Refugees

Dublin has vowed to continue taking in Ukrainian refugees amid claims it was exacerbating Ireland's housing crisis. Ireland, with a population of five million, has taken in close to 35,000 refugees from the war-torn country. Carol Nolan, an independent MP in Ireland's parliament, said the arrivals were putting pressure on housing availability. "I am conscious this is a difficult and sensitive issue and we must tread carefully if we are to avoid blame being targeted at those who least deserve it," she said. "However, I am convinced that if we do not learn to find some way of exploring in a grown-up, pragmatic and constructive way the links between unsustainable levels of inward migration or asylum into this state and housing, then we will never find a meaningful solution to an already overwhelming crisis." Ireland was already suffering a housing shortage before Ukrainians started to arrive. It is linked to the 2008 financial crash that saw 400,000 people leave the … [Read more...] about Dublin rejects capping Ukrainian refugee arrivals amid housing crisis claims

The German government is hoping to give over 130,000 migrants trapped in a legal limbo the chance to stay permanently, as part of an overhaul of Germany's immigration system. Chancellor Olaf Scholz 's government on Wednesday agreed on a package of reforms that will open the prospect of residency rights to people who have lived in Germany for more than five years with a so-called "Duldung," or tolerance status. "We are a diverse immigration country. Now we want to become a better integration country," Wrote Interior Minister Nancy Faeser from Scholz's center-left Social Democrat SPD on Twitter. "I want to actively shape migration and integration instead of reluctantly administering them as I have done for the past 16 years," she continued in reference to the previous conservative government's policies. A Duldung is normally issued to people who have been refused asylum but who can't return to their home country for various reasons: These might include the threat of war … [Read more...] about Germany to ease immigration laws

Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia would have to carpet-bomb the Ukrainian capital and kill its residents to take the city. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are attempting to encircle Kyiv further, fighting against heavy resistance in the west and the north of the city. And after twelve days of siege, the strategic southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is without water, gas, electricity or communications, and people were seen fighting for food in recent days. The situation is "almost desperate", warned Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The number of civilians killed during the siege of Mariupol reached 1,582, and some of the casualties had to be buried in mass graves. Local authorities fear that the actual number might be much higher. 03.12.2022 09:24 Saturday's main developments: The worst of the fighting overnight took place in Irpin, Mykolaiv and Sumy, according to the General Staff of the … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says

By Hazel Shearing Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Former higher and further education minister Michelle Donelan has been made the new education secretary. It follows Nadhim Zahawi's departure from the post as he becomes chancellor. Ms Donelan, 38, has spent the past two years occupied with universities and colleges. Now she has the whole of England's education system to contend with - and she is facing a pretty packed schedule. Catch-up after Covid Perhaps the biggest issue Ms Donelan will have to contend with is the impact of two years of disruption on schoolchildren. By 2030, ministers want 90% of children leaving primary school to reach the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. There's a long way to go, and unions aren't convinced it's doable with current levels of funding. This week, Sats results … [Read more...] about Who is Michelle Donelan and what is the new education secretary facing?

Johnson returns to No 10 following Sunak and Javid resignations Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info But he insisted to allies the failed bid to force him out of Downing Street marked a “moment of liberation” that will allow his Government to pursue a true-blue Tory agenda to win the next general election. Mr Johnson was said to be in a “resolute and determined” mood and carrying on with “business as usual” following the extraordinary acts of disloyalty by the two senior ministers. Related articles Queen could be forced to jet back to London as Boris's Cabinet spirals Zahawi forces beleaguered Johnson to name him as Chancellor He … [Read more...] about PM’S BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL: Defiant Boris vows to FIGHT ON and SLASH taxes for millions

Published 4 December 2017 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing An engineer who designed an eco-friendly food growing system which can be used in disaster-hit areas is to receive a UN award. Adam Dixon, 25, from Pocklington, East Yorkshire, has invented a hydroponics system to grow crops in a recyclable polymer film filled with water. He says it uses 10 times less land and water than conventional methods. Mr Dixon is to be given a UN Young Champion of the Earth award in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday. The Cardiff University graduate is to also receive a £11,000 ($15,000 US) prize for seed funding, training and mentoring to help bring his idea to life. He said his "flat pack" system was already being trialled in refugee camps and could be used in places hit by disasters, where good soil was not available or where the land had become unusable for crop growing. Mr Dixon … [Read more...] about Yorkshire engineer wins UN award for disaster zone food growing idea