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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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Wall Street Rallies as Trade Hopes and Tech Surge Lift Futures to New Heights

U.S. stock futures surged Monday morning, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 climbing to record highs, buoyed by renewed optimism over international trade negotiations and a tech-led rally. The momentum followed Canada’s decision to scrap its digital services tax targeting American tech giants—an unexpected move that helped thaw stalled trade talks with the U.S.

Shares of major technology firms including Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Apple rose between 0.6% and 1.7% in premarket trading. The broader market also found support from expectations of deeper interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, fueled by soft economic data and speculation that President Donald Trump may replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell with a more dovish successor.

As of early trading, S&P 500 e-minis were up 0.39%, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.6%, and Dow futures added 0.46%. Despite the record-setting highs, analysts note that the major indexes are still on track for their weakest first-half performance since 2022.

Investors are now eyeing a July 9 deadline for trade agreements, with Trump hinting at flexibility on the timeline. Meanwhile, attention also turns to key economic data releases and a Senate vote on a sweeping tax and spending bill that could further shape market sentiment in the days ahead.

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