More than 200 migrants arrive in Italy over weekend
More than 200 migrants have reportedly arrived on Italian shores over the weekend. The number of arrivals in Italy is on the rise once more.
Algeria
Ocean Viking saves 36 migrants off Lampedusa coast
The "Ocean Viking" rescue ship has pulled 36 people from an overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea. Maltese authorities had requested the charity chip to save the shipwrecked migrants.
Police in Spain and France arrest 29 for migrant trafficking
Europol said 29 people have been arrested in France and Spain, accused of being part of a criminal ring involved in trafficking migrants, including minors.
Left to die: how Algeria deports migrants to Niger
Refugees and migrants in Algeria are facing difficult times. Amid the country's ongoing political transformation, authorities choose to deal with sub-Saharan migrants in the country by deporting them to Niger – into the middle of the desert.
The forgotten refugees of Western Sahara
The conflict over Western Sahara has smoldered for more than 40 years. Morocco's offer of autonomy for the region is now on the negotiating table, but that's not enough for many of the Saharawis exiled in Algeria.
Germany sees sharp rise in deportations to North Africa
More and more rejected asylum-seekers are being sent back to Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, according to a new report. The German government wants to designate the countries as "safe" in order to accelerate the process.
German Bundestag deems Maghreb countries and Georgia 'safe' countries of origin
Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, has voted in favor of declaring four additional countries "safe countries of origin." However, the Bundesrat, the upper house, still has to ratify the decision. The addition of Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Georgia to list of safe nations is not without controversy.
UNHCR 'concerned' over missing Arab refugees near Algeria
The UN refugee agency Thursday voiced concern for the safety of 100 Arab citizens who went missing after seeking shelter in Algeria and others stranded at the border with Niger. The organization appeals for access to assess the protection needs of the refugees.
Algeria expelling sub-Saharans at record levels, Amnesty International
Arbitrary arrests and expulsions of migrants have risen to a historic high in Algeria, Amnesty International says. The human rights organization has called on Algerian authorities to comply with international conventions.
IOM: Almost 111,000 arrivals by sea in Europe in 2018
The UN agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that nearly 111,000 migrants reached Europe by sea in 2018. The Mediterranean is the deadliest route for migrants traveling to Europe with 2,160 victims registered so far this year, the IOM said.
Migrant shipwreck near Sardinia: two dead, eight missing
The first two victims of a shipwreck near the Italian island Sardinia have been found dead. Their boat was carrying a group of thirteen Algerian nationals. Eight are still missing. Rescuers are increasingly less confident that they will find them alive.
Sardinia, no trace of boat with 13 migrants on board
There is still no trace of a small boat with 13 people on board which, according to migrants who were able to reach Sardinia, allegedly left from Algeria on November 8 to reach the Italian island before it went missing.