Greek authorities rescued a large number of people in several incidents on Wednesday from waters off western Greece to the eastern Aegean Sea. Around 150 of those rescued were on yachts thought to have been headed for Italy.
Germany's coalition government has passed a draft law to classify Moldova and Georgia as safe countries of origin. The measure is aimed at curbing asylum applications and irregular migration.
The Lebanese government intends to sanction anyone in the country who is providing shelter to irregular Syrian migrants.
The Italian government is intensifying its efforts to tackle the arrival of large numbers of migrants by sea. Measures include stepped-up missions to countries of origin and transit, providing patrol boats to Tunisia, and a security1
The Belgian government has announced that single men who apply for asylum will no longer be given a place to stay. Critics have slammed the decision as unlawful and inhumane.