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French court jails 18 members of English Channel people-smuggling network

French court jails 18 members of English Channel people-smuggling network

The longest sentence of 15 years is given to Iraqi national Mirkhan Rasoul, who was accused of leading the network. A French court has found 18 people guilty in a major people-smuggling trial that has shed light on the often deadly business of transporting migrants and refugees on small boats across the English Channel from France to the United Kingdom. The defendants were swept up in a pan-European police operation in 2022 that led to dozens of arrests. The longest sentence of 15 years in prison was handed down on Tuesday to Iraqi national Mirkhan Rasoul, 26, who was accused of being the leader of the network and coordinating its actions from his French prison cell after previous convictions. The sentences issued by the court in the northern city of Lille for the other 17 accused, who included one woman, ranged from two to 10 years in prison. “These sentences are obviously very severe,” Kamel Abbas, a lawyer who represented one of the defendants already imprisoned in France, was quoted as saying by The Associated Press news agency. “That’s a testimony of the scale of the case and of the intention to severely punish the smugglers.” Most of the defendants were not in court for the verdicts and sentencing. Some attended the trial remotely from various prisons in northern France while others are not in custody. Arrest warrants have been issued for nine of the other defendants who were convicted in absentia. Fourteen of the 18 defendants are from Iraq, and the others come from Iran, Poland, France and the Netherlands. “The defendants are not volunteers helping their fellow humans but merchants of death,” the prosecutor said during the trial, describing how boats were loaded with passengers “up to 15 times their theoretical capacity”. An investigation found that this particular network from 2020 to 2022 had great control over crossings from France to the UK, which have cost dozens of lives in recent years. More than 50 searches led to the seizure of 1,200 life jackets, nearly 150 inflatable boats and 50 boat engines during operations carried out jointly by France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Britain and coordinated by the Europol and Eurojust agencies. People who made the crossing from France are brought into port after being picked up in the channel by a British border force [File: Matt Dunham/AP] ‘Sole motive was profit’ Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said in a statement that one of the men convicted had been arrested by British authorities and extradited to France for the trial. Kaiwan Poore, 40, was detained by British officers at Manchester Airport as he tried to board a flight to Turkey in July 2022. He was given a five-year sentence by the Lille court. The NCA said each single crossing of migrants and refugees from France to England stood to net the criminal network about 100,000 euros ($109,000) in profit. The trial was held during what has been a particularly deadly year for attempted crossings of the English Channel, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. More than 31,000 people have made the perilous crossing so far this year, more than in all of 2023, though fewer than in 2022. At least 56 people have died in the attempts this year, according to French officials, making 2024 the deadliest year since the crossings began surging in 2018. British and French authorities are seeking to improve cooperation to stop the people-smuggling networks after several years during which post-Brexit tensions appeared to hamper attempts to tackle the problem. The NCA said a number of those convicted in the trial had been identified thanks to the Joint Intelligence Cell, a specialist British-French unit based in northern France set up to target people smugglers. “Their sole motive was profit, and they didn’t care about the fate of migrants they were putting to sea in wholly inappropriate and dangerous boats,” NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner said. He said the network was “among the most prolific we have come across” in terms of the number of crossings. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to “smash the gangs” behind the trade and said people smuggling should be put on a par with global “terrorism”. Adblock test (Why?)

Obama releases Election Day video saying ‘this is going to be close’

Obama releases Election Day video saying ‘this is going to be close’

Former President Barack Obama released a new video on Tuesday telling Americans that “this election is going to be close.”  “In some states, just a handful of votes in every precinct could decide the winner. So, you need to get out there and vote,” Obama said in an Election Day message posted on X.  “So tell your family, talk to your neighbors, make a plan — go to the polls with your friends and vote. Vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” Obama added.  His remarks come after Michelle Obama warned Americans to “vote like your lives depend on it.”  ELECTION DAY 2024: LIVE UPDATES        “If there’s someone in your life you’ve been meaning to talk to, now is the time. Send your loved ones a text or give them a call to make sure they’ve voted,” she wrote on X.  “Time is running out for us to make an impact on this election — so if you’re feeling anxious or worried, get out there and do something!” she added.  Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris also have posted messages on their X accounts asking Americans to head to polling places.  TRUMP CASTS VOTE IN PALM BEACH, SAYS ‘THIS WAS THE BEST CAMPAIGN WE RAN’  “TODAY is our last chance to defeat the corrupt establishment. GET OUT AND VOTE!” Trump said in one message.  “Voter enthusiasm is THROUGH THE ROOF because people want to Make America Great Again. That means lines are going to be long!” Trump said in another. “I need you to deliver your vote no matter how long it takes. STAY IN LINE! The Radical Communist Democrats want you to pack up and go home.”  Harris described today as “your last chance to make an impact in this election” and that Americans should “help reach every last voter before polls close.” 

