10 Things Global News - 23 July 2025
News that matters from around the world
Gaza’s Deepening Hunger Crisis Not Yet Declared Famine
Ukraine Loses First Mirage Jet
US Withdraws From UNESCO, Again
Trump Announces Sweeping Trade Deal With Japan
WHO Warns of Rapid Chikungunya Spread
US Govt. Moves to Repeal EPA’s Authority on Climate Regulation
Global Emissions Standard Paused After Major Industry Exits
AFP Calls For Evacuation of Gaza-based Journalists
Weather Shocks Push Global Food Prices Sharply Higher
Ozzie Osbourne Dies Aged 76
Despite months of warnings from aid groups and U.N. officials about catastrophic hunger in Gaza, no formal famine has been declared. The enclave, home to over two million people, is facing spiraling food insecurity after nearly ten months of war, widespread displacement, and a near-total collapse of the food and healthcare systems. Malnutrition-related deaths now total at least 101, including 80 children, with reports of entire families fainting from hunger, including healthcare and aid workers.
The lack of a famine declaration stems largely from access and data challenges. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which sets global famine benchmarks, requires verified statistics on food access, child wasting, and starvation deaths — all difficult to obtain amid Israeli restrictions and ongoing conflict. Aid groups stress that by the time famine is declared, it is often too late to prevent mass casualties. As conditions worsen and access to food remains limited, humanitarian leaders are calling for a ceasefire and large-scale aid delivery to avoid further preventable deaths.
Sources: Al Jazeera, PBS
Ukraine confirmed the loss of a French Mirage 2000-5F fighter jet following an equipment failure during a mission on July 22. The pilot safely ejected and is in stable condition, with no casualties reported. This marks the first Mirage loss since France delivered the jets earlier this year as part of a 2024 military aid package. A special commission will investigate the cause of the crash. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the jet was not downed by enemy fire.
The incident occurred as a third round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine is scheduled to take place in Istanbul. Kremlin officials have expressed skepticism, warning against expecting “miracles” and reiterating their intent to pursue Moscow’s war aims. The talks follow earlier summits that led to prisoner exchanges but no substantial diplomatic progress. Ukraine continues to seek direct talks between Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin, but Russia has offered no commitment.
Sources: The Independent, Kyiv Independent
The United States will withdraw from UNESCO by December 2026, marking the second exit under President Donald Trump. The administration cited the agency’s support for “woke, divisive” causes and a perceived anti-Israel bias as justification. The move reflects Trump’s broader skepticism of multilateral institutions and aligns with his “America First” foreign policy.
UNESCO, the UN’s cultural and educational arm, has long been at odds with some U.S. administrations. Washington first left the organization in 1984, returned in 2003, and cut funding in 2011 after Palestine was granted full membership. Trump initially pulled the U.S. out in 2017, but the decision was reversed by President Biden in 2023.
UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay said she regrets the decision, though it was anticipated and financially mitigated. France and other allies expressed continued support for the agency. Israel praised the withdrawal, citing continued bias. Critics argue the move weakens U.S. influence and benefits rivals like China.
Sources: Reuters, Politico
President Donald Trump has announced what he called the “largest trade deal in history” between the United States and Japan. Under the framework, Japan will invest $550 billion into the U.S. economy and accept a 15% reciprocal tariff on goods exported to America. Trump also claimed the U.S. would receive 90% of the profits, though no official term sheet or mechanism for that calculation has been released.
The agreement includes Japanese commitments to open its market further to U.S. cars, trucks, and agricultural products such as rice. Trump said the deal would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, describing it as a breakthrough after tense negotiations.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirmed the deal but gave limited details. He said it was the result of last-minute efforts to safeguard national interests and noted Japan had reduced tariffs on U.S. vehicles. Japanese markets responded positively, with auto stocks climbing over 3% on Wednesday.
Sources: BBC, CNN
The World Health Organization has issued an urgent warning over a surge in chikungunya virus cases, cautioning that history may be repeating itself as outbreaks spread beyond the Indian Ocean region to Europe and other continents. The mosquito-borne illness, which causes high fever, joint pain, and sometimes long-term disability, now poses a threat to an estimated 5.6 billion people across 119 countries.
