A 20-year-old Palestinian woman died in Italy after being transferred from Gaza due to severe physical deterioration. The UN and partners face challenges in delivering aid to the 2 million people in Gaza, hindered by Israeli restrictions and crowded distribution points. At least 1,760 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday, with 766 killed along supply convoy routes and 994 near non-UN militarized sites. The US has stopped issuing visitor visas for people from Gaza amid a review of recent medical-humanitarian visa issuances. Israel's retaliatory offensive in 2023 killed around 1,200 Palestinians, while its own casualty figures are disputed.
US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss Ukraine security, with a focus on ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, improved security guarantees for Ukraine's borders, and increased cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts. The meeting came after a preliminary understanding between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting the war could be resolved through territorial exchange and security guarantees from the US. Ukrainian leaders emphasized the importance of security guarantees, while European officials discussed Russian aggression against Ukraine during an informal video conference. A trilateral meeting between Russian and US leaders is being considered, with potential involvement of China and Turkey in a proposed 'Article 5-plus' peace-keeping force.
Representatives from 184 countries failed to agree on a basis for negotiations on plastic pollution at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. European Commissioner Jessika Roswall stated that while the draft falls short of EU expectations, it provides a good starting point for further discussions. Malaysia's participation was criticized for siding with major oil producers, blocking efforts to phase out toxic additives and cap plastic production. Indonesia expressed concerns over the lack of progress in international negotiations, emphasizing the need for inclusive and fair talks that consider developing nations' unique conditions. The talks were stretched into an eleventh day without agreement due to resistance from oil-producing states, including Malaysia, which aims to manage 100% of its waste by 2029.
The Gaza strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with thousands of Palestinians displaced and struggling to access basic necessities like food and medicine. The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been distributing aid, but the shortage of baby formula and medicine has left many children on the brink of starvation. Images show two-year-old Sham Kadih crying out in hospital due to malnutrition, while three-year-old Edhem Mohammed Abu Urmana is seen being fed just water instead of formula. The UN has reported that at least 1,760 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since May, with most killings attributed to the Israeli military.
U.S. officials are urging caution on Taiwan issues, as emphasized by embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu, who advises adherence to the one-China principle and the three U.S.-China joint communiqués. The US is a key arms supplier and international supporter of Taiwan, but maintains no formal diplomatic ties with the island.
Palestinian officials, rights groups, and Arab countries have condemned Israel's E1 plan, calling it a continuation of plans to destroy a Palestinian state. The West Bank-based Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates urged sanctions against Israel, while Peace Now described the plan as "deadly" for Israel's future and a two-state solution. Qatar deemed the plan a "blatant violation of international legitimacy," and Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned it in strong terms, denouncing extremist statements by Israeli Minister Smotrich.
China and India are strengthening their ties amid US President Donald Trump's unpredictable approach to both countries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval next week, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China in late August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The two nations have agreed to resume direct flights and discuss easing trade barriers, including reopening border trade at three Himalayan crossings. This comes after a five-year standoff was eased by an agreement on patrolling their Himalayan border last October.
China has unveiled its DF-100 cruise missile, a significant development in its military capabilities. Meanwhile, South Korean politician Kim Keon-hee is facing a new scandal, highlighting the ongoing tensions between China and South Korea. The SCMP has been providing in-depth coverage of these stories, shedding light on the implications for regional security and politics.
The Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has expressed support for President Prabowo Subianto's efforts to promote world peace through diplomacy, particularly in advocating for the independence of Palestine. MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani praised Prabowo's tenacity in promoting peace and condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where nearly 100,000 lives have been lost, mostly women and children. Indonesia has long been recognized for its commitment to humanitarian values and supporting Palestinian freedom, as seen in its role in the Asian-African Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement. The MPR reaffirmed its support for Prabowo's diplomatic efforts, with President Prabowo scheduled to deliver his first annual state address during the 2025 Annual Session of the MPR.