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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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U.S. Warns Hezbollah Against Entering Iran-Israel Conflict

In a pointed diplomatic message, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack cautioned Hezbollah against joining the escalating war between Iran and Israel, calling such a move a “very, very, very bad decision.” Speaking from Beirut during his visit to Lebanon, Barrack emphasized that the U.S. strongly opposes any expansion of the conflict, particularly by Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, met with Lebanese officials including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a known ally of Hezbollah. While Hezbollah has condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran and expressed solidarity with Tehran, it has so far refrained from direct military involvement.

The warning comes amid heightened regional tensions, with both Iran and Israel exchanging missile strikes and the international community urging restraint. Hezbollah, still recovering from heavy losses in last year’s war with Israel, has remained cautious despite its rhetoric.

Barrack reiterated Washington’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the importance of keeping the country out of broader regional hostilities. His visit underscores U.S. efforts to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.

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