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Greece’s Asylum Freeze Sparks Global Outcry Amid Crete Migrant Surge

In a move that has ignited fierce backlash from human rights organizations and the United Nations, Greece has passed legislation temporarily halting asylum applications from migrants arriving by sea from North Africa. The three-month suspension, approved by parliament with 177 votes in favor and 74 against, allows for expedited repatriation without prior identification. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended the measure as a “difficult but necessary decision” in response to a sharp rise in irregular arrivals, particularly from Libya to the island of Crete. Over 7,000 migrants have reached Crete and nearby Gavdos this year, straining local resources and prompting concerns from the tourism industry. Rights groups, including the International Rescue Committee, have condemned the ban as illegal and inhumane, warning it violates international and European law. The UNHCR echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right regardless of how or wh...

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G7 Commits to Accelerating Fossil Fuel Transition, but Activists Remain Skeptical

 

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) developed democracies have pledged to accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels during this decade. The draft statement from their summit in Italy outlines a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the best available science. However, climate activists remain critical, citing a lack of concrete commitments and the fact that many pledges were already agreed upon in previous meetings. The G7’s focus on phasing out coal power generation and reducing methane emissions is commendable, but some environmentalists express disappointment over the allowance for public investments in natural gas. As the COP29 United Nations climate conference approaches, the G7 leaders plan to submit more ambitious national climate plans. 

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