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Peru has suffered yet another tragic traffic accident. In the early morning of July 26 (local time), a long-distance passenger bus plunged into a ravine while traveling through the Andes Mountains, leaving at least 18 people dead and 48 injured. The crash site was devastating, with the bus heavily mangled and shattered. Many passengers were thrown from the vehicle, and graphic images of the wreckage have shocked the public.

According to Peruvian police and local media, the accident occurred on a winding mountain road in the Huánuco region. The bus, operated by Empresa de Transportes Maldonado, was en route from the capital, Lima, to Pucallpa, a city in the Amazon region. Preliminary reports suggest that rainy weather, slippery roads, speeding, and poor road conditions may have contributed to the driver losing control. The bus then plummeted over 200 meters down into a gorge.

Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the scene to assist, transporting survivors to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police stated that most of the deceased were adults, including two children. Several of the injured are in critical condition, and the death toll may rise further. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident and have not ruled out the possibility of driver fatigue or mechanical failure.

Mountain roads in Peru are notoriously dangerous, with treacherous terrain and lax vehicle regulations. According to the country's traffic safety agency, around 3,000 people die each year in road accidents, with the Andes region being a frequent hotspot for such tragedies.

The accident site has since been sealed off, and authorities have urged the public to stay away to allow for rescue and investigation efforts. Peru’s Ministry of Transport has also pledged to strengthen oversight of long-distance bus companies in hopes of preventing similar tragedies in the future.

On July 24, the Australian government announced that it will ease restrictions on the import of fresh and frozen beef from the United States, a move widely seen as a significant bargaining chip in Australia–U.S. trade negotiations. The new policy will take effect on July 28, allowing Australian businesses to apply for permits to import American beef.

Since 2003, Australia had restricted imports of U.S. beef due to concerns over mad cow disease. It wasn't until 2024 that some restrictions were lifted, leading to a gradual reopening of the market. Now, Australia has stated that, in recognition of advances in U.S. safety measures, it will allow the legal import of beef from cattle sourced in Canada and Mexico but slaughtered in the United States.

Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Julie Collins, said the country is satisfied with the U.S. approach to managing biosecurity risks. Over the past decade, the U.S. has strengthened its controls over cattle movement, scientific evaluations, and risk assessments, which Australia believes can effectively manage biosecurity threats. Collins emphasized that the Australian government will not compromise on biosecurity standards.

Since 1990, Australia has exported around 400,000 tons of beef annually to the United States, making it the largest beef exporter to the U.S. market. Due to its lower fat content and competitive pricing, Australian beef has been favored by American fast food chains. However, analysts suggest that U.S. beef may struggle to compete in the Australian market, where local beef remains popular due to its affordability.

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.