World News Updates: North Korea rejects diplomatic overtures from South Korea

A stabbing incident at a business in the Southwark area of central London on Monday resulted in two fatalities and two injuries, as per a report in AP. A 58-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 27-year-old man later died in the hospital. A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with the attack and is currently hospitalized in grave condition. Metropolitan Police have stated that the attack is not believed to be terror-related, and an investigation into the motive is ongoing.

A leading German industry official has asserted that the EU’s weak bargaining position in trade talks with the United States stems from its own declining competitiveness, the Financial Times said in a report. Wolfgang Niedermark, a board member of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), pointed to factors such as high energy prices and significant regulatory burdens as key issues hampering the bloc’s economic strength. This critique comes amid ongoing concerns in Europe about the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act, which has heightened fears of de-industrialization and investment diversion away from the EU.

A group of 20 national security experts is urging the US administration under President Donald Trump to block the sale of Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chips to China, according to a report in TechCrunch. In a letter, the experts argue that allowing these sales could undermine the US’s technological advantage in AI and exacerbate chip supply bottlenecks within the United States. The H20 chip was specifically designed by Nvidia to comply with existing US export controls, which were previously tightened by the former Biden administration. The experts’ call represents a push for even stricter regulations on technology exports to China, citing national security concerns.

Portuguese authorities have announced a series of measures to strengthen the nation’s electricity system, according to a report in AP. The plan includes a €137 million ($159 million) investment to upgrade the national grid, increase the number of ‘black start’ power stations capable of restarting without external power, and reinforce critical infrastructure such as hospitals with independent solar panels and batteries. The move, announced by Environment and Energy Minister Maria Graça Carvalho, comes in response to a previous major blackout that left large parts of Spain and Portugal without power for several hours.

Minor scuffles broke out between riot police and demonstrators on the Greek island of Rhodes during a protest against the war in Gaza, AP says in a report. A small number of protesters were seen chanting “Freedom for Palestine” near the port where an Israeli cruise ship was docked, and riot police pushed them back. Passengers from the cruise ship were able to disembark without incident.

At least 16 people were killed and 51 injured in Ivory Coast after a long-distance bus collided with a dump truck on Sunday evening, the country’s Transportation Ministry said in a report carried by AP. The bus was traveling from the southwestern city of San Pedro to the neighboring country of Burkina Faso when the crash occurred. The injured were taken to a regional hospital for treatment.

Food insecurity is escalating in many parts of Africa, with the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet surpassing 1 billion in 2024, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of the continent’s population, AP said in a report. The UN report, published Monday, highlights that the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Africa is over double the global average of 28%. This starkly contrasts with figures from other regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia, which have not reached such a high mark, indicating that Africa’s situation is worsening despite some global improvements. The crisis is reportedly driven by a combination of escalating conflicts, persistent climate shocks, and global economic pressures.

US President Donald Trump announced plans for a new ‘world tariff’ of 15% to 20% on exports to the US from most countries that do not have separate trade deals, according to a report in Reuters. Speaking in Scotland on Monday, Trump stated the new rate would be a significant increase from a broad 10% tariff he referenced as having been imposed in April. The administration reportedly plans to notify approximately 200 countries of the new tariff rate, which is intended to encourage trading partners to negotiate individual trade agreements with the United States.

Tesla has signed a $16.5 billion deal for Samsung to manufacture its next-generation artificial intelligence chips, a significant move to secure its supply chain for autonomous driving and supercomputing projects, as per a report in TechCrunch. The agreement is a major win for Samsung’s foundry business, strengthening its position against rival TSMC in the competitive high-performance chip market. For Tesla, this partnership ensures a stable supply of custom silicon for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, the Dojo supercomputer, and potentially the Optimus robot, aligning with its strategy of controlling key hardware components. The deal underscores the massive capital investment required in the AI sector and the growing trend of tech companies diversifying their manufacturing partners to mitigate supply chain risks.

