Rabia Ali
15 July 2025•Update: 15 July 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including US President Donald Trump threatening 100% tariffs on Russia, Gaza ceasefire mediators ramping up their efforts into negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and UN chief urging two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis.
TOP STORIES
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia if a deal on ending the war in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.
Speaking during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Oval Office, Trump said he was “very unhappy” with Russia and disappointed in President Vladimir Putin.
“I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there,” Trump said.
He also announced that the US will supply Ukraine with weapons through NATO, but added that European allies will cover the full cost.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip alone is insufficient, calling for a two-state solution where both Palestinians and Israelis can exercise their rights.
"It is essential that that ceasefire leads to a solution, and that solution can only be possible if both Palestinians and Israelis can have a state where they can exercise their rights," Guterres said.
Describing the situation in Gaza as "horrific," the UN chief said the territory is witnessing death and destruction with no parallel in recent times, undermining basic conditions of human dignity for the population.
He emphasized that the idea of 5 million people living in their own lands without rights is against humanity and international law.
Gaza ceasefire mediators are ramping up their efforts to resolve obstacles hindering indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Egyptian media reported on Monday.
The state-affiliated Al-Qahera News channel, citing unnamed sources, said Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as part of Egypt’s broader push to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to the broadcaster, Cairo and Doha agree on the importance of reaching a ceasefire agreement that includes the entry of humanitarian aid and the release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- US President Donald Trump said Monday efforts to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan appear to be moving toward a “successful conclusion.”
- At least 53 more civilians were killed and scores injured in a new wave of Israeli airstrikes across the war-torn Gaza Strip on Monday, medics said.
- Three Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, the army said on Monday.
- Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah Party withdrew on Monday from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition amid escalating tensions over a military draft law.
- Türkiye expressed hope that violence in southern Syria will be "swiftly" brought to an end via local-level dialogue by the government, said the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
- Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike on the outskirts of the countryside of Suwayda city in southern Syria on Monday, Syrian media said.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said he had proposed that First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko “lead” the country’s government.
- South Korea strongly protested Tuesday after Japan reiterated its territorial claims to disputed islets lying halfway between the two countries in this year's defense white paper, Yonhap News Agency reported.
- The US Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to move forward Monday with efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, overturning a lower court ruling that had blocked mass layoffs and other efforts to gut the agency.
- Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah made his first official visit to France since assuming power in December 2023, in a move that underscored the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
- More than 30 people were killed and nearly 100 others injured in clashes between armed Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias in Suwayda in southern Syria, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.
- Firefighters are tackling a series of large grass fires that have broken out across London following several days of scorching temperatures.
- The US’ termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan took effect Monday, following a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) review that concluded conditions had improved sufficiently to no longer warrant protections.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Starlink said Monday that it has temporarily stopped accepting new customers in Indonesia due to capacity constraints across the country.
“Starlink service is currently unavailable for new customers in your area due to sold-out capacity across Indonesia,” the satellite-based internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX said on its website.
The company also said it is pausing new kit activations for customers who bought Starlink equipment through retail or third-party sellers.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed on Monday the 30% tariff threatened by former US President Donald Trump, expressing confidence that an agreement can be reached before the new surcharge takes effect.
Over the weekend, the Trump administration sent letters to world leaders announcing additional tariffs on all exports.
For Mexico, the letter revealed a proposed 30% tariff on its exports, a measure allegedly tied to what the US considers Mexico’s inadequate strategy to combat drug trafficking along the shared border.
