UN says 68 African migrants killed after boat capsizes off Yemen coast
More than 50 bodies of migrants have been found on the southern coast of Yemen after a boat carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized in the Gulf of Aden. Only 12 people survived, while more than 70 others are still missing.
This is the latest tragedy in a series of drownings that have killed hundreds of Africans trying to reach wealthy Gulf countries through dangerous journeys with smugglers.
Far-right Israeli minister prays at al-Aqsa, violating decades-old agreement
Israel's far-right minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited and prayed at the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, breaking a long-standing agreement that bans Jewish prayers at the holy site. The provocative move drew widespread regional condemnation and raised fears of further escalation as the Israeli offensive in Gaza continues with heavy casualties. The visit came after the release of a video of an Israeli hostage in Gaza, adding to pressure on Netanyahu's government.
Iberia issues high alert over fire risk as Europe faces record heatwave
Spain and Portugal have been put on alert due to the increased risk of forest fires as an extreme heat wave sweeps across the Iberian Peninsula.
In Portugal, temperatures are expected to reach up to 44 degrees Celsius, with bans on entering forests, working with machinery and using fire.
In Spain, the second heat wave of this summer is expected to last until the weekend, covering almost the entire country, except for some northern regions and the Canary Islands.
World in a $1.5 trillion plastic crisis that impacts health from infancy to old age, report warns
A new report published in The Lancet warns that plastics are causing a global crisis of $1.5 trillion in health and environmental damage, affecting human life from birth to old age.
Plastic production has increased over 200-fold since 1950 and is causing massive pollution, chemical toxicity and microplastics already found in the human body. Experts stress that recycling is not enough and a global agreement is required to limit the production of plastics that are closely linked to the fossil fuel industry.
