10 Things Global News - 25th July 2025
News that matters from around the world
France to Recognise Palestinian State at UN
14 Dead, 100,000 Evacuated in Thai–Cambodia Clashes
Trump Pressures Powell On Renovation, Backs Off Firing Him
Russian Plane Crash Kills All 48 Onboard in Remote Far East
Macrons Sue for Defamation Over Gender Claims
Cyprus Battles Worst Wildfire in 50 Years
Fresh Attacks Follow Failed Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks
EU and China Ease Rare Earth Tensions, Deeper Rift Remains
Iran Doubles Down on Uranium Enrichment Ahead of Talks
U.S. lifts Myanmar sanctions
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September. In a public letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron stated that the decision is intended to support a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The move makes France the first major Western power to commit to Palestinian recognition amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and rising international pressure.
Macron emphasised the urgent need to end the war in Gaza and proposed that a demilitarised Palestinian state that fully recognises Israel could contribute to regional security. The decision drew sharp criticism from Israel and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Macron of “rewarding terror,” while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “reckless decision.”
Macron’s announcement follows earlier recognition moves by Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia. France aims to use the UN platform to build momentum among hesitant nations and revive the two-state framework amid stalled peace efforts.
Sources: The Guardian, RFI
Deadly clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces have erupted along their disputed border, killing at least 14 people and displacing over 100,000. Fighting broke out early Thursday and continued into Friday, with heavy exchanges of fire reported in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Thai authorities accuse Cambodia of launching rockets and violating airspace with drones, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Thai F-16s. Cambodia, meanwhile, claims Thai troops provoked the incident by advancing on a disputed Khmer temple.
Most casualties have been Thai civilians, including children, while Cambodia has confirmed at least one death and several injuries. Thousands on both sides have fled border villages. The two countries, which share an 800-kilometre border demarcated during French colonial rule, have a history of flare-ups tied to overlapping claims around religious sites. This latest escalation follows months of tension and trade restrictions. Both governments have expressed a desire to avoid war, but political dynamics on both sides appear to be hardening positions.
Sources: BBC, CNN
President Donald Trump escalated his pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday, publicly criticizing cost overruns at the Fed’s Washington headquarters during a rare presidential visit. Touring the construction site with Powell, Trump cited a $3.1 billion figure for the renovations, while Powell pushed back, saying the president was mistakenly including costs from a separate project completed years earlier.
Despite the confrontation, Trump signaled he no longer intends to fire Powell, saying he believes the Fed chair will “do the right thing” by lowering interest rates. Trump has repeatedly linked high rates to unaffordable mortgages and ballooning U.S. debt costs.
The renovations—originally budgeted at $1.9 billion—include extensive underground work, security upgrades, and preservation of the Fed’s historic architecture. Powell and Fed staff cite material inflation, tariffs, and federal security standards as reasons for the rising costs. Trump’s visit, only the fourth by a sitting president since 1937, underscores growing political friction over the Fed’s independence.
Sources: Associated Press, CNBC
A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 passenger plane crashed in Russia’s Amur region on Thursday, killing all 48 people aboard. The aircraft, operated by regional carrier Angara, was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when it vanished from radar. Authorities said the plane attempted a second landing before crashing in forested hills roughly 15 kilometers from its destination. A burning fuselage was discovered by a search helicopter, and rescuers had to cut a path through the dense terrain to reach the site.
Officials confirmed the aircraft, built in 1976, had passed a recent safety inspection but had a history of minor incidents. The victims included five children and crew members from the Irkutsk region. Russia has opened a criminal investigation into potential violations of air transport safety rules. The crash highlights concerns over Russia’s continued reliance on aging aircraft, particularly amid sanctions that limit access to spare parts. President Putin expressed condolences and declared a period of mourning.
Sources: Reuters, ABC News
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit against American commentator Candace Owens, alleging a yearlong campaign of false and malicious claims. The suit, filed in Delaware, seeks damages over repeated accusations that Brigitte Macron was born male—claims the Macrons’ legal team describe as baseless, defamatory, and politically motivated.
The 219-page complaint cites Owens’ YouTube content, podcast segments, and merchandise, including a satirical “Man of the Year” T-shirt, as part of a monetised smear effort. The Macrons had previously demanded a retraction, presenting documentation of Brigitte’s birth and family history. Owens rejected the appeal, doubling down in a new video series and calling the suit a “catastrophic PR strategy.”
