UN warns of rapid cholera spread, urges $20m emergency aid
The UN warns that 80,000 children are at high risk of cholera as outbreaks surge across West and Central Africa with the rainy season underway, Xinhua reported.
Active cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria pose cross-border risks, while Chad, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and others face ongoing epidemics. UNICEF is providing health and sanitation aid, supporting vaccinations, and promoting hygiene.
To help contain the spread, UNICEF urgently requires $20m for emergency response over the next three months, according to Xinhua.
Trump warns Canada over Palestinian state recognition
President Donald Trump has warned that Canada’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state could jeopardize trade talks with the US “That will make it very hard for us to make a trade deal with them. Oh Canada!” he wrote on Truth Social, according to BBC.
The warning comes ahead of Trump’s 1 August deadline for countries to strike trade deals with the US or face higher tariffs. Canada’s move follows similar announcements from the UK and France, increasing diplomatic pressure around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestinians have welcomed the recognition as a symbolic but meaningful step, though doubts remain over the two-state solution’s future, BBC reported.
Meanwhile in Gaza, a hospital reported 54 dead and 400 injured near a food crossing. Israel denies involvement. US envoy Steve Witkoff is in Israel and may visit Gaza aid sites.
Trump’s tariffs on India spark growth concerns
President Donald Trump has imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, along with an unspecified penalty, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and weapons, according to BBC.
Experts warn the move could dent India’s economic growth. Icra cut its GDP forecast from 6.5 percent to 6.2 percent, while Nomura estimates a 0.2 percent hit. Markets reacted negatively to the news.
The tariffs come despite recent efforts by India to ease trade tensions. Analysts say the move could hurt India’s competitiveness and weaken its chances of attracting global manufacturing investment, BBC reported.
Cambodia urges Thailand to return captured soldiers after ceasefire
Cambodia has urged Thailand to return 20 of its soldiers captured after they reportedly crossed into Thai-held territory, hours after a ceasefire ended recent border clashes, Al Jazeera reported.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said negotiations are underway and called for their safe and immediate return. “We will do our best to continue negotiations with the Thai side to bring all our soldiers back home safely,” she stated.
Thailand confirmed 18 soldiers are in custody and will be returned after legal procedures are completed. Officials say the troops are being treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, according to Al Jazeera.
Microsoft set to cross $4trn valuation after strong earnings
Microsoft is on track to surpass a $4trn market valuation for the first time, following a strong earnings report and soaring demand for its Azure cloud services. Shares rose 8.5 percent in premarket trading on Thursday, lifting its value to $4.14trn, Firstpost reported.
The company projected a record $30bn in capital spending and continues to benefit from its investment in OpenAI, which has boosted its AI-powered offerings.
Microsoft has rebounded nearly 50 percent since April, overcoming trade tensions and solidifying its lead in the AI and cloud space, according to Firstpost.
Myanmar’s junta ends long-running state of emergency ahead of December elections
Myanmar’s military junta has ended emergency rule and announced elections for December, four years after seizing power in a coup, according to Firstpost.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 takeover, will head an 11-member commission to oversee the vote. Critics have dismissed the move as a sham, warning it’s aimed at extending Hlaing’s grip on power.
Ahead of the announcement, the junta introduced a harsh election law with punishments of up to death for disrupting the process.
The civil war continues, with the military reportedly controlling just 20 percent of the country, Firstpost reported.
South Korea breaks 117-year record with 22 ‘tropical nights’ in July
South Korea has recorded 22 tropical nights in July—it’s highest since records began in 1908, the weather agency said Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.
A tropical night is when temperatures stay above 25°C overnight. In Seoul, one night didn’t dip below 29.3°C.
The country is facing an intense heat wave, with some areas hitting over 40°C. At least 16 people have died from heat-related illnesses, Al Jazeera reported.
Experts warn such extremes are becoming more common due to climate change.
Lithuanian PM resigns amid scandal, government in turmoil
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has resigned following public protests and investigations into past misconduct. President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed the resignation on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.
Paluckas, accused of abuse of office during his time as a city official in 2012, has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations politically driven. His departure is expected to bring down the coalition government, prompting fresh talks.
The political crisis comes as Lithuania faces rising regional tensions, including upcoming joint military drills by Russia and Belarus, Al Jazeera reported.






