NPR: Nearly 100 people killed seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian officials say (LINK) 20 July 2025

Israel orders evacuations in central Gaza as ceasefire talks stall and military offensive widens: expands ground operation to Deir al-Balah for the first time (LINK) — ground.news: 158 media reports (LINK) 20 July 2025

Israel confirms it not to extend visa of the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Jonathan Whittall, who resides in Jerusalem and divides his time between there and Gaza (LINK) 20 July 2025

— “Following a biased and hostile conduct against Israel — which distorted reality, presented falsified reports, slandered Israel, and even violated the UN's own rules of neutrality — and in accordance with the recommendation of professional bodies, I instructed not to extend the visa of the head of OCHA's office in Israel, Jonathan Whittall,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said.

— Whittall had said that the conditions near aid distribution sites in Gaza are "created to kill", and that "what we are seeing [in Gaza] is carnage. It is weaponized hunger. It is forced displacement. And it's a death sentence for people just trying to survive."

Two peaceful UK pro-Palestine organisations have bank accounts frozen by Virgin Money and Unity Trust bank: "Virgin Money refused to say why the account had been frozen" (LINK) 20 July 2025

— Mick Napier, from Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign's finance committee, said Scottish PSC was told the reason for its account being frozen last month was that it had a button on its website to donate to Palestine Action before the group was banned on 5 July. But the button was removed when Palestine Action was proscribed and yet the account had not been restored.

Syria's armed Bedouins say they have withdrawn from Druze-majority city after weeklong fighting: more than 1,000 killed (LINK) — ground.news: 158 media reports (LINK) 20 July 2025

748,763 Americans now at risk of financial fraud — firm says hacker may have stolen names, social security numbers, bank records, credit card details and more in massive data breach of The Alcohol & Drug Testing Service (LINK) 20 July 2025

Kenyan police arrest rights activist Mwangi over role in deadly protests (LINK) — ground.news: 68 media reports (LINK) 20 July 2025

— Boniface Mwangi, a prominent human rights activist, was arrested by Kenyan police for allegedly facilitating terrorist acts during protests linked to recent events.

U.S. tariffs devastate Lesotho's garment workers: 'We are on our knees' (LINK) 20 July 2025

— The government of the tiny African kingdom of Lesotho has declared a two-year state of disaster, as its once-thriving garment industry unravels in the wake of Trump's tariffs threats.

China's exports to the US of rare earth magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines surge 6x May level in June after Sino-U.S. trade deal (LINK) — ground.news: 27 media reports (LINK) 20 July 2025

— Chipmaker Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) plans to resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China as part of the agreement. China provides more than 90% of the global supply of rare earth magnets. It decided in early April to add several rare earth items to its export restriction list in retaliation for U.S. tariffs.

Natural sweetener Stevia found safe and effective at killing pancreatic cancer cells (LINK) 20 July 2025

UN human rights expert Mary Lawlor: Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for human rights defenders at risk to participate in Shelter City Netherlands. The deadline for applications is 10 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST (Central European Summer Time) (LINK) 20 July 2025

China starts work on world's largest (300 billion kWh) hydro-power dam in Tibet (LINK) 19 July 2025

— China's move has raised concerns in both India and Bangladesh regarding the downstream effects of the project. Particularly in terms of water availability, agricultural impact, and environmental disruption.

For the first time in modern history a capital city is on the verge of running dry: nearly half Kabul's boreholes have already gone dry (LINK) 19 July 2025

Russia launched more than 300 drones and over 30 missiles towards different cities in Ukraine overnight into Saturday morning, killing at least one person and injuring several others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said (LINK) 19 July 2025

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says attack on West Bank Palestinian church was 'act of terror' (LINK) — ground.news: 28 media reports (LINK) 19 July 2025

Israeli Harvard grad sues university, alleging assault cover-up and systemic antisemitism (LINK) — ground.news: 10 media reports (LINK) 19 July 2025

— Videos documented the assault, showing students grabbing and surrounding him, while Harvard reportedly obstructed investigations and refused disciplinary action against the assailants. Two individuals who faced criminal charges were met with minimal repercussions; one was awarded a substantial fellowship associated with the Harvard Law Review, while the other was honored with a role as a graduation marshal.

At least 34 dead after tourist boat capsizes during violent thunderstorm in Vietnam (LINK) 19 July 2025

Man whose car struck crowd outside LA club, injuring 30, was shot, attacked by crowd (LINK) 19 July 2025

El Salvador hasn't bought Bitcoin since February, finance chiefs tell IMF, contradicting Bukele administration (LINK) 19 July 2025

— President Nayib Bukele's Bitcoin Office has repeatedly announced daily 1 BTC purchases. Increases to the country's reserve fund reflect the consolidation of Bitcoin from other government-owned wallets rather than fresh purchases, the IMF report states. Bukele had previously denied that the country would stop purchasing Bitcoin to comply with the terms of a $1.4 billion loan from the IMF.

