Trump administration releases files on Martin Luther King Jr
United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of over 230,000 pages of documents related to the 1968 assassination of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
The files include records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, internal memos, and accounts of potential leads — including statements from the former cellmate of James Earl Ray, King’s convicted assassin, who claimed Ray spoke of a possible plot, according to BBC.
The release follows an executive order by US President Donald Trump to declassify remaining documents related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., President John F. Kennedy, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
UK and 27 other nations condemn Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid
The UK and 27 other nations have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning of worsening civilian suffering and condemning Israel’s aid delivery model as dangerous and dehumanising, BBC reported.
The statement criticised the killing of civilians seeking food and rejected plans to forcibly relocate Gaza’s population, calling it a violation of international law.
Aid agencies report rising deaths from hunger and malnutrition, with hospitals overwhelmed and food supplies critically low.
Israel rejected the criticism, blaming Hamas for the crisis and insisting it facilitates humanitarian aid, according to BBC.
The war, now in its 21st month, has killed over 59,000 people in Gaza.
EU leaders to visit China for key summit on July 24
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit China on July 24, according to China’s foreign ministry.
During the visit, the two EU leaders will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also join them to co-chair the 25th China-EU Summit, marking continued efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, Xinhua reported.
Israeli strikes escalate as global protests grow
Israel has launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, claiming to target Houthi infrastructure. In Gaza, at least 27 more people were killed, following a deadly day in which 115 Palestinians, including aid seekers, died in Israeli attacks, Al Jazeera reported.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 59,000 people and wounded more than 142,000. The October 7 attacks on Israel left 1,139 dead and over 200 taken captive.
Protests have erupted across the Muslim world, with demonstrators in Tunisia, Iraq, Turkey, Morocco, Lebanon, and Ramallah condemning Israel’s siege of Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.
China begins building world’s largest hydropower dam in Tibet
China has started construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.
The $167bn Motuo Hydropower Station is expected to surpass the Three Gorges Dam in capacity. Beijing says the project will support clean energy and local development, BBC reported.
However, India and Bangladesh fear it could disrupt downstream water flow, impact livelihoods, and pose environmental risks. Critics also warn of threats to Tibet’s biodiversity and local communities.
Harvard and Trump lawyers take funding fight to court
Harvard University and the Trump administration will face off in a Boston court Monday over the freeze of more than $2bn in federal grants, according to BBC.
The White House is demanding changes to Harvard’s hiring, admissions, and teaching practices, targeting antisemitism and DEI programmes. It has also sought to restrict the university’s access to a visa system for foreign students.
Harvard is challenging the move in court, arguing it violates constitutional rights and bypasses legal procedures. The Justice Department maintains that federal funding is conditional and can be withdrawn.
The hearing, led by Judge Allison Burroughs, comes ahead of a September 3 deadline set by the administration. The outcome could have broader implications for other universities facing similar pressure, BBC reported.
Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into Dhaka school, killing 19
At least 19 people were killed after a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a school and college campus in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday, authorities said. Over 50 others, including children, were hospitalized with burn injuries, according to Reuters.
The F-7 BGI aircraft, which took off at 1:06 p.m. local time, went down at Milestone School and College, sparking a large fire and damaging part of the building. Videos showed thick smoke billowing from the crash site as firefighters battled the blaze.
Bangladesh's Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow and pledged a thorough investigation and full support for victims and their families. He called the loss “irreparable”, Reuters reported.
Death toll from South Korea rains rises to 18, thousands displaced
At least 18 people have died and nine are missing after heavy rains swept across central and southern South Korea, officials said. The downpours, which began on July 16, triggered landslides, flash floods, and widespread damage, according to Al Jazeera.
Sancheong County was among the worst-hit areas, with 10 fatalities and four people still unaccounted for. Nearly 14,200 residents were forced to evacuate, while authorities reported extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure.
The military has deployed troops to aid recovery efforts, as rain alerts were lifted and heat wave warnings issued in parts of the south, Al Jazeera reported.



