France clears Calais migrant camp

22/09/09 09:07 CET

world news

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French security forces have been evicting migrants from a sprawling makeshift camp on the Channel coast known as “the jungle”.

Protesters tried to prevent the evacuation which Paris had warned would take place this week. Up to 800 mainly Afghan men and boys were in the area until recently, hoping to make their way to Britain. That number has dropped dramatically with many leaving the site before police moved in. But authorities say more than 270 residents of this makeshift tent city near Calais were picked up this morning. Many are in their teens. The camp grew up after France closed a large Red Cross centre at nearby Sangatte in 2002, under pressure from the UK, which regarded it as a magnet for illegal immigrants.More about: Calais, France, Immigration

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Greek leaders edge closer to a bailout deal

Greek coalition party leaders have agreed on all issues of a bailout plan expect one, and that’s about pensions. But being close to a deal is not the same as having one in the bag and at stake is a 130 billion-euro rescue package needed to…