Ranked: The 40 countries with the most valued culture and heritage: 1 Greece, 2 Italy, 3 Spain, 4 France, 5 Turkey. China 13, USA 19, Switzerland 29, Russia 39 (LINK) 19 July 2025

— Rated for cultural accessibility, cultural attractions, rich history, geographical attractions, great food.

MSNBC: Trump's odd 'Unabomber' story is just the latest example in a worrying trend: the president's story made no sense — and he also doesn't always appear to know what his own administration is doing (LINK) 19 July 2025

How Disinformation Is Driving America Further Apart — book review (LINK) 19 July 2025

Israel repeatedly denying visas for several heads of agencies working in Gaza, UN says (LINK) 18 July 2025

Clashes erupt again in Syria's Suwayda between Bedouin and Druze fighters (LINK) 18 July 2025

US-UN Tracker: Gaza this week (LINK) 18 July 2025

EU hits Russian oil, shadow fleet with new sanctions over Ukraine war (LINK) 18 July 2025

US moving 'with haste' to enable weapons shipments to Kyiv, says Washington (LINK) 18 July 2025

Crypto market cap nears $4 trillion as Bitcoin and altcoins surge following key US legislation (LINK) 18 July 2025

Trinidad and Tobago declares second State of Emergency after inmate plot to kill officials (LINK) — ground.news: 28 media reports (LINK) 18 July 2025

Donald Trump orders US attorney general to 'produce' more Epstein documents (LINK) 18 July 2025

— It's unclear whether Trump is authorising the public release of these documents or when that could come — though such action would typically require the approval of a court.

Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over Epstein report: President follows through on libel threat over report that said he sent Epstein 'bawdy' birthday note and sketch (LINK) 18 July 2025

— Trump's lawsuit, which also targets Dow Jones and News Corp, was filed in the southern district of Florida federal court in Miami. The lawsuit seeks at least $10bn in damages. It came after the Journal reported on a 50th birthday greeting that Trump allegedly sent to Epstein in 2003 that included a sexually suggestive drawing and reference to secrets they shared.

France's budget bombshell is a wake-up call for Europe as it veers toward bankruptcy (LINK) 18 July 2025

DW: How Estonia outpaced the rest of Europe at digitalization (LINK) 18 July 2025

How many people have walked on the moon? 12, from 1969 to 1972. The last? Eugene "Gene" Cernan (LINK) 18 July 2025

Switzerland's highest campsite to close because of natural hazards: Arolla campsite, perched 1,950 metres above sea level in the Val d’Hérens in the canton of Valais (LINK) 18 July 2025

— The site, which draws around 12,000 overnight stays each year, has been deemed unsafe after repeated mudslides and flooding.

Nearly one third of Swiss struggle to cover their expenses: squeezed by high rents, rising health-insurance premiums and job insecurity (LINK) 18 July 2025

— A survey by Comparis, an online comparison service, found that more than one in four adults expect their financial situation to worsen in 2025 compared with last year.

U.N. Secretary-General Appoints independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War (LINK) 17 July 2025

— The panel will study the possible impact of a nuclear war on everything from public health to ecosystems, agriculture, and global socioeconomic systems. The last cross-sectional United Nations study of this kind was undertaken almost four decades ago in 1988. The Panel will hold its first meeting in September and will submit a final report to the General Assembly in 2027.

Israeli attacks across Gaza have killed at least 29 people, including at least three people in a strike on the only Catholic church (LINK) 17 July 2025

PBS, NPR and public media set to lose federal funding as package of spending cuts clears Congress (LINK) 17 July 2025

US passes Genius Act, first major national crypto legislation (LINK) 17 July 2025

— The bill sets up a regulatory regime for so-called stablecoins, a kind of cryptocurrency backed by assets seen as reliable, such as the dollar. The provisions include requiring stablecoins, an alternate cryptocurrency to the likes of Bitcoin, to be backed one-for-one with US dollars, or other low-risk assets. Critics argue the bill will introduce new risks into the financial system, by legitimising stablecoins without erecting sufficient protections for consumers.

US will begin charging some tourists a $250 'visa integrity fee' (LINK) 17 July 2025

DeSantis under fire for using disaster funds to build migrant detention jail: analysis of $20m spent on 'Alligator Alcatraz' shows some contracts went to governor's donors or allies (LINK) 17 July 2025

Syrian defence ministry says soldiers have started withdrawing from Druze-majority Sweida (LINK) 16 July 2025

Israeli military says it attacked Syrian military headquarters in Damascus "to protect Druze" in south (LINK) — ground.news: 129 media reports (LINK) 16 July 2025

U.S-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says 20 people killed in crush (LINK) — ground.news: 285 media reports (LINK) 16 July 2025

— The group accused Hamas of spreading misinformation and causing panic that led to violence, though it provided no evidence.

