While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 20, 2025
At least 36 killed by Israeli fire while seeking aid in Gaza
At least 36 people were killed by Israeli fire while they were on their way to an aid distribution site in Gaza at dawn on July 19, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots at suspects who approached its troops after they did not heed calls to stop, about a kilometre away from an aid distribution site that was not active at the time.
Gaza resident Mohammed al-Khalidi said he was in the group approaching the site and heard no warnings before the firing began.
"We thought they came out to organise us so we can get aid, suddenly (I) saw the jeeps coming from one side, and the tanks from the other and started shooting at us," he said.
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Druze regain control of Sweida city after Syria announces ceasefire
Druze fighters pushed out rival armed factions from Syria's southern city of Sweida on July 19, a monitor said, after the government ordered a ceasefire following a US-brokered deal to avert further Israeli military intervention.
Fighting nonetheless persisted in other parts of Sweida province, even as the Druze regained control of their city following days of fierce battle with armed Bedouin supported by tribal gunmen from other parts of Syria.
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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said that 'tribal fighters withdrew from Sweida city on Saturday evening' after Druze fighters launched a large-scale attack.
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South Korea pulls plane crash report after victims' families protest
PHOTO: CHANG W. LEE/NYTIMES
South Korean officials on July 19 abruptly cancelled the release of an intermediate report into the deadly crash of a Jeju Air passenger jet, after relatives of the victims disrupted a news conference, saying that the report was inadequate.
The confrontational scene unfolded after officials had earlier briefed the families privately on the latest stage of the investigation. The officials were planning to publicly release some findings from an analysis of the engines on the Boeing 737-800 that crashed Dec 29, killing 179 of the 181 people on board.
A lawyer for the relatives, who saw the officials' presentation in the private meeting, said the investigators had found no fault with the engines and instead appeared to blame birds – which struck the engines minutes before it made an emergency landing – and the plane's pilots prematurely.
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Ukraine proposes fresh peace talks with Russia next week
PHOTO: AFP
Kyiv has proposed to Moscow a new round of peace talks next week, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 19, hours after Russian strikes across Ukraine claimed more lives.
Two rounds of talks in Istanbul between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to result in any progress towards a ceasefire, instead yielding large-scale prisoner exchanges and deals to return the bodies of killed soldiers.
'Security Council Secretary Umerov also reported that he had proposed the next meeting with the Russian side for next week,' Mr Zelensky said in his evening address. 'The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up,' he added.
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Olympic champion Zheng pauses WTA Tour after elbow surgery
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said on July 19 she would take a short break from the WTA Tour after undergoing elbow surgery.
The 22-year-old Chinese player was eliminated from this year's Wimbledon tournament in the first round by Czech Katerina Siniakova earlier in July.
"Now begins the recovery journey," she wrote on Instagram. "Over the next few weeks and months, I'll be focusing entirely on rehab — doing everything I can to come back stronger and healthier."
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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Japan's Ishiba vows to stay on despite historic election setback
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party along with longtime partner Komeito lost its majority in the chamber. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he intended to stay on even as his ruling coalition suffered a historic setback in an upper house election on July 20, an outcome that may further unsettle markets. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party along with longtime partner Komeito lost its majority in the chamber, public broadcaster NHK reported, saying the bloc failed to win the 50 seats it needed to maintain control. That marks the first time since 1955 that a leader from the storied Japanese party will govern the country without a majority in at least one of the legislative bodies. The result is the second dismal election showing for Mr Ishiba since he became premier in October 2024, even though the coalition's tally of at least 46 seats may yet be enough to keep his job. Asked repeatedly on the night of June 20 if he intended to stay on, he answered with a simple 'that's right'. 'I continue to have a number of duties I must fulfill for the nation, including achieving wage growth that exceeds inflation, achieving gross domestic product of a quadrillion yen, and responding to an increasingly tense security environment,' Mr Ishiba said. 