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Six Days Adrift: Tragedy Strikes Migrant Boat off Greek Coast

  Twenty-two migrants lost their lives off the coast of Greece after spending six harrowing days at sea in a rubber boat that had departed from Tobruk, Libya. According to survivor accounts and Greek coastguard reports, the passengers became disoriented during the journey and were left without food or water, leading to fatal exhaustion.  Rescue teams recovered 26 survivors, including a woman and a minor, near the island of Crete. Several survivors reported that the bodies of those who died were thrown overboard on the orders of smugglers accompanying the group. Greek authorities have since arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of human trafficking and negligent homicide.  The tragedy highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean, a route that continues to claim lives despite increased border controls and international attention. Poor weather, overcrowded vessels, and lack of supplies remain persis...

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Sunak Cancels Meeting with Mitsotakis over Parthenon Marbles Dispute

 

The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called off a planned meeting with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis over a disagreement about the ownership of the Parthenon marbles, also known as the Elgin marbles. The ancient sculptures, which were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, are currently displayed in the British Museum in London. Greece has long demanded their return, claiming they are part of its cultural heritage and national identity.

The meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday, was canceled after Mitsotakis made a remark in a BBC interview on Sunday, comparing the situation to cutting the Mona Lisa in half and displaying it in two different museums. Sunak was reportedly annoyed by the comment, which he saw as disrespectful and provocative. A senior Conservative Party source said that the meeting became impossible due to the commentary regarding the historical antiquities.

Mitsotakis expressed his disappointment in a statement on Monday night, saying that he was hoping to discuss the issue with Sunak, as well as other global challenges such as Gaza, Ukraine, climate crisis, and migration. He added that those who believe in the accuracy of their positions should not be afraid of hearing opposing points of view. He also reiterated that the matter does not concern the British government, but the British Museum.

The Parthenon marbles dispute has been a source of tension between the two countries for decades, and has recently gained more attention due to the opening of a new museum in Athens, the Acropolis Museum, which has a dedicated space for the missing sculptures. The British Museum has maintained that the marbles were legally acquired by Lord Elgin and that they are better preserved and more accessible in London. However, Greece argues that the marbles were taken without proper consent and that they belong to the Parthenon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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