While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 30, 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took the decision after recalling his cabinet during the summer holidays to discuss a new proposed peace plan.
UK plans to recognise Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets conditions, Starmer says
Britain will recognise the state of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the 'appalling situation' in Gaza and meets other conditions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his cabinet on July 29 according to a government statement.
'He said that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, before UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a Two State Solution,' the statement said.
'He reiterated that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas and that our demands on Hamas remain, that they must release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, accept that they will play no role in the government of Gaza, and disarm.'
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Displaced Cambodians return home after Thailand truce
AFP
As Cambodia and Thailand's ceasefire held on July 29, Lat Laem hared back home – one of the first evacuees to return to the frontier since deadly cross-border clashes sent more than 300,000 people fleeing.
The territorial conflict, which ignited into open combat on July 24, stems from an obscure cartographical dispute dating back decades, and the truce was sealed after interventions from world leaders including US President Donald Trump.
Back in his Cambodian village of Kouk Khpos – about 10 kilometres from the Thai border – 30-year-old farmer Lat Laem is grateful for his homecoming, and more quotidian concerns.
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Business No clarity yet on baseline or pharmaceutical tariffs with US: DPM Gan
Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days
Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD
Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from alleged scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates
Singapore Man on trial for raping woman who hired him to repair lights in her flat
Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore
Singapore Child and firefighter among 7 taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat
Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong
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Trump says Russia faces tariffs in 10 days if no progress on ending Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump said on July 29 that the United States would start imposing tariffs and other measures on Russia '10 days from today' if Moscow showed no progress toward ending its more than three-year-long war in Ukraine.
Trump first announced on July 28 that he was shortening the initial 50-day deadline he set a month ago for action from Moscow, and mentioned a new deadline of 10 to 12 days. On July 29, he told reporters he had not heard a response from Russia.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he was not worried about the potential impact of Russian sanctions on the oil market or prices, vowing to boost domestic oil production to offset any impact.
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First direct flight from Pyongyang lands in Moscow
EPA
A passenger plane from Pyongyang landed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on July 29, the first direct flight from the North Korean capital to Moscow in decades as the two countries deepened ties.
The Boeing 777 aircraft, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines, had already flown from Moscow to Pyongyang on July 27.
It landed back in the Russian capital at 0750 GMT on July 29, completing its first round trip on the route, according to the website of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
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Chelsea's Portugal forward Joao Felix joins Al-Nassr
REUTERS
Portugal forward Joao Felix has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr from Club World Cup winners Chelsea on a two-year contract, the two teams said on July 29.
'Let's win together ... Joao Felix is a Nasraoui,' Al-Nassr wrote on X, along with a short video of the striker. 'I'm here to have fun and win together,' the 25-year-old said.
Neither club disclosed any financial details of the deal, but Sky Sports said the transfer could cost up to 43.7 million pounds (S$75.08 million), consisting of an initial 26.2 million fee plus 17.5 million in potential add-ons.
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Straits Times
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France's Macron criticises EU-US trade deal, sees it as first step, sources say
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured), at Villa Borsig in Berlin, Germany, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticised a framework deal struck between the European Union and the United States on Sunday, saying it showed the bloc had not managed to be "feared" by U.S. President Donald Trump. "To be free, you need to be feared. We were not feared enough," he was quoted as telling ministers by French officials. Although the deal offers more visibility to French businesses, Macron said it was only a first step and would continue to be negotiated. "Now more than ever, it is important to accelerate the European agenda of sovereignty and competitiveness," Macron said, according to the officials. REUTERS
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Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox German Finance Minister, Lars Klingbeil said he wished for a different outcome. BERLIN - German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is dissatisfied with the European Union's (EU) trade deal with the United States, as he thinks it will take a toll on Germany's economic growth, he said on July 30. 'I have no illusions about it, it is rather growth-weakening,' Mr Klingbeil said in the presentation of the 2026 draft budget, lamenting that the EU was 'too weak' in the negotiations. The US struck a framework trade agreement with the EU on July 27, imposing a 15 per cent import tariff on most EU goods. 'I would have wished for a different outcome,' Mr Klingbeil said. 'Still, all in all, it is good that there is an agreement with the US, that there are no further escalations.' REUTERS