'Though the votes are still being counted, we do seem to have won the most number of seats out of the parties.' Overall, the ruling coalition was set to lose more than 16 seats. The outcome showed simmering discontent over a cost-of-living crunch, draining support from the ruling coalition and benefiting smaller populist parties offering tax cuts or opposition to an influx of foreigners into the country. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Asia Japan PM's future in doubt after election debacle Business Bigger, quieter, greener: High-volume low-speed fans see rising demand in warming Singapore Singapore New home owners in Singapore find kampung spirit on BTO Telegram groups Singapore What would it take for S'pore to shed the dirty image of its blue recycling bins? Business DBS hits record high above $47; CDL up after director Philip Yeo announces resignation World Gaza civil defence says Israeli fire kills 93 aid seekers Market players have been concerned that a further weakening of Mr Ishiba's leadership will nudge the coalition into giving concessions to the opposition, including cuts to the sales tax. Investors are increasingly doubtful that lawmakers can rein in spending, one factor that has helped push yields on Japanese debt to the highest levels in more than two decades. The yen rose about 0.5 per cent in early trading following the results. Stock and bond markets are closed for a public holiday in Japan. The tighter margins in the upper house threaten to throw Mr Ishiba's policy agenda into further disarray, complicate trade talks with the US and potentially cost him his job. The last three LDP prime ministers who lost an upper house majority stepped down within two months, including Mr Shinzo Abe in 2007 during his first stint as premier. While an eight-party coalition briefly ousted the LDP from office after a lower house election in 1993, that looks unlikely this time around. The opposition is split among roughly a dozen parties that are too fractured to pull together any kind of stable alternative if it brings a no-confidence vote against Mr Ishiba, meaning the LDP will probably trudge along by cutting deals to cobble together support on an issue-by-issue basis. On a broader level, the results point to the nation's long-established parties drifting further out of touch with younger, urban voters. They are questioning whether social welfare is worth the tax burden, and are growing sceptical of the influx of foreigners visiting and working in the nation. 'There is a real drop in support for old, traditional parties,' said Professor Yuri Kono, a professor of law at Hosei University who writes frequently on politics. 'This may be the beginning of a very fundamental change in Japanese politics.' While there still seems little appetite among the public for a rapid rise in interest rates to cool inflation, voters are becoming impatient with the government's ad-hoc utility subsidies and other cash handouts preferred by Ishiba. Opposition parties that campaigned on a sales tax cut to help ease household budgets did well on June 20. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, which called to exempt food from the sales tax for as many as two years, came in second place with just over 20 seats. The populist Democratic Party for the People finished third with 16 seats, up from four earlier, after seeking a sales tax cut and more take-home pay. Sanseito, a right-wing party that tapped anti-foreigner sentiment with a 'Japanese First' message , managed to crack into double figures from just a single seat. Japan's main opposition leader, Mr Yoshihiko Noda of the CDP, said he would consider whether to submit a no confidence motion in the lower house after hearing what Mr Ishiba says at a press conference likely to take place July 21. The less powerful upper house cannot appoint a prime minister, hold a no-confidence vote or stop the passage of a budget. But it can delay or block other legislation, potentially leading to gridlock in the policymaking process. 'Extremely risky' Back in 2008, the upper house famously blocked the government's nomination for BOJ governor at a time when problems with subprime mortgages in the US were bubbling up into what would become the global financial crisis. The fight over spending comes as Japan faces an Aug 1 deadline to strike a deal with US President Donald Trump before across-the-board tariffs on exports to the US jump to 25 per cent from 10 per cent. Such a move would reduce Japan's gross domestic product by 0.9 per cent over the medium term, according to Bloomberg Economics. Japan is also facing calls from Mr Trump to further boost defence spending. 'For Ishiba, continuing in his role will be an exceptionally challenging prospect under the current circumstances,' said Professor Chihiro Okawa, political expert and professor at Kanagawa University. 'When it comes to the question of who would take over leadership at this point, it becomes a matter of 'picking chestnuts out of the fire' – an extremely risky and undesirable task,' he added. 'It's entirely possible that no one will be eager to step into such a precarious position.' BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Israeli evacuation order in central Gaza ‘devastating' to aid efforts: UN
