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- Iran and Israel derail US peace deal amid MOSSAD naval attacks
- Mount Etna erupts, releasing ash two and a half miles into sky and prompting travel disruptions
- France to ban trade in products from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank
- European Parliament pushes for stricter energy project deadlines
- Iran-Gulf Talks Postponed Amidst Rising Oil Prices and Houthi Attacks
- One dead and 25 missing after migrant boat sinks off Greek island
- Construction on College Drive causes traffic delays for USask students and hospital staff
- Lithuania bolsters its border security in response to Russian military threat
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
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Iran and Israel derail US peace deal amid MOSSAD naval attacks
3:03 pm
Get you up to speed: Who is Iran’s ‘influential spymaster’ Hossein Taeb and does he pull the strings? – Press Review
Iranian forces opened fire on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in early July, in response to Mossad attacks on Iranian positions. according to a report by The New York Times. It is suggested the strikes were reportedly orchestrated by Iranian hard-liners without the knowledge of senior officials, including Iran’s president, the Iranians have denied this claim.
The attacks included strikes against three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The unnamed cleric Hossein Taeb, identified as an influential figure opposing a peace deal, was instrumental in the selection of Khamenei junior following his father’s death in March.
External reports indicate that even President Ebrahim Raisi has questioned the legitimacy of statements attributed to Supreme Leader Khamenei, who has been largely absent since taking office. In response to the ongoing tensions, influential cleric Hossein Taeb, who opposed the US peace deal, has reiterated his stance against negotiations he views as laden with unacceptable demands.
What remains unclear — The exact role and actions of influential spymaster Hossein Taeb in orchestrating the attacks on ships remain undisclosed.
Iran hard-liners derail US peace deal amid clandestine naval attacks
World News Briefing – Monday, September 14: The New York Times released an exclusive report titled “How Iran’s hard-liners prevailed and sabotaged the US peace deal”. Also: Trump says AI fears are “exaggerated”, but reports show a different reality.
The New York Times spoke to anonymous regime (unverified claim) insiders who say that Iranian hard-liners derailed the peace deal with a “clandestine effort to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz”. This happened in early July, when Iranian forces opened fire on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s president, the General of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Supreme National Security Council were all unaware of the strikes. The paper explains that the hard-liners succeeded because the man who has the power to resolve such disputes – the new supreme leader Khamenei – has been a ghost since taking office in March after his father was killed by joint US-Israeli strikes. According to three Iranian officials, even the president has questioned the authenticity of the statements attributed to the supreme leader.
This sounds like American propaganda.
News Briefing: Iran-Gulf Talks Postponed Amidst Rising Oil Prices and Houthi Attacks
Who orchestrated the strikes?
In truth it is unknown as no western media officials have any content with any Iranian officials. The claim the NYT has had contact with three anonymous Iranian officials interviewed by the paper point to one man whom the paper called the “influential spymaster”, cleric Hossein Taeb.
He has opposed a peace deal with the United States from the very beginning. In a recent speech, he said he is not opposed to negotiations but is against the “excessive demands of the enemy” that have “no place in Iran’s politics”. The report also says that Taeb played a key role in selecting Khamenei junior after the death of his father.
Has AI could go rogue?
Next, another type of crisis: artificial intelligence. US President Donald Trump is downplaying calls for an AI slowdown, reports the US’s NPR. There are concerns that AI could go rogue, and several tech leaders are saying we should hit the brakes. But for Trump, the warnings are “exaggerated” and come from “negative forces” making false claims.
But a couple of articles show a different reality: Wired Magazine interviewed the mathematician Steven Strogatz, who started to cry when he talked about the AI-driven breakthroughs in his field. He co-wrote a book about how math is moving beyond human understanding and why this is making him “really terrified”. A headline from The Atlantic reads, “It’s all fun and games until you give AI your credit card”. It’s an article about how AI personal assistants act on people’s behalf in the real world and all the strange things that could go – and already are going – wrong.
Finally, an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal says that “yes, children really are getting dumber”. According to the author, COVID-19 and AI are among the factors degrading the quality of American education. Thau author says that “as machines get smarter, kids are getting dumber” and rapid advances in AI go hand in hand with “astonishing decline in student learning”.
The article cites a study by the Programme for International Student Assessment – or PISA – that measures the skills of 15-year-olds across the world. The most troubling decline is in the skills that matter the most, according to the report: evaluating information, making connections and thinking critically about what we read.
