Mediterranean

The EAM also mentioned that given how comfortable India and Cyprus are with each other, both countries can also plan on working together in third countries

European Union interior ministers on Friday weighed proposals to ease tensions between France and Italy over migrants arriving on their shores without authorisation, including a possible crackdown on charity-run ships doing search and rescue work in the Mediterranean Sea. In recent weeks, several hundred people hoping to enter Europe have been stranded at sea aboard aid ships while countries bicker over whether and where they should be allowed to disembark. It comes during a year in which more than 90,000 migrants have so far arrived in Europe though the Mediterranean, chiefly from Libya and Tunisia an increase of almost 50% over the same period in 2021. Almost 2,000 people have died or are missing at sea. A diplomatic row erupted earlier this month when Italy maneuvered France into accepting a humanitarian rescue ship, the Ocean Viking, with 234 migrants aboard. The right-wing government in Rome had refused to grant it access to a port for weeks. France retaliated by suspending i

France and Germany are asking Italy's new far-right-led government to grant a safe port to nearly 1,000 people rescued by humanitarian groups in the central Mediterranean, some of whom have been stuck at sea for more than two weeks. Humanitarian groups caring for the rescued migrants on three ships in the central Mediterranean are sounding an alarm about deteriorating conditions, including people sleeping on floors in the cold and spreading fevers. Italy's new interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi, has drafted new measures alleging that the non-governmental groups violated procedure by not properly coordinating their rescues, a step setting the groundwork for Italy to close the ports. Piantedosi has also asked the countries whose flags they fly to intervene. Italy's posture, maintaining silence to repeated requests for a safe port, has effectively blocked three charity-run rescue boats at sea. It is reminiscent of Italy's anti-NGO policies under former Interior Minister Matteo Salvi

The Egyptian, US and Spanish navies held a joint maritime exercise within the range of Egypt's Northern Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, said the Egyptian military on Saturday.

Turkey summoned the Greek military attache and filed a complaint with NATO after Greek fighter jets allegedly harassed Turkish fighter jets that were conducting an important mission for the military alliance, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Tuesday. The Anadolu Agency said F-16s belonging to Greece harassed Turkish pilots flying the same model by putting Turkey's aircraft under a radar lock during the NATO mission over the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey gave the necessary response and forced the planes to leave the area, Anadolu said, without elaborating. Anadolu said Turkey's defence ministry notified NATO officials about the alleged harassment and summoned the Greek military official in Ankara, accusing Greece of endangering a NATO mission. Greece rejected the Turkish version of events. The Defence Ministry said five Turkish jets appeared without prior notification to accompany a flight of U.S. B-52 bombers which hadn't been due to have a fighter escort through an area

Officials warned of wildfires across the western Mediterranean region as high temperatures and a long dry spell made for combustible conditions.

He discussed improving access to food, which has been curbed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and which threatened "the stability in Africa and the Middle East"

Nikos Dendias accused Belarus of copying tactics used by Ankara last yr when a tense stand off at the Greek-Turkish land border was triggered by arrival of thousands of migrants, asylum seekers

European Union leaders gave the green light for the expansion of sanctions against Turkey over its exploration of gas reserves in Mediterranean waters claimed by EU members Greece and Cyprus

The row erupted in August when Turkey sent Oruc Reis into waters also claimed by Greece and Cyprus

The stakes have soared as a battle over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean has intensified over the last year

European Union leaders criticized Turkey for ratcheting up tensions with Cyprus and Greece after Ankara sent a ship back into the east of the Mediterranean Sea on a new energy exploration mission.

The European Union has said it could impose sanctions on Turkey over "provocations and pressures" in a row with Greece over energy resources and maritime borders

Earlier this month, the Italian government gave its approval for cruise ships to once again depart from Italy''s ports but limited cruise ships to sailing with 70 per cent capacity

Grains and healthy fats, played a role in the likelihood a person's weight would contribute to pain

The author meanders through the picturesque Spanish village of Casares