Good morning, readers!

It’s time to start another fruitful week.

We’re kicking things off with a look at the Italian island of Lampedusa, where even the most welcoming residents are growing angry as the number of migrants has now eclipsed the island’s population.

What would you do? 🤔

Today’s geopolitics hotspots

Patience wearing thin: migrants swamp Lampedusa

Lampedusa, a tiny Italian island, has been swamped by a sea of migrants from Africa.

In just three days, over 8,500 people fleeing Tunisia’s turmoil landed on its shores—dwarfing the the island’s own population of just 6,500.

🇪🇺 The EU response.

The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, decided to pay a visit to Lampedusa on Sunday, after the Italian PM, Giorgia Meloni, urged the EU to help with the migrant influx.

• She promised to increase support for transferring migrants and cracking down on smugglers.

• She said the migrant issue was a European challenge and needed a European answer.

🇮🇹 The Italian dilemma.

Italy is facing a tough situation with the migrant arrivals.

• Italy has to balance its humanitarian obligations and international laws with its social and economic costs and political backlash.

• Meloni urged for a naval blockade and an implementation of a new migration deal with Tunisia.

• Nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in Italy this year, double the number from last year.

😑 Lampedusa residents.

The residents of Lampedusa have had mixed reactions to the influx of migrants.

• Some residents have opened their homes to migrants, offering them food and water.

• However, some residents have expressed their frustrations over the constant flow of migrants and the long wait times to transfer people from the crowded reception center to the Italian mainland.

• EU chief’s visit comes a day after Lampedusa residents protested against plans to build new tent camps for migrants, fearing that the island is turning into a “tent city.”

One resident was quoted saying:

👶 The human tragedy.

Behind the numbers and the politics, there are real human lives at stake. Recently, a newborn baby was found dead on a migrant boat, and a five-month-old baby boy drowned during a rescue operation.

✱ ALSO: Italy fear it may see migrant numbers rise even further following the catastrophic floods in Libya.

Quick updates

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🇮🇷 Iran:

Iran kicks out UN inspectors, threatens to go nuclear.

Iran just kicked out a third of the UN inspectors who were supposed to keep an eye on its nuclear activities. This “unprecedented” move comes after the US and its European allies urged Iran to cooperate with the UN watchdog and explain the traces of uranium found at undeclared sites. Iran claims it’s a response to the West’s political abuse of the agency.

✱ ALSO: The US has released $6 billion of Iran’s frozen funds in exchange for five American hostages. This is sure to raise questions about the Biden’s administration’s strategy to deal with Iran.

🇮🇷 Iran:

Iran arrests father of fallen protest icon on anniversary of her death.

Iran’s government has arrested the father of Mahsa Amini, the young woman whose death in police custody for defying Iran’s hijab laws sparked nationwide protests. It’s like pouring gasoline on a fire. The regime hoped to silence dissent, but the arrest has only fanned the flames of resistance.

✱ ALSO: Human Rights Watch reports a staggering 500 people killed during the past year’s protests, including 69 children.

🇨🇺 Cuba:

G77+China summit in Cuba wants “new economic order.”

The world order is under threat as a massive coalition of developing countries demands a fairer deal. Led by China, the G77+China group met in Cuba to voice their grievances against the West. They are tired of being left behind in trade, climate, and health.

In their G77+China statement, they demand a new economic order that respects their rights and interests. But can they overcome their differences and unite against the US and its rich allies? Or will they fall apart under pressure?

✱ ALSO: The G77 bloc now comprises of 134 nations—80% of humanity. China is yet a full member.

🇵🇱 Poland:

Poland shuts its doors to Russian cars.

Poland is not playing nice with Russia anymore. The country has joined its Baltic neighbors in banning cars with Russian plates from entering its territory. The ban, which took effect on Sunday, is part of the EU’s sanctions on Moscow.

✱ ALSO: Russia is not happy about it and says it may retaliate by cutting off diplomatic ties with the EU altogether.