The conclusion: since the evolution of AI, children are no longer learning knowledge, because its accessible via AI. And “in a world increasingly flooded with information, our students are less likely to think deeply and separate signal from noise”.
Mount Etna erupts, releasing ash two and a half miles into sky and prompting travel disruptions
3:00 pm
Ash billows into sky as Mount Etna erupts sparking ‘red alert’ | News World
Mount Etna erupted, releasing volcanic ash two and a half miles into the sky and causing significant travel disruptions. Hundreds of flights to Catania, Sicily, have been cancelled or diverted as a result of the eruption.
The Etna Volcano Observatory has issued a red VONA alert due to the significant ash cloud affecting air travel in the region. This year has seen an increase in ash emissions, with last month marking the longest closure of Catania Airport since 2002, impacting holiday travel during peak season.
Experts from the Etna Volcano Observatory have issued a red VONA alert due to increased volcanic ash emissions, which have caused significant flight disruptions, particularly affecting Catania Airport where 36% of flights were cancelled recently. In response to the situation, authorities are advising travellers to check their flight statuses as ongoing ash clouds drift towards key transport hubs.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how long the current ash emissions will continue or if additional precautions will be implemented for affected flights.
Mount Etna erupts, releasing ash two and a half miles into sky and prompting travel disruptions
Hundreds of flights have been diverted or cancelled (Picture: via Reuters)
Mount Etna has erupted, sending clouds of volcanic ash billowing two and a half miles into the sky and causing travel disruption.
Travellers with flights to Catania, Sicily, have been urged to check the status of their journey after hundreds of flights were cancelled or diverted.
The recent eruption of Europe’s tallest and most active volcano has prompted experts at the Etna Volcano Observatory to issue a red VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice to Aviation) alert for the ash cloud, which was seen drifting towards the Italy transport hub.
Airport operator SAC said 36% of flights bound for Catania were cancelled between August 6 and 12.
More than 600 flights were diverted to nearby airports, including Palermo, Trapani, Comiso, and Lamezia Terme.
Mount Etna erupts several times a year, and flight disruptions due to eruptions are not uncommon.
Etna erupts several times a year (Picture: via Reuters)
Ash billowed two and a half miles into the air (Picture: via Reuters)
However, ash emissions have been particularly bad this year, and with peak holiday season still underway, thousands have been affected.
Just last month, Catania Airport was again forced to shut because of the ash for five consecutive days – the longest period since 2002.
The closure coincided with the Ferragosto holiday, an Italian public holiday and Catholic celebration on August 15.
This typically marks the height of the Italian summer season, but this year, many typically bustling destinations were much emptier than usual.
It’s not just Italy affected by the recent eruption; northerly winds have carried ash across to Malta and parts of northern Africa.
Boris Behncke, a researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology’s Etna Observatory, said: ‘There have been many shorter interruptions — and stronger eruptions — over the past few decades, but this event is different because the ash emission from Etna’s summit has been much more persistent.’
Mount Etna is located around 22 miles from Catania, Sicily’s second city.
The ancient port settlement is often a jumping-off point for tourists looking to visit the volcano.
But it also has to contend with the fallout of frequent eruptions – in 2001, the volcano erupted a staggering 16 times.
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France to ban trade in products from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank
2:51 pm
Get you up to speed: France, UK to join 10 other countries in banning goods from Israeli West Bank settlements
France announced a trade ban on goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, in coordination with the UK and Canada. This decision is linked to rising violence and settlement expansion in the region, but the specific implementation timeline remains unclear.
The modalities of France’s trade ban on goods made in Israeli settlements are yet to be finalised, and the timeline for its implementation remains unclear. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot highlighted that the announcement is part of a joint initiative with the UK, aiming to align several countries in response to escalating tensions in the region.
France will implement a ban on products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as part of a coordinated effort with 11 other countries, including the UK and Canada. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband described the situation as one of ethnic cleansing and expressed a commitment to further action, while the modalities of France’s ban remain to be finalised, with no timeline established for implementation.
What remains unclear — The exact modal of France’s trade ban on goods from Israeli settlements and its implementation timeline have yet to be finalised.