Turkish court convicts Erdogan rival, Istanbul's mayor of insulting and threatening an official: sectenced to 20 months in prison (LINK) — ground.news: 33 media reports (LINK) 16 July 2025

— The case stemmed from comments Ekrem Imamoglu made on Jan. 20 in which he criticized Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek, accusing him of targeting opposition figures through alleged politically motivated investigations.

A volcanic eruption in Iceland sparked the evacuation of the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and surrounding areas on Wednesday. (LINK) 16 July 2025

— The eruption began around 4 a.m. on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland's Met Office said. It was preceded by intense seismic activity which prompted the evacuation of around 100 from the town of Grindavik. Tourists at a nearby campsite and guests at the Blue Lagoon were also forced to urgent pack and evacuate. There have been no reports of injuries but officials warned people to stay indoors and take precautions due to a toxic gas cloud caused by the eruption.

Chinese court sentences Japanese pharma executive to 3.5 years for espionage (LINK) — ground.news: 32 media reports (LINK) 16 July 2025

—Five Japanese nationals, including the official, are in custody or serving prison terms in China, according to NHK. "Tokyo had repeatedly called on Beijing to release them and Wednesday's sentence deals a blow to ties, long frayed over territorial disputes, Japan's colonial history and other flashpoints."

US State Department fires Russia and Ukraine analysts in recent layoffs, NYT reports (LINK) 16 July 2025

RFK Jr. fires two top staffers in leadership shakeup: chief of staff and deputy chief of staff of policy both ousted. No reason given. (LINK) 16 July 2025

A refugee deported to Bhutan by the U.S. finds himself stranded and stateless (LINK) 16 July 2025

— Once they are deported to Bhutan, some Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees say they are told to leave. Many have since disappeared, while others are homeless and stateless, according to immigration advocates.

Neo-Nazi group in Ukraine with suspected Russian ties claims responsibility for July 10 assassination of Ukrainian intelligence officer (LINK) 16 July 2025

Blatten, Switzerland: Zurich ETH study shows previously unexplained factors that determine the destructive force of debris flows (LINK) — ground.news: 2 media reports (LINK) 16 July 2025

— On 5 June 2022, a debris flow came loose in Illgraben above the village of Leuk in the Valais, transporting 25,000 cubic metres of debris four kilometres through the bed of the Illbach river, before flowing into the Rhône at Susten. The team of scientists monitored the natural phenomena at several measuring stations. "We've known for a long time that these surges play a key role in the destructive force of debris flows. We were able to demonstrate that surges arise spontaneously on the surface of the flow. They stem from small irregularities, which grow over time, increasing in size and speed until they reach their maximum destructive force."

Debra Crew, CEO of Diageo, owner of the Guinness and Johnnie Walker brands, steps down after drink firm's lacklustre performance (LINK) 16 July 2025

2025's first summer heatwave was early, and deadly, for all of Western Europe (LINK) 16 July 2025

— June 2025 was the hottest on record for Western Europe, with around 2,300 heat-related deaths across the continent.

Swiss firms among the gloomiest globally for Q3 2025 (LINK) 16 July 2025

— The Global Business Optimism Index, compiled by business information service Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), fell by a significant 18% in Switzerland in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, according to a press release. "Sentiment in Switzerland thus deteriorated significantly more than the global average, where the decline was only 6%. Only in France (-20%) and Brazil (-19%) was the decline bigger. Overall, the negative trend of the previous two quarters continued."

Swiss issue arrest warrant for three pro-Russian hackers: members of "NoName057(16)", a group that has attacked various federal websites, including during a video address by Volodymyr Zelensky to the Swiss parliament in 2023 (LINK) 16 July 2025

— The attacks also targeted the visit by former Swiss President Alain Berset to Kyiv in November 2023, the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2024 and 2025, the Bürgenstock peace conference in June 2024, and the Eurovision in Basel in May 2025.

Switzerland faces fresh AT1 bond case before World Bank arbitration tribunal for write-off after Credit Suisse collapse: seeking compensation for investors from Singapore, China and the Middle East (LINK) 16 July 2025

UN rapporteur calls for global action to stop 'genocide' in Gaza (LINK) — ground.news: 25 media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Her report criticizes the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Fund as a façade that perpetuates suffering, enabling the forced displacement of a bombed and besieged population.

