EU 'has east-west split' on migrant quotas

EU leaders are bitterly divided over a quota scheme for housing migrants, as they begin a summit in Brussels.
Summit chairman Donald Tusk called mandatory EU-wide quotas "ineffective". He spoke of a split "between east and west" over asylum policy.

Greek islanders, officials protest in Athens over migrant overcrowding

Residents and officials from three eastern Aegean Greek islands have gathered outside the country’s Ministry for Migration, protesting against increasingly overcrowded conditions for newly arriving migrants and refugees.

Amnesty urges Greece to scrap Saudi arms sale as war in Yemen continues

Amnesty International is urging the Greek government to scrap a controversial arms sale to Saudi Arabia, saying the weapons could be used against civilians in the ongoing war in Yemen, AP reports.

Greek govt mulls emergency housing as migrant arrivals from Turkey increase

The Greek government is considering emergency measures to house migrants and refugees confined to Greek islands over the winter months, the migration minister said Wednesday.

UN calls on EU to continue relocation of refugees beyond deadline

The UN refugee agency on Tuesday urged European Union (EU) member states to promptly relocate all asylum-seekers eligible under the bloc's emergency relocation scheme and for it to continue beyond the two years originally planned.

Des préhumains ont-ils foulé la Crète il y a 5,7 millions d’années?

Des scientifiques ont découvert des traces de pas qui auraient été laissées par un préhumain il y a 5,7 millions d’années en Crète. Si la découverte se confirmait, elle forcerait les chercheurs à réviser la théorie qui fait de l’Afrique le berceau de l’humanité…

Germany made over €1bn out of Greek debt crisis

Since the beginning of Greece’s crisis in 2009 Germany’s Finance Ministry has cashed in to the tune of €1.3 billion as a result of its loans to Athens and its debt buying programs reports Euractiv.

Egypt uncovers chamber of mummies

Egypt has unearthed an ancient burial site containing at least 17 mummies, most fully intact.

Greeks Mark May Day with Strike, Demos against Fresh Cuts

Greek trade unions marked May Day on Monday with a 24-hour nationwide strike and protests against looming new cuts demanded by the country's creditors in return for bailout cash.

Ancient civilizations key to elimination of extremism

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Monday collective efforts and ancient civilizations are the keys to elimination of extremism.

Chinese FM hails Sino-Greek civilization exchanges, mutual learning

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday spoke highly of the civilization exchanges between his country and Greece, hailing the mutual learning between the two ancient civilizations as exemplary.

Zarif to attend Forum of Ancient Civilizations in Greece

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said on Saturday that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will travel to Greece tommorrow to take part in the 1st international Forum of Ancient Civilizations.

Berlin Halts Refugee Transfers to Hungary over Conditions

Germany said Tuesday it is refraining from transferring asylum seekers to Hungary under EU rules until Budapest gives assurances that the migrants would not be systematically detained.

Drugs seized in Athens destined for Middle East, linked to ISIS: Greek authorities

A large quantity of narcotics seized last week during a raid on an illegal lab in Elefsina, 17 km west of here, were destined to countries in the Middle East and with links with ISIS, Greek authorities said on Monday, according to Greek national news agency AMNA.

Greece plans to fast-track asylum claims to save EU-Turkey deal

European officials are becoming increasingly worried that the EU-Turkey deal could fall apart. With few returns and thousands of people trapped on the Greek islands, the EU is encouraging stronger measures – such as opening more detention centers on the islands to speed up asylum proceedings and facilitate deportations – to rescue the deal.

Greece won't extradite soldiers to Turkey to stand trial for coup attempt

Greece's Supreme Court rejected a extradition request from Turkey for eight Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece during Turkey's 2016 coup attempt.

Greek court postpones extradition request for 8 Turkish servicemen

Greece's Supreme Court postponed on Monday a ruling on the extradition request for eight Turkish servicemen to Thursday, the Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Pope Francis Calls on European States to Assimilate Migrants

The European countries should accept and assimilate migrants instead of creating ghettos, Pope Francis said in an interview with El Pais newspaper.

Syria: Masses and prayers held to celebrate the New Year

Christian denominations in Syria held on Sunday masses and prayers to celebrate the New Year.

Balkan countries illegally push back migrants: UNHCR

Illegal deportations of migrants seeking to reach western Europe along the so-called Balkans route have been on the rise, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned Monday.