Daily Skimm: Rose-colored glasses all distorted

Where people are mourning…

Iran. On Saturday, a fire broke out at Tehran’s Evin Prison killing at least eight inmates and injuring a reported 61 others. The prison has been accused by the US of "serious human rights abuses" and is currently holding hundreds of anti-government activists and political prisoners — including at least one Iranian-American. State media says prisoners burned a warehouse of uniforms, sparking the fire. And that there was conflict between inmates and officials. In videos shared online, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area. The incident comes as the country enters its fifth week of anti-government protests following the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini. But Tehran’s prosecutor claims everything is under control and that it’s unrelated to the nationwide protests. Meanwhile, some say they’re still waiting to hear from loved ones who were inside.

Turkey. On Friday, an explosion at a state-owned coal mine killed at least 41 people and injured more than ten others in a town near the Black Sea. About 110 people were working hundreds of meters below ground at the time of the blast, with 58 able to make it out safely. Prosecutors are investigating, but initial indications show that the explosions may have been caused by a firedamp (when flammable gasses found in coal mines form an explosive mixture). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the site and vowed to end “deficiencies or unnecessary risks” in mines. But also said “fate” was to blame. Meanwhile, some wonder if safety measures like monitoring rising heat and dangerous gas levels in mines were ignored in favor of profitability.

Where people are protesting…

France. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Paris to protest rising living costs. Organized by left-wing opponents of French President Emmanuel Macron, the demonstrations come amid a weekslong strike at oil refineries that are causing fuel shortages across the country. Workers at the refineries are calling for higher wages to keep up with inflation and to get a piece of the pie from the huge profits made by energy companies. Next up: protestors are calling for a general strike tomorrow — which could disrupt transportation and prompt some government offices to close.

Who’s making headlines…

These climate activists. On Friday, two fossil fuel protesters threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh's “Sunflowers” painting and glued themselves to the wall in London's National Gallery. Earlier this month, the UK gov offered up new North Sea oil and gas exploration licenses. The activists say their goal is to get the gov to end new licensing for the “exploration, development, and production of fossil fuels in the UK.”

What’s got us crossing our fingers...

BioNTech. Yesterday, the company’s co-founders said a vaccine targeting cancer could be available by 2030. Currently in development, the hope is that the vaccine could recognize and attack cancers using mRNA technology — the same breakthrough approach used in some COVID-19 shots. 

Who’s taking a break…

Megan Thee Stallion and some BTS members.

What’s got everyone saying ‘you gotta see it to belieb it’...

Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber — together.