Small boats leave France after week of no migrant crossing arrivals
Six migrant boats have left France in the first attempt to cross the English Channel and reach the UK in days.
A group including children was seen boarding at a beach in Gravelines, between Calais and Dunkirk.
French authorities were then pictured escorting a small boat.
There have not been any arrivals of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats for a week, the latest Home Office figures show.
But 2025 is on course to set a record for Channel crossings, with more than 13,000 people having arrived so far, up 30% on the number recorded at this point last year, according to analysis of the data by the PA news agency.
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to crack down on small boat crossings including with measures targeting smuggling gangs.
The Home Secretary has previously said gangs have been taking advantage of a higher number of calm weather days to make crossings.
Sunny weather is forecast on Saturday with some areas potentially hitting 27C.
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Washington Post
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French Open: Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul put 2 US 2 men in quarterfinals for 1st time since 1996
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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Tantalising Świątek-Sabalenka final in the offing?
Follow live coverage of the fourth round at Roland Garros, after Frances Tiafoe joins Tommy Paul in the last eight Getty Images The fourth round of the 2025 French Open is in full swing with two American stars into the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in Paris. Carlos Alcaraz (2) beat Ben Shelton in four sets, but Frances Tiafoe (15) has joined fellow American Tommy Paul (12) in the quarters. Lorenzo Musetti (8) and Holger Rune (10) are on Philippe-Chatrier for the night session, and it's Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Zheng Qinwen (8) and Iga Świątek (5) vs. Elina Svitolina (13) in the women's singles last eight after their wins today. Watch: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel, Max (U.S.); TNT (UK) TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel, Max (U.S.); TNT (UK) Join the discussion at: live@ GO FURTHER Tennis on clay courts: The unpredictable dance of sun, rain, wind and brick dust at Roland Garros Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. 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Getty Images Shelton 6-7(8), *0-0 Alcaraz At 30-all, Alcaraz looks to have stretched and put the ball back onto Shelton's side of the court with a phenomenal shot. Did he let go of the racket before hitting it? Alcaraz, incredibly sportingly, gives the point to Shelton to prevent an awkward decision for the umpire. And it's not any point, it's break point! 30-40... but he rescues it to deuce with a big serve. Another advantage Shelton, another saved with a big serve Shelton can't return effectively. A third break point, and Shelton goes long! Deuce again, fourth advantage to Shelton. It will feel like such a momentum-killer if he can't secure the break here. Oh dear, a tired aerial flicked recovery shot from Shelton just dies and plops into the net. Fifth advantage, and Alcaraz flies into a high volley at the net, puts it away a little recklessly and it just smudges the line. Deuce and we're nearly up to 10 minutes in the first game of this second set. 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Getty Images Shelton 6-6 (8-9*) Alcaraz Shelton hits the line and it's 7-6 for a third set point. Alcaraz chunters unhappily to his box. Both players grunting with exertion now, loudly and a little performatively. Alcaraz comes to the net and it's an awkward low return from Shelton but his soft hands see him drop-volley it gently the other side of the net. Now Alcaraz takes set point at 8-7 and he roars approvingly. But Shelton with two smash volleys at the net, the first of which is brilliantly returned by Alcaraz, not many players in world tennis who could do that, the second put away. Strange mistake from Shelton, 9-8 Alcaraz and a second set point, this time on his serve... Shelton 6-6 (6-6*) Alcaraz Ace from Alcaraz to start and from a perilous position at 4-1 down, the Spaniard is now within a point. Eesh, bizarre miscue as the ball hits the edge of his racket and balloons high into the Parisian sky. 5-3 Shelton. What a point that is! Point of the match, definitely. 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Yahoo
an hour ago
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French Open Day 8: Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek make it through to quarter finals
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