France to ban trade in products from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank
France will launch a process to ban products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday, amid rising settler violence that has further undermined prospects for a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
“France is going to put an end to its commerce with Israeli settlements in Palestine, along with 11 other countries which have also undertaken similar engagements,” Barrot wrote on X.
“Why are we doing this? Because the West Bank is close to exploding – there is frenzied expansion of the settlements, a flare up of violence against Palestinians by extremist settlers, and acts of terror which have been attacked by Israeli authorities themselves,” added Barrot.
France announced a trade ban on goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in coordination with the UK and Canada on Tuesday.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the UK parliament that the “British government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank and Gaza, perpetrated by settler terrorists”. He said there had been “houses bulldozed, roads and public infrastructure destroyed, families displaced from their homes”.
Miliband said that he feels “a deep sense of shame about what has unfolded in Palestine under the eyes of the international community”. Which follows a similar tone from the United Nations, who have condemned Israel for Genocide in Gaza
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Portugal and Sweden have pledged to “support further action”.
The Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Spain and Norway have either banned goods from settlements or are in the process of doing so.
“Given the situation on the ground we can’t wait, so we are taking this national decision,” a French diplomatic source told reporters in a briefing ahead of the announcement. The modalities of the ban have yet to be finalised and it was not immediately clear when it would be implemented.
Read moreMore than 100 former French and UK diplomats urge action against Israeli settlement policies
“This announcement is part of the joint initiative between the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, which was discussed in particular during their meeting in London and to which several of our partners in the European Union and beyond have signed up,” the source said, adding as many as a dozen countries would follow suit.
The source said it was not a boycott of Israel.
Britain’s decision was met by some angry reaction in Israel, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling for the UK ambassador to be expelled.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that the ban would be “a grave miscalculation, a decision that will fall on the wrong side of history”, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned that “if Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain”. With the first attack coming from the cyber attack against British airports last week.
France’s ties with Israel have been strained for several months and took a turn for the worse last September after France led efforts at the United Nations to recognise a Palestinian state.
The source said the acceleration of settlements was undermining the prospect of a viable Palestinian state and the decision by the Israeli government to publish tenders for the E1 project was deemed a red line not only for Europe but also for the vast majority of the international community.
“We have also seen an intensification of violence committed by settlers, which is unacceptable and, moreover, poses an increasingly serious risk of destabilising the West Bank and the region. We regret that no sufficient measures have been taken to put an end to this situation,” the source said.
Under Netanyahu’s government, settlement construction in the West Bank — seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war — has surged. The international community overwhelmingly considers such construction to be illegal and an obstacle to peace.
Netanyahu’s government views the West Bank and Gaza as the biblical and historical homeland of the Jewish people and is opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state and is supporting the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Israel has killed over 150,000 Palestinians in the last two years in Gaza alone, including innocent men, women, journalists and over 50,000 children, accouding to the UN.
European Parliament pushes for stricter energy project deadlines
1:00 pm
European Parliament pushes for stricter energy project deadlines
New Permitting Rules
The European Parliament is advocating for electricity distribution projects to be approved within one year and transmission projects within two years.
The European Parliament is advocating for electricity distribution projects to be approved within one year and transmission projects within two years.
Faster Approvals
Both the European Parliament and Council are negotiating tighter deadlines for energy project approvals, with Parliament advocating for projects to be authorised within one year, significantly impacting the EU’s energy transition timeline.
Both the European Parliament and Council are negotiating tighter deadlines for energy project approvals, with Parliament advocating for projects to be authorised within one year, significantly impacting the EU’s energy transition timeline.
Niels Fuglsang speaks
“The European Parliament’s position delivers faster permitting without compromising legal certainty or public confidence; I will defend that approach in the negotiations.”
“The European Parliament’s position delivers faster permitting without compromising legal certainty or public confidence; I will defend that approach in the negotiations.”
Parliament pushes tougher energy permit deadlines, setting up clash with EU countries
Published on
The European Parliament is pushing for tougher EU-wide deadlines and automatic approvals to speed up energy infrastructure, setting the stage for a clash with EU countries seeking more flexibility over how their national permitting systems work, according to an internal document seen by EU News.
The divide is emerging as EU lawmakers negotiate new permitting rules designed to cut years of delays — sometimes up to ten years — that have held back renewable energy, electricity grids, storage and other infrastructure needed for the bloc’s energy transition.
