*) Deadly Russian shelling hit Ukraine's Kherson, Kharkiv cities

Russian shelling of Ukraine's southern city of Kherson has left at least three people dead, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said in his evening address that the Russian army has been shelling Kherson “all day" and that "there are reports of six wounded and three dead."

Meanwhile, in eastern Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, the governor of the regional military administration said a Russian strike hit "a four-storey residential building".

He said an elderly woman died from the attack and the building was partially destroyed.

*) Dozens killed as militant launches attack in eastern DRC

A wave of attacks on villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo attributed to Daesh-affiliated ADF militants have killed at least 15 people.

This is according to a local official who said there were seven fatalities in Manyala and "at least eight" in Ofay following “simultaneous attacks”.  He said the final toll might be higher.

Sunday's killings come a week after a similar attack left at least 23 people dead.

*) Israeli-Palestinian cauldron tests US as Blinken visits

An alarming spike in Israeli-Palestinian tensions is testing the Biden administration as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sets out to visit Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Blinken’s trip begins on Monday after he completes a brief visit to Egypt.

US officials say the main theme of Blinken’s conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will be “de-escalation.”
 
Yet Blinken will arrive in Israel just a day after Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet announced a series of punitive measures against Palestinians following deadly raids in the occupied West Bank.

*) Low turnout hobbles Tunisia’s second round of parliamentary polls

Provisional figures showed the turnout in the second round of Tunisia's parliamentary election on Sunday was 11.3 percent. 

This is according to the head of the electoral commission who announced the figure at a news conference. 

A turnout of 11.2 percent had been registered in the first round of the election in December. 

A total of 262 candidates are competing for 131 seats from Tunisia's 161-member legislature, which was largely stripped of its powers following a series of measures by President Kais Saied in 2021.

And finally…

*) Djokovic wins 10th Australian Open title, ties Nadal’s 22nd grand slam title

Novak Djokovic has resumed his reign over Melbourne Park by winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open title. 

Djokovic swept to victory at Rod Laver Arena to reclaim the world number one ranking on Sunday.

In a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, he again denied Greece's trailblazer Stefanos Tsitsipas a maiden major title.

Djokovic's triumph was the ultimate redemption a year after his deportation from Australia on the eve of the Grand Slam due to his lack of Covid-19 vaccination. With the win, he also ties Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam titles.

January 30, 2023

July 20, 2025

UN slams Israel's new evacuation order in Gaza as blow to lifesaving aid
"The United Nations is condemning Israel's latest evacuation order in central Gaza, calling it a serious threat to humanitarian efforts. 

In a statement, the UN warned that this new ultimatum could bring already struggling aid operations to a halt and make life even more unbearable for civilians on the ground. 

The UN's humanitarian office says at least a thousand families have already fled the area in the past few hours."

US officials reportedly growing frustrated with Netanyahu
"There is increasing tension in Washington over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military decisions, especially following recent air strikes in Syria.

According to a report by Axios, some senior officials in the White House have expressed serious concern, stating that Netanyahu's actions are becoming too unpredictable and disruptive.

One official criticised the Israeli leader for behaving like a ""madman"" who ""bombs everything all the time."""

Death toll from Sweida clashes in Syria reportedly rises to 426
"The deadly clashes in Syria's southern Sweida province have now claimed at least 426 lives, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. 

The fighting, which broke out about a week ago, pits an alliance of Bedouin tribal fighters against Druze militias. 

The toll includes some of the most vulnerable: seven children, ten women, six health care workers, and two media professionals, SNHR said in its latest statement covering the period from July 13 to July 20."

Iran, E3 countries agree to resume nuclear talks in Istanbul
"Iran and the E3 — France, Germany, and Britain — are returning to the negotiation table.

Talks on Iran's nuclear programme are scheduled to resume this Friday in Istanbul, according to Iranian broadcaster Press TV.

Earlier reports suggested a tentative agreement to restart discussions sometime next week, but it is now official with the timing and location of the talks confirmed."

Japanese PM vows to stay on despite losing majority in Upper House elections
"Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's party appears to have lost its majority in the country's Upper House elections. 

Local media outlets, including Nippon TV and TBS, project that the ruling coalition of Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito has only secured around 41 of the 125 contested seats. 

