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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’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Squeaks Through Senate with Vance’s Tie-Breaker

In a dramatic turn of events on Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation—formally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—narrowly passed the U.S. Senate in a 51-50 vote. The deadlock was broken by Vice President JD Vance, who cast the decisive vote after a grueling overnight session that tested party unity and legislative stamina.

The bill, a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term agenda, promises expanded defense and border security funding, alongside deep tax cuts. However, it has drawn sharp criticism for its steep reductions to Medicaid and nutrition assistance programs, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could leave millions without coverage.

Three Republican senators—Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins—broke ranks to oppose the bill, citing concerns over the national debt and the impact on vulnerable communities. Despite these defections, last-minute negotiations secured the support of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose vote proved pivotal.

The legislation now returns to the House, where further resistance is expected. Speaker Mike Johnson has scheduled a vote for Wednesday, aiming to deliver the bill to Trump’s desk by July 4th.


New Development: House Conservatives Signal Revolt

Even before the ink dried on the Senate vote, a faction of House Republicans began voicing opposition to the revised bill. Their concerns center on the Senate’s changes to Medicaid and the perceived watering down of fiscal discipline. With the GOP holding a slim majority, any internal rebellion could derail the bill’s final passage.

As the July 4th deadline looms, all eyes are now on the House floor—where the fate of Trump’s “big, beautiful” legislative gamble hangs in the balance.



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