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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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Trump Seeks Arctic Edge with $8.6B Coast Guard Icebreaker Boost

In a bid to strengthen the United States’ strategic presence in the Arctic, former President Donald Trump has backed legislation proposing $8.6 billion to modernize and expand the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet. The move is framed as a critical investment in national security and economic opportunity as melting polar ice opens new shipping lanes and resource-rich territories.

The proposed funding would support the construction of multiple advanced heavy icebreakers, enabling the U.S. to catch up with nations like Russia and China that have rapidly expanded their polar capabilities. The bill emphasizes shipbuilding efforts in American yards, promising job creation and bolstered industrial capacity.

Supporters argue the initiative is essential to protecting U.S. interests in a region growing in geopolitical significance. Critics, however, caution against environmental consequences and question whether military infrastructure is the best response to Arctic challenges.

Whether this bill becomes law or not, it highlights a growing consensus: the Arctic’s future will be shaped not only by climate, but by who arrives first—and with how much steel beneath their feet.

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