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Thailand and Cambodia have recently reignited military conflict over a disputed border area. According to Thailand’s Ministry of Defense, intense fighting broke out early on the 24th in the Phra Viharn mountainous region near the Preah Vihear Temple, resulting in 12 Thai soldiers killed and 14 wounded. Casualties on the Cambodian side have yet to be officially confirmed.

Reports indicate that the clash was triggered when Cambodian troops entered a buffer zone claimed by Thailand as its sovereign territory. The standoff quickly escalated into an exchange of gunfire and artillery. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions, prompting the evacuation of local residents; hundreds have since sought temporary shelter.

Thai Prime Minister Payung Chan-o-cha convened an emergency national security meeting, condemning Cambodia for "violating sovereignty" and vowing to "defend territorial integrity through diplomatic and military means." Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense accused Thailand of firing first and insisted its troops were operating within its own territory, calling for international mediation.

Between 2008 and 2011, both countries clashed several times over sovereignty claims surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple area, leading to dozens of casualties. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, disputes over the surrounding land persist.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has called for restraint from both sides and recommended launching a multilateral negotiation mechanism to prevent further escalation.

Citing a conflict between continued participation in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its “America First” national interests, the United States announced on July 22 its decision to withdraw from the organization. The withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026, marking the third time the U.S. has exited UNESCO.

According to a statement by U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, UNESCO has shown a consistent bias favoring Palestine and mainland China, while spreading anti-Israel rhetoric. The organization is also seen as promoting divisive and "woke" cultural and social agendas, and heavily focuses on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals—views the U.S. considers part of a globalist and ideological development agenda. Bruce also noted that several top UNESCO officials are Chinese nationals, further highlighting the organization’s misalignment with American priorities. The U.S. formally notified UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay of its decision on July 22.

In response, Director-General Azoulay stated that UNESCO has undergone structural reforms in recent years. She emphasized that U.S. contributions now account for only 8% of the organization’s total budget, and its diversified funding sources have offset the financial impact. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO’s mission is to promote world peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. The U.S. previously withdrew in 1984, rejoined in 2003, left again in 2018 under President Trump, and re-entered during the Biden administration. This marks the third U.S. withdrawal from the organization.

Japan held its House of Councillors election on July 20, where the ruling coalition—comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito—lost its majority, triggering political turbulence. Despite the unfavorable outcome, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced at a press conference the following day that he would remain in office, stressing that he bears the responsibility to lead the nation through what he called “a time of national crisis,” referencing ongoing Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations and rising domestic prices.

According to foreign media reports, Ishiba’s decision sparked intense dissatisfaction within the LDP. Party insiders pointed out that the LDP has now suffered three consecutive defeats—in the 2024 House of Representatives election, the 2025 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, and the latest Upper House election. Several lawmakers criticized Ishiba for failing to take political responsibility and called for his resignation.

Acting LDP Secretary-General Tatsuo Fukuda revealed that he received about 20 calls from party members on election night, with many young lawmakers expressing deep frustration over the results. Former Minister for Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi also publicly stated that, as party leader, Ishiba must confront his responsibilities.

On July 21, senior party advisor Taro Aso and former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi held talks and reached a consensus that failing to hold anyone accountable would invite further criticism. However, not only did Ishiba declare his intention to stay on, the entire party executive team also retained their positions—including Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama—prompting further backlash. On social media platform X, Acting Election Strategy Committee Chair Taro Kono criticized the move, saying that while the Prime Minister may have a reason to remain in office due to the tariff negotiations, Moriyama’s decision not to resign as the official in charge of elections was simply “wrong.”

The conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, with a bloody incident occurring at an aid distribution site on July 21. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense Department, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians who were collecting humanitarian aid, resulting in at least 93 deaths and dozens more injured. This marks the deadliest day for aid seekers in the over 21-month-long war. The United Nations Human Rights Office reported that nearly 800 people have been killed near aid distribution points since the end of May.

According to AFP, when trucks carrying aid arrived in northern Gaza, 80 people were shot dead, and another 9 were killed near an aid site in Rafah in the south. Just 24 hours earlier, dozens more had died at the same location due to Israeli gunfire. Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal said 4 people were also killed near an aid station in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) stated that a convoy of 25 trucks carrying food aid had just crossed the Israeli border and passed through checkpoints when, near Gaza City, it encountered large crowds of starving people—who were then fired upon. WFP condemned the violence against civilians seeking aid, calling it "completely unacceptable."

