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Over 7,000 migrants detained in Greece as Crete struggles with Libya arrivals

Over 7,000 migrants detained in Greece as Crete struggles with Libya arrivals
Migrants stand behind a fence as they are gathered by Greek coast guard officers after disembarking from a cargo ship, in the port of Lavrio, south of Athens, July 10, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 10 July 2025

Over 7,000 migrants detained in Greece as Crete struggles with Libya arrivals

Over 7,000 migrants detained in Greece as Crete struggles with Libya arrivals
  • Greece implements emergency measures to address a surge in Mediterranean crossings from Libya as authorities detained over 7,000 migrants in the past 10 days
  • Prime minister announced that Greece would suspend asylum processing for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa for three months

LAVRIO: More than 500 migrants arrived at the port of Lavrio near Athens on Thursday after being intercepted south of the island of Crete, as Greece implements emergency measures to address a surge in Mediterranean crossings from Libya.
The migrants, consisting mostly of young men, were transferred overnight aboard a bulk carrier after their fishing trawler was intercepted by Greek authorities. Service vessels helped bring them ashore at the mainland port. They will be sent to detention facilities near the capital.
More than 200 migrants were brought to the port of Piraeus, also near Athens, in separate transfers from Crete. The transfers to the mainland were ordered because makeshift reception centers on Crete have reached capacity, with around 500 new arrivals per day on the Mediterranean island since the weekend.

We can no longer accept migration flows from North Africa. People there need to think twice before deciding to pay a large sum of money to come to our country

Manos Logothetis, ministry of migration

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Wednesday that Greece would suspend asylum processing for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa for three months. The new measures are due to be voted on in parliament on Thursday as an emergency amendment.
“This is an extreme and urgent situation, and we are taking extraordinary steps, ones that are difficult, tough, and strict. But they send a clear message,” Manos Logothetis, secretary-general at the ministry of migration, told state-run television.
“These measures are a clear statement from the Greek government — and by extension, from Europe — that we can no longer accept migration flows from North Africa,” he said. “People there need to think twice before deciding to pay a large sum of money to come to our country.”
Logothetis said that Greece backed EU initiatives linking financial aid to African countries to their willingness to receive their citizens deported or agreeing to voluntary repatriation from Europe.
Greece says more than 7,000 migrants have been detained over the past 10 days after traveling from Libya to Crete — a surge that occurred despite an overall drop in illegal migration to Europe. The European Union’s border protection agency, Frontex, on Thursday reported that irregular crossings into the EU dropped by 20 percent in first half of 2025 on an annual basis though increases were recorded in parts of the Mediterranean.
The crisis on Crete coincided with a diplomatic spat between the European Union and Libya over migration cooperation. EU officials earlier this week were turned away from eastern Libya following an apparent disagreement on the format of talks planned on curbing crossings.
Authorities on Crete are struggling to provide basic services, using temporary facilities to house migrants, primarily from Somalia, Sudan, Egypt and Morocco, according to island officials. The New York-based aid organization International Rescue Committee criticized asylum pause in Greece. “Seeking refuge is a human right; preventing people from doing so is both illegal and inhumane,” the group’s Martha Roussou said. “People fleeing conflict and disaster must be treated with dignity and provided fair and lawful access to asylum procedures — not detained or turned away.”


Russia attacks Ukraine coal mine, second energy site, companies say

Russia attacks Ukraine coal mine, second energy site, companies say
Updated 19 October 2025

Russia attacks Ukraine coal mine, second energy site, companies say

Russia attacks Ukraine coal mine, second energy site, companies say
  • Russian forces launched an attack on a colliery in Dnipropetrovsk region
  • It is the fourth Russian assault in two months on coal mining operations in Ukraine

Russian forces on Sunday attacked a coal mine in southeastern Ukraine and an unidentified energy site in the north near the Russian border, the operators of the sites said, adding to a series of recent assaults on Ukraine’s energy network.
Private Ukrainian energy firm DTEK said Russian forces launched an attack on a colliery in Dnipropetrovsk region. The company said 192 miners were safely brought to the surface, with no injuries.
The company said it was the fourth Russian assault in two months on coal mining operations in Ukraine.
The regional energy company in the northern border region of Chernihiv, Chernihivoblenergo, said an attack there caused extensive damage and cut off electricity to 55,000 users. Emergency crews would restore power in the area once it was safe to do so, it said.
Russian attacks in recent weeks have focused on Ukraine’s power grid and other energy sites.
Power cuts were imposed in many areas in the past week in the aftermath of an attack earlier this month that cut electricity to more than one million consumers.


Bangladesh probes cause of airport fire

Bangladesh probes cause of airport fire
Updated 19 October 2025

Bangladesh probes cause of airport fire

Bangladesh probes cause of airport fire
  • The National Board of Revenue said it had begun assessing the damage, with business groups warning that direct losses and subsequent impacts on trade could run into the millions of dollars

DHAKA: Bangladeshi traders on Sunday assessed heavy losses after a devastating fire tore through the cargo complex of the country’s main international airport, as the government opened an investigation into possible arson.
Firefighters had brought the blaze under control and flight operations resumed late Saturday, airport executive director S. M. Ragib Samad told AFP, after thick black smoke swept across the runway, forcing authorities to briefly suspend flights.
But Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s cargo complex — which stores fabrics, garment accessories, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and other imports — was left in ruins.
The National Board of Revenue said it had begun assessing the damage, with business groups warning that direct losses and subsequent impacts on trade could run into the millions of dollars.
Bangladesh is the world’s second-biggest garment manufacturer, and textile and garment production accounts for about 80 percent of exports.
“We have started our assessment,” NBR official Moshiur Rahman told AFP.
The fire was intense, with 37 firefighting units and security forces battling the flames for hours. Smoke was still rising from the charred remains on Sunday.
“The fire spread to every corner — I don’t know if any consignment could escape,” said one exhausted firefighter, whose uniform was greyed and hands blackened. 
“We were supposed to deliver the consignments to our clients today. All burnt to ashes, I guess,” said importer Anand Kumar Ghosh, who said he had lost 52 consignments.
Moinul Ahsan, a senior official at the Directorate of Health, said four people had been taken to hospital with minor injuries. 
The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.
But the government said it was aware of growing public concern following a string of major fires in recent days -- including in Chittagong’s export processing zone and a chemical and garment factory in Dhaka, where 16 people were killed.

