of them Mexicans or other Latinos.

&quot;They are the proof that it&#39;s possible to get through. More Mexicans are getting through all the time,&quot; says Sergio Tamai, the founder of immigrant advocacy group Angels Without Borders.

Tamai runs a shelter for migrants in the border city of Mexicali, which sits across from Calexico, California.

The Migrant Hotel, as it&#39;s known, is not far from the rusted metal border fence that separates the two cities. On the Mexican side, the fence is covered in colourful graffiti, including the words &quot;penetrate me&quot; in giant letters.

Migrants, says Tamai, will always find a way.

&quot;The desert. The mountains. Human traffickers. You can&#39;t take away that desire to cross to the other side. That desire to build a better life for your family is such a strong, powerful energy.&quot;

&quot;ALL ALONE&quot;

For many Mexicans who have been deported from the United States, things have gone from bad to worse under Trump.

&quot;Everything is more difficult with Trump. He&#39;s really racist,&quot; says Carmelo Alfaro, 56, sitting on a mattress on the floor in the Migrant Hotel.

He was deported recently after working for 15 years as a gardener in San Francisco.

He now plans to move back &quot;all alone&quot; to his native state of Jalisco, in the west and says he is resigned to living the rest of his life without his three US-born children. He and his wife decided they would be better off in the United States.

Salvador Moreno, the elderly deportee who cleans the hotel, is more optimistic.

A native of the western state of Michoacan, he was deported from California two years ago and has since tried to go back twice. Both times he was arrested by the US border patrol.

&quot;It&#39;s harder for us now,&quot; he says.

But, he added, &quot;God willing, I&#39;ll go back.&quot;

An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, many of them Mexicans or other Latinos.

Eladio Sanchez is unimpressed by the eight border wall prototypes looming over his house in Tijuana, Mexico, almost within spitting distance of where US President Donald Trump will visit Tuesday (Mar 13). At age 30, he has already snuck over the border several times and doesn't expect Trump's wall will have much effect on undocumented migrants like him. Pointing to the only prototype with an angular barrier at the top - a concrete structure built by Texas Sterling Construction Company - Sanchez says that one might slow him down a little more than the others. But, he told AFP, "you can get over it anyway." "It's just a little more complicated. But people are always looking for a way to get over - out of necessity, not because we want to." In Tijuana, Trump's visit to the prototypes looks like just the latest slap in the face from a man who launched his presidential campaign calling Mexican immigrants "criminals" and "rapists" and has since driven US-Mexican relations to their lowest point in recent memory. It's as if "he wants to come just to tell us he's here, that he's going to do what he promised with the wall," says Sanchez, who lives in a small gray house in a poor neighborhood that juts up against the border, across from Otay Mesa, on the outskirts of San Diego. "WE WILL NEVER PAY" Sanchez has watched the barrier between the United States and Mexico grow over the years, blocking his view of the mountains more every time. It started with a fence built during the Bill Clinton administration, then was beefed up with barbed wire. "They just keep adding more, making it taller," he said from his rooftop. From there, he has an unimpeded view of the hulking prototypes, which stand about 9m tall and cost $300,000 to $500,000 each. If Trump gets his way, whichever prototype or prototypes win will snake across much of the nearly 3,200km border. The cost is estimated at up to $20 billion. Trump's insistence that Mexico will foot the bill is a source of national outrage. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto reportedly cancelled plans for a visit to Washington recently over the issue - the second time he has done so. "He firmly repeated what all Mexicans have always said: We will never pay for a wall on the border," said Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray. "POWERFUL ENERGY" An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, many of them Mexicans or other Latinos. "They are the proof that it's possible to get through. More Mexicans are getting through all the time," says Sergio Tamai, the founder of immigrant advocacy group Angels Without Borders. Tamai runs a shelter for migrants in the border city of Mexicali, which sits across from Calexico, California. The Migrant Hotel, as it's known, is not far from the rusted metal border fence that separates the two cities. On the Mexican side, the fence is covered in colourful graffiti, including the words "penetrate me" in giant letters. Migrants, says Tamai, will always find a way. "The desert. The mountains. Human traffickers. You can't take away that desire to cross to the other side. That desire to build a better life for your family is such a strong, powerful energy." "ALL ALONE" For many Mexicans who have been deported from the United States, things have gone from bad to worse under Trump. "Everything is more difficult with Trump. He's really racist," says Carmelo Alfaro, 56, sitting on a mattress on the floor in the Migrant Hotel. He was deported recently after working for 15 years as a gardener in San Francisco. He now plans to move back "all alone" to his native state of Jalisco, in the west and says he is resigned to living the rest of his life without his three US-born children. He and his wife decided they would be better off in the United States. Salvador Moreno, the elderly deportee who cleans the hotel, is more optimistic. A native of the western state of Michoacan, he was deported from California two years ago and has since tried to go back twice. Both times he was arrested by the US border patrol. "It's harder for us now," he says. But, he added, "God willing, I'll go back."

Undaunted by Trump's wall, migrants vow to go over it

International charity ships and Libya&#39;s coastguard and picked up several hundred migrants on Saturday as smugglers trying to take advantage of calm seas launched a flurry of boats towards Italy.

Libyan coastguard vessels intercepted three migrant boats, the first an inflatable dinghy that had broken down with 125 people on board off Zawiya, just west of the capital, Tripoli, said Ayoub Qassem, a coastguard spokesman.

The second boat was turned back off Garabulli, east of Tripoli, and had 112 people on board, while a third boat with 98 migrants on board was intercepted off Abu Kamash, near Libya&#39;s border with Tunisia.

One boat with more than 100 migrants on board made it as far as the Aquarius rescue ship about 21 miles from the coast to the west of Tripoli. The ship was preparing to transfer the migrants to Italy.

Rescuers on board the Aquarius said the migrant boat was on the verge of completely sinking when it reached them. More than half the migrants on it were Nigerians, with the rest from other sub-Saharan African countries as well as two Palestinians.

&quot;All but one of the five balloons holding the boat up was either completely deflated or deflating and there were still about 120 people inside the boat, so a very, very precarious condition,&quot; said one of the rescuers, Max Avis.&nbsp;

One of the Palestinians was thrown into the water by other migrants after trying to convince them that they would be better off being saved by a nearby Libyan coastguard boat than drowning, rescuers said.

