Cultural globalization

The Italian government is cracking down on NGOs operating on the coasts of Italy and facilitating the entry of migrants and refugees into the country. The Italian authorities have requested the EU impose a stricter framework regarding the activities of NGOs aiding migrants and refugees.

More than 100,000 migrants and refugees have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe since the beginning of the year, and 2,247 have died trying, the U.N. said on July 4.

The influx of migrants into Greece, Spain and Italy has increased in recent weeks by between 30 and 70 percent, a representative of the European Union's border monitoring agency Frontex has told journalists from Kathimerini and other newspapers at a briefing in Madrid.

The UN's Population Division has released projections that say several Balkans states can expect worrying declines in their populations over the next few decades.

The European Court of Human Rights is urging Greek authorities to hold off on deporting a Pakistani national who was due to be sent back to Turkey, from where he had traveled to Greece.

The man, whose name has not been publicized for his own protection, is being held at a migrant detention center on the island of Lesvos.

An Iraqi asylum seeker who reportedly said that those who aren't Islam worshipers "should have their throats cut" has been arrested in Italy. The man was also distributing materials backing Islamic State.

Unaccompanied minors are leaving the country in droves and are in danger of falling victim to human trafficking. Once granted asylum, refugees have trouble finding a job.

There are currently 241 asylum seekers in Slovenia, most of them from Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey and Iran. Of some 400 refugees who have already been granted asylum, most are Syrian nationals.

Two Bulgarians and an Afghan were charged on Thursday, June 8, after 9 migrants died when a minibus crashed in southern Bulgaria at the weekend, prosecutors said, quoted by Rappler. 

The 16-year-old Bulgarian driver, who did not have a driving license and is thought to have fallen asleep at the wheel, was also killed. Nine other passengers were hurt.

In the early morning of May 24, a Turkish journalist fleeing a long prison sentence at home crossed the river dividing Greece and Turkey and claimed asylum in a police station on the other side.

A few hours later, according to two human rights organizations, the journalist, Murat Capan, was still in police custody — but back in Turkey, having been forced to return at gunpoint.

The United Nations refugee agency is expressing deep concern at reports that Turks seeking asylum in Greece have been forcibly returned to Turkey by Greek authorities.

The UNHCR said Thursday it is "of vital importance" that Greek authorities comprehensively investigate the allegations.