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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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Canada Shelves Digital Services Tax to Smooth Trade Relations with U.S.



In a significant shift in policy, the federal government has announced it will retract its proposed digital services tax (DST), citing progress in trade negotiations with the United States. The decision marks a diplomatic pivot aimed at easing cross-border tensions and advancing economic cooperation between the two nations.

Originally introduced as a means to ensure that multinational tech giants pay their fair share of taxes in Canada, the DST faced stiff opposition from U.S. lawmakers and companies. Critics warned the measure could trigger retaliatory tariffs and complicate efforts to modernize the Canada-U.S. trade relationship.

Government officials framed the rollback as a strategic move to bolster trust and goodwill in trade dialogues, while reaffirming Canada’s commitment to a multilateral solution through the OECD’s global tax framework. The federal finance minister emphasized that the government still supports fair taxation in the digital economy but acknowledged the importance of “cooperative solutions over unilateral measures.”

The decision is expected to be well-received by U.S. counterparts and may set the stage for renewed momentum on broader economic agreements.



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