Libya is the main departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea. More than 600,000 migrants have crossed the central Mediterranean to Italy over the past four years as people smugglers took advantage of a security vacuum in Libya. Thousands more perished at sea.

Since last summer the rate of departures dropped sharply after smugglers in the Libyan town of Sabratha struck a deal with the Tripoli government to halt their activities and were then pushed from the town by rival armed groups.

Libya&#39;s EU-backed coastguard has also stepped up interceptions, often cutting migrant boats off before they can reach international vessels that would bring them to Europe.

Two other groups of migrants were transferred to the Aquarius late on Saturday, including 62 who had been picked up by a merchant ship in offshore oil fields and 106 others from another charity vessel.

Meanwhile, the coastguard in Zuwara, a former Libyan smuggling hub west of Zawiya, said they had foiled a departure during the night and arrested some migrants whilst others had escaped with smugglers.

The coastguard posted pictures of detained sub-Saharan African migrants sitting in an inflatable rubber boat on the beach in the dark. 
&nbsp;

Libya is the main departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea

International charity ships and Libya's coastguard and picked up several hundred migrants on Saturday as smugglers trying to take advantage of calm seas launched a flurry of boats towards Italy. Libyan coastguard vessels intercepted three migrant boats, the first an inflatable dinghy that had broken down with 125 people on board off Zawiya, just west of the capital, Tripoli, said Ayoub Qassem, a coastguard spokesman. The second boat was turned back off Garabulli, east of Tripoli, and had 112 people on board, while a third boat with 98 migrants on board was intercepted off Abu Kamash, near Libya's border with Tunisia. One boat with more than 100 migrants on board made it as far as the Aquarius rescue ship about 21 miles from the coast to the west of Tripoli. The ship was preparing to transfer the migrants to Italy. Rescuers on board the Aquarius said the migrant boat was on the verge of completely sinking when it reached them. More than half the migrants on it were Nigerians, with the rest from other sub-Saharan African countries as well as two Palestinians. "All but one of the five balloons holding the boat up was either completely deflated or deflating and there were still about 120 people inside the boat, so a very, very precarious condition," said one of the rescuers, Max Avis. One of the Palestinians was thrown into the water by other migrants after trying to convince them that they would be better off being saved by a nearby Libyan coastguard boat than drowning, rescuers said. Libya is the main departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea. More than 600,000 migrants have crossed the central Mediterranean to Italy over the past four years as people smugglers took advantage of a security vacuum in Libya. Thousands more perished at sea. Since last summer the rate of departures dropped sharply after smugglers in the Libyan town of Sabratha struck a deal with the Tripoli government to halt their activities and were then pushed from the town by rival armed groups. Libya's EU-backed coastguard has also stepped up interceptions, often cutting migrant boats off before they can reach international vessels that would bring them to Europe. Two other groups of migrants were transferred to the Aquarius late on Saturday, including 62 who had been picked up by a merchant ship in offshore oil fields and 106 others from another charity vessel. Meanwhile, the coastguard in Zuwara, a former Libyan smuggling hub west of Zawiya, said they had foiled a departure during the night and arrested some migrants whilst others had escaped with smugglers. The coastguard posted pictures of detained sub-Saharan African migrants sitting in an inflatable rubber boat on the beach in the dark.

Hundreds of migrants picked up between Libya and Italy

At least 32 Pakistani nationals were aboard the ship that had recently capsized off the coast of Libya, Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office said on Sunday.

&quot;There were 32 Pakistanis among 80 to 90 people aboard the boat,&quot; Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement.

On Saturday, Faisal confirmed that 16 Pakistani nationals, out of the 90 people had died in the shipwreck.

&quot;Efforts are being made to bring bodies of deceased Pakistani citizens, for which funds have been provided to the embassy,&quot; Faisal maintained.

The tragedy happened off the coast of Zuwara in the early hours of Friday, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) spokeswoman Olivia Headon told reporters in Geneva.

&ldquo;At least 90 migrants are reported to have drowned, when a boat capsized off the coast of Libya this morning,&rdquo; the IOM said in a statement.

Two people survived the tragedy while another person was rescued by a fishing boat.

&quot;10 bodies are reported to have washed up on Libyan shores,&quot; the statement added.

On Saturday, Faisal confirmed that 16 Pakistani nationals, out of the 90 people had died in the shipwreck

At least 32 Pakistani nationals were aboard the ship that had recently capsized off the coast of Libya, Pakistan's Foreign Office said on Sunday. "There were 32 Pakistanis among 80 to 90 people aboard the boat," Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement. On Saturday, Faisal confirmed that 16 Pakistani nationals, out of the 90 people had died in the shipwreck. "Efforts are being made to bring bodies of deceased Pakistani citizens, for which funds have been provided to the embassy," Faisal maintained. The tragedy happened off the coast of Zuwara in the early hours of Friday, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) spokeswoman Olivia Headon told reporters in Geneva. “At least 90 migrants are reported to have drowned, when a boat capsized off the coast of Libya this morning,” the IOM said in a statement. Two people survived the tragedy while another person was rescued by a fishing boat. "10 bodies are reported to have washed up on Libyan shores," the statement added.

32 Pakistan nationals among 90 migrants feared dead in boat capsize off Libya

A UN agency said at least 90 people are feared dead in boat capsize in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya.

&quot;At least 90 migrants are reported to have drowned, when a boat capsized off the coast of Libya this morning&quot;, the International Organization for Migration said in a statement.&nbsp;

Two people survived the tragedy while another person was rescued by a fishing boat.

&quot;10 bodies are reported to have washed up on Libyan shores,&quot; the statement added.

Two people survived the tragedy while another person was rescued by a fishing boat.

A UN agency said at least 90 people are feared dead in boat capsize in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya. "At least 90 migrants are reported to have drowned, when a boat capsized off the coast of Libya this morning", the International Organization for Migration said in a statement. Two people survived the tragedy while another person was rescued by a fishing boat. "10 bodies are reported to have washed up on Libyan shores," the statement added.

