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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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TTC Strike Averted: Framework Agreement Reached Between Union and Management

 

In a last-minute development, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 have reached a “framework settlement,” effectively averting a planned strike. The agreement comes after intense negotiations and addresses critical issues such as job security, protections against job outsourcing, and benefits for active members and pensioners.

The TTC’s buses, streetcars, subways, and Wheel-Trans vehicles will operate normally on Friday, providing relief to the city’s 1.3 million transit users. However, the finalized details of the framework remain undisclosed, pending further work and ratification by union members. The mood at the bargaining table has been one of frustration, with the union emphasizing the need for progress and alignment with transit delivery goals.

While the strike has been averted, the TTC’s role in delaying the framework agreement has drawn criticism. Transit riders can breathe a sigh of relief, but the focus now shifts to ensuring a fair and reasonable contract for all parties involved.



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