Canary Islands
More than 200 people trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands from the coast of North Africa were rescued today from two boats. The route from Africa to the Canaries is one of the most perilous for migrants trying to reach European shores. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people are believed to die each year but incidents are difficult to verify. The UN’s International Organization on Migration has documented 529 deaths on the route this year but believes the true number to be much higher.
More from AP here.
Chile
Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera continues to face pressure over revelations in the Pandora Papers related to the sale of a mining company. Today, the opposition launched a bid to have him impeached. Piñera is alleged to have sold the company to a friend in a deal that hinged on a favorable regulatory ruling. He has denied the claims.
More from Chile Today here.
Israel-Palestine
At least 250 Palestinian prisoners have gone on hunger strike in Israeli jails to protest being transferred to isolation cells. The inmates were moved after six Palestinian prisoners used a spoon to tunnel their way out of one the country’s most secure prisons last month in what was seen as a deeply embarrassing incident for Israel. The six men, hailed by many Palestinians as heros, were eventually recaptured.
More from the New Arab here.