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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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Mamdani’s Historic Win Met with Islamophobic Backlash, Advocates Warn

Zohran Mamdani’s unexpected victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has ignited a troubling surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric online, according to civil rights advocates. The 33-year-old state lawmaker, who identifies as a democratic socialist, would become the city’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor if elected in November.

In the 24 hours following his win, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a fivefold increase in hate-related incidents, with over 6,200 Islamophobic posts logged across social media platforms. Many of these attacks included death threats and inflammatory comparisons to the September 11 attacks.

Prominent conservative figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, amplified the rhetoric. Trump Jr. claimed “New York City has fallen,” while Greene shared an AI-generated image of the Statue of Liberty in a burqa. CAIR noted that 62% of the anti-Muslim posts originated on X (formerly Twitter).

Advocacy groups are urging political leaders across the spectrum to denounce the wave of Islamophobia. “We call on public officials of every party… to unequivocally condemn Islamophobia,” said CAIR Action’s executive director Basim Elkarra.

Despite the backlash, Mamdani remains focused on his campaign, emphasizing economic justice and inclusive governance. His supporters argue that the attacks reflect a broader pattern of xenophobia faced by Muslim and South Asian political figures in the U.S..

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