Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

Hamas Signals Openness to Ceasefire Deal Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push

In a potential breakthrough after nearly two years of conflict, Hamas has announced it responded “in a positive spirit” to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal aimed at halting hostilities in Gaza. The proposal, backed by mediators Egypt and Qatar, outlines a 60-day truce that would include the phased release of Israeli hostages, increased humanitarian aid, and the start of negotiations for a permanent resolution.

Hamas confirmed it had completed internal consultations and was ready to “immediately enter a new round of negotiations” to implement the framework. The group emphasized its willingness to engage seriously with the terms, which also include a pause in Israeli military operations and surveillance flights over Gaza.

While U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel had agreed to the main conditions of the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly endorse the plan. Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump in Washington next week to discuss the proposal further.

The response from Hamas has raised cautious optimism among mediators and international observers, though key issues—such as the permanence of the ceasefire and the disarmament of Hamas—remain unresolved. Still, the group’s tone marks a shift from previous deadlocked negotiations and could pave the way for renewed diplomatic momentum.

Comments