That's well short of the 50 needed to maintain control."

July 21, 2025

Hunger strikes erupt in solidarity with starving children in Gaza
"A wave of hunger strikes is sweeping the Arab world in protest of Gaza’s starvation crisis caused by the Israeli brutal war and blockade on the Palestinian enclave. 

Gaza Civil Defence’s Mahmoud Basal started a full hunger strike, saying, “I won’t eat until my people can.” 

He described the Israeli blockade as “systematic collective punishment” and called for urgent global action. Former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki also joined in solidarity. 

"

"UNICEF: ‘Enough is enough’ as Gaza hunger crisis deepens
"
"UNICEF is sounding the alarm on Gaza’s worsening famine, calling it a man-made disaster. 

Children are dying from hunger and malnutrition is now “catastrophic,” the agency warned. 

Food is nearly gone, water is below emergency levels, and aid is barely getting in. 

“Enough is enough,” said UNICEF, urging full access for humanitarian deliveries. 

"

Türkiye to host new Ukraine-Russia peace talks
"Ukraine and Russia are gearing up for another round of peace talks in Türkiye. 

President Zelenskyy confirmed the meeting will happen Wednesday, led by his security chief Rustem Umerov. 

The talks will also cover a possible prisoner swap. Zelenskyy said real progress depends on leader-level engagement and called on diplomats to rally international support. "

Türkiye, Iran coordinate ahead of nuclear talks
"Top Turkish and Iranian diplomats spoke ahead of nuclear negotiations in Istanbul this Friday. 

Hakan Fidan and Abbas Araghchi discussed the upcoming talks with the E3 nations (UK, France, and Germany) as well as regional issues like Gaza and Syria. 

The Istanbul round is part of broader efforts to revive diplomacy amid rising tensions."

"Türkiye gets stolen Marcus Aurelius statue back after 65 years
"
"Türkiye has finally brought home a stolen bronze statue of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius after six decades abroad. 

Once displayed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, the statue was looted from Boubon in the 1960s. 

After a joint investigation and legal push, the US museum dropped its claim. Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy hailed the return as a major win: “We were patient—and we won.” "

July 22, 2025

US Senator Mark Kelly has called on Israel to stop attacking Palestinians seeking food and aid in Gaza. 

“Israel must stop these attacks on people seeking aid,” he posted on X, stressing that children are starving. 

His appeal comes as medical sources report at least 85 Palestinians killed in fresh Israeli strikes.

More than 100 aid groups, including MSF, Oxfam, and Save the Children, are sounding the alarm on “mass starvation” in Gaza. 

They say aid warehouses are full but blocked from reaching desperate families. 

The coalition is calling for an immediate ceasefire, opening of all land crossings, and free UN-led aid deliveries. Their warning coincides with a US envoy’s European trip to discuss a potential truce and aid corridor.

The Syrian government has deployed buses to evacuate families trapped in unrest-hit Sweida. 

State media showed convoys entering the southern province to transport civilians to safety. Violence has displaced thousands, with neighbouring Daraa province reporting a steady influx of fleeing families.

The US has announced it will leave UNESCO for the third time, effective December 31, 2026. 

Washington cited the agency’s admission of Palestine and what it called a “globalist, ideological agenda” at odds with its “America First” policy. 

A State Department spokesperson said continued membership is “not in the national interest.” The move marks another sharp break in US engagement with international institutions.

Türkiye has showcased its first hypersonic missile, the Tayfun Block-4, at the IDEF 2025 defence fair in Istanbul. Roketsan, the developer, also unveiled six other advanced systems at the event. 

The Tayfun Block-4, weighing over seven tonnes, can destroy high-value targets like air defence systems and command centres from long distances. 

Officials say the missile marks a major leap for Türkiye’s defence industry and long-range strike capabilities.


July 23, 2025

Hamas has confirmed it submitted its response to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire to negotiators.

The response included proposed amendments to clauses on the entry of aid, maps of areas from which the Israeli army should withdraw, and guarantees on securing a permanent end to the war, according to a Palestinian source familiar with ongoing talks in Doha.

Negotiators from both sides have been holding indirect talks in Doha with mediators in an attempt to reach an agreement on a truce deal.

