The European Union will cease the maritime patrols that have rescued thousands o...
BRUSSELS - The European Union will cease the maritime patrols that have rescued thousands of migrants making the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing from North Africa to Europe, but it will extend air missions, two diplomats said on Tuesday.
Operation Sophia’s mandate was due to expire on Sunday but should now continue for another six months with the same aim of detering people smugglers in the Mediterranean. But it will no longer deploy ships, instead relying on air patrols and closer coordination with Libya, the diplomats said. The tentative deal, however, could weaken Operation Sophia’s role in saving lives in the sea where nearly 2,300 people perished last year, according to United Nations figures.
Rome called for other countries to open up their ports instead, but no other EU states came forward. Diplomats said countries including Spain, France and Germany signaled they were not willing to host more rescued people - most of whom are fleeing wars and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Britain will not leave the European Union next week after E.U. leaders allow a short reprieveBritain will not leave the European Union next week, after E.U. leaders permit short reprieve
Read more »
Britain will not leave the E.U. next week after European leaders allow a short Brexit reprieveBritain gets a short reprieve on leaving European Union
Read more »
European Parliament approves EU copyright reformEU lawmakers have endorsed a preliminary deal to rewrite the bloc's copyright rules, which will force tech giants like Google and Facebook to pay publishers and artists for using their work online.
Read more »
Exclusive: EU to drop threat of Huawei ban but wants 5G risks monitored - sourcesThe European Commission will next week urge EU countries to share more data to t...
Read more »
EU's Juncker says Brexit delay decision unlikely this weekEuropean Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says there will not be a Brexit delay decision during the upcoming EU summit
Read more »
EU hits Google with third antitrust fineThe European Union has hit Google with another big antitrust fine, the third in a series of billion-dollar penalties the US tech giant has faced for hindering competition.
Read more »
EU fines Google 1.49 billion euros in advertising caseEuropean Union regulators have hit Google with a 1.49 billion euro ($1.68 billion) fine for abusing its dominant role in online advertising. It's the third time the commission has slapped Google with an antitrust penalty, following multibillion-dollar fines resulting from separate probes...
Read more »
Google fined $1.7 billion over a 3rd breach of EU antitrust rules in as many yearsBREAKING Google fined $1.7 billion over a third breach of EU antitrust rules in as many years
Read more »
Daily Briefing: Dear EU - May bites bullet on extension letterDaily Briefing: - UK PM Theresa May is expected to write a letter to the EU requesting Brexit extension - Dutch voters go to the polls in provincial elections - Bayer stocks tumble 10 percent after jury finds weed killer causes cancer
Read more »
EU can not budge any more on Brexit, says Juncker before summitThe European Union has done a lot to accommodate Britain over Brexit and can go ...
Read more »