US President Donald Trump has again threatened Iran over its nuclear program, intensifying rhetoric as Tehran continues to advance its uranium enrichment activities, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The renewed threats come amid a long-standing context of escalation that began with the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and the subsequent reimposition of a ‘maximum pressure’ sanctions campaign. In response, Iran has incrementally reduced its commitments under the deal, increasing uranium enrichment levels and stockpile sizes, which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has verified. While Iran maintains its program is for peaceful purposes, the escalating rhetoric and nuclear advancements increase the risk of regional instability and diminish prospects for a diplomatic resolution.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s limited attendance at the Women’s Euro 2025 has drawn attention, as he was only present for the opening game and the final in Switzerland, according to a report in AP. Despite packed stadiums and the tournament’s status as a premier event for women’s football, Ceferin, who has been president since 2016, was not seen at any matches between the opening fixture on July 2 and the final on July 27. His absence from UEFA’s main women’s event, held every four years, comes amid the organization’s strategic push to grow the women’s game and has been a subject of discussion.

Global payment companies, including Visa, Mastercard, and Stripe, are encountering significant public criticism for compelling online gaming stores to delist adult or not-safe-for-work (NSFW) content, as per a report in The Guardian. This development follows a pressure campaign from Collective Shout, an Australian anti-pornography lobby group. In response, independent gaming platform Itch.io pre-emptively removed all its adult-themed games to prevent payment services from being blocked across its entire site, a move that has fueled accusations of censorship from critics, including Elon Musk.

The Indigenous Nasa community in Caloto, Colombia, is actively reclaiming ancestral territories formerly dedicated to sugarcane monoculture, an industry that caused significant ecological damage, as per a report in AP. As part of this effort, they are educating their youth in environmental protection and cultural safeguarding through traditional practices and rituals. This initiative aims to restore the local ecosystem and ensure the long-term stewardship of the land. The reclamation takes place amid significant security challenges, as the region remains a contested area for armed groups involved in drug trafficking, posing a persistent threat to the community’s autonomy and safety.

Three people were killed and ten others were injured at a popular nightspot in the Turks and Caicos Islands in what authorities have described as the British territory’s first mass shooting in recent history, as per a report in AP. Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey stated that at least four suspects were involved in the shooting early Sunday on the island of Providenciales and characterized the event as a “gangland-type slaying.” The incident marks a significant escalation from the territory’s typical crime profile and raises concerns about its potential impact on the crucial tourism sector, which depends on the islands’ reputation for safety. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he plans to shorten the 50-day deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, AP says in a report. This statement follows a recent escalation by Russia, which launched an overnight barrage on Ukrainian cities involving over 300 drones, four cruise missiles, and three ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force. Two weeks prior, Trump had proposed a plan to implement “severe tariffs” on Russia if a peace agreement was not reached by early September.

Russia’s state-owned flagship carrier, Aeroflot, experienced a significant IT outage on Monday due to a cyberattack, Russia’s prosecutor’s office confirmed, AP said in a report. The disruption forced the airline to cancel over 100 flights and delay numerous others, leading to crowded conditions at its hub at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. The outage also impacted flights operated by Aeroflot’s subsidiary airlines, Rossiya and Pobeda, affecting primarily domestic routes.

Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has called for the country’s inclusion in UN climate talks, citing the “profound impact” of extreme weather and water scarcity on the population and economy, AP says in a report. Khalis stated that the suspension of environmental protection projects following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 has resulted in widespread harm to Afghans. While Afghanistan was permitted to attend past conferences like COP28 as observers, the Taliban government remains internationally unrecognized, which prevents full participation and access to global climate funds needed to address the escalating environmental crisis.

Two prominent Israeli human rights organizations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, have formally accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, adding to growing domestic criticism of the war’s conduct, the Financial Times says in a report. These allegations from internal Israeli groups are significant as they lend credibility to international legal challenges, such as the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice initiated by South Africa, potentially increasing diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel. The reports also deepen internal political divisions by challenging the government’s official narrative of the war, contributing to a body of evidence for potential future accountability processes and amplifying legal and reputational risks for the nation on the global stage.

A paramilitary-led coalition in Sudan has appointed leaders for a parallel government, a move that threatens to formalize the country’s partition, as per a report in The New York Times. This development by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) establishes an alternative administrative structure to govern territories under its control, directly challenging the authority of the internationally recognized government led by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The announcement follows the failure of multiple international peace initiatives and is expected to exacerbate the nation’s severe humanitarian crisis and complicate diplomatic efforts to end the civil war that began in April 2023.