90 migrants feared dead in boat capsize off Libya: UN

At least five people were shot and dozens were left injured during a mass brawl between 100 Eritreans and about 30 Afghans in the French port city of Calais.&nbsp;

The brawl happened between rival gangs of migrants from Afghanistan and Eritrea &ldquo;armed with sticks and stones&rdquo; near Calais Hospital on Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;

Four Eritrean youths aged 16-18 who were shot during the brawl are in a critical condition and have been rushed to a local hospital for surgery. The fifth man was taken to Lille as he suffered severe injuries.&nbsp;

As per reports, at least 13 others have been wounded after they were beaten up with iron bars.&nbsp;

The fight, which lasted almost two hours, reportedly began when an Afghan migrant fired shots. Soon after, over a 100 Eritreans charged over 20 Afghans in a town called Marck.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Police intervened to protect the Afghan migrants faced with 150 to 200 Eritrean migrants,&rdquo; the local prefecture said, adding that security reinforcements were being deployed in the area.

The clashes come as tension continues to surround Calais, which remains home to hundreds of migrants despite the closure of the infamous Jungle camp in October 2016.

The notorious Jungle camp in Calais, once home to some 10,000 people hoping to make it to Britain, was demolished in 2016, but hundreds of migrants remain in the port city seeking to stow away on England-bound trucks.

A judicial source equated Thursday&rsquo;s unrest with that 2015 when the camp was created.

Those left in the area, most of them young Africans and Afghan men, have been living rough in the woods and clash regularly with police, who clear their encampments and stop them from setting up roadblocks in a bid to slow passing trucks.

Grim living conditions have led to regular confrontations between migrants of different nationalities, and five people were shot in a fight between rival Afghan groups last November.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb tweeted he would be heading to the area by helicopter and could stay overnight.

&ldquo;After today&rsquo;s serious incidents I shall be heading for Calais tonight to take stock of the situation with the perfect, the mayor and local players,&rdquo; including police, Collomb tweeted.

The brawl happened between rival gangs of migrants from Afghanistan and Eritrea “armed with sticks and stones” near Calais Hospital on Thursday afternoon

At least five people were shot and dozens were left injured during a mass brawl between 100 Eritreans and about 30 Afghans in the French port city of Calais. The brawl happened between rival gangs of migrants from Afghanistan and Eritrea “armed with sticks and stones” near Calais Hospital on Thursday afternoon. Four Eritrean youths aged 16-18 who were shot during the brawl are in a critical condition and have been rushed to a local hospital for surgery. The fifth man was taken to Lille as he suffered severe injuries. As per reports, at least 13 others have been wounded after they were beaten up with iron bars. The fight, which lasted almost two hours, reportedly began when an Afghan migrant fired shots. Soon after, over a 100 Eritreans charged over 20 Afghans in a town called Marck. “Police intervened to protect the Afghan migrants faced with 150 to 200 Eritrean migrants,” the local prefecture said, adding that security reinforcements were being deployed in the area. The clashes come as tension continues to surround Calais, which remains home to hundreds of migrants despite the closure of the infamous Jungle camp in October 2016. The notorious Jungle camp in Calais, once home to some 10,000 people hoping to make it to Britain, was demolished in 2016, but hundreds of migrants remain in the port city seeking to stow away on England-bound trucks. A judicial source equated Thursday’s unrest with that 2015 when the camp was created. Those left in the area, most of them young Africans and Afghan men, have been living rough in the woods and clash regularly with police, who clear their encampments and stop them from setting up roadblocks in a bid to slow passing trucks. Grim living conditions have led to regular confrontations between migrants of different nationalities, and five people were shot in a fight between rival Afghan groups last November. French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb tweeted he would be heading to the area by helicopter and could stay overnight. “After today’s serious incidents I shall be heading for Calais tonight to take stock of the situation with the perfect, the mayor and local players,” including police, Collomb tweeted.

France: Eritreans, Afghans brawl in Calais, several injured

The PM Modi government recently announced its plan to introduce a set of changes in passports issues to Indian citizens.

According to the plan, a passport will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/soon-passports-will-cease-to-be-valid-address-proof-29346">no longer serve as a valid address proof</a> and its last page will not bear the holder&#39;s address.&nbsp;

In addition to this, the government also announced to issue orange-jacketed passports to those who seek immigration.&nbsp;

&quot;As the last page of the passport would not be printed now, the passport holders with ECR (Emigration Check Required) status would be issued a passport with orange passport jacket and those with non-ECR status would continue to get a blue passport,&quot; an MEA statement read.

The changes did not go well with Congress President Rahul Gandhi who criticised the move as &quot;discriminatory&quot; and slammed the government for treating India&#39;s migrant workers as &quot;second-class citizens&quot;.

&quot;Treating India&#39;s migrant workers like second-class citizens is completely unacceptable. This action demonstrates BJP&#39;s discriminatory mindset,&quot; the Congress president tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
Treating India&#39;s migrant workers like second class citizens is completely unacceptable. This action demonstrates BJP&rsquo;s discriminatory mindset.<a href="https://t.co/6iiOy2rPKC">https://t.co/6iiOy2rPKC</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/952415825239175168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The government gave a nod to the recommendations suggested by a three-member panel, including officials from the External Affairs Ministry and the Women and Child Development Ministry.

It was decided that the last page of passports and other travel documents issued under the Passports Act, 1967, and Passport Rules, 1980, &quot;would no longer be printed&quot;.

The foreign ministry has not decided on the date for issuing the new passports.

All existing passports will be replaced by the new version after they expire.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The foreign ministry has not decided on the date for issuing the new passports.

The PM Modi government recently announced its plan to introduce a set of changes in passports issues to Indian citizens. According to the plan, a passport will no longer serve as a valid address proof and its last page will not bear the holder's address. In addition to this, the government also announced to issue orange-jacketed passports to those who seek immigration. "As the last page of the passport would not be printed now, the passport holders with ECR (Emigration Check Required) status would be issued a passport with orange passport jacket and those with non-ECR status would continue to get a blue passport," an MEA statement read. The changes did not go well with Congress President Rahul Gandhi who criticised the move as "discriminatory" and slammed the government for treating India's migrant workers as "second-class citizens". "Treating India's migrant workers like second-class citizens is completely unacceptable. This action demonstrates BJP's discriminatory mindset," the Congress president tweeted. Treating India's migrant workers like second class citizens is completely unacceptable. This action demonstrates BJP’s discriminatory mindset.https://t.co/6iiOy2rPKC — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 14, 2018 × The government gave a nod to the recommendations suggested by a three-member panel, including officials from the External Affairs Ministry and the Women and Child Development Ministry. It was decided that the last page of passports and other travel documents issued under the Passports Act, 1967, and Passport Rules, 1980, "would no longer be printed". The foreign ministry has not decided on the date for issuing the new passports. All existing passports will be replaced by the new version after they expire. (With inputs from PTI)

Government's move to issue orange-jacketed passports for migrants irks Rahul Gandhi 

At least 64 African migrants are presumed dead after a traffickers&#39;&nbsp;rubber dinghy from Libya sank in the Mediterranean sea.

