Recent elections in Europe have seen wins for parties with harsh stances on migration. That mirrors Donald Trump's success in the US. Inflamatory claims shape political debate, while statistics deny a link between rising crime and migration. So why is this happening?

AI-powered border enforcement, funded by the European Union, could become Europe’s new normal. From the “smart” Greece-Turkey border at Evros to Samos’s high-tech refugee camp, critics warn it’s a crackdown on migration that puts asylum rights at risk.

Critical minerals are crucial for the production of high-tech products, including electric vehicles, mobile phones, AI infrastructure and weapons. It is estimated that Ukraine holds nearly 5 percent of the world's reserves of rare earth elements. Kyiv has agreed to jointly develop its riches, including oil and gas, with the United States. Ukraine wants guarantees on security and money for weapons. The US wants to break China's grip on the world's mineral supply chains. But is it a win-win deal?

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, stated that Israel has not engaged in negotiations for phase two of the ceasefire deal, violating its terms. He accused Israel of obstructing aid to Gaza and threatening escalation. Despite these violations, Hamas remains committed to the agreement and is ready for phase two. Naim warned that failure to advance the deal risks renewed conflict. He rejected calls for Hamas to leave Gaza, asserting it represents Palestinians. He also criticised Israeli policies in Gaza and the West Bank, accusing them of aiming to displace Palestinians.

China is experiencing a prolonged economic slowdown, which has led to a youth unemployment crisis. In 2023, the rate of 16 to 24-year-olds unable to find jobs reached a record high of 21.3 percent. Following the release of those figures, the government suspended reporting before revising its methodology to exclude university students.

In 2024, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to protest the country’s deepening cost-of-living crisis and the controversial finance bill proposed by the government of President William Ruto. Authorities responded to the protests with a brutal crackdown that killed dozens of Kenyans and injured hundreds. Meanwhile, a growing number of abductions have rocked the country - which human rights groups say Kenyan police are responsible for. So what lies ahead for the country and its president?

More than 40 Palestinian women and children are waiting to be released from Israeli prisons as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Earlier, hundreds of former male prisoners returned home to Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The Israeli president says the remains of four captives Hamas handed over late on Wednesday night have been identified. Their bodies were examined at Tel Aviv's national center of forensic medicine. Maoz Inon, award-winning Israeli peace activist, says more Israeli captive remains are back from Gaza, but there will be closure only when there is a deal to release all captives and a ceasefire to reach lasting peace.

Hundreds of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons have arrived in Gaza. Twelve buses dropped them off in the south of the strip. They've been taken to the European Hospital in Khan Younis for medical checks. Earlier, Jubilant crowds greeted another group of Palestinians in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Israel has released 646 Palestinians in the past few hours, as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails arrived in Gaza to jubilant scenes as Israel and Hamas carry out the final scheduled swap of the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Israel also handed over 97 Palestinian prisoners to Egypt. The group is being exiled from Palestine. Antony Loewenstein, a journalist and author, says he’s nervous about the next stages of the ceasefire deal after the latest exchange of captives and bodies.

Israel has released 46 Palestinian prisoners, including 24 children from Gaza after a delay over the verification of the four captives’ bodies handed over by Hamas. Emotional reunions unfolded as families embraced loved ones, some appearing weak and malnourished. Medical teams are assessing their health, with some needing urgent care. The release comes amid uncertainty over the ceasefire’s second phase.