Following the recent enforcement of the UK’s Online Safety Act, platforms including Reddit and Discord have implemented mandatory age verification, but a significant flaw has been discovered, The Verge says in a report. Users are successfully bypassing the facial scanning tools by pointing their device’s camera at an image of the main character from the video game “Death Stranding” in its photo mode. This incident highlights major vulnerabilities in the current age verification technology being deployed to comply with the new regulations, raising questions about the effectiveness of the measures and the compliance challenges faced by global tech companies operating in the UK.

Two prominent Israeli rights groups, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have for the first time accused their country of committing genocide in Gaza, according to a report in AP. This move by local Jewish-led organizations is described as shattering a taboo within Israel and adds a significant internal voice to the explosive international debate over Israel’s military conduct during the nearly 22-month-long war. The accusations echo claims already being examined at the international level and intensify the discourse surrounding the conflict.

Torrential rainstorms and flash floods have struck northeastern Romania, resulting in at least one fatality and forcing hundreds to evacuate their homes, according to a report in AP. Rescue services, including helicopters and firefighters, have been deployed in the hard-hit counties of Neamt and Suceava to assist residents trapped by the rising floodwaters, with authorities reporting that 890 people have been affected. Concurrently, Turkey is contending with severe wildfires that have claimed the lives of four individuals.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has acquired 10 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft from United Airlines in a sale-leaseback transaction, expanding its global leasing portfolio. The deal adds to DAE’s existing fleet, which is valued at approximately $22 billion and serves more than 160 airline customers. The arrangement provides United Airlines with a capital injection and enhanced liquidity while allowing it to continue operating the fuel-efficient jets. Such transactions are a common financial strategy for airlines to manage fleet modernization and balance sheets.

Two leading Israel-based human rights organizations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, have published reports accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, according to a report in The Guardian. The groups allege that Israel has intentionally targeted civilians and systematically worked to destroy Palestinian society during the ongoing conflict. These accusations from within Israel add significant weight to existing international legal challenges, such as the case at the International Court of Justice, and increase the moral and political pressure on Western allies to reconsider their diplomatic and military support for Israel.

The European Commission has found that Chinese shopping app Temu violated the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to adequately protect customers from dangerous and illegal products, as per a report in Deutsche Welle. According to the findings, Temu did not meet its legal obligations to mitigate systemic risks, ensure the traceability of its traders, and prevent the sale of unsafe items on its platform. As a result of the breach, the company, which was designated a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) in February 2024, now faces a potential fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.

In his first speech to the Australian parliament, newly elected Labor MP Basem Abdo, who is of Palestinian descent, called on the government to make a “historic commitment” to international law, peace, and human rights, The Guardian says in a report. Abdo detailed his family’s journey and spoke of the “intergenerational dispossession” of Palestinians, stating they are consistently “made to be strangers in their own homes.” His speech from within the ruling party adds internal pressure on the Australian government to re-evaluate its foreign policy stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Kuwait has signed Memorandums of Understanding with five French medical institutions to advance its domestic healthcare capabilities, according to a report in The Times of India. The partnership, signed by Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, involves prominent hospitals like Almaviva Sante and the Institut Curie and will focus on developing specialized fields such as oncology, cardiology, organ transplants, and diagnostics. The agreement also includes provisions for training Kuwaiti medical professionals in France and establishing telemedicine services to improve patient access to expert care.

To combat its deepening demographic crisis, China has introduced a new national policy providing an annual subsidy of approximately $500 for each baby, Financial Times says in a report. The measure is designed to increase families’ spending power and encourage more births amid record-low birth rates, which fell to 6.39 per 1,000 people in 2023. This move signals a shift towards direct financial incentives after previous measures, such as relaxing the historic one-child policy, failed to significantly reverse the population decline. The policy aims to alleviate the high economic burden of child-rearing, a key factor discouraging couples from having more children, which poses a long-term threat to China’s economic growth and social welfare systems.

Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian prisons are turning to psychological counseling to address the trauma of their captivity and rebuild their lives, a process vital for thousands of former prisoners of war, AP says in a report. The experience of Stanislav Tarnavskyi, released in April after three years of captivity, illustrates the trend as he actively rebuilds his personal life while recognizing the need for professional support. This widespread requirement for extensive, often lifelong, mental health care and social support presents a significant challenge to Ukraine’s national resources, impacting its healthcare system and the economic planning for post-war reconstruction. The successful reintegration of these veterans is considered crucial for the country’s long-term social stability and the health of its future workforce.

