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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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House Republicans Push Trump’s Sweeping Tax Bill Toward Final Vote Amid Party Divisions

In a dramatic overnight session, House Republicans narrowly advanced former President Donald Trump’s expansive tax and spending bill—dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—clearing the way for a final vote expected later today. The procedural vote passed 219-213, with only one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, breaking ranks to oppose the measure.

The bill, a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term agenda, proposes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade, including extensions of 2017 tax breaks and new deductions for tips, overtime, and seniors. It also includes deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, sparking fierce opposition from Democrats and concern among some Republicans.

Trump, eager to sign the bill by July 4, applied intense pressure on GOP holdouts, both publicly on social media and privately through late-night calls. “What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove???” he posted, warning that delays were “COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”.

House Speaker Mike Johnson held the vote open for nearly six hours, even gathering holdouts for a prayer circle on the House floor before securing the needed support. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national deficit over ten years.

Democrats, united in opposition, have labeled the bill a “disgusting abomination” and a giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable Americans. With the GOP holding a slim majority, the final vote remains a high-stakes moment for both Trump and House leadership.



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