Residents and migrants protest ahead of von der Leyen visit to Lampedusa
Tensions on the small island were rising on Saturday, as both residents and migrants chafed at the long wait times to transfer people from the crowded reception centre to the Italian mainland. Nearly 7,000 migrants arrived on Lampedusa from Tunisia this week, and the Red Cross said that 3,800 remained on the island on Friday. Lampedusa residents protest, September 16, 2023 RAIResidents gathered in the centre of town Saturday to protest plans to put up a tent city on Lampedusa and demanded a meeting with a Sicilian regional law enforcement official. Meanwhile, footage aired by SKY TG24 showed police using shields to prevent migrants inside the reception centre from surging to the gate. Residents and migrants in Lampedusa, Italy, September 16th 2023 RAIMigrants continued to arrive Saturday, but in far smaller numbers, around 500.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 14:36 UTC
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North Korea's Kim heads home after week-long visit to Russia
Artyom is about 254 km (159 miles) from Khasan station on Russia's border with North Korea. "We have not declared sanctions against North Korea, the Security Council did that. On Saturday, Kim met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who showed the North Korean leader Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers, hypersonic missiles and warships. Moscow is discussing joint military exercises with North Korea, Shoigu told Russian media. This month, North Korea launched its first operational "tactical nuclear attack submarine".
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 14:26 UTC
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his way home after concluding a trip to Russia’s Far East
Oleg Kozhemyako were present at the ceremony, which featured a Russian military band playing both North Korean and Russian national anthems. Observers said Kim was expected to return to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, around Monday afternoon. North Korea has publicly sought to introduce such high-tech weapons systems citing what it called intensifying U.S.-led hostilities. Kozhemyako, the Primorye governor, said a delegation from Russia’s Far East would visit North Korea. Kim invited Putin to visit North Korea at “a convenient time,” and Putin accepted.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 14:20 UTC
Top EU Official Heads to an Italian Island Struggling With Migrant Influx as Italy Toughens Stance
Von der Leyen’s spokesman, Eric Mamer, confirmed on Saturday that she would make the trip at the invitation of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Nearly 7,000 migrants arrived on Lampedusa from Tunisia this week, and the Red Cross said that 3,800 remained on the island on Friday. A representative told the official that islanders have run out of patience after three decades of coping with arrivals. “Obviously, Italy and Europe can't welcome this massive influx of people, especially when these migrant flows are being managed by unscrupulous traffickers,” she said. As Meloni hosts von der Leyen in Lampedusa, Salvini on Sunday has invited French far-right leader Marine Le Pen to an annual League rally in the northern Italian town of Pontida.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 14:17 UTC
EU and Italian leaders tour tiny Lampedusa as tensions rise over surge in migrant arrivals
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni toured Sunday a migrant centre on Italy's southernmost island of LampedusaEU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni toured Sunday a migrant centre on Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa that was overwhelmed with nearly 7,000 arrivals in a 24-hour period this week. An unidentified person in the crowd said it wasn't just money that they needed. In other shots, single migrants climbed over the fence of the migrant centre. He is hosting French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen at an annual League rally in northern Italy later Sunday. The number of migrants making the perilous sea journey to Italy has doubled over last year and is on pace to reach record numbers hit in 2016.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 14:02 UTC
Migrant Surge: Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni calls for EU help after island migrant surge
LAMPEDUSA: Italy 's prime minister warned Sunday that the "future of Europe is at stake", after droves of migrants landed on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa .Thousands of migrants on vessels from the North African coast landed on Italy's southernmost island this week, sparking a crisis that has rekindled debate over the division of responsibility among the EU nations.At a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a visit to the island, Giorgia Meloni said the bloc needed to work together to face the challenges of uncontrolled migration.It is "the future that Europe wants for itself that is at stake here, because the future of Europe depends on Europe's capacity to face major challenges," Meloni said.Between Monday and Wednesday, around 8,500 people -- more than the island's entire local population -- arrived in 199 boats, according to the UN migration agency. "Irregular immigration is a European challenge that needs a European response," von der Leyen said, calling on other members of the bloc to take in some of the migrants.The Italian Red Cross, which runs the overcrowded Lampedusa migration centre, said Sunday that 1,500 migrants remained there despite having a capacity for just 400.Transfers of migrants to Sicily and the mainland have not kept up with the flow of new arrivals, although further transfers were expected to be made Sunday, the Red Cross said.The officials were met on arrival at the airport by residents unhappy with the mass arrivals, threatening to block their motorcade. "We are doing everything possible," Meloni had said in response.Large vessels operated by NGOs like the Geo Barents by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which have rescued nearly 500 migrants in 11 operations, are headed for major Italian ports.But dozens of small boats continue to make the perilous sea-crossing to Lampedusa, where the migrant management system has come to the brink of asphyxiation.In July, von der Leyen -- with Meloni's strong backing -- struck an agreement with Tunisia aimed at curbing the flow of irregular migration from the North African country.More than 127,000 migrants have arrived on Italy's shores so far this year, almost double the same period last year.Over 2,000 people have died this year crossing from North Africa to Italy and Malta, according to the UN migration agency.The EU is pushing to overhaul rules on how to handle the migrant flow.In France, members of the far right say Paris should not allow any migrants from Lampedusa across the border from Italy.However, French government sources said late Saturday that Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron had spoken and agreed on the need to "strengthen cooperation at the European level."
