World News Highlights – July 5: Hamas Responds Positively to Ceasefire Proposal, Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Loses Power, Texas Flash Floods Leave Casualties

On July 5, a series of significant global events unfolded, ranging from ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, to nuclear safety concerns in Ukraine, deadly flash floods in the U.S., and a major legislative victory for President Trump.

Hamas Responds Positively to 60-Day Ceasefire Proposal

On July 4, Hamas announced that it had responded “positively” to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal in Gaza and was ready to immediately begin talks on implementing the agreement.

The proposal, unveiled by President Trump, includes:

• A 60-day ceasefire,

• Hostage releases,

• And a framework for ending the nearly 21-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas stated it had completed internal consultations and sent its response to mediators. However, a representative of a Hamas-aligned armed group warned of unresolved issues, including humanitarian aid access, control over the Rafah border crossing, and Israel’s troop withdrawal timeline.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet issued an official response. He is expected to meet with President Trump in Washington on July 9.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Loses External Power – IAEA Warns of Grave Risk

On July 4, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, controlled by Russian forces, lost all external power connections for over three hours, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The facility had to rely on emergency diesel generators.

Though power has since been restored, the IAEA warned that nuclear safety in Ukraine remains extremely precarious.

Ukraine blamed Russian shelling for severing the plant’s last functioning power line. The national grid operator Ukrenergo said engineers swiftly repaired the line.

While all reactors at Zaporizhzhia have been shut down, nuclear fuel still requires constant cooling to prevent catastrophe. The Russian-appointed plant management reported no security breaches or radiation spikes during the blackout.

President Trump Signs Massive “Big and Beautiful” Tax and Spending Bill

On July 4, President Trump signed a sweeping tax and spending bill into law during a ceremony on the White House South Lawn, marking Independence Day.

“This is a good thing,” Trump said as he signed the legislation, surrounded by Republican lawmakers celebrating the win.

Seen as his most significant legislative achievement in his second term, the law:

• Permanently maintains tax cuts from 2017,

• Was passed with 218 votes in favor and 214 against in the House,

• Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, hailing it as the start of a “new golden era” for America.

However, independent experts warned that the law could add $3.4 trillion to the national debt.

EU-U.S. Trade Talks Stall Amid Tariff Concerns

Trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the Trump administration have hit a roadblock, EU diplomats said on July 5. With no breakthrough in sight, the EU may opt to maintain the status quo to avoid further U.S. tariffs.

The European Commission noted that the U.S. appeared open to pausing current tariffs for partners willing to enter preliminary agreements, potentially paving the way for future reductions.

Without a deal, U.S. tariffs on EU imports could double from 10% to 20%, as previously announced by President Trump in April.

• The EU currently faces 50% tariffs on steel, 25% on cars, and 10% on most other goods.

• A €25 billion retaliation package from the EU remains unimplemented.

Talks are expected to continue through the weekend, but insiders describe the atmosphere as “gloomy” and “unpredictable.”

Flash Floods in Texas Leave at Least 13 Dead

Heavy rains and thunderstorms caused severe flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas early on July 5, killing at least 13 people and leaving over 20 girls from a summer camp missing.

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Kerr County after nearly 30 cm (12 inches) of rain fell in just a few hours. The deluge struck so quickly that authorities were unable to issue timely evacuation orders.

“It all happened in less than two hours,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice.