World News Live Updates: North Korea rejects diplomatic overtures from South Korea

The prospect of new US tariffs on imported goods, set for enforcement on August 1, is causing American consumers to stockpile popular Asian beauty products, according to a report in AP. Shoppers are buying items like Korean sheet masks in bulk to avoid potential price hikes. In response to the trade pressure, South Korea is among the nations actively pursuing a trade deal with the US to exempt its products from the impending taxes, which threaten a significant and growing market segment.

A gunman killed five people and wounded two others in a shooting at a Bangkok, Thailand, market on Monday before taking his own life, according to a police report cited by AP. The incident resulted in a total of six fatalities, including the perpetrator.

Pakistani security forces killed three suspected militants in an overnight raid in Karachi, including the alleged mastermind of an attack that wounded Chinese nationals in November 2023, AP says in a report. An official from the Counter-Terrorism Department, Azad Khan, identified the key figure as Zafran, a member of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This operation is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat militant groups that target foreign interests, particularly those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has significant economic implications for the region.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced a significant escalation of their maritime campaign, threatening to attack merchant vessels belonging to any company that deals with Israeli ports, irrespective of the ship’s nationality, according to a report in AP. This new phase of operations, which the group frames as solidarity with Palestinians, broadens the scope of their attacks that began in late 2023 and have already disrupted global shipping through the Red Sea. The expansion of targets is expected to further impact global supply chains, forcing more vessels to divert around Africa, which increases costs and transit times. This move heightens risks for international companies with commercial ties to Israel and could further strain Israel’s trade and economy by increasing its isolation.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his state of the nation speech on Monday amid significant domestic and geopolitical challenges midway through his term, AP says in a report. The address comes as the nation grapples with the humanitarian and economic fallout from a recent typhoon that displaced over 120,000 people, increasing political instability from a public rift with Vice President Sara Duterte, and heightened regional security risks due to escalating maritime confrontations with Beijing in the South China Sea. A force of approximately 22,000 police was deployed to secure the venue for the speech, underscoring the tense political climate.

The World Bank remains committed to its focus on climate change and gender initiatives in the aid-reliant Pacific Islands, according to a report in Reuters. Anna Bjerde, the bank’s managing director of operations, confirmed this stance during a visit to Australia following a meeting with Pacific Islands economic ministers in Fiji. Bjerde noted that despite the United States, the bank’s largest shareholder, reportedly reducing its aid for climate and gender-related projects, Pacific nations continue to express significant concern about these issues, ensuring they remain a priority for the multilateral institution.

At least four people have died and eight others remain missing following a landslide in Luanping county, Hebei province, amid severe flooding in northern China, according to a report in AP. The extreme weather, driven by the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, has prompted widespread flood warnings and evacuations across the region, including in the capital, Beijing, which has experienced its heaviest rainfall in 140 years. The event has caused significant disruption, including communication outages, and is expected to have substantial economic implications due to damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and local supply chains.

Colombia has suspended coal exports to Israel, a decision announced by President Gustavo Petro, who justified the move by labeling Israel’s military actions in Gaza as ‘genocide’, Al Jazeera said in a report. This action escalates Colombia’s consistent diplomatic criticism of the conflict, which began in October 2023. The halt is part of a wider trend of international economic and diplomatic pressure on Israel, which includes a case at the International Court of Justice and formal recognition of a Palestinian state by several European nations. While Israel diversifies its coal sources, potentially mitigating the immediate energy impact, Colombia’s decision serves as a significant symbolic act intended to increase political pressure on Israel’s government and its international supply chains.

A senior US Navy official has warned the US Congress that Australia cannot be sold any Virginia-class nuclear submarines under the AUKUS pact unless America doubles its shipbuilding output, as per a report in The Guardian. Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander of US Fleet Forces Command, stated that the current production rate is insufficient to even meet the US Navy’s own defense needs. He emphasized there are “no magic beans” to quickly resolve the nation’s “sclerotic shipbuilding capacity.” The article also notes that former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull commented on the situation, stating there is a “very, very high” probability that the submarines will never be delivered to Australia under its control.

Russian fencer Yana Egorian secured the gold medal in the women’s sabre event at the World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, competing as a neutral athlete, according to a report in Reuters. Egorian, a previous gold medallist at the Rio Olympics, defeated Poland’s Zuzanna Cieslar 15-11 in the final. Her participation, along with fellow Russian Kirill Borodachev who won silver in the men’s individual foil, comes after the International Fencing Federation (FIE) followed IOC recommendations to allow individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under strict neutrality conditions. This policy remains a point of contention in international sports, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the difficult balance sports federations face between athletic inclusion and political sanctions.

The Keeladi archaeological site in India is causing a significant political and historical debate, as its findings challenge established narratives of the country’s past, BBC says in a report. Excavations have uncovered a sophisticated urban settlement with brick structures and drainage systems, carbon-dated to the 6th century BCE. This timeline suggests urban development in South India was contemporary with, or even pre-dated, developments in the Gangetic plains, countering the traditional view of civilization spreading solely from the North. The findings have been championed by the state government in Tamil Nadu as proof of a distinct and ancient Dravidian civilization, which contrasts with the more unified, often Indo-Aryan-centric, historical narrative promoted by the central government, fueling debates on regional identity and national history.

French corporations are rethinking their approach to doing business in Africa as France’s long-standing political influence on the continent, especially in francophone nations, undergoes a significant decline, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. This strategic pivot is driven by a series of military coups in Sahel countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which led to the expulsion of French forces, alongside growing anti-French sentiment. As a result, French companies can no longer rely on traditional state-backed support and must now compete directly with other expanding global powers like Russia and China. The new environment requires these firms to build localized relationships and demonstrate value that aligns with African nations’ increasing demands for economic sovereignty.

Police in Chile are intensifying their crackdown on the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, following raids in the northern town of Arica that exposed the group’s highly organized criminal structure, according to a report in AP. Investigators seized meticulous financial spreadsheets detailing expenses ranging from logistics for drug traffickers to supplies for what are believed to be torture chambers. The gang’s expansion into Chile is part of a wider pattern across South America, where it exploits migrant routes to establish operations. The group’s activities have also garnered significant attention in the US, prompting calls from Republican lawmakers for its designation as a transnational criminal organization.

The United Nations General Assembly is convening a two-day meeting to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an event being boycotted by both Israel and the United States, AP says in a report. The meeting’s timing is driven by the urgency of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has renewed international calls for a durable political resolution. However, the absence of Israel and its primary ally, the US, significantly undermines the meeting’s practical impact, reducing its role to a more symbolic platform for international opinion rather than a direct negotiating forum. Israel generally views such UN initiatives as biased, while the US often aligns with Israel in boycotting meetings it deems one-sided.

Prominent battery scientist Guo Zaiping has been appointed as the chair professor of energy materials at City University of Hong Kong after a two-decade career in Australia, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The move is seen as part of a broader trend of highly skilled researchers relocating to institutions in China and Hong Kong, which are strategically investing in critical technologies like advanced batteries. Her appointment is expected to bolster Hong Kong’s efforts to re-establish itself as a global research and innovation hub, while simultaneously representing a loss of key scientific talent for Australia.

British pharmaceutical giant GSK will pay China’s Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals a potential US$12.5 billion for the global rights to 12 drug projects, including a key treatment for COPD, as per a report in the South China Morning Post. The agreement grants GSK exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a drug for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HRD-9821, along with 11 of Hengrui’s preclinical programs. The deal underscores the growing market share of China’s biomedical research and development sector, signaling a shift from generic manufacturing to innovation.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has rebuffed diplomatic outreach from South Korea’s conservative government, stating its “blind trust” in the US alliance makes it no different from its predecessors, AP says in a report. Her comments on Monday criticized ongoing South Korea-US military drills and implied that Pyongyang sees no need for diplomacy with Seoul as it focuses on expanding its relationship with Russia. This rejection signals a continued freeze in inter-Korean relations amid heightened regional tensions.

A government crackdown on illegally partitioned and overcrowded apartments in Dubai is displacing numerous migrant workers amid a surge in rental prices, as per a report in AP. The enforcement action targets unsafe, “jerry-rigged” units that house multiple workers in spaces like modified closets, which have become a common solution due to significant rent inflation in the emirate. While aimed at improving fire safety and living standards, the crackdown leaves low-wage workers with no viable or affordable legal housing options, potentially leading to homelessness or pushing them into other precarious arrangements. This situation highlights the tension between Dubai’s rapid economic growth, its reliance on migrant labor, and the severe shortage of adequate, affordable housing.

Amidst another collapse in hostage release negotiations, former Israeli-Argentinian captive Iair Horn is advocating for his brother who remains held by Hamas, AP says in a report. Horn, who was in captivity for a year and a half, stated that the well-being of hostages is directly linked to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that captives received more food when more aid was allowed into the territory. His testimony highlights the precarious conditions for those still held as diplomatic efforts to secure their release and a ceasefire have once again stalled.

Five Caribbean island nations—St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Antigua & Barbuda—continue to offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, with investment options including real estate purchases from $200,000 or non-refundable donations from $100,000, BBC says in a report. While these programs are a critical source of revenue for the small economies, they are under intense international scrutiny. Major powers like the US and UK have raised concerns about the programs being exploited for money laundering and sanctions evasion. This pressure has led to significant consequences, including the UK’s 2023 decision to revoke visa-free travel for citizens of Dominica. In response, several Caribbean nations have begun reforming their CBI programs by increasing minimum investment amounts and implementing stricter applicant interviews and due diligence processes.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is defending his government’s proposed electoral law overhaul after Attorney General Judith Collins warned the changes could breach the country’s human rights law, The Guardian says in a report. The reforms, which the government calls necessary to update ‘outdated’ laws, include closing voter enrolment 13 days before an election, reinstating a complete ban on prisoner voting, and prohibiting the provision of free food or drink near polling stations. Collins has stated these measures could disenfranchise more than 100,000 voters, with a notable impact on the Māori population.

The environmental fallout from the 2021 X-Press Pearl cargo ship disaster off Sri Lanka has a far more enduring and toxic legacy than initially assessed, with scientists now confirming persistent and widespread contamination, BBC says in a report. The primary pollutants are billions of pre-production plastic pellets, known as nurdles, and hazardous chemicals which continue to degrade into microplastics. This ongoing contamination poses a significant long-term threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, severely impacting the livelihoods of local fishing communities through reduced and contaminated fish stocks. The disaster has also created a substantial economic burden for Sri Lanka, which is still pursuing full compensation for cleanup and damages through complex legal proceedings, while the incident prompts calls for stricter international maritime regulations on transporting hazardous materials.

Israeli military strikes in Gaza have reportedly killed 63 people, with attacks occurring even in designated ‘safe zones’ despite declared tactical ‘pauses’ in fighting, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, as health officials in Gaza reported that six more Palestinians, including two children, have died from malnutrition and dehydration. These events compound a severe and deepening hunger crisis that humanitarian agencies have warned is pushing the population toward famine.

A significant proliferation of green algae in Brittany’s Morlaix Bay is posing a direct threat to the local oyster industry, according to a report in France 24. The algal blooms, primarily fed by farm waste and nitrogen fertilizers from the region’s intensive agriculture, are creating adverse conditions for oyster farming. This long-standing environmental issue, which also impacts local tourism and public health, is reportedly being exacerbated by the effects of global warming, threatening the economic livelihoods of France’s oyster farmers.

Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts System (AEAS) sent only 469 serious warnings ahead of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, failing to alert millions of people, BBC says in a report. While the system detected the quake, Google acknowledged its performance was limited by the event’s depth and complex rupture, which hindered its ability to assess the magnitude in real-time and issue critical ‘take action’ alerts on a mass scale. The incident has prompted Google to review its system’s algorithms and has raised significant questions about the reliability of AI-driven public safety systems. This failure underscores the need for multi-layered disaster preparedness strategies that combine supplementary tech solutions with traditional government-operated seismic networks and may impact public trust in smartphone-based warning systems.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has rebuffed overtures from South Korea’s conservative government, stating on Monday that Pyongyang has no interest in diplomatic talks regardless of the proposal, according to a report in AP. Her comments signal that North Korea intends to continue focusing on its expanding nuclear weapons program and has no immediate plans to re-engage in diplomacy with either Seoul or Washington. The rejection is a direct response to proposals like South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s “audacious initiative,” which offered economic aid for denuclearization steps.

The United States and the European Union have announced a new trade framework from Edinburgh, Scotland, as per a report in AP. The report did not include specific provisions or details of the agreement.

The deadline for exclusive negotiations regarding CK Hutchison Holdings’ US$23 billion sale of stakes in 43 global ports to a consortium led by Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) passed without an agreement on Sunday, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The complex transaction, which includes strategically vital ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, is reportedly being complicated by intense US-China geopolitical rivalry. Analysts expect that the talks will be extended, as the deal faces scrutiny due to US national security concerns over foreign influence in critical infrastructure, despite the buyer, TIL, being an affiliate of the Swiss-Italian Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

China has officially recognized ‘drone flight planner’ as a new profession to address a talent shortage in its rapidly growing low-altitude economy, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and is part of a larger government strategy to develop the low-altitude sector as a new engine for economic growth. This new designation is one of 17 new occupations announced, which also include roles like cross-border e-commerce operation manager, signaling a shift in labor market demands toward high-tech and specialized skills.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly keen to visit China in the autumn of 2025, with officials working to arrange a trip for October or November, the South China Morning Post said in a report. While hurdles remain in the bilateral relationship, high-level officials from both Washington and Beijing are said to share a consensus on the need for the visit. The report clarifies that a potential trip in September to attend a parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II will not be happening.

Alibaba Group Holding has entered the competitive smart glasses market by previewing its first AI-powered device, the Quark AI glasses, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, South China Morning Post said in a report. Named after the company’s AI assistant, the glasses’ development is complete, with an official launch planned for later this year. The move places Alibaba in direct competition with global tech giants like Apple, Meta, and Google, as well as domestic rivals such as Huawei and Xiaomi, in the growing market for smart wearables and edge AI devices. The unveiling at China’s largest annual AI event highlights the country’s strategic push for leadership in artificial intelligence and its application in consumer technology.