10 Things Global News - 29th July 2025
News that matters from around the world
Trump Shortens Deadline for Russia to End Ukraine War
Former Colombian President Convicted of Witness Tampering
Israeli Rights Groups Accuse Israel of Committing Genocide
Islamic State Claims Church Massacre in Eastern Congo
North Korea Demands Recognition, Trump Open to Talks
Cyberattack on Aeroflot Cancels Flights in Russia
Global Hunger Dips But Africa and Conflict Zones Lag Behind
Maxwell Files Appeal to Overturn Conviction
Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Truce Violation
EU Defends US Trade Deal Amid Criticism
U.S. President Donald Trump has slashed his previously announced 50-day deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine, warning President Vladimir Putin that Moscow now has just 10 to 12 days to agree to a cease-fire or face sweeping sanctions. Speaking in Scotland alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said he was “disappointed” with the lack of progress and “won’t wait around.” The original 50-day window, set on July 14, would have expired in early September; it now ends by August 5 or 7.
The White House is reportedly preparing new punitive measures, including possible secondary tariffs targeting countries that continue trade with Russia. This shift signals mounting frustration within the Trump administration, which initially curtailed military aid to Ukraine. Recent Russian drone and missile strikes, however, have intensified pressure on Washington to act.
Ukrainian officials welcomed the move, while former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev called it a “step towards war.”
Sources: New York Times, The Independent
Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been found guilty of witness tampering and bribery, marking the first criminal conviction of a former head of state in the country’s history. A court in Bogotá ruled that Uribe conspired to pressure imprisoned ex-paramilitary fighters into retracting testimony linking him to right-wing militias active during Colombia’s internal conflict. The verdict followed a six-month trial involving more than 90 witnesses.
The case originated in 2012, when Uribe filed a libel suit against left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda, who had investigated Uribe’s alleged ties to paramilitaries. The Supreme Court instead opened a case against Uribe in 2018. Though not present in court, Uribe followed proceedings remotely and is expected to appeal.
Judge Sandra Heredia stated that the ruling was not a political victory but an “act of justice.” Sentencing will occur separately; Uribe faces up to 12 years in prison. President Gustavo Petro defended the court’s independence, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised the ruling as politically motivated.
Sources: The Guardian, NPR
Two prominent Israeli organizations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, have released landmark reports accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The reports represent the first time Israeli groups have explicitly used the term to describe their government’s actions. B’Tselem’s 79-page document, Our Genocide, analyzes military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023, citing coordinated actions, public statements by Israeli officials, and patterns of forced displacement. It warns that similar tactics are now appearing in the occupied West Bank.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel focused on systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, including attacks on hospitals, denial of aid, and detention of medical personnel. Amnesty International called the publications a milestone in global accountability efforts. The findings coincide with a UN conference on Palestine and bolster South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Israeli government officials have not publicly responded to the reports.
Sources: Amnesty, Al Jazeera
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly church attack in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where at least 43 people were killed during a night mass in Komanda, Ituri province. The assault, carried out by IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), involved firearms and machetes and took place in the early hours of Sunday. Victims included 19 women and nine children. Witnesses reported abductions and the burning of homes and shops.
The ADF, originally based in Uganda, has waged a years-long campaign of violence across mineral-rich eastern Congo. The United Nations mission MONUSCO condemned the killings as a “massacre” and warned that the violence would deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. The Congolese government and military also condemned the attack, while rival rebel group M23 used the incident to criticize the government’s failure to protect civilians.
Pope Leo sent condolences and prayers to victims’ families and the wider Christian community.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled continued willingness to engage in direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, despite a sharp rebuke from Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong. In a statement via state media, she dismissed the prospect of denuclearization discussions and warned that any talks must begin with U.S. recognition of North Korea’s nuclear status.
Calling the idea of denuclearization talks a “mockery,” Kim Yo-jong said North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state was now “irreversible” and enshrined in its constitution. She added that Washington must abandon outdated policies and acknowledge North Korea’s transformed geopolitical position.
