10 Things Global News - 21 July 2025
News that matters from around the world
China Starts Work on World’s Largest Hydropower Dam
Microsoft Sounds Alarm on Global Server Cyberattacks
Pope Condemns Gaza ‘Barbarity’ After Strike on Church
Iran Rebuilds Air Defenses After June War
Ukraine Drone Barrage Shuts Down Moscow Airports
Typhoon Wipha Disrupts Hong Kong
Scheffler cruises to British Open title
Japan’s ruling coalition loses Upper House majority
Ha Long Bay boat disaster kills 35, with 4 still missing
Ecuador extradites drug kingpin to face US charges
China has broken ground on what it claims will be the world’s largest hydroelectric project, a massive dam system on the lower Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. Premier Li Qiang called the development a “project of the century,” with an estimated cost of US$170 billion. The facility will consist of five cascading power stations, with a projected installed capacity of 60 million kilowatts—nearly triple that of the current record-holder, the Three Gorges Dam. It is expected to generate up to 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually and contribute significantly to China’s carbon neutrality goals.
While Beijing asserts the dam will meet regional energy demands and create jobs, it has triggered alarm in India and Bangladesh, which lie downstream. Critics, including environmental NGOs, warn of severe ecological disruption and potential displacement on one of Asia’s most biodiverse river systems. China maintains that its hydropower efforts will not significantly affect downstream water flows or ecosystems.
Sources: Japan Times, The Edge Malaysia
Microsoft has warned that unidentified hackers are actively exploiting a critical vulnerability in its SharePoint server software, affecting thousands of businesses and government agencies globally. The flaw, described as a “zero-day” vulnerability, allows attackers to impersonate users, gain persistent access, and execute code remotely—even after security patches are applied.
The breach impacts only on-premises SharePoint servers, not Microsoft 365’s cloud version. Organizations in the U.S., UK, Netherlands, and Canada are among the most exposed, with cybersecurity researchers estimating over 10,000 servers at risk. Experts called the vulnerability a major opportunity for ransomware operators, with attackers reportedly able to install backdoors that survive updates and reboots.
Microsoft has issued security updates and urged immediate installation. Agencies including the FBI and CISA are coordinating with Microsoft to mitigate the fallout, while private firms warn that the attacks remain ongoing. Eye Security and others initially discovered the breach, comparing it to vulnerabilities demonstrated in recent hacking contests.
Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg
Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, denouncing the “barbarity” of the ongoing war following an Israeli tank strike that damaged the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. The attack, which Israel says was accidental, killed three civilians and wounded at least 10 others, including the parish priest. At the time, the church was sheltering around 600 displaced people, many of them children.
Speaking from Castel Gandolfo, Leo expressed deep sorrow and read the names of the dead aloud, calling the strike part of a broader pattern of violence against civilians and places of worship. He urged the international community to uphold humanitarian law, protect civilians, and halt the use of collective punishment and forced displacement.
The Pope also referenced his hour-long call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Netanyahu expressed regret. Leo emphasized the need to protect sacred sites and reiterated that the global community “no longer tolerates war.”
Sources: Times of Israel, ABC News
Iran has restored much of its air defense network damaged during last month’s 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States, according to senior Iranian military officials. The war began when Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign against Iranian radar and air defense sites, paving the way for U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks before a ceasefire took effect on June 24.
Iranian commanders said the damaged systems have now been replaced and redeployed, with new defenses like the domestically built Bavar-373 and Russian S-300 back online. Over 1,000 people in Iran and 28 in Israel were killed during the fighting.
Tehran has since stopped cooperating with UN nuclear inspectors, but on Sunday, Iranian media reported that talks with European powers may resume. Israel, meanwhile, has vowed to maintain air superiority and prevent Iran from reconstituting its nuclear capabilities.
Sources: Newsweek, Arab News
Ukraine launched a weekend drone offensive that forced the temporary closure of all four major airports in Moscow and disrupted civilian air travel across central Russia. More than 230 Ukrainian drones were fired beginning early Saturday, with 27 intercepted over the capital and 45 over Kaluga, southwest of Moscow. At least 140 flights were canceled and over 130 others redirected, as Moscow’s airports were closed a reported 10 times in 24 hours.
Russia also claimed to have intercepted drones over Rostov, Bryansk, and the Black Sea. No casualties were reported in Russia, but in Ukraine, Russian drone strikes killed at least three people, including a 78-year-old woman in Sumy.