Trump admin to incinerate 550 tons of emergency food meant for children: enough to feed every child in Gaza for a week (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Part of its ongoing purge of USAID. The "high-energy biscuits", intended for children under five living in war and disaster zones, are currently being stored in a warehouse in Dubai and were meant to be shipped out this year, but will instead go to waste due to cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effectively halting nearly all forms of foreign aid. Despite repeated assurances from the administration not to eliminate food aid, U.S. warehouses around the world currently house 60,000 tonnes of food, including peas and cereal originally bound for famine-stricken Sudan, which the administration is now unable to deliver even if it wanted to after gutting USAID and firing logistical experts.

875 Palestinians killed near aid sites over past 6 weeks, most at US-Israeli backed sites, says UN human rights office (LINK) — ground.news: 44 media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

All Palestinians in Gaza are eligible for asylum in France, court rules (LINK) — ground.news: 33 media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Until now, Palestinian nationals from Gaza arriving in France were generally granted subsidiary protection, a temporary status lasting up to four years, typically reserved for individuals fleeing armed conflict.

Yemeni army launches drone toward Red Sea Eilat port in fresh anti-Israeli operation (LINK) — ground.news: ?? media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

Sudanese RSF forces kill almost 300 civilians in North Kordofan, activists say (LINK) — ground.news: 50 media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

World risks up to $39 trillion in economic losses from vanishing wetlands, report says (LINK) — ground.news: 20 media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

Cuban labour minister resigns after her suggestion beggars were pretending sparked backlash (LINK) — ground.news: 163 media reports (LINK) 15 July 2025

France flirts with cutting two public holidays to save money: government targets around $50.0 billion spending bid to reach a budget deficit level of 4.6% in 2026, down from the 5.4% budget hole seen this year (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Among the proposals were suggestions that two public holidays be scrapped — Easter Monday and May 8, also known as 'Victory in Europe Day', marking Nazi Germany's surrender — plus 3,000 civil service jobs eliminated and the limitation of tax breaks for the wealthy.

Two men behind 'senseless' felling of iconic Sycamore Gap tree in U.K. near Hadrian's Wall jailed for more than four years: Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, sentenced for act of criminal damage that sparked widespread sadness and anger (LINK) 15 July 2025

U.S. Senate votes to claw back $1.1 billion to PBS, NPR and public media allocated over the next two years (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Vice President JD Vance had to break a tie, 51-50, to move the rescissions package to the floor. Three Republicans — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — joined with all Democrats and independents against it. A final vote is expected in the next couple of days.

Top crypto exchanges made $172 million from TRUMP memecoin listing (LINK) 15 July 2025

US President Donald Trump drafted a letter firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and showed it off to a small group of House Republicans during a meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday night. The president reportedly hinted that he would probably send the letter. (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Trump has been urging Powell to cut interest rates, but had said that he wouldn’t fire the Fed chair before his term is over in May 2026. It remains to be seen whether Trump will actually oust Powell early, but such a move would be unprecedented, and would roil global markets long accustomed to the political independence of the US’ most powerful financial official.

Thai woman arrested for allegedly enticing nine Thai Buddhist monks into sex, then blackmailing them (LINK) 15 July 2025

Switzerland is still Europe's most innovative country, EU study finds (LINK) 15 July 2025

— Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK round out the top five. Outside Europe, South Korea is the most innovative country.

Trump to supply missiles to Ukraine, gives Russia 50-day ultimatum: seismic policy shift with major implications (LINK) 14 July 2025

The United Nations Set of Principles and Rules on Competition: Implementation after 40 years: also identifies areas for improvement (LINK) 14 July 2025

— "The Set has not been updated to take into account the significant economic, political and technological changes that have taken place during the last 40 years. In order for the Set to retain its policy significance, there should be some effort made to reconnect with the current discussions relating, first, to the transition from a global economy dominated by multinational enterprises/ transnational corporations to one in which most of the economic activity is structured within global value chains and global business ecosystems, second, to the increase of global economic concentration and the complexity and inherent difficulty of enforcing competition law vis-à-vis the Big Tech Platforms, and third, to the importance of SDGs in guiding various fields of public policy, including competition law enforcement." (p34)

WHO endorses twice-yearly HIV prevention injection of lenacapavir (LINK) 14 July 2025

EU's AI Code ready for companies to sign from 22 July (LINK) 14 July 2025

Visual Capitalist: the 28 biggest global risks, according to the UN (LINK) 14 July 2025

— 1. Climate change inaction. 2. Large-scale pollution. 3. Fake news. — UN Global Risk Report 2024 (LINK PDF)

Tillamook claims three gold wins at International Cheese and Dairy Awards for cream cheese (LINK) 14 July 2025