Skin bleaching is terribly popular — and takes a terrible toll

Sarah RainsfordSouthern and Eastern Europe correspondent in CreteIn Crete, migrants from North Africa are detained in dire conditions, denied asylum rights under new Greek government measures amidst a migration "state of emergency." The migration minister, Thanos Plevris, emphasizes strong deterrence as thousands continue to arrive, with reports of individuals like Mustafa from Sudan fearing deportation despite fleeing war. Want More Context? 🔎

Donald Trump's White House shared a controversial video mocking the deportation of immigrants, using the upbeat Jet2 holiday jingle, which has garnered over 2 million views. The video depicts Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers forcibly escorting deportees onto planes, while also promoting a government app for self-deportation, provoking widespread shock and criticism online. Want More Context? 🔎

Israeli authorities are disputing media reports of starving Gazan children, claiming they have pre-existing medical conditions, while President Trump acknowledges "real starvation" but blames Hamas for food theft. Israel's Foreign Ministry asserts that nearly 1,000 aid trucks are stalled at the Gaza border due to UN obstruction, framing the situation as politically exploited by Hamas. Want More Context? 🔎

A group of five teenage boys, aged 14 to 17, have been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 14-year-old schoolboy in Newham, East London, who is currently in a life-threatening condition. The police are seeking information about the attack, which occurred in broad daylight, and have noted a concerning rise in youth knife crime across the UK. Want More Context? 🔎

A 27-year-old man, Shane Devon Tamura, wearing body armor and armed with an M4 rifle, killed four people, including an off-duty police officer, in a Midtown Manhattan office building before taking his own life. The shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. at 345 Park Ave., leaving a fifth person critically injured, with the motive under investigation. Want More Context? 🔎

Temperature hits 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.16 degrees Fahrenheit) after hottest June on record.Japan has recorded its highest temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius in Tamba city, surpassing the previous record, with heatstroke alerts issued for 33 prefectures amid a recent surge in heat-related hospitalizations and deaths. This extreme heat follows Japan's hottest June on record, with average temperatures significantly above normal, highlighting ongoing climate change concerns. Want More Context? 🔎