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EU leaders pledge extra €1 billion to tackle refugee crisis

The "greatest tide" of refugees is yet to come, Europe's leaders have been warned as they pledged another €1 billion (£733 million) to tackle the crisis.

Heads of state were locked in talks for more than five hours in Brussels as they attempted to overcome divisions and find a unified response.

Speaking after the emergency summit, European Council president Donald Tusk said while they had taken a step in the right direction, the policy of "open doors and windows" must be corrected.

Prime Minister David Cameron - who committed an extra £115 million in aid - said a "comprehensive approach" was needed to solve the crisis.

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Croatia and Serbia issue rival border bans amid crisis

Croatia has banned Serbian vehicles from entering its territory in response to a Serbian ban on Croatian cargo traffic in a bitter dispute over the flow of refugees across the border.

"Our border is ready and open for any other car without Serbian registration. Buses with Serbian registration will not enter into Croatia," Croatian Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic said.

Ostojic said there had been "a problem with passports" but confirmed that Serbian citizens were still free to travel across the border.

Refugees make their way towards the Hungarian border after arriving at a train station in Croatia. Credit: Reuters

Serbia issued its ban on Croatian cargo traffic and goods late on Wednesday as relations plunged to their lowest since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

Meanwhile, Hungary has said it had received a record number of refugees in a single day, with most entering via Croatia.

Some 9,939 refugees arrived from Croatia on Wednesday, while 102 arrived from Serbia, AFP reported, citing Hungarian police.

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EU leaders pledge extra €1 billion to tackle refugee crisis

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