Trump, who met with Kim three times during his first term, maintains that dialogue remains possible. The White House reiterated that the goal of a fully denuclearized Korean Peninsula still stands, but Pyongyang insists that policy is a nonstarter. South Korea echoed support for resumed talks without addressing the nuclear impasse directly.
Sources: Japan Times, Korea JoongAn Daily
A cyberattack on Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot forced the cancellation of more than 100 flights on Monday and disrupted others, according to Russian prosecutors. The attack crippled Aeroflot’s internal systems, including those used for flight scheduling, ticketing, and refunds. Most affected flights were domestic, but several international routes to Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan were also grounded.
The pro-Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow, alongside Belarusian activist group Cyber Partisans, claimed responsibility. Silent Crow said it had infiltrated Aeroflot’s systems for a year, copying sensitive internal data and destroying critical infrastructure. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, and the Kremlin called the attack “alarming.”
Images from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport showed packed terminals as frustrated passengers awaited updates. The incident is one of the most disruptive cyberattacks since the start of the war in Ukraine. Aeroflot’s website remained partially offline as of Monday evening, with user access still restricted.
Sources: New York Times, Security Week
The share of the global population facing hunger declined to 8.2% in 2024, down from 8.5% in 2023, according to a joint UN report. Improvements in food access in Asia and Latin America, notably in India and South America, contributed to the drop. However, the total number of undernourished people—673 million—remains above pre-pandemic levels, and disparities are deepening.
Africa continues to face a worsening crisis, with 20% of its population—over 300 million people—chronically undernourished. The report warns that by 2030, nearly 60% of the world’s hungry may live on the continent. Conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability were cited as key drivers of hunger in regions including Gaza, Sudan, and Western Asia.
Despite progress in child stunting and access to healthy diets globally, adult obesity and anaemia among women are rising. UN agencies stressed the need for urgent funding, warning that reduced humanitarian aid could erase recent gains.
Sources: Reuters, UN
Ghislaine Maxwell has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to overturn her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking minors alongside Jeffrey Epstein. Her appeal hinges on Epstein’s 2007 plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florida, which promised not to prosecute unnamed co-conspirators. Maxwell, not explicitly named, argues that the deal should have protected her.
Her legal team contends that the agreement applied nationwide and that the language—“not limited to” four listed individuals—extends to her. The Justice Department opposes the petition, stating that prosecutors in Florida had no authority over the Southern District of New York, where Maxwell was tried. They maintain she was an incidental third-party and not covered by the agreement.
Maxwell’s legal push follows a two-day meeting with a top Justice Department official. While Trump has not ruled out a pardon, no formal request has been made. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
Sources: The Independent, Axios
Thailand has accused Cambodian forces of violating a newly agreed ceasefire just hours after it came into effect, alleging armed attacks in several areas along their contested 800-kilometer border. The truce, brokered during Monday’s peace talks in Malaysia and backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, was meant to end five days of deadly fighting over disputed territory near ancient temple sites.
Thailand’s military called the incidents a “deliberate violation” of the agreement and invoked its right to self-defense. Cambodia denied the accusations, saying no armed clashes had occurred as of Tuesday morning. A scheduled meeting between field commanders was postponed amid renewed tension.
The conflict has killed at least 38 people and displaced nearly 300,000. Trump’s push for peace was linked to threats of withholding trade agreements. A joint statement from Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia described the ceasefire as a critical first step. Observers warn, however, that without monitoring, the truce remains fragile.
Sources: Bloomberg, France 24
The European Commission defended a last-minute trade agreement with the United States, calling it the best possible outcome under intense pressure, despite mounting criticism from within the bloc. The deal, struck Sunday at Donald Trump’s Scottish resort, imposes a 15% tariff on most EU exports — half the threatened rate — in exchange for greater European purchases of U.S. energy and zero tariffs on some American goods.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič described the agreement as essential to protect jobs and preserve transatlantic security ties, noting that continued U.S. support for Ukraine was a factor. Critics disagreed. France’s Prime Minister called the outcome an act of “submission,” while Germany’s Chancellor warned it would damage national finances.
The deal still requires approval by all 27 EU states. While none have signaled plans to block it, reactions were largely muted. The agreement is provisional and leaves key sectors — including pharma and tech — exposed to future tariff shifts.