The Israeli military denied the reported death toll, claiming that thousands had gathered near Gaza City and that the army fired warning shots to "eliminate immediate threats." This account contradicts reports from eyewitnesses and humanitarian organizations. While different parties dispute responsibility for the incident, the situation for Gaza civilians grows increasingly dire, as basic human rights like survival and access to aid come under unprecedented threat. International attention and pressure may be key to pushing for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief.

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According to AFP, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that three major earthquakes struck off the coast of Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on the 20th. The strongest quake reached a magnitude of 7.4, initially triggering a tsunami warning, which was later lifted.

The USGS stated that the quakes occurred near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, beginning with two tremors of magnitudes 5.0 and 6.7, which did not prompt any alerts. However, a powerful 7.4-magnitude quake followed approximately 20 minutes later. Its epicenter was located 144 kilometers offshore from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 20 kilometers. Authorities issued warnings for a potential "hazardous tsunami" along a 300-kilometer stretch of the Pacific coastline near the epicenter.

Subsequent monitoring data indicated that the tsunami threat had diminished, and the related warnings were lifted. No significant damage or casualties were reported. Nevertheless, experts urged local residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks or other secondary hazards.

In early July, U.S. President Donald Trump officially signed the **"One Big Beautiful Bill Act"**, a new law that will significantly impact various U.S. policies. In addition to affecting American citizens, the act will impose a **$250 "visa integrity fee"** on foreign nationals entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas.

According to CNBC, starting from **fiscal year 2025**, all foreign nationals entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas — including tourist, student, and H-1B work visas — will be required to pay this $250 fee. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to increase the fee, and it will be adjusted over time in accordance with inflation.

Under the act, the fee is **refundable in full** if the visa holder complies with visa terms, such as departing the U.S. within the permitted time. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with collecting the fee, though the law does not specify how the fee will be collected or refunded. The **U.S. Travel Association** also told CNBC it is unclear how travelers will pay the fee, and the implementation date remains uncertain.

Observers note that aside from one-time tourist visa holders, the actual percentage of visa holders who will apply for or receive refunds may be low. As a result, the **Congressional Budget Office (CBO)** has classified this fee as a source of government revenue, projecting it will **reduce the federal deficit by $28.9 billion ** between 2025 and 2034. Given major upcoming events in 2026 — such as the **250th anniversary of U.S. independence** and the **FIFA World Cup** — it remains to be seen how this policy will impact U.S. tourism.

On July 16, U.S. President Donald Trump officially signed the “Stopping All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act,” aimed at strengthening the crackdown on the synthetic opioid fentanyl and addressing the growing fentanyl abuse crisis. Under the new legislation, substances related to fentanyl will be classified as Schedule I controlled substances. Those caught illegally possessing, manufacturing, or trafficking fentanyl will face a minimum prison sentence of 10 years.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. A dose as small as 2 milligrams can be fatal. The raw materials used to produce fentanyl are primarily manufactured by Chinese companies and are intended for use in legitimate pain relief medications. U.S. officials have stated that fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45, making the widespread abuse of the drug one of the most serious social issues in the United States today.

Fentanyl is currently classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S., but with the implementation of the new law, related substances will be officially reclassified as Schedule I drugs. This reclassification will subject these substances to stricter regulatory oversight and allow for administrative, criminal, and civil penalties. Lawmakers believe the bill will reduce the incentive for drug trafficking organizations to produce new variants of fentanyl and enhance law enforcement’s ability to prosecute offenders more effectively.

Although the bill has received bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans, some critics warn that it may impose overly harsh penalties on individuals struggling with addiction. Civil rights groups are calling on authorities to not only crack down on drug traffickers but also to increase support for treatment and rehabilitation programs for addicts. They emphasize that addressing the fentanyl crisis requires a comprehensive approach that includes law enforcement, supply chain analysis, and improved social and mental health support systems.

On the 16th, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that tariffs for more than 150 countries, considered part of the same group, will no longer be subject to trade negotiations. Instead, the U.S. will directly send official letters informing them of the final tariff rate. Under the current plan, the rate may be 10% or 15%.

Trump said, "These countries do not have significant trade volume with us, and they are not major powers."
"We will send a notice of payment directly and inform them of their tariff rate."
"As for whether the final rate will be 10% or 15%, we haven’t decided yet."