Among the migrants was a mother of a three-year-old who clung to her as she drowned, local media said on Monday.

A United Nations migration agency official said that 86 people were rescued from the boat by the Italian Coast Guard after it started sinking on Saturday morning.

Flavio Di Giacomo of the International Organization for Migration on Monday said that 150 plus people were aboard the boat when it set out from a Libyan beach.

He claimed that the dinghy was packed and made of poor quality rubber.

Local media reported saying that some eight hours into the Mediterranean crossing, &quot;water started pouring in, panic ensued, the migrants all moved to one side, and the boat lost its balance and was deflating.&quot;

Among the migrants was a mother of a three-year-old who clung to her as she drowned

At least 64 African migrants are presumed dead after a traffickers' rubber dinghy from Libya sank in the Mediterranean sea. Among the migrants was a mother of a three-year-old who clung to her as she drowned, local media said on Monday. A United Nations migration agency official said that 86 people were rescued from the boat by the Italian Coast Guard after it started sinking on Saturday morning. Flavio Di Giacomo of the International Organization for Migration on Monday said that 150 plus people were aboard the boat when it set out from a Libyan beach. He claimed that the dinghy was packed and made of poor quality rubber. Local media reported saying that some eight hours into the Mediterranean crossing, "water started pouring in, panic ensued, the migrants all moved to one side, and the boat lost its balance and was deflating."

64 feared dead after smuggling boat sinks in Mediterranean

Pope Francis in his Christmas eve mass Sunday urged the world&#39;s 1.3 billion Catholics not to ignore the plight of migrants who are &quot;driven from their land&quot; because of leaders willing to shed &quot;innocent blood&quot;.

&quot;So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary,&quot; the Argentine pontiff, himself the grandson of Italian migrants, told worshippers in Saint Peter&#39;s Basilica

&quot;We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away but, driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones.&quot;

Many engulfed in the ongoing migration crisis were forced to flee from leaders &quot;who, to impose their power and increase their wealth, see no problem in shedding innocent blood&quot;, said the 81-year-old, who will give his traditional &quot;Urbi et Orbi&quot; Christmas address on Monday.

The pontiff&#39;s plea for &quot;hope&quot; came as fresh tensions simmered in the West Bank following Washington&#39;s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

The announcement by US President Donald Trump on December 6 unleashed demonstrators and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus at a midnight mass.

Less tourists in Bethlehem

Palestinian scouts played drums and bagpipes at Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem on Sunday, but many tourists stayed away this year.

Hundreds of people gathered in the cold on Bethlehem&#39;s Manger square to watch the annual scout parade towards the Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where tradition says Mary gave birth to Jesus.

But the square was noticeably quieter following the violence between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army in the past weeks.

Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump&#39;s declaration, including a 19-year-old who died of his wounds on Sunday nine days after he was shot during a Gaza protest.

In the square, Nahil Banura, a Christian woman from Beit Sahur, near Bethlehem, said Trump&#39;s decision had made the run-up to Christmas &quot;miserable&quot;.

&quot;People are only going out to vent,&quot; she said.

Reinforced troops

Perhaps as few as 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two percent of the predominantly Muslim population of the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Church of the Nativity Sunday afternoon.

He said last week that &quot;dozens&quot; of foreign visitors had cancelled their Christmas trips after Trump&#39;s announcement.

But Israel&#39;s tourism ministry said Christmas preparations have not been affected, and it expects a 20 percent increase in the number of Christian pilgrims this year compared with 2016.

An Israeli police spokesman said extra units would be deployed in Jerusalem and at the crossings to Bethlehem to ease the access for the &quot;thousands of tourists and visitors&quot;.

And the Israeli army officer in charge of the Bethlehem area said that while tensions had been high in the area following the Jerusalem announcement, he did not expect trouble on Christmas.

&quot;We&#39;ve reinforced our troops, and are ready for any scenario,&quot; Lieutenant Colonel Benny Meir told AFP.

Israel seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, in moves never recognised by the international community.

Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state and interpreted Trump&#39;s statement as rejecting their right to a capital in east Jerusalem, although the Americans deny this.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump&#39;s decision meant that any peace plan proposed by the United States will be no longer acceptable.

Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told AFP on Sunday that Christmas this year is a &quot;mix of sadness and joy&quot; because of the US decision on Jerusalem, which he called &quot;the beating heart of Palestine&quot;.

Christmas in Mosul

In neighbouring Egypt, Coptic Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 6 saw a church in Giza attacked by a mob following Muslim prayers on Friday, the latest in some 20 such incidents in 2017.

Christmas decorations have meanwhile become more visible in Christian areas of Syria&#39;s capital Damascus this year.

In the central Syrian city of Homs, Christians will celebrate Christmas with great fanfare for the first time in years after the end of battles between regime and rebel forces, with processions, shows for children and even decorations among the ruins.

In Iraq too, this year marks a positive turning point for the Christian community in the northern city of Mosul.

Hymns filled a Mosul church on Sunday as worshippers celebrated Christmas for the first time in four years after the city&#39;s recapture from the Islamic State group in July.

Muslims stood alongside Christian worshippers amid the candles and Christmas trees at St Paul&#39;s Church in Mosul.