Türkiye has rejected a motion passed by the Israeli Knesset to annex the occupied West Bank, calling it ""null and void"" under international law and warning it poses a grave threat to regional stability.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the West Bank is Palestinian territory under Israeli occupation since 1967.

It added that any attempt by Israel to annex it constituted an illegitimate and provocative effort aimed at undermining peace efforts.

Armed clashes have broken out between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed area of their border, the militaries of both countries said, each accusing the other of firing the first shots after weeks of simmering tension.

The Thai military said in a statement that Cambodian troops had opened fire in an area near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple.

A spokesperson for Cambodia's Defence Ministry said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defence.

Protests in central Kiev against a law that curbs the power of anti-corruption agencies have continued as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised a new bill.

The legislation, removing the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, sparked the first major protests in Ukraine since the conflict with Russia began over three years ago.

Zelenskyy responded to the backlash, saying he would submit a new bill ensuring "all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place".

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, upholding a lower-court decision that blocked the policy from taking effect across the United States.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that Trump's executive order, which was aimed at ending automatic citizenship for children born on US soil to noncitizen parents, violated the Constitution.

The decision aligns with a previous ruling by a federal judge in New Hampshire, who also found the order unlawful and issued a nationwide injunction.

July 24, 2025

World leaders are throwing their weight behind French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will officially recognise the State of Palestine in September. 

Many see this as a significant move toward peace in the Middle East.

Several global leaders say the recognition is crucial to protect a peace process that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is actively undermining.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sharply criticised Macron's announcement to recognise the State of Palestine.

Rubio said the US is firmly against Macron's proposal to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly. 

He called it reckless, saying it will only embolden Hamas and make peace even harder to achieve.

At least one Cambodian civilian has been killed and five others injured after renewed clashes broke out, marking the second straight day of violence between the two neighbours.

A spokesperson from Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, Meth Meas Pheakdey, confirmed the fighting took place in Banteay Ampil, near the contested border zone.

The situation has forced around 1,500 Cambodian families to evacuate to safer ground. On the other side, Thailand's Health Ministry reported that 15 Thai nationals have lost their lives in the conflict as of early Friday.

The International Criminal Court has handed down major sentences in a landmark ruling. 

Two rebel leaders from the Central African Republic have been convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to brutal sectarian violence over a decade ago.

Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Alfred Yekatom received a 15-year sentence. 

Both were found guilty for their leadership roles in the Anti-Balaka militia, which targeted Muslim civilians during a wave of attacks between September 2013 and February 2014, in and around the capital, Bangui.

The number of journalists killed in Gaza continues to rise amid Israel's relentless assault. 

According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, 232 journalists have now lost their lives since October 7, 2023.

Officials in Gaza say the targeting of media workers is part of a broader genocidal campaign and warn that the toll could grow even higher.

July 25, 2025

UNRWA: Gaza famine is ‘deliberate and constructed’
"The UN agency for Palestine refugees says Gaza’s mass starvation isn’t accidental but “constructed and deliberate.” 

It accused the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of serving “military and political objectives” instead of feeding people. 

“More children died today, their bodies emaciated by hunger,” UNRWA said. The agency called the distribution system “flawed and cruel,” claiming it takes more lives than it saves."

Türkiye urges unity as Syria tensions rise
"Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that rising violence in Syria, particularly in Sweida, threatens the country’s unity. 

He said multiple armed groups are mobilising, sparking fears of wider conflict. 

“We had to issue our warning because we are committed to Syria’s unity and territorial integrity,” he told NTV. 

Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s goal of supporting regional peace alongside global partners."

Thai-Cambodia clashes enter day 3, death toll hits 33
"Deadly fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border has stretched into a third day, killing 33 people despite calls for a ceasefire. 

The clashes, the worst in years, involved jets, tanks and heavy artillery. Cambodia reported 13 dead, including eight civilians, while Thailand confirmed 20 fatalities, including 14 civilians. 

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting, urging both sides to halt hostilities."

Ukraine faces fierce Russian push at Pokrovsk
"Ukraine is battling intense Russian assaults near Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub under daily pressure. 

President Zelenskyy said the city is now the main focus of military operations and a priority for defence forces. 