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The latest order means that 87.8 per cent of Gaza's area is now under displacement orders or within Israeli militarised zones. UNITED NATIONS, United States - An Israeli military order for residents and displaced people in Gaza's Deir el-Balah area to move south dealt 'another devastating blow' to humanitarian efforts in the war-ravaged territory, the UN's OCHA aid agency said on July 20. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 'warns that today's mass displacement order issued by the Israeli military has dealt yet another devastating blow to the already fragile lifelines keeping people alive across the Gaza Strip,' it said in a statement. On the morning of July 20, the Israeli military ordered those in the central Gaza area to leave immediately due to imminent operations, with whole families seen lugging their few belongings and heading south. OCHA said UN staff were 'remaining' in the territory and their coordinates had been shared with 'relevant parties'. 'These locations – as with all civilian sites – must be protected, regardless of displacement orders,' OCHA said, warning that any damage to health clinics, water infrastructure , and aid warehouses in the area 'will have life-threatening consequences'. Between 50,000 and 80,000 people were in the area when the evacuation order was issued, according to OCHA's initial estimates. Since the start of the war, nearly all of Gaza's population – which is also facing severe food shortages – has been displaced at least once by repeated Israeli evacuation orders. According to OCHA, the latest order means that 87.8 per cent of Gaza's area is now under displacement orders or within Israeli militarised zones. That leaves '2.1 million civilians squeezed into a fragmented 12 per cent of the Strip, where essential services have collapsed,' said the UN agency. The order 'will limit the ability of the UN and our partners to move safely and effectively within Gaza, choking humanitarian access when it is needed most'. Israel on July 20 withdrew the residency permit of the head of the OCHA office in the country, Mr Jonathan Whittall, who has repeatedly condemned the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed 58,895 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The UN finds these figures credible. The war was sparked by Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel in which 1,219 people, most of them civilians, were killed, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. AFP
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Another top aide to US defence chief Hegseth leaves the Pentagon
Find out what's new on ST website and app. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) speaking to reporters while meeting Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz at the Pentagon on July 18. WASHINGTON – A top adviser to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has left his position, the Pentagon announced late on July 19, becoming the latest in a string of senior officials to leave the department's top ranks. The official, Mr Justin Fulcher, joined the Trump administration as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Mr Elon Musk's government overhaul initiative, and later became an adviser to Mr Hegseth. In a statement, Mr Fulcher said he had planned to work for the federal government for only six months. Earlier this month, The Washington Post detailed a confrontation between Mr Fulcher and other DOGE staff members assigned to the Pentagon. But officials downplayed that incident as a cause, insisting Mr Fulcher's exit was friendly. Mr Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, said in a statement that 'the Department of Defence is grateful to Justin Fulcher for his work on behalf of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth'. Under Mr Hegseth, the office of the Secretary of Defence, the core group of advisers who help manage the Pentagon's sprawling bureaucracy, has undergone an unusual amount of turnover. In April, Mr Dan Caldwell and Mr Darin Selnick, aides to Mr Hegseth, were placed on leave from the Pentagon amid a leak investigation . Mr Colin Carroll, the chief of staff to Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen A. Feinberg, was also removed from the Pentagon. After those actions, Mr Joe Kasper, Mr Hegseth's first chief of staff, was moved to a different position. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore Witness stand not arena for humiliation in sex offence cases, judge reminds lawyers Asia Japan PM's future in doubt after election debacle Business Bigger, quieter, greener: High-volume low-speed fans see rising demand in warming Singapore Singapore New home owners in Singapore find kampung spirit on BTO Telegram groups Singapore What would it take for S'pore to shed the dirty image of its blue recycling bins? Business DBS hits record high above $47; CDL up after director Philip Yeo announces resignation World Gaza civil defence says Israeli fire kills 93 aid seekers Mr John Ullyot, a veteran spokesperson, also left his position at the Pentagon in April, citing disarray and a sense of incompetence. The purges among Mr Hegseth's major aides fed a sense of chaos, with appointees accusing one another of disloyalty and tense shouting matches breaking out inside the building. Mr Fulcher tried to distance his departure from any sense of disorganisation or dysfunction inside Mr Hegseth's office. 'Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Department of Defence has been incredibly inspiring,' he said in his statement. 'Revitalising the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and re-establishing deterrence are just some of the historic accomplishments I'm proud to have witnessed.' NYTIMES
