Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini says overcrowded iron boats filled with migrants from Africa arriving on the island of Lampedusa is an ‘act of war’ . 

The UN migration agency says around eight and a half thousand people arrived in nearly two hundred boats between Monday and Wednesday this week.

Today’s Nick Robinson speaks to Laurence Hart, Head of Mission in Italy at the International Organisation of Migrants who explains how unusual it is to have this amount of migrants arrive on the island.

Italy's PM Georgia Meloni was elected with a promise to curb illegal migration.

Nick also speaks to Nicola Proccacini, a close ally of Georgia Meloni who chairs the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament.

Image credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Italy pleas for help with more than 8,000 migrants arriving on Lampedusa

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The search for a new First Minister of Scotland has started - the third in three years - after Humza Yousaf announced his resignation yesterday in an emotional speech. Yousaf says he "underestimated" the hurt caused by his decision to scrap the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens - a move that prompted two no-confidence votes. The polls suggest there is something more fundamental going on - a belief that ministers here in Edinburgh are simply not delivering the basics, like a health service that works and schools with high standards, even though it is they and not ministers in Westminster, who are in charge of those policies. Today's Nick Robinson spends the day in Holyrood reflecting on the fall out of another emotional resignation by another Scottish first minister. Listen to Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am weekdays and 7-9am on Saturdays.

Who will be Scotland's next leader?

Shops are reporting a rise in abusive behaviour towards staff, and thieves ‘clearing shelves’ in what has now turned into ‘organised crime’. Reporting for the Today programme, Jim Connolly meets shop workers in Halifax and Leeds to see how they are coping with an increase in shoplifting. This week’s Today Debate looked at the issue of anti-social behaviour. You can listen back on BBC Sounds.

Punched, spat at and abused by shoplifters

The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we ever could have during the morning. Mishal Husain looks at how lives can be blighted by anti-social behaviour and asks if victims are being failed? Joining Mishal are Emma Dell, a victim of anti-social behaviour; Neil Basu, former Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police; Ndidi Okezie, CEO of charity UK youth, Paul Gerrard, Director of Public Affairs and Campaigns at the Co-op and Katie Kempen, CEO of Victim Support. Share your experiences of anti-social behaviour with Today. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to 0330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Debate was produced by David Pittam, Sinead Heekin and Louisa Lewis. The editor is Owenna Griffiths. The technical team was led by Clive Painter and Jon Boland. Digital Production from Maisie Smith-Walters.

The Today Debate: Are we failing victims of anti-social behaviour?

A Victims and Prisoners Bill is currently being debated in Parliament and tonight's Today Debate on Radio 4 at 8PM will consider one aspect of it.  The legislation largely applies to England and Wales but the issue is one that can disrupt lives everywhere. Campaigners say that anti-social behaviour should not be treated as neighbourly nuisance because it can mean people live in fear in their own homes.  It's a reality the Victims' Commissioner Helen Newlove knows all too well. Her husband, Garry, was attacked by a group of teenagers outside his home when he confronted them over vandalising cars. He died of his injuries. Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Baroness Newlove about what she wants to see happen. Listen to Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds: 6-9am weekdays and 7-9am on Saturdays.

Anti-social behaviour 'turns lives upside down'

RAF typhoons flew over the skies of the Middle East to help protect Israel on Saturday night after Iran launched a direct attack on the country for the first time since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The UK was one of several countries, including the US, which helped counter Iran's attack. Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron.

Italy pleas for help with more than 8,000 migrants arriving on Lampedusa

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