 


Northern Irish minister faces legal challenge over stance on trade with Israel

Northern Irish minister faces legal challenge over stance on trade with Israel
Updated 19 October 2025

Northern Irish minister faces legal challenge over stance on trade with Israel

Northern Irish minister faces legal challenge over stance on trade with Israel
  • Pre-action protocol letter, sent by pro-Union think tank Unionist Voice Policy Studies, claims Sinn Fein minister acted beyond her powers

LONDON: Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald is facing a legal challenge over her decision to exclude the region from UK trade talks with Israel and instruct officials not to assist companies supplying arms to the country, it was reported on Saturday.

The pre-action protocol letter, sent by pro-Union think tank Unionist Voice Policy Studies (UVPS), claims the Sinn Fein minister acted beyond her powers, as international trade policy is not a devolved matter, .

Archibald made the announcement in a written statement to the Assembly on Thursday, saying Invest NI had confirmed it “does not support projects that manufacture arms or their components for supply to Israel.”

She outlined a series of new measures aimed at “eliminating any risk of public funds being used to support the manufacture of arms or components that are used for genocide.” 

These included a commitment that her department “will not engage in the British Government’s trade talks with Israel while it continues to illegally occupy and impose apartheid on Palestine.”

The DUP has called for the issue to be referred to the wider Stormont Executive, while TUV leader Jim Allister has requested an urgent debate in Westminster. 

Under power-sharing rules, ministers must refer “significant and controversial” matters to the Executive for collective decision-making.

In a statement, UVPS director Jamie Bryson said: “The decision of the Minister for Economy to purport to exclude Northern Ireland from the sovereign Government’s trade talks with Israel is plainly unlawful. It is significant and controversial, and therefore should have been referred to the Executive. The minister is purporting to act in a non-devolved area, far beyond her lawful powers.”

He added that Archibald’s direction to Invest NI “amounts to clear discrimination on the ground of political opinion against any business who supports Israel.”

Bryson’s group said it has “consistently challenged unlawful acts of Executive ministers,” calling the decision “the latest example of a Sinn Féin minister acting far beyond their lawful powers.”

The Department for the Economy was approached for comment by The Independent.


Italian coast guard says rescues dozens of migrants, two dead

Italian coast guard says rescues dozens of migrants, two dead
Updated 19 October 2025

Italian coast guard says rescues dozens of migrants, two dead

Italian coast guard says rescues dozens of migrants, two dead
  • Boat was drifting some 16 nautical miles from Lampedusa island
  • 85 men, one woman and five presumed minors have survived

ROME: Italy’s coast guard said Sunday it had rescued 91 people from a migrant boat adrift off the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, but two males were found dead.
The boat was drifting some 16 nautical miles from the Italian island when it was located by an EU border agency plane, the coast guard said in a statement, adding it had dispatched two patrol boats.
“During the inspection of the below-deck areas, additional migrants in serious health conditions and two bodies, both male, were discovered,” it said.
The survivors — 85 men, one woman and five presumed minors — were disembarked and some taken to hospital by helicopter.
Italian news agency Ansa said that 14 of the migrants were in serious condition, with three requiring intubation.
Ansa said the two migrants died after inhaling petrol while below deck, with 14 others ill for the same reason.
The migrants came from Pakistan, Eritrea and Somalia, it said.
The waters off Lampedusa were the site of another migrant disaster on Friday, when about 20 people went missing after a shipwreck.
The coast guard said Friday that 11 people had been rescued, and one body was recovered, but the rest of the approximately 30 people from that boat were unaccounted for.


British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson hints at attending Aston Villa match amid Israeli supporter ban

British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson hints at attending Aston Villa match amid Israeli supporter ban
Updated 19 October 2025

British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson hints at attending Aston Villa match amid Israeli supporter ban

British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson hints at attending Aston Villa match amid Israeli supporter ban

LONDON: British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson has hinted he will attend Aston Villa’s Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv next month, after it was announced Israeli fans were to be banned from traveling to Birmingham.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, encouraged his followers to “support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park” on Nov. 6, sharing a photo of himself in the Israeli club’s shirt while visiting Tel Aviv on a state-sponsored trip.

West Midlands Police and Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group announced this week they had barred away supporters from attending the game, citing fears of violent clashes in an area where around 30 percent of residents are Muslim.

The decision has drawn criticism from the government and campaigners, who have threatened legal action to overturn the ban.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have both called for the ruling to be reviewed.

The ban followed lobbying by local MPs who warned of potential unrest after similar violence during Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fixture against Ajax in Amsterdam last year.

Robinson’s recent visit to Israel came at the invitation of Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, and during his stay, the former English Defence League leader toured the Gaza border, visited a West Bank settlement, and met anti-migrant activists in south Tel Aviv.

He also addressed a crowd of around 1,000 people in the city and was briefly heckled by a protester.

His appearance in Israel has drawn condemnation from mainstream Jewish groups, who accused Chikli of legitimizing extremism.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said Robinson “represents the very worst of Britain,” while Chikli hit back, accusing the organization of being “politically adrift.”

Fresh discussions between government officials, police and Birmingham City Council are expected this week.