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Dublin asylum seekers moved from Mount Street tents

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Asylum seekers who had been living in tents in central Dublin have been relocated to two designated accommodation sites by the Irish government. The makeshift campsite outside the International Protection Office on Mount Street had been in place for several months before authorities undertook a joint agency operation to ensure the safe movement of the asylum seekers to Citywest and Crooksling tented accommodations in County Dublin.

The government emphasized that the new sites offer robust, weather-proof tents with adequate facilities such as showers, toilets, indoor areas for food provision, charging stations, and 24-hour security. Despite initial reluctance from some asylum seekers regarding the suitability of the Crooksling site, authorities assured that it meets their needs and provides similar support as other locations.

Dublin City Council cleaned the streets following the relocation operation. Noel Wardick, CEO of Dublin City Co-operative, described the previous conditions on Mount Street as “absolutely appalling” and criticized the lack of political will to address asylum seekers’ accommodation issues. He emphasized the necessity for the state to fulfill its legal obligation to provide proper accommodation to prevent similar situations in the future.

The relocation process involved clearing the tents from Mount Street, with Dublin City Council workers restoring the area while asylum seekers were transported to Crooksling. This was the second attempt in recent months to find alternative accommodation for those living on Mount Street.

In response to concerns about the UK’s deportation plan to Rwanda potentially increasing refugee numbers in Ireland, the government approved drafting new legislation to designate the UK as a “safe country” for asylum seekers. This move follows assertions by Justice Minister Helen McEntee regarding the high percentage of recent asylum claims from individuals entering via Northern Ireland.

Currently, over 1,400 asylum applicants in Ireland lack accommodation, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by refugees. One asylum seeker from India, who arrived in Ireland via Northern Ireland, explained his departure from the UK due to post-Brexit immigration rules.

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Mourners shout in defiance at funeral for Alexei Navalny

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Hundreds of individuals in Russia gathered for the funeral of Alexei Navalny, the outspoken Putin critic who died in prison last month. Despite a substantial police presence and erected barricades, mourners broke into applause as Navalny’s body was brought into a church near Moscow. Attendees knowingly risked arrest for expressing support, while Navalny’s wife squarely pointed the finger at President Putin for his demise, contrary to Moscow’s claim of natural causes.

Navalny’s memorial service commenced at 14:00 Moscow time at the Church of the Icon of Our Lady Quench My Sorrows, with notable foreign diplomats present in solidarity. Following the service, Navalny was laid to rest at Borisovskoye Cemetery. Despite efforts to broadcast the event live, disruptions to mobile signals hindered streaming, leaving many unable to witness the proceedings.

Despite warnings from the Kremlin, mourners seized the opportunity to voice their admiration for Navalny’s bravery and questioned the authorities’ apparent fear. Navalny’s team encountered challenges in organizing the funeral, including difficulties in procuring a hearse. Supporters abroad were urged to participate in memorial services, reminiscent of past public displays of grief for opposition figures.

Concerns about surveillance and the potential for post-funeral detentions were widespread, with social media platforms sharing advice urging attendees to exercise caution. The gathering was marked by a sense of defiance against government crackdowns on dissent.

Navalny’s immediate family, excluding his children residing abroad, attended the ceremony. However, his widow, Yulia, faced potential arrest upon her return to Russia, further underscoring the risks associated with opposition activism in the country.

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Cuba Turns to Longtime Ally Russia Amidst Devastating Fuel Crisis

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Cuba’s current fuel crisis has prompted the country to seek assistance from its historical ally, Russia. Cuban taxi driver Jorge Lloro, who drives a Soviet-era Lada, is reminded of the strong ties between the two nations. During the Cold War, around 100,000 Lada cars were imported to Cuba as a way to circumvent the long-standing US economic embargo. Now, facing a severe fuel shortage and a grim economic outlook, Cuba’s leadership has once again turned to Russia for support.

For drivers like Jorge, maintaining their vehicles has become a constant struggle due to the scarcity and high cost of spare parts. Even obtaining petrol has become a lengthy ordeal, with long queues at petrol pumps. To manage the situation, the state has organized drivers into WhatsApp groups, assigning them numbers and notifying them when it’s their turn to fill up. However, the system has been inefficient and lacking in proper organization and infrastructure, leading to frustration among drivers.

The fuel crisis is just one of the many challenges Cuba has faced recently, including food insecurity, inflation, and electricity blackouts. These longstanding issues stem from government mismanagement and the US economic embargo, aggravated further by the collapse of the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seizing this opportunity, some Russian companies have signed agreements with Cuba to revitalize tourism infrastructure, improve agriculture, and invest in industries such as rum and steel production.

Of particular interest to Jorge and other drivers is an agreement for Russia to supply approximately 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This would help compensate for the reduction in oil exports from Venezuela, Cuba’s oil-rich socialist ally, which decreased from 80,000 barrels per day in 2020 to around 55,000. The Cuban state media portrays this cooperation as evidence of the enduring ties between the two nations. However, independent economist Omar Everleny believes that closer relations with Moscow offer only a short-term solution for Cuba.

While Russia’s assistance may stabilize the current crisis, Mr. Everleny points out that Russian firms will expect timely and full payment for their investments, which could potentially burden Cuban families. He warns against relying on a single benefactor, citing historical examples of dependence on Spain, the US, the Soviet Union, and Venezuela. Instead, Everleny suggests that Cuba should develop its own production strategy, with a key role for small and medium-sized Cuban businesses.

As the day outside the petrol station comes to an end, Jorge Lloro manages to fill up his Lada. However, like the Cuban Revolution itself, the country’s situation remains precarious, relying on Russian assistance while desperately needing significant reforms in the years to come.

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