Francis was speaking at his Christmas eve mass at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

Pope Francis in his Christmas eve mass Sunday urged the world's 1.3 billion Catholics not to ignore the plight of migrants who are "driven from their land" because of leaders willing to shed "innocent blood". "So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary," the Argentine pontiff, himself the grandson of Italian migrants, told worshippers in Saint Peter's Basilica "We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away but, driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones." Many engulfed in the ongoing migration crisis were forced to flee from leaders "who, to impose their power and increase their wealth, see no problem in shedding innocent blood", said the 81-year-old, who will give his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas address on Monday. The pontiff's plea for "hope" came as fresh tensions simmered in the West Bank following Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The announcement by US President Donald Trump on December 6 unleashed demonstrators and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus at a midnight mass. Less tourists in Bethlehem Palestinian scouts played drums and bagpipes at Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem on Sunday, but many tourists stayed away this year. Hundreds of people gathered in the cold on Bethlehem's Manger square to watch the annual scout parade towards the Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where tradition says Mary gave birth to Jesus. But the square was noticeably quieter following the violence between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army in the past weeks. Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump's declaration, including a 19-year-old who died of his wounds on Sunday nine days after he was shot during a Gaza protest. In the square, Nahil Banura, a Christian woman from Beit Sahur, near Bethlehem, said Trump's decision had made the run-up to Christmas "miserable". "People are only going out to vent," she said. Reinforced troops Perhaps as few as 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two percent of the predominantly Muslim population of the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Church of the Nativity Sunday afternoon. He said last week that "dozens" of foreign visitors had cancelled their Christmas trips after Trump's announcement. But Israel's tourism ministry said Christmas preparations have not been affected, and it expects a 20 percent increase in the number of Christian pilgrims this year compared with 2016. An Israeli police spokesman said extra units would be deployed in Jerusalem and at the crossings to Bethlehem to ease the access for the "thousands of tourists and visitors". And the Israeli army officer in charge of the Bethlehem area said that while tensions had been high in the area following the Jerusalem announcement, he did not expect trouble on Christmas. "We've reinforced our troops, and are ready for any scenario," Lieutenant Colonel Benny Meir told AFP. Israel seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, in moves never recognised by the international community. Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state and interpreted Trump's statement as rejecting their right to a capital in east Jerusalem, although the Americans deny this. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump's decision meant that any peace plan proposed by the United States will be no longer acceptable. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told AFP on Sunday that Christmas this year is a "mix of sadness and joy" because of the US decision on Jerusalem, which he called "the beating heart of Palestine". Christmas in Mosul In neighbouring Egypt, Coptic Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 6 saw a church in Giza attacked by a mob following Muslim prayers on Friday, the latest in some 20 such incidents in 2017. Christmas decorations have meanwhile become more visible in Christian areas of Syria's capital Damascus this year. In the central Syrian city of Homs, Christians will celebrate Christmas with great fanfare for the first time in years after the end of battles between regime and rebel forces, with processions, shows for children and even decorations among the ruins. In Iraq too, this year marks a positive turning point for the Christian community in the northern city of Mosul. Hymns filled a Mosul church on Sunday as worshippers celebrated Christmas for the first time in four years after the city's recapture from the Islamic State group in July. Muslims stood alongside Christian worshippers amid the candles and Christmas trees at St Paul's Church in Mosul.

Pope pleads for migrants 'driven from their land' by leaders willing to shed 'innocent blood'

At least 25 migrants died after their boat sank off Libya&#39;s western coast on Saturday and survivors were being brought back to port in Tripoli, Libyan coastguard officials said.

Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink.

Most migrants are picked up by international vessels and taken to Italy, where more than 115,000 have landed so far this year, although an increasing number are intercepted by Libya&#39;s European-backed coastguard and returned to the North African country.

Since July, there has been a sharp drop in crossings, though this week has seen a renewed surge in departures.

Nearly 3,000 migrants are known to have died or been missing after trying to cross to Europe by sea this year, the majority of them between Libya and Italy. The International Organization for Migration said on Friday that since 2000 the Mediterranean had been &quot;by far the world&#39;s deadliest border&quot;.

Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe and the smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink

At least 25 migrants died after their boat sank off Libya's western coast on Saturday and survivors were being brought back to port in Tripoli, Libyan coastguard officials said. Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink. Most migrants are picked up by international vessels and taken to Italy, where more than 115,000 have landed so far this year, although an increasing number are intercepted by Libya's European-backed coastguard and returned to the North African country. Since July, there has been a sharp drop in crossings, though this week has seen a renewed surge in departures. Nearly 3,000 migrants are known to have died or been missing after trying to cross to Europe by sea this year, the majority of them between Libya and Italy. The International Organization for Migration said on Friday that since 2000 the Mediterranean had been "by far the world's deadliest border".

At least 25 dead after migrant boat sinks off Libya

More than 33,000 migrants have died at sea trying to reach European shores since 2000, making the Mediterranean &quot;by far the world&#39;s deadliest border&quot;, the United Nations migration agency said on Friday.

After record arrivals from 2014 to 2016, the European Union&#39;s deal with Turkey to stop arrivals to Greece and blocks on migrants inside Libya and off its coast have greatly reduced the flow, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

Professor Philippe Fargues of the European University Institute in Florence, author of the report, said the figures probably underestimated the actual scale of the human tragedy.

&quot;The report states that at least 33,761 migrants were reported to have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean between the year 2000 to 2017. This number is as of June 30,&quot; IOM&#39;s Jorge Galindo told a Geneva news briefing.

&quot;It concludes that Europe&#39;s Mediterranean border is by far the world&#39;s deadliest,&quot; he said.

So far this year some 161,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe by sea, about 75 per cent of them landing in Italy with the rest in Greece, Cyprus and Spain, according to IOM figures. Nearly 3,000 others are dead or missing, it said.

&quot;Shutting the shorter and less dangerous routes can open longer and more dangerous routes, thus increasing the likelihood of dying at sea,&quot; Fargues said.

The report said: &quot;Cooperation with Turkey to stem irregular flows is now being replicated with Libya, the main country of departure of migrants smuggled along the central route; however, such an approach is not only morally reprehensible but likely to be unsuccessful, given the context of extremely poor governance, instability and political fragmentation in Libya.&quot;

Though sea arrivals to Italy are down almost a third this year, this week there was a surge in rescues and attempted crossings.

On Friday, Libya&#39;s EU-backed coastguard intercepted more than 600 mainly sub-Saharan African migrants, including many women and children, from a total of five boats that had left from the coast east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, coast guard officials said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Italy&#39;s coast guard said some 1,600 migrants were rescued from nearly 20 vessels in the central Mediterranean.

