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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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Birkenstock Targets Counterfeiters in India with Court-Backed Factory Raids

German footwear giant Birkenstock has launched a major legal offensive in India to combat the growing trade in counterfeit sandals. Following an internal investigation that uncovered fake Birkenstock products being manufactured in and around Agra, the company filed an infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in May.

The court responded swiftly. On May 26, Judge Saurabh Banerjee authorized ten court-appointed commissioners to conduct surprise inspections of suspected factories in Agra and New Delhi. These visits, now completed, resulted in the seizure and sealing of allegedly fake products bearing Birkenstock branding.

The judge noted that the counterfeit sandals were nearly indistinguishable from genuine ones, posing a serious risk of deceiving consumers. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 6.

Birkenstock’s crackdown comes amid a broader wave of intellectual property enforcement in India’s footwear industry, with brands like Crocs and Prada also pursuing legal action against copycats.

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