He also highlighted ongoing fighting in Sumy, where Russian troops recently crossed the border. "

Moody’s boosts Türkiye’s credit rating
"Moody’s has upgraded Türkiye’s credit rating from B1 to Ba3 and shifted its outlook to stable. 

The agency credited improved policymaking, especially tighter monetary policy that is easing inflation and restoring investor confidence. It said the risk of policy reversal has fallen significantly. "

July 26, 2025

Israel seizes Gaza-bound aid ship
"Israeli forces stormed the Gaza-bound aid ship Handala after it sent a distress call, detaining 21 activists on board.

Live video streams from the vessel were cut mid-raid as soldiers took control. The ship is being towed to Ashdod, with activists expected to be deported.

The fate of the crew remains unclear."

Israel announces short pause of its Gaza attacks
"Israel says it will pause fighting in Gaza on Sunday from 10 a.m. to evening to allow aid into what it calls as “humanitarian centres.”

The brief halt comes amid rising international pressure over the deepening crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave. "

RSF-led coalition announces parallel government in Sudan
"Sudan’s RSF paramilitary has declared its own government, defying the army and risking further partition.

RSF leader Hemedti unveiled the administration in western Sudan, where his forces hold sway.

The army, which controls Khartoum, has vowed to crush the move, escalating a war already tearing the country apart."

Türkiye signs deal to supply 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia
"Türkiye has signed an agreement to deliver 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia in a landmark defence partnership.

The deal includes joint production, engineering collaboration, and technology transfer, with deliveries scheduled over the next 10 years.

Officials hailed the signing as a “historic moment” for bilateral defence ties, deepening cooperation between the two nations."

"Nigeria pull off stunning comeback to win WAFCON
"
"Nigeria roared back from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 and clinch a record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Goals from Okoronkwo, Ijamilusi, and late hero Echegini sealed a dramatic win in Rabat.

The Super Falcons remain Africa’s undisputed queens of football."

July 27, 2025

Starmer to hold emergency Cabinet meeting as pressure mounts over Gaza
"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene an emergency Cabinet meeting this week to discuss the escalating crisis in Gaza amid genocidal Israeli siege, local media reports said.

The meeting, which will take place despite Parliament's summer recess, comes as the government faces increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state.

Starmer is also due to meet with US President Donald Trump in Scotland, where he is expected to urge the White House to adopt a firmer stance towards Israel."

1 in 3 Palestinians in Gaza hasn't eaten for days: UN
"The UN's top humanitarian official has warned of an accelerating humanitarian disaster in Gaza. 

Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said one in three people hasn't eaten ""for days"" and children are ""wasting away"" amid severe food aid shortages.

He said that despite Israel's decision to support a one-week scale-up of aid, massive amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine."

Syria to hold first post-Assad parliamentary election in September
"Syria plans to hold its first parliamentary elections under the new leadership between September 15 and 20.

The country's High Election Committee met with President Ahmad al Sharaa to brief him on key amendments to the temporary electoral law, following rounds of consultations with various sectors of Syrian society.

Al Sharaa stressed the importance of conducting the elections across all Syrian provinces and rejected any notion of territorial division, which all Syrians oppose."

Zelenskyy signals swift action on anti-graft agencies after EU's plea
"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to uphold independent anti-corruption bodies. 

""Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path,"" von der Leyen said in a post on X, adding that ""it must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law"".

The Ukrainian leader, meanwhile, signalled that supporting legislation could be adopted within days."

US, EU strike trade deal following 'tough negotiations'
"The US and the EU reached a trade deal, ending months-long uncertainty, President Donald Trump announced following a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland.

The US president said he thinks the deal is going to be ""great"" for both parties, which sets the US rate at 15 percent on EU goods.

For her part, the European Commission president also praised the deal, saying it is a ""huge deal""."

July 28, 2025

Israel continues killing Palestinians amid growing pressure

Suicides increase among Israeli soldiers in 2025

Thailand accuses Cambodia of breaking the truce

Iran warns it will respond more decisively if attacked

Turkish Airlines inks deal with DIB for Airbus A350s

July 29, 2025

A summary of today's impactful news stories from around the world hand-picked by our staff at TRT World.

January 30, 2023

Daily News Brief

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