Libya&#39;s UN.-backed government said on Thursday it was investigating reports of African migrants being sold as slaves and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Footage broadcast by CNN appearing to show African migrants being traded in Libya sparked an international outcry and protests in Europe and Africa.

More than 33,000 migrants have died at sea trying to reach European shores since 2000, making the Mediterranean "by far the world's deadliest border", the United Nations migration agency said on Friday

More than 33,000 migrants have died at sea trying to reach European shores since 2000, making the Mediterranean "by far the world's deadliest border", the United Nations migration agency said on Friday. After record arrivals from 2014 to 2016, the European Union's deal with Turkey to stop arrivals to Greece and blocks on migrants inside Libya and off its coast have greatly reduced the flow, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Professor Philippe Fargues of the European University Institute in Florence, author of the report, said the figures probably underestimated the actual scale of the human tragedy. "The report states that at least 33,761 migrants were reported to have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean between the year 2000 to 2017. This number is as of June 30," IOM's Jorge Galindo told a Geneva news briefing. "It concludes that Europe's Mediterranean border is by far the world's deadliest," he said. So far this year some 161,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe by sea, about 75 per cent of them landing in Italy with the rest in Greece, Cyprus and Spain, according to IOM figures. Nearly 3,000 others are dead or missing, it said. "Shutting the shorter and less dangerous routes can open longer and more dangerous routes, thus increasing the likelihood of dying at sea," Fargues said. The report said: "Cooperation with Turkey to stem irregular flows is now being replicated with Libya, the main country of departure of migrants smuggled along the central route; however, such an approach is not only morally reprehensible but likely to be unsuccessful, given the context of extremely poor governance, instability and political fragmentation in Libya." Though sea arrivals to Italy are down almost a third this year, this week there was a surge in rescues and attempted crossings. On Friday, Libya's EU-backed coastguard intercepted more than 600 mainly sub-Saharan African migrants, including many women and children, from a total of five boats that had left from the coast east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, coast guard officials said. On Wednesday and Thursday, Italy's coast guard said some 1,600 migrants were rescued from nearly 20 vessels in the central Mediterranean. Libya's UN.-backed government said on Thursday it was investigating reports of African migrants being sold as slaves and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. Footage broadcast by CNN appearing to show African migrants being traded in Libya sparked an international outcry and protests in Europe and Africa.

Mediterranean 'by far world's deadliest border' for migrants: UN agency

Over 250 migrants making the dangerous crossing to Europe were rescued Friday off Spain, with several other vessels still in need of rescue, authorities said. &nbsp;

Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants arriving in Europe, but far behind Italy and Greece. However, the number of people arriving by sea in Spain has nearly tripled over last year to 17,687.

Many Africans undertaking the long route to Europe are choosing to avoid crossing danger-ridden Libya to get to Italy along the so-called central Mediterranean route and choosing instead to get there via Morocco and Spain.

The number rescued off Friday off Spain stood at 266, who had been aboard 24 makeshift vessels, said a spokeswoman for the rescuers. Some 15 other boats in need of help were still being sought.

Authorities took the migrants to ports at Cartagena, Malaga and Torrevieja, which are all along Spain&#39;s Mediterranean coast.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 158,935 people have made the dangerous crossing to Europe this year and another 2,982 died or went missing while trying.

Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants arriving in Europe, but far behind Italy and Greece. However, the number of people arriving by sea in Spain has nearly tripled over last year to 17,687.

Over 250 migrants making the dangerous crossing to Europe were rescued Friday off Spain, with several other vessels still in need of rescue, authorities said. Spain is the third busiest gateway for migrants arriving in Europe, but far behind Italy and Greece. However, the number of people arriving by sea in Spain has nearly tripled over last year to 17,687. Many Africans undertaking the long route to Europe are choosing to avoid crossing danger-ridden Libya to get to Italy along the so-called central Mediterranean route and choosing instead to get there via Morocco and Spain. The number rescued off Friday off Spain stood at 266, who had been aboard 24 makeshift vessels, said a spokeswoman for the rescuers. Some 15 other boats in need of help were still being sought. Authorities took the migrants to ports at Cartagena, Malaga and Torrevieja, which are all along Spain's Mediterranean coast. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 158,935 people have made the dangerous crossing to Europe this year and another 2,982 died or went missing while trying.

Over 250 migrants rescued off Spain

The Saudi Arabian government has <a href="http://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/saudi-arabia/saudi-to-remove-all-expats-from-govt-departments-ministries">announced plans</a> to remove all expatriates from the public sector over the next three years. This is part of the Saudization 2020 plan to ensure more jobs for locals in the kingdom.

According to estimates from the International Labor Organization, 5.5% of the labour force in Saudi Arabia was unemployed in 2016. Here&#39;s a chart showing unemployment rates for the rest of the countries in the Persian Gulf:

&nbsp;

<div id="highcharts-eregoce"><script src='//cloud.highcharts.com/inject/eregoce/1' defer='defer'></script></div>

If we look at what those percentages mean in actual&nbsp;numbers, it comes to around 695,000 Saudis being unemployed.

&nbsp;

<div id="highcharts-icakoki"><script src='//cloud.highcharts.com/inject/icakoki/7' defer='defer'></script></div>

This move to Saudise the public sector by 2020 could particularly affect South Asia, which has over 6.5 million migrants in South Asia.

&nbsp;

<div id="highcharts-uqomahy"><script src='//cloud.highcharts.com/inject/uqomahy/2' defer='defer'></script></div>

Saudi Arabia wants to 'Saudise' its public sector by 2020 to ensure more jobs for locals. So how many of them don't have jobs?

The Saudi Arabian government has announced plans to remove all expatriates from the public sector over the next three years. This is part of the Saudization 2020 plan to ensure more jobs for locals in the kingdom. According to estimates from the International Labor Organization, 5.5% of the labour force in Saudi Arabia was unemployed in 2016. Here's a chart showing unemployment rates for the rest of the countries in the Persian Gulf: If we look at what those percentages mean in actual numbers, it comes to around 695,000 Saudis being unemployed. This move to Saudise the public sector by 2020 could particularly affect South Asia, which has over 6.5 million migrants in South Asia.

Infographic: Unemployment hits Saudi Arabia, govt aims at 'Saudization'

Some 6,000 migrants hoping to head to Europe were rescued in the Mediterranean on Friday and Saturday in dozens of frantic operations coordinated by the Italian coastguard.

