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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."

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on July 16, marking the latest in a series of eruptions near the capital Reykjavik in recent years. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, GPS monitoring and surface deformation data suggest that the eruption is relatively small in scale and currently poses no direct threat to any infrastructure.

Since the Reykjanes Peninsula’s volcanic system reawakened in 2021, Iceland has experienced 12 eruptions. The eruptions on the peninsula are classified as *fissure eruptions*, where lava emerges from long cracks in the Earth's crust rather than erupting from a central volcanic crater. The eruption does not threaten the capital Reykjavik, nor has it released significant volcanic ash into the stratosphere, meaning air travel remains unaffected.

With a population of under 400,000, Iceland is home to more than 30 active volcanoes. Experts note that these types of fissure eruptions could recur repeatedly, potentially continuing for decades or even centuries.

On July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will provide NATO with "the most advanced weapons" during a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump stated that if Russia fails to reach a peace agreement within the next 50 days, the U.S. will impose "extremely severe" tariffs on Russia. He emphasized that the weapons will be allocated by NATO to the areas where they are most needed.

Expressing strong dissatisfaction with Russia's actions in the Ukraine war, Trump warned that if no peace agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine within 50 days, the U.S. will impose "extremely severe" tariffs. "We will impose secondary tariffs. If there's no deal in 50 days, the tariff rate will go up to 100%. It's that simple," Trump told reporters at the White House, signaling a tough U.S. stance on the Ukraine issue.

South Korea's medical reform controversy has taken a major turn. The Korean Medical Association told AFP on July 14 that thousands of medical students have decided to end their 17-month-long boycott, with an estimated 8,300 students expected to return to campus. The move is expected to ease mounting pressure on the healthcare system caused by both the doctors’ strike and the student walkout.

The protest began in early 2024 when then-President Yoon Suk-yeol pushed through a plan to significantly increase medical school admissions, citing the need to address doctor shortages in South Korea’s rapidly aging society. The policy sparked fierce backlash from the medical community. In response, resident doctors went on strike and medical students boycotted classes, leading to surgery cancellations and disrupted medical services across the country. The government eventually announced a freeze on the enrollment expansion in March this year, paving the way for negotiations.

The Korean Medical Student Association said that a prolonged boycott could lead to the collapse of the medical system and thus decided to resume classes. Each medical school will determine its own schedule for reopening. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok welcomed the decision, calling it a “major breakthrough,” and revealed that President Lee Jae-myung is actively considering follow-up solutions. However, around 12,000 resident doctors—on strike since last year—have yet to return to work, and the broader crisis in the medical sector remains unresolved.