Mediterranean Sea

Substantial natural gas discovery off the coast of Cyprus

The Cyprus Mail reported that Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades described the news from ExxonMobil of a substantial natural gas discovery in an offshore field inside the island exclusive economic zone…

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Germany suspends participation in Operation Sophia

Germany is suspending participation in Operation Sophia, the EU naval deployment to counter human trafficking across the Mediterranean, as a result of hardening attitudes towards refugees disembarking in Italy, according…

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Spanish government stops ‘Open Arms’ from returning to its operations in the Mediterranean

Spain is preventing an NGO rescue boat from continuing its operations in the Mediterranean by stopping it from leaving a port in Barcelona. The Directorate General of the Merchant Marine,…

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Greek ambassador summoned by Turkish Foreign Ministry on long-standing disputes in the Mediterranean

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Greek ambassador, private broadcaster CNN Turk said on Tuesday, days after it called on Greece to avoid escalating long-standing disputes in the Mediterranean Sea. Reuters…

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US ExxonMobil to conduct test drills for hydrocarbons off the coast of Cyprus despite Turkey’s warning

US energy giant ExxonMobil said on Friday it plans to conduct test drills for hydrocarbons off the coast of Cyprus later this year despite Turkey warning international firms against exploration.…

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21 bodies or people found lifeless on Mediterranean shores as more migrants try to reach Spain

The bodies of 21 people, thought to be migrants trying to reach Spain, washed up on the shores of the Mediterranean this month, the U.N. migration agency said in statement…

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Libya takes ownership of large area of sea migrant route

Euronews: Libya — with the backing of the European Union — has officially taken ownership of a large area of the sea migrant route into Europe for search and rescue…

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100 persons feared dead after migrant boat capsizes off Libya

CNN: The lifeless bodies of three babies, dressed in brightly colored clothing and looking almost as if they were sleeping, were carried carefully ashore Friday in Libya. Held in the outstretched…

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MV Lifeline to enter Maltese harbours on Wednesday; 234 persons on board to be taken by 8 countries; MV Lifeline to be impounded and NGO investigated

The charity boat Lifeline docked at Malta on Wednesday evening, bringing to an end a saga which had more than 200 migrants stranded at sea for six days. Permission for…

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Italian Interior Minister Salvini rejects 2 more migrant boats

TgCom Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Saturday warned another migrant rescue mission off the Libyan coast that it would not be allowed to land its "human cargo" at an Italian…

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Italy’s Prime Minister says that ‘Spain’s decision is a turning point. From today Italy is no longer alone’

In a Facebook Post, Italian Prime Minister said that "Spain decided to welcome the Aquarius ship, which had been temporarily assisted by two Italian patrol boats. Italy's requests begin to be heard.…

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Monday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning A rather hot day as temperatures are expected to reach the 30 degree mark on the Celsius scale, which at times will feel like 34 degrees. The main…

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Summer tourism results in a 40% increase in marine litter in the Mediterranean Sea

Summer tourism is leading to a sharp increase in the amount of plastic ending up in the Mediterranean Sea, new research shows. Analysis for the WWF to mark United Nations World…

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Libyan Navy Force spokesman: Dubious NGOs’ vessels in the middle of the Mediterranean should leave as they are profiting off immigrants’ suffering.

The spokesman of the Libyan Navy Force, Ayoub Qassim, called on the dubious NGOs' vessels at the middle of the Mediterranean to leave, saying they are profiting off immigrants' suffering.…

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€15-20 million worth of cannabis resin seized in the Mediterranean Sea in what the Guardia di Finanza link to a dangerous Maltese criminal organisation

Italian police agents seized over 10 tonnes of cannabis resin worth up to €20 million in a dramatic high-seas operation, police said on Thursday. Italy's Guardia di Finanza (GDF) finance…

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Tunisia fires officials accused of negligence over shipwreck this weekend which killed at least 66 migrants

Tunisia on Wednesday announced the sacking of officials accused of negligence over a shipwreck this weekend that killed at least 66 migrants. AFP reports that the casualties, mostly Tunisians, drowned when…

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158 persons (amongst which 9 children, 26 women and 36 unaccompanied minors) rescued in the Mediterranean and taken to Sicily

Almost 160 migrants disembarked a rescue ship Friday evening in Sicily, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said, days before hardline anti-immigrant League leader Matteo Salvini is to visit the island as…

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