Some 3,000 were picked up Saturday by the navy, coastguard, EU border agency Frontex and several NGOs, the coastguard said in a statement.&nbsp;

Some of them have already been taken to shore in Italy while others, including 730 onboard a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), were on their way.

The Libyan coastguard told AFP it had picked up around 170 migrants off Tripoli on Saturday, but had failed to rescue others &quot;due to a lack of means&quot;.

The rescues came a day after around 3,000 others were found floating in rubber boats and on makeshift rafts after having left Libya, heading towards Italy.&nbsp;

The International Organization for Migration meanwhile said fishermen had rescued 371 migrants Friday off the coast of the Libyan town of Zuwara.

Italy and Libya have moved to boost cooperation in recent months in order to cut the number of people risking their lives by attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing.&nbsp;

The Italian government said in a deal signed with Libya in February that it would offer manpower as well as technical assistance to the Libyan coastguard.

Rome said this week that it had delivered two speedboats to Libya at the end of last month, with eight more due by the end of June.

Some 37,000 people, many of them sub-Saharan Africans, have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of the year -- a figure some thirty per cent higher than a year earlier, according to the Italian interior ministry.

More than 4,500 migrants died or were missing and feared drowned in 2016, and another 1,000 have met the same fate this year.

(AFP)

Some 37,000 people, many of them sub-Saharan Africans, have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of the year -- a figure some thirty per cent higher than a year earlier.

Some 6,000 migrants hoping to head to Europe were rescued in the Mediterranean on Friday and Saturday in dozens of frantic operations coordinated by the Italian coastguard. Some 3,000 were picked up Saturday by the navy, coastguard, EU border agency Frontex and several NGOs, the coastguard said in a statement. Some of them have already been taken to shore in Italy while others, including 730 onboard a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), were on their way. The Libyan coastguard told AFP it had picked up around 170 migrants off Tripoli on Saturday, but had failed to rescue others "due to a lack of means". The rescues came a day after around 3,000 others were found floating in rubber boats and on makeshift rafts after having left Libya, heading towards Italy. The International Organization for Migration meanwhile said fishermen had rescued 371 migrants Friday off the coast of the Libyan town of Zuwara. Italy and Libya have moved to boost cooperation in recent months in order to cut the number of people risking their lives by attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing. The Italian government said in a deal signed with Libya in February that it would offer manpower as well as technical assistance to the Libyan coastguard. Rome said this week that it had delivered two speedboats to Libya at the end of last month, with eight more due by the end of June. Some 37,000 people, many of them sub-Saharan Africans, have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of the year -- a figure some thirty per cent higher than a year earlier, according to the Italian interior ministry. More than 4,500 migrants died or were missing and feared drowned in 2016, and another 1,000 have met the same fate this year. (AFP)

6,000 migrants rescued in Mediterranean in last two days

Greece&#39;s port police said Monday at least 16 people including women and children have died in a suspected migrant boat sinking off the Aegean island of Lesbos.

The bodies of six women, a child and two men were recovered in Greek waters, while the Turkish coastguard found the bodies of another six men and a child, the Greek coastguard said in a statement.

Greek authorities had received no distress call prior to finding the bodies, a coastguard spokeswoman said.

Weather conditions in the area are mild.

Searches continue after a pregnant woman, one of two survivors, told officials that there had been a total of &nbsp;25 people on board.

According to the two African survivors, the boat capsized Sunday night, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said.

Greece&#39;s Aegean Sea islands are a primary transit point for refugees and migrants seeking to reach Europe from Turkey.

In 2015 and 2016, more than 1,000 refugees and migrants perished in the dangerous sea crossing.

Over a million people have landed in Greece since 2015, many of them fleeing civil war in Syria.

Another entry point is in northern Greece near the Turkish border where there was another accident involving migrants on Monday.

A van carrying 15 illegal migrants overturned in a high-speed chase with police, killing a 35-year-old Iranian on board, Greek police said in a statement.

Three migrants and the driver of the van, a 29-year-old Moldovan, were injured and hospitalised, police said. &nbsp;

Authorities added that as well as the deceased there were five Bangladeshis, three Pakistanis, three Iraqis and three Iranians in the van.

There have been fewer of these deadly accidents this year following an accord between the European Union and Turkey reached in March 2016 that has curtailed the influx of migrants.

According to UNHCR, around 4,900 people have tried to make the crossing from Turkey to Greece since the beginning of this year, compared with 173,450 reported arrivals in 2016.

(AFP)

Searches continue after a pregnant woman, one of two survivors, told officials that there had been a total of ?25 people on board

Greece's port police said Monday at least 16 people including women and children have died in a suspected migrant boat sinking off the Aegean island of Lesbos. The bodies of six women, a child and two men were recovered in Greek waters, while the Turkish coastguard found the bodies of another six men and a child, the Greek coastguard said in a statement. Greek authorities had received no distress call prior to finding the bodies, a coastguard spokeswoman said. Weather conditions in the area are mild. Searches continue after a pregnant woman, one of two survivors, told officials that there had been a total of 25 people on board. According to the two African survivors, the boat capsized Sunday night, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said. Greece's Aegean Sea islands are a primary transit point for refugees and migrants seeking to reach Europe from Turkey. In 2015 and 2016, more than 1,000 refugees and migrants perished in the dangerous sea crossing. Over a million people have landed in Greece since 2015, many of them fleeing civil war in Syria. Another entry point is in northern Greece near the Turkish border where there was another accident involving migrants on Monday. A van carrying 15 illegal migrants overturned in a high-speed chase with police, killing a 35-year-old Iranian on board, Greek police said in a statement. Three migrants and the driver of the van, a 29-year-old Moldovan, were injured and hospitalised, police said. Authorities added that as well as the deceased there were five Bangladeshis, three Pakistanis, three Iraqis and three Iranians in the van. There have been fewer of these deadly accidents this year following an accord between the European Union and Turkey reached in March 2016 that has curtailed the influx of migrants. According to UNHCR, around 4,900 people have tried to make the crossing from Turkey to Greece since the beginning of this year, compared with 173,450 reported arrivals in 2016. (AFP)

At least 16 migrants die after boat sinks off Greek coast

New Zealand said on Wednesday it will tighten access to its skilled work visas, just a day after the United States and neighbouring Australia announced similar restrictions on immigration.