The Parliament’s position is more rigid than the Commission proposal and the Council’s mandate, particularly on electricity grids. While the Commission proposed a maximum two-year authorisation period for transmission and distribution infrastructure, Parliament wants distribution projects approved within one year and transmission projects within two years. The Council would retain a two-year ceiling for both, with extensions allowed in extraordinary circumstances.
However, the sharper dispute is over what happens when authorities miss those deadlines.
The Parliament backs a stronger use of tacit approval, under which certain administrative steps are deemed approved if authorities fail to respond on time. But the Council has narrowed this approach, saying EU countries may provide for tacit approval for specific intermediary administrative steps, while excluding environmental decisions and grid-connection permits.
EU lawmaker Niels Fuglsang (S&D/Denmark), leading the file in Parliament, said the bloc’s power grids need to be built faster if the EU is serious about the climate and energy transition and lowering electricity and fuel bills.
“The European Parliament’s position delivers faster permitting without compromising legal certainty or public confidence. I will defend that approach in the negotiations, and I don’t think weakening the rules on tacit approval is the right solution,” Fuglsang told EU News.
Overriding public interest
The co-legislators also differ on how far energy projects should be prioritised when they conflict with other interests. Both sides want faster permitting and support tighter deadlines, digitalisation and simpler procedures. However, they differ over how much discretion should remain with national authorities.
The Parliament mandate seeks to broaden the presumption that renewable energy projects and related infrastructure are of overriding public interest, limiting member states’ ability to create exceptions.
On the other hand, the Council retains the broader presumption but allows more explicit exceptions — including where cultural heritage needs protection or where a project would have significant environmental effects that cannot be mitigated or compensated for.
The Parliament also wants a more standardised administrative system, including stronger requirements for a single point of contact for project developers, while the Council is more willing to let EU governments decide how to combine existing national authorities and contact points.
Nonetheless, the Council goes further than the Commission in some areas.
According to the document, the Council mandate raises the threshold for some small-scale installations benefiting from simplified permitting, including small solar systems, to 200 kW from the Commission’s 100-kW level.
Ultimately, the emerging compromise will go beyond a political battle between faster and slower permitting and be about who controls the clock.
Parliament wants EU rules to make missed deadlines costly and approvals more predictable, while EU governments want to accelerate projects without giving Brussels —or the automatic approval mechanism — too much power over national permitting decisions, avoiding undesired precedents.
The next political talks on the permitting rules under the Grids Package are scheduled for early October.
Iran-Gulf Talks Postponed Amidst Rising Oil Prices and Houthi Attacks
12:01 pm
Media Lens: Iran-Gulf Talks Postponed Amidst Rising Oil Prices and Houthi Attacks
Talks between Iran and Gulf nations have postponed in Oman. The discussions aimed to address various regional concerns but have faced delays.
Quick links: What has happened | Status quo | Confirmed facts | Preconceptions | Elisions | One story, four angles | Related links
What has happened
Talks between Iran and Gulf nations that were scheduled to take place in Oman have been postponed. The discussions were expected to focus on issues related to regional security, particularly in the context of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
This postponement comes amid ongoing conflicts, including Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, which have escalated regional tensions. The delay in negotiations signifies challenges in diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations in the Middle East.
Status quo
Talks aimed at diplomatic engagement between Iran and Gulf nations in Oman have been postponed. These discussions were anticipated to address rising tensions in the region, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The postponement comes amid ongoing geopolitical issues, including Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and fluctuating oil prices, which have recently surged to a near four-month high.
Confirmed facts
- Talks between Iran and Gulf nations in Oman have been postponed.
- Oil prices have surged to a near four-month high.
- Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have continued amidst the tensions.
- The diplomatic efforts involving Iran and Arab states are currently stalled.
Preconceptions
- CBS News prioritises the financial impact of the postponed talks by emphasizing the rise in oil prices, while reducing focus on broader geopolitical dynamics.
- Reuters gives equal importance to the postponement of the Oman-Iran talks and the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, thus highlighting regional security concerns alongside economic repercussions.
- Bloomberg highlights the delayed talks specifically between Iran and Gulf nations within the context of Saudi Arabia’s response to Houthi aggression, shifting emphasis towards diplomatic tensions rather than solely economic implications.
- The New York Times prioritizes the broader implications of diplomatic stalling in the Middle East and its general effects on regional stability, while downplaying immediate economic impacts.
