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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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Tokyo Walks Away: Japan Ends Talks with Trump Administration over Defense Demands

 

In a dramatic shift in diplomatic tone, Japan has reportedly withdrawn from defense negotiations with the Trump administration after what officials described as pressure to drastically increase military spending. Sources close to the talks indicated that Japanese representatives viewed the demand not as a request, but as an ultimatum—one that risked destabilizing long-standing mutual trust.

The Trump administration had been urging U.S. allies to shoulder a larger share of the cost of American military presence abroad, with Japan—home to tens of thousands of U.S. troops—caught squarely in the crosshairs. Tokyo’s decision to exit the discussions sends a pointed message: alliance doesn’t mean compliance at any cost.

This unexpected turn introduces new complexity to U.S.–Japan relations, which have historically been anchored in security cooperation. With Japan reassessing its regional defense strategy and Washington recalibrating its foreign policy priorities, the coming months could reshape power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.


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