New Zealand&#39;s immigration minister said he was taking a &quot;Kiwis-first approach to immigration&quot;, echoing Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and U.S. President Donald Trump in announcing policies to ensure jobs for Australians and Americans.

Migration has become a hot topic in the lead up to New Zealand&#39;s Sept. 23 general election.

&quot;These changes are designed to strike the right balance ... and encourage employers to take on more Kiwis and invest in the training to upskill them,&quot; immigration minister Michael Woodhouse said in a statement, using the colloquial term for New Zealand citizens.

The changes to be introduced later this year include introducing a minimum income requirement, making it more difficult for family members to join visa holders and limiting the amount of time seasonal workers are allowed to stay in New Zealand.

A boom in new arrivals has helped the New Zealand economy race along with some of the strongest gross domestic product growth in the developed world.

But opposition parties and the central bank have called for a review of current policies, citing low wages growth and soaring house prices spurred by the influx.

Many sectors, such as technology and construction suffer from a severe shortage of workers and companies in these areas were recruiting many of their workers from offshore.

Under the changes, employers would need to provide a minimum income of NZ$49,000 ($34,530.30) for anyone entering on a prioritised &quot;skilled&quot;. Anyone earning more than NZ$73,000 would be classed as highly skilled.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The US and Australia announced similar restrictions yesterday

New Zealand said on Wednesday it will tighten access to its skilled work visas, just a day after the United States and neighbouring Australia announced similar restrictions on immigration. New Zealand's immigration minister said he was taking a "Kiwis-first approach to immigration", echoing Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and U.S. President Donald Trump in announcing policies to ensure jobs for Australians and Americans. Migration has become a hot topic in the lead up to New Zealand's Sept. 23 general election. "These changes are designed to strike the right balance ... and encourage employers to take on more Kiwis and invest in the training to upskill them," immigration minister Michael Woodhouse said in a statement, using the colloquial term for New Zealand citizens. The changes to be introduced later this year include introducing a minimum income requirement, making it more difficult for family members to join visa holders and limiting the amount of time seasonal workers are allowed to stay in New Zealand. A boom in new arrivals has helped the New Zealand economy race along with some of the strongest gross domestic product growth in the developed world. But opposition parties and the central bank have called for a review of current policies, citing low wages growth and soaring house prices spurred by the influx. Many sectors, such as technology and construction suffer from a severe shortage of workers and companies in these areas were recruiting many of their workers from offshore. Under the changes, employers would need to provide a minimum income of NZ$49,000 ($34,530.30) for anyone entering on a prioritised "skilled". Anyone earning more than NZ$73,000 would be classed as highly skilled. (Reuters)

New Zealand tightens immigration rules in 'Kiwi-first' crackdown

More than 2,000 migrants trying to reach Europe were plucked from the Mediterranean on Friday in a series of dramatic rescues and one person was found dead, officials and witnesses said.

An Italian coast guard spokesman said 19 rescue operations by the coast guard or ships operated by non-governmental organisations had saved a total of 2,074 migrants on 16 rubber dinghies and three small wooden boats.

The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in a tweet that one teenager was found dead in a rubber boat whose passengers were rescued by its ship Aquarius.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
A very difficult rescue today for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aquarius?src=hash">#Aquarius</a> with one teenager found dead in a rubber boat. In 2017, the sea continues to be a graveyard. <a href="https://t.co/2gVh5AOOcd">pic.twitter.com/2gVh5AOOcd</a>
&mdash; MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSF_Sea/status/852877130346221568">April 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The sea continues to be a graveyard,&quot; MSF said in a Tweet. The coast guard spokesman confirmed that one person had died but gave no details.

MSF said two of their ships, Aquarius and Prudence, had rescued about 1,000 people in nine boats.

Desperate refugees struggled to stay afloat after they slid off their rubber boat during a rescue operation by the Phoenix, a ship of the rescue group Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS).

Video footage showed rescuers jumping into the water off the coast of Libya to help them.

&quot;In 19 years of covering the migration story, I have never experienced anything like today,&quot; said Reuters photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi, who was aboard the Phoenix.

In one operation, the Phoenix rescued 134 people, all from sub-Saharan counties, he said.

Those rescued by the MOAS and MSF ships were transferred to Italian coast guard ships, which had rescued other migrants, to be taken to Italian ports.

According to the International Organisation for Migration, nearly 32,000 migrants have arrived in Europe by sea so far this year. More than 650 have died or are missing.

(Reuters)

19 rescue operations were carried out by the Italian coast guard or ships operated by NGOs, using 16 rubber dinghies and 3 wooden boats

More than 2,000 migrants trying to reach Europe were plucked from the Mediterranean on Friday in a series of dramatic rescues and one person was found dead, officials and witnesses said. An Italian coast guard spokesman said 19 rescue operations by the coast guard or ships operated by non-governmental organisations had saved a total of 2,074 migrants on 16 rubber dinghies and three small wooden boats. The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in a tweet that one teenager was found dead in a rubber boat whose passengers were rescued by its ship Aquarius. A very difficult rescue today for the #Aquarius with one teenager found dead in a rubber boat. In 2017, the sea continues to be a graveyard. pic.twitter.com/2gVh5AOOcd — MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) April 14, 2017 × "The sea continues to be a graveyard," MSF said in a Tweet. The coast guard spokesman confirmed that one person had died but gave no details. MSF said two of their ships, Aquarius and Prudence, had rescued about 1,000 people in nine boats. Desperate refugees struggled to stay afloat after they slid off their rubber boat during a rescue operation by the Phoenix, a ship of the rescue group Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS). Video footage showed rescuers jumping into the water off the coast of Libya to help them. "In 19 years of covering the migration story, I have never experienced anything like today," said Reuters photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi, who was aboard the Phoenix. In one operation, the Phoenix rescued 134 people, all from sub-Saharan counties, he said. Those rescued by the MOAS and MSF ships were transferred to Italian coast guard ships, which had rescued other migrants, to be taken to Italian ports. According to the International Organisation for Migration, nearly 32,000 migrants have arrived in Europe by sea so far this year. More than 650 have died or are missing. (Reuters)

More than 2,000 migrants rescued in dramatic day in Mediterranean

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