- The deplorable and the adorable: Merz gives top bantz after blasting Brexit – 17.07.2025
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met at the Airbus factory in Stevenage to formalize the first bilateral cooperation and friendship treaty between the UK and Germany, covering defense, investment, travel, migration cooperation, and a rail link, while both reaffirmed concern over Gaza without committing to concrete action. Unlike Starmer’s recent warm meeting with French President Macron, this encounter was more formal, though Merz showed humor during the joint press conference, where he openly criticized Brexit. Domestically, Starmer defended suspending four Labour MPs for dissent, framing it as a decision for national rather than party interests. Separately, the government announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 and limit foreign funding in elections, drawing criticism from Conservatives but support from the Liberal Democrats, who also called unsuccessfully for broader electoral reforms.
- Moscow airports temporarily closed after Ukraine drone attacks – 20.07.2025
A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack caused temporary closures and major disruptions at Moscow’s airports, with over 230 drones reportedly downed across Russia and at least 140 flights canceled or redirected, though normal operations have resumed. Russian air strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least three people in various regions. While Ukraine intercepted several Russian drones, attacks targeted multiple frontline areas. Both sides expressed conditional openness to peace talks, with Russian officials emphasizing their strategic goals and Ukrainian President Zelensky proposing renewed negotiations and a possible leadership meeting. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump pledged advanced weapons deliveries to Ukraine and warned Russia of economic consequences if no deal is reached soon.
- Israeli forces kill 67 Palestinians seeking aid in northern Gaza, Hamas-run ministry says – 20.07.2025
At least 67 people waiting for UN aid trucks in northern Gaza were reportedly killed by Israeli military fire, though Israel claims it only fired warning shots and disputes the reported death toll. The UN World Food Programme stated that its convoy came under fire amid large crowds, while Gaza health authorities reported rising deaths from hunger and warned of a severe food crisis. Across Gaza, 93 people were killed on Sunday, with northern Gaza’s Shifa Hospital overwhelmed by casualties. The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, raising fears of a new ground operation, amid suspicions that Hamas is holding hostages in the area. Total deaths in Gaza have surpassed 58,000, with much of the population displaced and widespread starvation continuing.
- Japan’s ruling coalition appears set to lose majority in upper house amid far-right gains – 20.07.2025
Japan’s ruling coalition, composed of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner Komeito, is projected to lose its majority in the upper house of parliament following Sunday’s elections, according to NHK forecasts, as both parties are expected to lose seats. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party is set to gain seats, alongside the conservative Democratic Party for the People and the far-right Sanseito, which campaigned on anti-immigration policies. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba acknowledged the election setback but stated he would remain in office, while continuing talks with the U.S. to avoid upcoming tariffs. The results follow the coalition’s earlier loss of the lower house, increasing pressure on Ishiba’s government.
- Trump says he will help Afghans stuck in the UAE – 20.07.2025
President Donald Trump stated that he would work to help Afghan refugees detained in the United Arab Emirates after fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took power, following reports that some might be handed over to the Taliban, though this has not been confirmed. Despite having previously suspended refugee resettlement and ending deportation protections for Afghans in the U.S., Trump announced on social media that he would try to assist them. Advocacy groups and U.S. Democrats continue to call for protective measures for Afghan refugees, many of whom are at risk under Taliban rule. Since the U.S. withdrawal, nearly 200,000 Afghans have been resettled in the U.S. under the Biden administration, while others remain in detention in the UAE or have been deported from countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Germany.
- Typhoon rains batter Hong Kong before Wipha weakens to severe tropical storm in Guangdong – 20.07.2025
Typhoon Wipha brought heavy rain and strong winds to Hong Kong on Sunday before making landfall in China’s Guangdong province, causing fallen trees, collapsed scaffolding, and the temporary displacement of over 200 people. Authorities downgraded the typhoon warning as the storm weakened, with wind gusts exceeding 167 kph and over 110 mm of rain falling in some areas. While damage was less severe than in past storms, 26 people were treated in hospitals and nearly 500 fallen trees were reported. The typhoon also disrupted transport, with 400 flights rescheduled, affecting 80,000 passengers, and suspensions to public transit and ferries.
- Netanyahu suffers food poisoning, to rest for three days, his office says – 20.07.2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering from food poisoning and will rest at home for three days while continuing to manage government affairs remotely, according to a statement from his office. The 75-year-old leader is being treated for intestinal inflammation and dehydration with intravenous fluids. Netanyahu, who previously received a pacemaker in 2023 and underwent prostate surgery in December after a urinary tract infection, is following his doctors’ instructions to rest during his recovery.
- Tsunami threat over after large earthquakes hit Russia’s Pacific coast – 20.07.2025
Three earthquakes, the largest with a magnitude of 7.4, struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday, prompting initial tsunami warnings that were later lifted as the threat passed, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and Russian authorities. The quakes occurred within 32 minutes near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and reached a depth of 20 km, with no casualties reported. The region, known for its seismic activity due to the convergence of tectonic plates, has experienced several major earthquakes in its history, including a magnitude 9 quake in 1952.
- https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/17/the-deplorable-and-the-adorable-friedrich-merz-gives-top-bantz-after-blasting-brexit
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvjewnrde0o
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rp62480r3o
- https://www.politico.eu/article/japans-ruling-coalition-appears-set-to-lose-majority-in-upper-house-amid-far-right-gains/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-he-will-help-afghans-stuck-uae-2025-07-20/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/20/asia/wipha-hong-kong-guangdong-typhoon-intl
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-suffers-food-poisoning-rest-three-days-his-office-says-2025-07-20/
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/20/tsunami-alert-after-powerful-earthquakes-hit-russias-pacific-coast-2
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