Horst Mahler, a founding member of the German far-left militant Red Army Faction (RAF) who later transitioned to far-right extremism, has died at 89, AP said in a report. Mahler, who had numerous convictions for Holocaust denial and incitement, passed away in a Berlin hospital on Sunday. His life represented a rare and controversial ideological journey from a key figure in the 1970s leftist militant scene to a prominent neo-Nazi and historical revisionist, underscoring Germany’s ongoing legal and societal challenges in combating extremism from all sides of the political spectrum.

Iran has executed two men convicted of being operatives for the exiled Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) group, as per a report in Deutsche Welle. The individuals were found guilty of manufacturing and using homemade projectiles to attack public buildings, homes, and charitable institutions in Tehran. The executions occur amid a broader trend of increased capital punishment in Iran, particularly following the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protests of late 2022.

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan is facing criticism for shooting part of his new film, ‘The Odyssey,’ in Dakhla, a city in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, The Guardian says in a report. The organisers of the Western Sahara international film festival (FiSahara) have warned that filming in the city, which has been under Moroccan administration for decades, could serve to normalize what they describe as repression. The film, an adaptation of Homer’s epic starring Matt Damon and Charlize Theron, is scheduled for release in July 2026.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire effective from midnight to resolve recent deadly border clashes, as per a report in AP. The agreement was announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the talks in his capacity as the head of the ASEAN regional bloc. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to the measure, which aims to de-escalate tensions and take steps to return to normalcy along their disputed border.

The prospect of new US tariffs on imported goods, set for enforcement on August 1, is causing American consumers to stockpile popular Asian beauty products, according to a report in AP. Shoppers are buying items like Korean sheet masks in bulk to avoid potential price hikes. In response to the trade pressure, South Korea is among the nations actively pursuing a trade deal with the US to exempt its products from the impending taxes, which threaten a significant and growing market segment.

A gunman killed five people and wounded two others in a shooting at a Bangkok, Thailand, market on Monday before taking his own life, according to a police report cited by AP. The incident resulted in a total of six fatalities, including the perpetrator.

Pakistani security forces killed three suspected militants in an overnight raid in Karachi, including the alleged mastermind of an attack that wounded Chinese nationals in November 2023, AP says in a report. An official from the Counter-Terrorism Department, Azad Khan, identified the key figure as Zafran, a member of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This operation is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat militant groups that target foreign interests, particularly those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has significant economic implications for the region.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced a significant escalation of their maritime campaign, threatening to attack merchant vessels belonging to any company that deals with Israeli ports, irrespective of the ship’s nationality, according to a report in AP. This new phase of operations, which the group frames as solidarity with Palestinians, broadens the scope of their attacks that began in late 2023 and have already disrupted global shipping through the Red Sea. The expansion of targets is expected to further impact global supply chains, forcing more vessels to divert around Africa, which increases costs and transit times. This move heightens risks for international companies with commercial ties to Israel and could further strain Israel’s trade and economy by increasing its isolation.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his state of the nation speech on Monday amid significant domestic and geopolitical challenges midway through his term, AP says in a report. The address comes as the nation grapples with the humanitarian and economic fallout from a recent typhoon that displaced over 120,000 people, increasing political instability from a public rift with Vice President Sara Duterte, and heightened regional security risks due to escalating maritime confrontations with Beijing in the South China Sea. A force of approximately 22,000 police was deployed to secure the venue for the speech, underscoring the tense political climate.

The World Bank remains committed to its focus on climate change and gender initiatives in the aid-reliant Pacific Islands, according to a report in Reuters. Anna Bjerde, the bank’s managing director of operations, confirmed this stance during a visit to Australia following a meeting with Pacific Islands economic ministers in Fiji. Bjerde noted that despite the United States, the bank’s largest shareholder, reportedly reducing its aid for climate and gender-related projects, Pacific nations continue to express significant concern about these issues, ensuring they remain a priority for the multilateral institution.

At least four people have died and eight others remain missing following a landslide in Luanping county, Hebei province, amid severe flooding in northern China, according to a report in AP. The extreme weather, driven by the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, has prompted widespread flood warnings and evacuations across the region, including in the capital, Beijing, which has experienced its heaviest rainfall in 140 years. The event has caused significant disruption, including communication outages, and is expected to have substantial economic implications due to damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and local supply chains.