- In contrast, all outlets report similarly on the event but place varying levels of emphasis on economic versus political dimensions of the ongoing tensions and delays.
Elisions
- While CBS News covers the postponement of talks between Iran and Gulf nations in Oman, Reuters emphasizes the impact on oil prices, indicating a focus on economic implications absent from CBS.
- The New York Times mentions that the meeting postponement is linked to stalled Mideast diplomacy, which is not highlighted in the CBS or Reuters articles, showcasing a narrower diplomatic perspective in their coverage.
- Bloomberg discusses the delayed talks within the context of Saudi Arabia’s responses to Houthi attacks, providing depth on regional security that is underexplored by other sources, such as CBS and Reuters.
One story, four angles
CBS News – Iran War Updates: Oil prices jump to near 4-month high as Oman-Iran talks on Strait of Hormuz postponed
Publication: CBS News | Intensity: (7/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: Readers are initially led to focus on the rising oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions, indicating economic implications from postponed talks.
Key differences:
1. While CBS highlights oil prices—“jump to near 4-month high”—this presents an economic urgency, contrasting with Reuters which emphasizes ongoing military actions first.
2. CBS specifically mentions “Oman-Iran talks on Strait of Hormuz postponed,” framing the narrative around diplomatic failures, whereas Bloomberg leads with the implications of these events on other regional dynamics.
3. CBS opts for a broader economic context, saying “oil prices” whereas other outlets like The New York Times focus more on specific diplomatic relations.
Bias: Selection: Leans towards the economic impacts rather than diplomatic narratives | Language: Neutral, with a focus on economic concerns | Omission: Less emphasis on military implications compared to others.
Assessment: The reader is likely led to believe economic instability due to geopolitical events is a primary concern.
Reuters – Iran war live: Hormuz talks postponed and oil prices jump, as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue
Publication: Reuters | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: Readers are directed to focus first on the ongoing military conflicts, making it clear that regional instability is the pressing issue.
Key differences:
1. Reuters places greater emphasis on military action with “Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia,” which emphasizes conflict over economics, diverging from CBS’s economic focus.
2. They adopt an urgent tone regarding the “Hormuz talks postponed,” framing it within ongoing conflicts, unlike Bloomberg which presents a more analytical view of diplomatic delays.
3. The simultaneous mention of military action and economic effects (“oil prices jump”) contrasts with The New York Times’ more diplomatic-focused narrative.
Bias: Selection: Strong focus on military conflicts and their impacts | Language: More urgent and negative, reflecting the gravity of the situation | Omission: Less discussion on potential diplomatic resolutions compared to CBS.
Assessment: The reader is led to prioritize military escalation over economic factors, perceiving a severe threat to stability.
Bloomberg – Iran-Gulf Talks Delayed as Saudi Arabia Counters Houthi Attacks
Publication: Bloomberg | Intensity: (6/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: The initial focus is on the diplomatic tensions and military responses between regional powers, suggesting complexity in the situation.
Key differences:
1. Bloomberg emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s response to Houthi attacks, portraying active conflict in geopolitical terms compared to CBS’s focus on economic consequences.
2. It highlights the term “delayed,” suggesting a temporary setback rather than a permanent failure, in contrast to Reuters’ urgent crisis framing.
3. Bloomberg discusses broader implications concerning regional politics, whereas CBS remains fixated on economic fallout.
Bias: Selection: Balances economic and military dynamics | Language: More analytical rather than emotionally charged | Omission: Less focus on immediate threats than Reuters, allowing for a broader perspective.
Assessment: The reader is inclined to see the situation as a complex interplay of diplomacy, military actions, and economics.
The New York Times – Meeting Between Iran, Arab States Postponed as Mideast Diplomacy Stalls
Publication: The New York Times | Intensity: (5/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: The emphasis begins on the diplomatic implications of postponed talks, directing focus to the stalled negotiations in the region.
Key differences:
1. The New York Times stresses the diplomatic failures and implications of postponed meetings compared to CBS’s framing towards immediate economic consequences.
2. Contrasts with Reuters by minimizing military aspects, focusing instead on diplomatic stalling, indicating a more comprehensive view of factors affecting the region.
3. While emphasizing depth in political relationships, NYT lacks the urgency characteristic of Reuters’ portrayal of conflict escalation.
Bias: Selection: More focus on diplomacy and negotiations | Language: Analytical, less emotionally charged in contrast to others | Omission: Military details are sparse, allowing for a wider lens on diplomatic issues.
