World News Highlights,22 July 2025: Vibrio bacteria pose seasonal risk in European bathing waters

Vibrio bacteria pose seasonal risk in European bathing waters

Vibrio bacteria are creating a seasonal health risk for swimmers in European waters, particularly at popular bathing sites in the Baltic Sea, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The bacteria, which cause an infection called vibriosis, thrive as water temperatures rise in the summer, with the Baltic's brackish and shallow characteristics making it an ideal environment for their growth. Infection primarily occurs when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water. Public health officials note that rising global temperatures are expanding the bacteria's habitat, leading to more frequent health advisories for the public in affected regions.

UK announces new sanctions targeting English Channel people smugglers

The British government announced new measures on Monday to impose financial sanctions on people-smuggling gangs and their enablers who facilitate migrant journeys across the English Channel in small boats, as per a report in AP. The new powers are designed to target not only the smugglers but also those who supply them with money and equipment. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the measures constitute the world's first sanctions regime specifically aimed at gangs involved in people smuggling and irregular migration.

Federal agents arrest Haitian businessman Pierre Réginald Boulos in Miami

Haitian businessman and former presidential hopeful Pierre Réginald Boulos was arrested by federal agents at his home in Miami late last week, AP said in a report. Boulos, a U.S.-born doctor who had previously renounced his American citizenship to run for president of Haiti, obtained U.S. residency in 2024 under the former Biden administration.

Venezuela opens investigation into El Salvador over alleged migrant mistreatment

Venezuela's attorney general's office has initiated an investigation into El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele concerning allegations of mistreatment and human rights violations against Venezuelan migrants, AP said in a report. Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the probe was launched after some of the migrants informed Venezuelan authorities about the alleged abuse. According to the report, the migrants were held for months in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador following their deportation by the United States.

UK government and OpenAI sign deal to explore AI for public services

The UK government and OpenAI have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the deployment of advanced AI models in public sectors such as justice, security, and education, according to a report in The Guardian. The agreement, which follows a similar UK deal with Google, was signed on Monday by Sam Altman and UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. The non-binding MoU establishes a framework for future cooperation between the AI firm and the British government.

Climate change is worsening fire weather conditions for global forests

Climate change is the primary driver behind a global rise in severe 'fire weather,' which encompasses conditions like high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds that fuel wildfires, according to a report in The New York Times. These intensified conditions are making forest fires more frequent, widespread, and destructive across various regions, as seen in the record-breaking fire seasons of 2023 and 2024. The increase in large-scale fires not only devastates ecosystems and threatens human communities but also releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide, creating a feedback loop that further accelerates global warming.

US seabed mining push under Trump prompts international legal challenges

The Metals Company (TMC) is pursuing U.S. permits for deep-sea mining, a move that follows a pledge by President Donald Trump to facilitate such activities in international waters, according to a report in The New York Times. This has prompted legal concerns from other countries, which argue that moving forward without a comprehensive international mining code from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) undermines global agreements. The situation is complicated by the fact that the U.S. is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), meaning any permits would be issued under domestic U.S. law rather than the international framework. These developments come as numerous countries, including Canada, continue to call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining due to environmental risks.

Iran to hold nuclear talks with European powers amid sanctions threat

Iranian representatives are scheduled to meet with negotiators from Britain, France, and Germany on Friday, following a threat from the European trio to restore economic restrictions, The New York Times said in a report. The talks are a response to the E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) triggering the dispute resolution mechanism within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This action was prompted by Iran's ongoing breaches of the nuclear deal's terms, which have been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. These breaches, including exceeding limits on uranium enrichment, began after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018.

UN to hold briefing on World Food Programme operations in Gaza

The United Nations' daily news briefing on July 21, 2025, will feature an update on the World Food Programme's (WFP) activities in Gaza, according to a report in Reuters. Ross Smith, the WFP's Director for Emergency Preparedness and Response, is set to appear remotely as a guest briefer. He is expected to provide the update during the regular session hosted by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Israeli ground troops push into central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah

Israeli ground troops for the first time pushed into areas of Deir al-Balah on Monday, a central Gaza city that had largely been spared from major ground operations, AP says in a report. The incursion, which followed evacuation orders dropped at dawn, appears to be part of an effort to establish military corridors to divide the Palestinian territory. The move comes as the U.N. food agency issued a rare condemnation over the humanitarian situation. In related developments, Israeli forces detained the Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson and also conducted a strike on a rebel-held port in Yemen.

Greece announces creation of two new marine protected areas

Greece is creating two new protected marine areas to safeguard its underwater wildlife, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Monday, according to a report in The Times of India. The decision fulfills a commitment Mitsotakis made during a United Nations oceans conference in southern France in June. He stated the goal is to "honour (Greece's) unique marine heritage and to protect it for generations to come."

UAE offers 10-year blue visa for environmental experts without investment requirement

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a 10-year "Blue Visa" for individuals with proven contributions to environmental sustainability, according to a report in The Times of India. This residency permit does not require any property purchase or financial investment, making it accessible to global experts, researchers, and activists based on their environmental impact. The initiative, open to applicants worldwide, is part of the UAE's broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in climate action and green innovation, attracting top talent to support its environmental goals. Applicants can apply from anywhere and are provided a 180-day multiple-entry visa to facilitate the processing of their application.

Saudi Arabia imports sand as its desert supply is unsuitable for construction

Saudi Arabia is importing high-quality construction sand from nations including Australia and China to support its large-scale mega-projects under the Vision 2030 initiative, according to a report in The Times of India. The country's vast deserts contain sand that is too fine and rounded by wind erosion to be used in strong concrete, which requires coarser, more angular grains. This reliance on foreign sand highlights a growing global sand crisis driven by rapid development. In response, the kingdom is also exploring sustainable alternatives such as manufactured sand to ensure the quality of its future construction.

Venezuela targets economists amid surging inflation and US sanctions

Venezuelan authorities are taking action against economists to control information about the country's worsening financial crisis, which is marked by surging inflation, according to a report in The New York Times. The crackdown comes amid renewed US sanctions under the administration of President Donald Trump. This targeting of economic experts is viewed as part of a wider government strategy to suppress independent data and critical analyses that challenge official narratives on the state of the economy.

Stolen 16th-century painting to be returned to Italian museum after 50 years

A 16th-century 'Madonna and Child' painting by the artist Solario is being returned to its rightful owner, the Civic Museum of Belluno in Italy, 50 years after it was stolen, The Guardian said in a report. A woman in Norfolk, UK, Barbara de Dozsa, had come into possession of the artwork and initially argued for ownership on the basis that it had been bought in good faith. However, following persuasion by an art lawyer working pro bono, she has decided to hand over the painting, which was last seen at the museum in 1973.