Owens has framed the lawsuit as an attack on free speech and vowed to escalate her rhetoric. French media report that the couple has also appealed a related defamation ruling in Paris. The Elysee Palace declined comment.
Sources: Associated Press, Time
Two people have died and at least 26 others have been injured as wildfires swept through southern Cyprus in what authorities say is the island’s most destructive blaze in half a century. The fires erupted Wednesday in the Limassol and Paphos regions, burning over 100 square kilometers and forcing evacuations in several rural villages. The victims, believed to be an elderly couple, were found in a burnt-out car near the village of Malia.
Investigators are examining possible arson, while Cyprus reels under an extreme heatwave, with temperatures expected to exceed 44°C. Power outages, property destruction, and widespread smoke have further strained the response. Some 300 emergency personnel, including volunteers and 18 aircraft, are deployed. Aid has come from Israel, Spain, Jordan, Egypt, the U.S., and the EU, though Greece has faced criticism for delays.
The fire has disrupted air traffic and prompted travel advisories. Authorities warn that flare-ups persist despite containment efforts.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, BBC
Russia and Ukraine launched fresh strikes on each other’s territory just hours after direct peace talks in Istanbul failed to yield any progress. Russia unleashed 103 drones and four missiles overnight, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure in Odesa, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Sumy. At least five civilians were killed and dozens injured, including a child. Odesa’s UNESCO-listed historic centre and the city’s iconic Pryvoz market sustained damage.
In Kharkiv, Russian glide bombs killed two people and injured 33 more in a residential neighborhood. One person died in Sumy, while seven were hurt in Cherkasy. Russia also reported drone debris killed one person and injured another in Sochi, with damage to an oil facility and temporary airport closure.
Talks in Istanbul focused on prisoner exchanges but revealed a deep rift over ceasefire terms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia for rejecting a ceasefire offer and escalating attacks. Military aid to Ukraine continues, while political and anti-corruption reforms face pressure at home and abroad.
Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera
The EU and China have agreed on measures to ease rare earth export curbs, but broader trade tensions remain unresolved after a high-level summit in Beijing. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said China would fast-track licences and adopt a new system to resolve supply bottlenecks—offering relief to industries reliant on rare earths. But she warned that EU-China trade was at a “clear inflection point,” citing an annual trade deficit exceeding €300 billion and concerns over China’s industrial overcapacity.
Talks failed to produce breakthroughs on market access or subsidies. Brussels recently imposed tariffs on Chinese EVs, triggering retaliatory probes from Beijing. Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for mutual openness and stressed cooperation as the “only right choice,” while President Xi Jinping criticised EU “de-risking” strategies.
Tensions also spilled into geopolitical issues. Von der Leyen pressed China to push Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, warning that Beijing’s role in the conflict would shape future relations.
Sources: Euronews, South China Morning Post
On the eve of high-stakes talks with European powers in Istanbul, Iran reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, despite mounting Western pressure and the threat of renewed sanctions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would not compromise on its nuclear programme, especially following last month’s 12-day war with Israel, which saw joint Israeli–U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran is prepared to engage in new negotiations with the U.S., but only if Washington first rebuilds trust and ends “hidden agendas” such as military threats. Talks in Istanbul will bring together Iran and the E3 nations—France, Germany, and the UK—alongside the EU’s foreign policy chief.
European officials have warned they may trigger a “snapback” clause in the 2015 nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions unless Iran reins in enrichment. Tehran, which now possesses over 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, says it remains within its rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Sources: PBS, Al Jazeera
The United States has removed sanctions on several close allies of Myanmar’s ruling junta, shortly after General Min Aung Hlaing praised President Donald Trump and appealed for reduced trade tariffs. A U.S. Treasury notice confirmed that four individuals and three companies—previously sanctioned for links to the military regime—have been delisted without explanation.
The move comes amid reports that Min Aung Hlaing sent Trump a letter on July 11 proposing lower U.S. tariffs on Myanmar exports and offering to send a negotiating team to Washington. He also called for economic sanctions to be eased, citing mutual prosperity.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism. Human Rights Watch described it as “extremely worrying,” suggesting a shift in U.S. policy away from punishing the military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup and stands accused of crimes against humanity. The delisted individuals were sanctioned in 2022 and 2024 for supporting Myanmar’s defence sector.