The current wave began in early 2025, hitting La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius—regions previously devastated in the 2004–2005 epidemic. In La Réunion, about one-third of the population has reportedly been infected. The virus has since spread to parts of East Africa and South Asia, including India, and is now appearing in Europe.
France has logged roughly 800 imported cases since May, with at least twelve locally transmitted in southern regions. WHO officials stress there is no treatment, making prevention—such as repellent use and protective clothing—essential to contain the virus.
Sources: Straits Times, Reuters
The Trump administration has drafted a rule that would repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s foundational authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, according to individuals familiar with the plan. The proposal seeks to eliminate the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a scientific determination that emissions from carbon dioxide and methane pose a danger to human health by warming the planet. This finding has served as the legal basis for federal climate regulations for over a decade.
The draft also targets regulations designed to increase electric vehicle production by rescinding federal limits on tailpipe emissions. The EPA argues that such rules harm public welfare by driving up vehicle costs and limiting consumer choice.
If finalized, the move would not only void existing pollution limits but could prevent future administrations from reinstating them. Legal experts warn the plan is likely to face court challenges, particularly given its conflict with a 2007 Supreme Court ruling recognizing greenhouse gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
Source: New York Times - Exclusive
A global initiative to establish a climate emissions standard for oil and gas companies has been paused after key industry players, including Shell, Aker BP, and Enbridge, withdrew from the process. The firms walked away from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) advisory group following the release of draft guidance that would require companies to stop developing new oil and gas fields by the end of 2027 or upon submitting a climate plan.
SBTi cited internal capacity issues for the pause, denying any link to the exits. However, documents suggest the initiative had previously labeled the oil and gas standard a “top priority” before deprioritizing it after the companies’ departures. The group also delayed a related deadline for banks to stop financing new oil and gas projects.
Shell criticized the draft for lacking industry input, while Aker BP and Enbridge said their ability to influence the process was limited. All three maintain they remain committed to climate action.
Sources: FT, Reuters
Agence France-Presse has urged Israel to immediately facilitate the evacuation of its freelance journalists and their families from Gaza, citing an “untenable” situation marked by starvation, dehydration, and extreme exhaustion. In a public appeal on Tuesday, the French news agency described the conditions as “appalling,” warning that its contributors are no longer able to continue reporting as they face the daily threat of hunger-related collapse.
AFP said its journalists have been essential in documenting the war, as foreign media have been barred from Gaza for nearly two years. Several freelancers, including Pulitzer Prize finalists, have reported severe physical decline and emotional fatigue. One journalist has lost 30kg since the war began; others have described collapsing from hunger.
The appeal follows months of failed attempts to secure safe passage for freelancers still trapped under blockade. The agency emphasized the moral obligation to prevent further suffering among journalists risking their lives to report the war.
Sources: The Guardian, Al Jazeera
Extreme weather linked to climate change has caused sharp rises in global food prices, according to a new study covering 18 countries between 2022 and 2024. The report, led by researchers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, documents short-term price spikes in key food staples following droughts, heatwaves, and floods that exceeded historical norms. British potatoes, Californian vegetables, Indian onions, and Japanese rice are among the products affected.
In California, vegetable prices rose 80% in late 2022, while cocoa prices surged 280% in April 2024 following a heatwave in West Africa. The study warns that such price shocks can have cascading health effects, especially for low-income households forced to reduce consumption of nutritious foods.
With 5°C global warming scenarios looming and 2023 and 2024 the hottest years on record, researchers say food price inflation is now the second most visible climate impact after heat. The findings come ahead of a UN food summit in Ethiopia.
Sources: RFI, CNN
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, has died at age 76, weeks after performing a final reunion concert with his bandmates in Birmingham. The surviving members—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—paid tribute to their friend and bandmate, calling him irreplaceable. The band’s farewell set at Villa Park marked their last appearance together, over five decades after forming in Aston in 1968.
In a statement, Osbourne’s family said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Tributes have poured in from across the music world, with artists including Elton John, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Yungblud honoring Osbourne’s impact and legacy.
Black Sabbath rose to fame with their 1970 debut, becoming pioneers of heavy metal and selling over 75 million records. Osbourne’s battles with addiction led to his departure in 1979, but he rejoined the band for their 2013 album and later tours. In recent years, he had struggled with health issues, including Parkinson’s disease.