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 13:54 UTC
Lampedusa: Ursula von der Leyen and Giorgia Meloni visit island after migrant boat fears
"It's not a problem of numbers, it's a problem of how you manage the reception system. If you start to do rescues in a proper way with big ships, you take them not to an island of 5,000 inhabitants, you take them to the mainland," she said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 13:34 UTC
Ukraine war latest: Explosions in Crimea 'from Ukraine military operation'; village 'recaptured from Russian forces'
Russia denies Ukrainian attack in CrimeaThe Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, has refuted claims in Ukrainian media that an operation by military intelligence and the navy was behind a series of explosions in the Crimean city. We brought you reports from the Suspilne news agency earlier that said a joint operation was underway (see 8.00pm post). He said on Telegram that there had been no damage to any infrastructure in the city. "Our enemies today will try with all their might to pass it off as a 'victory.'" Mr Razvozhayev also said no damage was done when Russian air defences brought down three Ukrainian drones in the area on Sunday.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 12:16 UTC
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his way home after concluding a trip to Russia's Far East
Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia’s war in Ukraine. U.N. Security Council resolutions — which Russia, a permanent member, previously endorsed — ban North Korea from exporting or importing any arms. North Korea has publicly sought to introduce such high-tech weapons systems citing what it called intensifying U.S.-led hostilities. Share this article ShareKozhemyako, the Primorye governor, said a delegation from Russia’s Far East would visit North Korea. Kim invited Putin to visit North Korea at “a convenient time,” and Putin accepted.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 12:08 UTC
Tropical Storm Nigel develops in Atlantic, likely to become hurricane on Monday as Lee charges north
What was once Tropical Depression Fifteen in the Atlantic Ocean strengthened into Tropical Storm Nigel over the weekend, and forecasters expect the storm to become a hurricane by Monday. HISTORY OF HURRICANE LEENigel is the fourteenth named storm of the season and the fifteenth cyclone to reach at least tropical storm status. Tropical Depression Fifteen. (FOX Weather)Bermuda recently experienced tropical storm conditions when Hurricane Lee passed over 100 miles to its west. (FOX Weather)Tropical Storm Margot: No threat to USTropical Storm Margot continues to meander in the northern Atlantic, well away from land.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 11:42 UTC
EU’s von der Leyen announces plan to address migrant crisis during Lampedusa visit
This handout picture taken and released on September 17, 2023 shows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (2nd L) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (R) during a visit to the island of Lampedusa. Not the smugglers,'' von der Leyen declared after touring the island's hotspot. Von der Leyen also called on EU nations to accept voluntary transfers — a frequent source of discord — as the EU dispatches experts to help manage and register the high number of migrants arriving in Italy. Italy's Meloni says 'we have to stop the illegal migrant departures' during Lampedusa visit 01:08 Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at a press conference on the island of Lampedusa on September 17, 2023. In other shots, single migrants climbed over the fence of the migrant centerThe crisis is challenging unity within the EU and also Meloni’s far-right-led government.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 06:53 UTC
9 Most Unique Borders in the World
From the shortest land border in the world to the most heavily fortified, there are many unique borders around the globe. Here are 9 most unique borders of the world:Penon de Velez de la Gomera, SpainSan Marino-ItalySlovakia-Austria-HungaryNepal-ChinaLesotho-South AfricaUnited States-CanadaSpain-PortugalHaiti-Dominican RepublicNorth Korea-South Korea1. It is one of the most unique borders in the world, as it is completely surrounded by another country. Haiti-Dominican RepublicSource: UNEPThe border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is one of the most dangerous borders in the world. The DMZ is also one of the most dangerous borders in the world, with occasional skirmishes and incidents of violence.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 06:40 UTC