Harris spends last few campaign moments with ‘Squad’ member AOC

Harris spends last few campaign moments with ‘Squad’ member AOC

Vice President Harris used her remaining campaign time before Election Day to make a stop in Pennsylvania alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a member of the progressive “Squad.” Harris visited Old San Juan Café in Reading with Ocasio-Cortez and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday night. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Penn., and Reading Mayor Eddie Moran also joined. Supporters chanted “Sí, se puede” and “Kamala” as the vice president’s motorcade pulled up to the café. Harris chatted with some diners inside and later ordered cassava, yellow rice and pork, saying, “I’m very hungry” as she noted that she has been too busy campaigning to find time to eat. Diana de La Rosa, owner of the café, told the Reading Eagle that she was glad the vice president took the time to visit her business. HARRIS GREETS PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY ON PORCH, SUGGESTS STAGING ‘DOOR KNOCK’ “[Harris] said she was very proud of me, that my restaurant is beautiful, and that she is very proud of women in business,” de La Rosa told the outlet. While in Reading, Harris also canvassed with supporters, knocking on doors.  LIBERTY BELLWETHERS: FIVE PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES TO WATCH ON ELECTION NIGHT Harris stopped at the café between campaign rallies in Allentown, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Trump started his final day campaigning in North Carolina before finishing in Michigan, though he spoke in Reading and Pittsburgh in between.  Pennsylvania has the most Electoral College votes of any battleground state, making it the top prize of the campaign. A victory there would clear a path to White House for either candidate. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Trump casts vote in Palm Beach, says ‘this was the best campaign we ran’

Trump casts vote in Palm Beach, says ‘this was the best campaign we ran’

Former President Donald Trump declared on Election Day that he has no regrets and “this was the best campaign we ran” after casting his ballot in Palm Beach, Florida.  “I ran a great campaign. I think it was maybe the best of the three,” Trump said, referring to his victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 and his loss to President Joe Biden four years later.  “We did great in the first one. We did much better in the second one, but something happened. And, this was the best, I would say this was the best campaign we ran,” Trump said.  Trump also told the media that “I’m hearing the same things you are hearing” when asked if he foresees a scenario in which he doesn’t declare victory tonight.  ELECTION DAY 2024: LIVE UPDATES      “I’m hearing states where I’m up by a lot, but they won’t have a final number for a long time,” the Republican said.   “I’m hearing in Pennsylvania they won’t have an answer until two or three days from now. I think it’s an absolute outrage if that is the case, now maybe it will be later [tonight],” he added.  When asked if he has any speeches ready, Trump says he does not.  “I did speeches last night. All day long. All night long. At 2:00 in the morning, we left, we did a lot of speeches,” Trump said.  “I’m not a Democrat. I’m able to make a speech on pretty quick notice – if I win, I know what I’m going to say. And I don’t even want to think about the losing part,” Trump told reporters.  FBI WARNS VOTERS ABOUT FABRICATED VIDEOS AIMED AT ELECTION DAY DECEPTION  Trump said people who are concerned that he won’t concede if he loses the election are “crazy.” “If I lose an election, if it’s a fair election, I’d be the first one to acknowledge it,” Trump said. Trump also said “I think we are going to have a very big victory today.”  “We have a great country, but we have a country that’s in trouble. That’s in big trouble in many ways. And we have to straighten it out,” he added. 

Pennsylvania county extends voting hours after ‘software issue’ with scanning ballots

Pennsylvania county extends voting hours after ‘software issue’ with scanning ballots

A Pennsylvania judge approved a petition to extend voting hours until 10 p.m. ET after a “malfunction” prevented voters in Cambria County from scanning their ballots. Elections officials emphasized that no one who wishes to cast their ballot will be turned away and that all votes will be counted. Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley urged voters to stay in line and cast their ballots regardless of the delay. “The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the County’s Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots,” County Solicitor Ron Repak said in a statement. “This should not discourage voters from voting at their precincts.” “All completed ballots will be accepted, secured, and counted by the Board of Elections. The County Board of Elections has express voting machine [sic] at precinct locations to continue to allow voting electronically, while still allowing hand ballots to be cast,” said Repak. HEAD HERE FOR FOX NEWS UPDATES ON THE 2024 ELECTION All votes cast after the original closing time of 8 p.m. ET will be by provisional ballot, the court ordered. The Pennsylvania Department of State said it was working with local officials to resolve the issue. HARRIS, TRUMP, HOLD ELECTION EVE DUELING RALLIES IN THE BIGGEST OF THE BATTLEGROUNDS “The Department of State is in contact with county officials in Cambria County. Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning. We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.” Prior to the court granting the extension, Whatley had assured voters that the Republican Party’s lawyers were “all over” the issue. CHECK OUT THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB “We understand that there are some line delays on the ground,” Whatley wrote on X. “We need you to stay in line. We need you to fill out your ballot in full and deliver it. Our Pennsylvania lawyers are all over this issue and will ensure fairness and accuracy in the process.”