In a televised appeal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Vladimir Putin to meet for renewed peace talks. The Kremlin said Putin remains open to a settlement if it meets Russia’s objectives, which include retaining occupied territory. A previous drone wave in May stranded 60,000 passengers across Russia.
Sources: BBC, NY Post
Typhoon Wipha lashed Hong Kong with heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday, triggering the city’s highest storm warning before weakening as it made landfall in Guangdong. Authorities issued the No. 10 signal for seven hours, prompting suspension of most public transport, rescheduling of 400 flights, and widespread closures. More than 700 fallen trees were reported and 33 people required hospital treatment. Scaffolding collapses and partial flooding affected several districts, though damage was moderate compared to previous super typhoons like Mangkhut and Hato.
By Monday morning, all warnings were lifted as the storm moved inland and weakened into a tropical cyclone. Some flooding persisted in areas like Wong Tai Sin, where a mall escalator was damaged, and a playground in Lai Chi Kok remained underwater. Rainbands from the storm are expected to continue affecting the region through midweek. Officials praised pre-emptive planning for minimizing the impact, while residents expressed relief at the relatively limited disruption.
Sources: South China Morning Post, CNN
Scottie Scheffler delivered a commanding performance at Royal Portrush to win the British Open by four shots, securing his second major of the year and fourth overall. The world No. 1 seized control early in the final round, stretching his lead to seven strokes by the fifth hole and never looking back. A double bogey at the 8th briefly narrowed the gap, but Scheffler responded immediately with a birdie on the 9th, emblematic of his poised, error-resistant play.
Scheffler’s final-round 68 capped a 17-under total, highlighting a tournament where he ranked first in strokes gained putting—a career-best on the greens. He now stands one win away from a career Grand Slam, needing only a U.S. Open title. Beyond his dominance, Scheffler’s detachment from fame and focus on process over accolades underscore a new model of greatness. “This is not a fulfilling life,” he said earlier in the week—before fulfilling a golf dream anyway.
Sources: The Guardian, PGA
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition has lost its majority in Japan’s Upper House, deepening the government’s political troubles ahead of a critical trade deadline with the United States. The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito secured just 47 of the 50 seats needed to retain control of the 248-seat chamber, marking their worst Upper House result since 1999. The coalition had already lost the more powerful Lower House in October.
Ishiba accepted the result “solemnly” but confirmed he would remain in office, citing the urgency of avoiding punitive U.S. tariffs set to take effect August 1. Voter discontent over inflation and the government’s resistance to consumption tax cuts buoyed opposition parties. The far-right Sanseito party made significant gains, using anti-immigration rhetoric and populist appeals to double-digit support. With fiscal negotiations and national identity now front and center, Japan faces a more divided and volatile political climate.
Sources: CNA, CNN
At least 35 people were killed and four remain missing after a tourist boat capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay on Saturday. The Wonder Sea, carrying 46 passengers and three crew on a three-hour sightseeing trip, overturned amid strong winds and torrential rain. Survivors described chaos as the vessel shook violently before flipping, trapping dozens inside.
Rescue workers saved 11 people, though one later died in hospital. A 14-year-old boy was found alive after spending four hours trapped inside the hull. Survivor Dang Anh Tuan escaped by swimming through a window, later describing how he and others clung to the upturned boat for hours awaiting help. Most of the victims were Vietnamese tourists from Hanoi, including about 20 children.
Passengers had reportedly asked the crew to turn back as the weather worsened, but were told they were near their destination. Authorities have begun investigating the vessel, which sustained heavy structural damage. A tropical storm is expected to hit the area this week.
Sources: The Guardian, ABC News
Ecuador has extradited its most notorious drug trafficker, José Adolfo Macías, also known as “Fito,” to the United States, where he faces multiple federal charges of drug and weapons trafficking. The leader of the Los Choneros gang was captured in June after more than a year on the run following a dramatic prison escape in January 2024. His escape triggered a wave of gang violence, including a live TV station attack and a nationwide state of emergency.
Macías was flown to the US on Sunday under tight security and is expected to appear in a Brooklyn federal court Monday. Prosecutors have requested his detention pending trial, citing public safety and flight risk. He faces at least 10 years to life in prison if convicted. Ecuador recently approved a referendum allowing extradition of nationals, as President Daniel Noboa intensifies efforts to dismantle organized crime across the country.