A view of crowd outside of the hotspot as nearly 7,000 irregular migrants arrive in Lampedusa island of Italy. ( Image Source : Getty )Italy’s Lampedusa Island witnessed an influx of migrants after around 7,000 people arrived from North Africa in two days. Following this, Lampedusa mayor Filippo Mannino and the United Nations refugee agency warned that the Italian island is becoming overwhelmed. "In the past 48 hours, around 7,000 people have arrived on my island, an island that has always welcomed and saved in its arms," Mannino told Italy’s RTL 102.5 radio. Meloni stated that she had written to European Council President Charles Michel and asked him to put immigration on the agenda of an EU summit in October.

Meloni invited the head of the European Commission to visit Lampedusa with her to see the conditions firsthand and called for a new European Union migration deal with Tunisia to be put into effect. “Obviously, Italy and Europe cannot welcome this massive influx of people, especially when these migrant flows are being managed by unscrupulous traffickers,” she said. The influx has occurred despite an EU-inked accord with Tunisia to stem the smuggling operations in exchange for economic assistance. Meloni proposed a series of measures to crack down on migrants and traffickers that she said would be tabled at an upcoming Cabinet meeting. “I came to support the Italian people and government, because Lampedusa today and the Italian borders are the borders of the whole of Europe,” Marechal told Italian reporters.

Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)TodayA few passing clouds. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable..TonightA few passing clouds. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.

North Africa still rules, Algeria reignsAlgeria led the way, with their boxers grabbing seven of the 18 Olympic quotas on offer, with fighters from Egypt (3), Morocco (3), and Tunisia (2) sharing eight spots. Besides Nigeria with three, no other West African pugilist will box in Paris as it currently stands, including Ghana, a nation that has found great success in international boxing previously. Another region that could be noticeably absent is the Eastern bloc led by Kenyans, a country that has consistently qualified boxers for the Olympics since Beijing 2008. South Africans also returned to the qualifiers after skipping Tokyo, and though they showed grit and heart, led by the 63.5kg semi-finalist, John Paul Masamba, they were still a far cry from the African nation with the most boxing Olympics medals. Also missing from the quota listing is Cameroon, who have always sent boxers to the Olympics since Moscow 1980.

The Italian Coast Guard found a newborn baby dead on a boat during a rescue operation off Lampedusa. The Italian Coast Guard has found a newborn baby dead on a boat carrying people to Lampedusa, ANSA news agency reported, as dozens of the island’s citizens protested over a recent surge in arrivals. Lampedusa has seen thousands of landings this week alone, more than the island’s permanent population, triggering appeals for help from local politicians. The Italian Coast Guard said the baby, which was born during the journey, was found during a rescue operation, ANSA reported. Earlier this week, a five-month-old baby boy drowned during a rescue operation off Lampedusa after a boat carrying migrants and refugees across the sea from North Africa capsized.

A newborn baby has been found dead on a boat carrying migrants to the Italian island of Lampedusa - where thousands have arrived in just a few days. There has been a surge in arrivals on Lampedusa this week, prompting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to issue a fresh call for a naval blockade. It has become a major headache for Ms Meloni, whose right-wing government has pledged to curb illegal immigration. Ms Meloni has also called for a deal with Tunisia, aimed at stemming the flow in return for funding, to be implemented. "I intend to reiterate a request for an immediate EU mission to block the departure of migrant boats," said Ms Meloni.

TUNIS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Tunisian police supported by planes and anti-terrorism units arrested hundreds of migrants and seized boats on Saturday in a major crackdown on people smuggling in the coastal region of Sfax - a key departure point for migrants heading to Europe. Tunisian National Guard units raided homes where hundreds of migrants were staying, intercepted trucks carrying migrants towards the beaches and seized vessels used by the smugglers, officials and witnesses said. "The air operation is intended to target smugglers who trade in the pain of frustrated people," National Guard Colonel Houssem Jbebli told reporters. Saied ordered the crackdown to confront the "unacceptable influx of migrants", the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Friday for the European Union to act jointly "with a naval mission if necessary" to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.

Our under-18s returned from the international break with an eventful and fiercely contested draw on the road to Reading. Benjamin, who was our top scorer last season for the under-18s, marked his first start of the season in style. Zecevic-John, who continuously caused havoc the whole game, was brought down in the box and Seb Ferdinand subsequently sent Harrison Rhone the wrong way from 12 yards to double our lead. Then in added time, Ferdinand and Smith were both given their marching orders after a brawl broke out between both sides. TEAM NEWSArsenal XI: Rojas, Nichols, Kacurri, Heaven, Sweet (Ismail, 79), Rosiak (Shuaib, 50), Akolbire, Dudziak, Ferdinand (Ryan, 79), Zecevic-John, Benjamin (Oyetunde, 60)Subs not used: Cooper

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. Advertisement“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.

As rescue and relief efforts continue unabated in the earthquake-hit areas, King Mohammed VI ordered that children who lost their parents to be given status of adoptees of the nation, in a gesture of national solidarity. The earthquake that struck a week ago was the deadliest since 1960 killing nearly 3000 people, destroying villages in the High Atlas mountains and leaving many orphaned children. As part of a series of measures ordered by the King in response to this disaster, taking care of orphaned children was given “utmost priority,” said a statement of the Royal palace. This status is given to children whose parents died or were disabled while defending Morocco’s territorial integrity or while contributing to peacekeeping and other national lofty missions. Since the earthquake struck, the King has ordered a swift response to rescue people in affected areas and ensure they have aid.

“Overall the Moroccan government’s response has been reasonably effective,” wrote Peter Beaumont, a Guardian journalist specilized in covering disasters. While French media have indulged in clichés and stereotypes falling lower to the level of using a national tragedy to settle political scores, English-speaking media showed more professionalism in relaying the reality as it is on the ground. Of all the world’s journalists, French and Algerian media were the only to rant about why Morocco sovereignly rejected their aid. Two military hospitals have been operating since Monday offering emergency services, surgeries as well as psychological support to traumatized populations, notably children. A large military camp housing about 3000 people where food is also offered as well as entertainment for children has been set up in Amizmiz.

The two North African countries of Morocco and Libya were hit by more than 8,000 deaths and thousands of injuries or missing within days. World leaders sent their condolences to the people of Morocco and Libya. As suitable for the world community, they organized and sent relief. On September 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent Libya's Presidential Council chairman Mohamed Menfi a condolence for the terrible storm. Morocco's earthquake and Libya's flood remind us that we are all susceptible and that our collaborative reaction can make a peaceful world.

"I have two children at home. In the past years, I did not care about this issue. But now I have an instinct of protection for my children because I don't know what will happen to Lampedusa in the future," one of the protesters told the Reuters news agency.

LAMPEDUSA, Italy, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Friday for the European Union to act jointly "with a naval mission if necessary" to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa. Meloni posted a video message on social media promising tough action in response to a surge in migrant arrivals this week which have overwhelmed the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa. "I intend to reiterate a request for an immediate EU mission to block the departure of migrant boats," said Meloni, for whom the swelling number of arrivals has become a major political headache. [1/6]Migrants wait at the port to be transferred to the mainland, on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 15, 2023. Earlier on Friday, France agreed to work with Italy towards some sort of EU response to the crisis.

North West Dragons vs Western Province, Match 2, CSA Provincial One Day Challenge Division OneNorth West Dragons NWD 276/6 (50 ov) Western Province WPR 248/4 (34.1 ov)Western Province won by 6 wickets (D/L method)