Behind The White Lotus: Thailand’s luxury lifestyle market

Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a prominent voice in the Arab Spring, may receive a pardon from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after spending much of the last decade in prison, including a recent five-year sentence for sharing a social media post. His ongoing hunger strikes and the persistent advocacy from his family and the British government highlight the broader struggle for human rights in Egypt under Sisi's regime. Want More Context? 🔎

Israeli forces are demolishing high-rise residential buildings in Gaza City, alleging without evidence that they are being used by Hamas. Analysts suggest this destruction indicates an intent to make the city uninhabitable, characterizing it as ethnic cleansing and genocide. Want More Context? 🔎

A collection of birthday messages for Jeffrey Epstein, compiled in 2003, includes greetings from various notables, such as Bill Clinton, who praised Epstein’s “childlike curiosity.” The book features benign wishes alongside crude comments, with entries from business leaders and academics, revealing a mix of well-wishing and inappropriate content linked to Epstein's controversial reputation. Want More Context? 🔎

Sam Kerr's family is mourning the death of her grandmother, Coral Kerr, who passed away after being injured in a traffic accident last December. A funeral was held for Coral in Palmyra, and an obituary highlighted her significant influence on Sam's soccer career, noting that her presence will always be remembered. Want More Context? 🔎

Israel conducted a strike against Hamas' senior leadership in Doha, Qatar, as confirmed by a U.S. official, with loud explosions reported in the area. The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet described it as a "precise strike," while the Qatari government condemned the action as a "cowardly Israeli attack" targeting Hamas' headquarters. Want More Context? 🔎

The Department of Health and Social Care has ranked NHS trusts in England for the first time, identifying top performers like Moorfields Eye Hospital and the bottom-ranked Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust. Health Secretary Wes Streeting aims to use these rankings to address disparities in care and improve services, although some experts question their effectiveness in conveying hospital performance nuances. Want More Context? 🔎