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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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Landlord Resistance Threatens Ruby Liu’s Department Store Expansion

A bold retail revival plan by entrepreneur Ruby Liu is facing significant resistance, as landlords for 23 former Hudson’s Bay locations have formally opposed the transfer of leases to her company, Central Walk. The leases, spanning key shopping centres across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, were intended to form the foundation of Liu’s new department store chain.

The opposition, revealed in a court monitor’s report, casts uncertainty over Liu’s broader acquisition strategy. While she has secured approval for three locations she already owns in British Columbia—Tsawwassen Mills, Mayfair Shopping Centre, and Woodgrove Centre—landlords of the remaining properties have declined to consent to the lease assignments.

Despite the setback, Liu remains undeterred. In a public statement, she emphasized her vision to reimagine department stores as vibrant, community-driven spaces that blend retail with culture, dining, and entertainment. “This isn’t just about capital or profit,” she wrote. “It’s about building something meaningful — something vibrant, fresh, and full of life”.

Negotiations are ongoing, and Liu’s legal team is working to address landlord concerns. The court may still approve the lease transfers under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, but only if it deems Liu a suitable assignee and the move beneficial to creditors.

The outcome could reshape the future of Canadian retail—or stall one of its most ambitious reinventions.

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