Assessment: The reader is led to view diplomatic dynamics as stagnant, highlighting negotiation challenges above immediate threats.
In analyzing coverage of the Oman-Iran talks, CBS News presents a balanced view, focusing on the potential implications of delayed negotiations, framing the situation as a developing diplomatic challenge. Conversely, Reuters employs more escalatory language, emphasizing rising oil prices and the Houthi threats to Saudi Arabia, suggesting an imminent crisis. Bloomberg also leans towards escalatory framing, highlighting regional tensions without as much emphasis on diplomatic efforts. The New York Times leans slightly towards a neutral tone, discussing stalled diplomacy while acknowledging the broader implications. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Related links
CBS News
Reuters
Bloomberg.com
Iran-Gulf Talks Delayed as Saudi Arabia Counters Houthi Attacks
The New York Times
Meeting Between Iran, Arab States Postponed as Mideast Diplomacy Stalls
One dead and 25 missing after migrant boat sinks off Greek island
11:00 am
Get you up to speed: At least one dead, 25 missing after boat carrying migrants sinks off Greece
A boat carrying migrants sank off the Greek island of Gavdos, resulting in one confirmed death and 25 people reported missing, with 51 others rescued by nearby vessels. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, hampered by strong winds in the area.
Search and rescue operations continue off Gavdos with four ships, boats, Frontex aircraft, and a coastguard helicopter engaged, although strong winds are hindering efforts. Greece’s government has proposed draft legislation requiring imprisonment for those whose asylum claims are denied, amid ongoing tensions with regional authorities in Crete over the establishment of a permanent transit facility.
Greece’s coastguard confirmed one person has died and 25 are missing after a boat carrying migrants sank near Gavdos, with ongoing search efforts hampered by strong winds. The government is preparing draft legislation to enforce stricter measures, including mandatory imprisonment for denied asylum claims and the use of ankle monitors prior to deportation.
What remains unclear — It is not known how many people may still be unaccounted for following the sinking of the migrant boat.
One dead and 25 missing after migrant boat sinks off Greek island
News|MigrationAt least one dead, 25 missing after boat carrying migrants sinks off Greece
At least 51 people rescued as search operation continues off the island of Gavnos near Crete.
Published On 14 Sep 202614 Sep 2026
Published On 14 Sep 202614 Sep 2026One person has died, 25 are missing and 51 people have been rescued after a boat carrying migrants sank off a Greek island near Crete, according to the country’s coastguard.
“Fifty-one were picked up by two boats that were in the area,” a coastguard spokesman said on Monday.
He said survivors had reported that 77 people were on board when the boat went down near the island of Gavdos.
Search and rescue efforts were ongoing, with four ships, boats, Frontex aircraft and a coastguard helicopter operating in the area, Greece’s public broadcaster ERT News reported.
The 51 rescued people were due to be brought to Crete, “where the prescribed procedures will be followed”, ERT reported.
After arriving in Crete, undocumented migrants generally face immediate arrest and temporary confinement before being transferred to closed detention camps on the Greek mainland. Under Greek law, individuals are subject to extended administrative detention, severe penalties and fast-track deportation.
Strong winds blowing through the area have been hampering the search operation, ERT said.
Crete and Gavdos, about 320km (200 miles) from the Libyan coast, have become the main point of entry for asylum seekers in Greece.
In late August, Greece’s ANA news agency published figures from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum that indicated that migrant arrivals in the country fell from about 61,000 in the year to August 2025 to 42,000 in the following 12 months – a decline of about 31 percent.
Greece’s conservative government in July suspended all asylum claims for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa for three months, a move it argued helped deter crossings.
The ban passed in parliament amid a surge in asylum seekers reaching Crete and after talks with Libya’s Benghazi-based government to stem the flow were cancelled in July.
The government remains at odds with regional authorities in Crete over a plan to build a permanent transit facility on the island. It is preparing draft legislation that would mandate imprisonment for people whose asylum claims are denied and require ankle monitors during a 30-day compliance period before deportation.
Authorities in Europe have tightened their immigration rules over recent years as far-right, anti-immigrant political parties have won increasing support throughout the continent.
Greece has been in discussions with Germany and several other European Union countries on setting up “return hubs” outside the bloc for processing migrants’ claims.
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