Sudan conflict: Risking lives to bury the dead in Omdurman
These are just some of the civilian casualties of the war. With many of Khartoum's middle-class residents having fled early in the conflict, most of the victims are poor black people, who feel they have been largely forgotten by a world pre-occupied by the war in Ukraine, natural disasters in North Africa and the coups in other parts of the continent.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 02:28 UTC
EU scrambles to address Italy island migrant surge
Arrivals doubleBRUSSELS: The EU said Saturday that its top official Ursula von der Leyen would visit the Italian island of Lampedusa, as Rome called on Brussels for help after a surge in migrant arrivals.The president of the European Commission , the EU's executive arm, will head to the island on Sunday with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, officials from both sides said.Before that, the interior ministers from Italy, France, Germany and Spain were due to hold phone talks Saturday afternoon with the EU's home affairs commissioner on the crisis.Meloni has urged the EU to act to relieve the pressure after thousands of people landed by boats over three days this week on Lampedusa, just 90 miles (145 kilometres) off the coast of Tunisia.The spike in arrivals has rekindled the debate over how Europe shares responsibility for asylum seekers.Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, has long been a landing point for migrant boats from North Africa. But this week its migration centre, built to house fewer than 400 people, was overwhelmed.Between Monday and Wednesday, around 8,500 people - more than the entire local population - arrived in 199 boats, according to theUN migration agency .Images of people sleeping in the open air, scaling the perimeter fence and wandering around the town sparked anger among members of Italy's hard-right government.Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called the arrivals an "act of war", and on Friday, Meloni urged the European Union to do more to help. "The migratory pressure that Italy has been experiencing since the beginning of the year is unsustainable," she said in a video message broadcast by her office.The cause of the surge, she said, was the "difficult international situation" in Africa.She had urged von der Leyen to visit Lampedusa and asked European Council President Charles Michel to put the matter on the agenda for October's EU summit .Von der Leyen - with Meloni's strong backing - struck an agreement with Tunisia in July aimed at curbing the flow of irregular migration from the North African country.Tunisia is a main embarcation point for migrants making the perilous sea-crossing to Europe each year.More than 127,000 migrants have arrived on Italy's shores so far this year, up from more than 66,000 in the same period last year.Over 2,000 people have died this year crossing between North Africa and Italy and Malta, according to the UN migration agency.Mass migration is a key political issue in several EU capitals ahead of European Parliament elections next June.In France, members of the far right said the government should not allow any migrants from Lampedusa across the border - to which President Emmanuel Macron responded by calling for European solidarity.Germany earlier this week confirmed it had stopped accepting migrants living in Italy under a European solidarity plan aimed at easing pressure on EU border nations.The EU is pushing to overhaul its rules on how to handle the thousands of migrants heading to the continent.Southern countries that face large numbers of arrivals such as Italy, Greece and Spain have long pressed for other countries to take more of those who come.But right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary have strongly opposed an agreement.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 17, 2023 02:04 UTC
Heinrich Klassen credits South Africa legend AB de Villiers for his brilliant knock against Australia
Australia fell short of the target by 164 runs and lost the match, which squared the five-match series 2-2. Talking to ESPNcricinfo after the match, Klaasen discussed how his approach towards the game changed after seeing his role model Ab De Villiers bat. “You look up to some role models and you want to be like them -- like AB de Villiers. You want to play all the shots but the genius behind guys like AB was knowing when to play them,” Klaasen said. Klassen credits mindset as an approach to performing at the best level and adjusting for a long time.
Source:The North Africa Journal
September 16, 2023 19:56 UTC