10 Things Global News - 6th August 2025
The news from around the world
Witkoff in Moscow as Trump Weighs Sanctions on Russia
UN Warns Against Expansion of Israeli Gaza Operations
Great Barrier Reef Sees Worst Coral Decline in 40 Years
Two Chinese Charged Over Illegal Chip Export
Trump Says Vance ‘Most Likely’ to Succeed Him
Lithuania Asks NATO for Air Defense Support
Hiroshima Marks 80 Years Since Atomic Bomb
Russian Strikes Soar Despite Trump’s Peace Push
RFK Jr. Cancels $500M in Vaccine Projects
Democrats Plot Counter-Redistricting
US envoy Steve Witkoff landed in Moscow on Wednesday for high-level talks with Russian officials, just two days ahead of a deadline President Donald Trump set for Russia to halt its war in Ukraine or face new sanctions. Trump has warned that “secondary tariffs” could be imposed on Russia’s key energy customers — notably China and India — if Moscow fails to make meaningful concessions. The visit comes amid growing US frustration over Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine and failed peace negotiations.
Witkoff’s meeting, possibly including direct talks with President Vladimir Putin, follows a sharp escalation in rhetoric. Trump recently ordered the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines and told reporters he is “waiting to see what happens” before finalizing any punitive steps. Moscow has said it values the talks, but insists Ukraine must relinquish claims to annexed regions and drop its NATO ambitions. The US has not confirmed whether sanctions will go ahead, keeping pressure on Moscow while leaving room for negotiation.
Sources: Le Monde, CNN
The United Nations has described reports of a potential expansion of Israeli military operations across the entire Gaza Strip as “deeply alarming,” warning such a move could have catastrophic consequences. Speaking to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča emphasized that intensifying operations would further endanger the remaining 50 hostages and worsen conditions for civilians already facing what he called “unbearable” suffering. He reiterated that hostage-taking is a war crime and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all captives.
The UN said more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with over 1,200 killed since May alone while trying to access food. Jenča condemned both the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the violence targeting civilians, stating that these acts may also constitute war crimes. He reaffirmed that only a full ceasefire, coupled with political and humanitarian solutions, could bring an end to the crisis in Gaza.
Sources: Arab News, UN
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has experienced its most severe annual decline in coral cover since monitoring began nearly four decades ago, driven by extreme heat stress and mass bleaching. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the southern section of the reef lost 30% of its hard coral cover between 2024 and 2025, the largest drop ever recorded. The northern and central regions also suffered sharp losses of 25% and 14% respectively.
The back-to-back bleaching events of 2024 and 2025 mark the sixth mass bleaching since 2016, and the first time both the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef bleached simultaneously. Scientists warn the reef is entering a phase of heightened volatility, with reduced recovery time between bleaching episodes. While crown-of-thorns starfish also continue to damage coral, government-led culling efforts have helped limit outbreaks. Experts say that without rapid global climate action, the reef could face irreversible damage in the coming decades.
Sources: BBC, ABC
Two Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged with illegally exporting advanced US microchips to China in violation of federal export controls. The US Department of Justice alleges that Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang used their California-based company, ALX Solutions, to ship Nvidia GPUs and other high-performance AI chips worth tens of millions of dollars to China without the required licenses. Authorities say the scheme involved routing shipments through Singapore and Malaysia to conceal their final destination.
Geng, a permanent US resident, surrendered to authorities on Saturday, while Yang, who had overstayed her visa, was arrested the same day. Prosecutors claim ALX received payments from China- and Hong Kong-based companies while falsely declaring Singapore-based end users. One shipment in December 2024 allegedly mislabeled restricted Nvidia chips. Law enforcement has seized phones and documents suggesting the pair deliberately sought to evade export restrictions. Both face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Sources: BBC, US Justice Dept.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday named Vice President J.D. Vance as the “most likely” heir to the Make America Great Again movement, in his clearest signal yet about future Republican leadership. Speaking at a White House event, Trump praised Vance’s performance and said he would “probably [be] favored at this point” to lead the movement after his presidency. Trump also mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a possible running mate for Vance, though he declined to endorse any 2028 candidate outright.
Trump’s remarks come after months of speculation about his post-presidency role and the future of the GOP. He has previously teased the possibility of a third term—despite constitutional limits—and said Tuesday that he would “probably not” run again. Both Vance and Rubio have avoided direct comments on their 2028 ambitions, though Rubio recently called Vance “a great nominee” and said he would be content with his current role as Secretary of State.
Sources: Time, CBS
Lithuania has formally requested additional NATO air defense capabilities following the second incident in a month involving drones entering its airspace from Belarus. Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė and Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys sent a joint letter to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, calling for the deployment of advanced and even experimental systems to address emerging aerial threats. The latest incident involved a Russian-made drone carrying explosives that crashed in a Lithuanian military training zone on July 28. Authorities believe the drone may have been en route to Ukraine before veering off course.
Prosecutors confirmed the device contained explosives, which were successfully neutralized. A similar breach occurred on July 10. Officials stressed that these events pose risks not only to Lithuania but to all of NATO. Budrys warned that if Belarus fails to curb such incidents, Lithuania may respond with political and other measures. Similar violations have recently been reported in Poland, Romania, and Latvia.
Sources: Politico, France 24
Hiroshima held a solemn ceremony on Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing that killed 140,000 people. Survivors, many now in their 80s and 90s, voiced concern over a rising global acceptance of nuclear deterrence and military expansion. A minute of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m., the moment the bomb struck, while doves were released and flowers laid at the cenotaph.
Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, participated in the event, joined by representatives from 120 countries. Survivor groups renewed calls for Japan to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, but the government maintains its reliance on U.S. nuclear protection.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned that growing militarism threatens the peace frameworks built since World War II. As survivors pass away, concern is growing that their testimony—and the city’s pacifist legacy—may fade, even as nuclear risks mount globally.
Sources: Associated Press,New York Times
Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine have more than doubled since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, according to an analysis of Ukrainian military data. The surge comes despite Trump’s repeated calls for a ceasefire and follows two pauses in US weapons shipments to Ukraine earlier this year. From January 20 to July 19, Russia launched over 27,000 drones and missiles — more than twice the number recorded in the final six months of the previous administration.
Critics say Trump’s diplomatic overtures and interruptions in military aid may have emboldened Moscow. Attacks peaked in early July, with 748 launches in a single day. Russia has also dramatically increased missile and drone production, including Geran drones and ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has abandoned Russia’s moratorium on intermediate-range missile deployment, citing US plans to base new systems in Europe. Trump has responded by repositioning nuclear submarines and setting an August 8 deadline for a peace deal.
Sources: BBC, The Independent
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has canceled $500 million in funding for 22 government-backed vaccine projects using mRNA technology. The move halts development efforts for vaccines targeting respiratory viruses including COVID-19, influenza, and bird flu, many led by companies like Pfizer and Moderna. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, said mRNA platforms “pose more risks than benefits” and fail to provide lasting protection.
The Department of Health and Human Services said it will redirect funding toward “safer, broader vaccine strategies,” such as whole-virus vaccines and new platforms designed to withstand viral mutation. The shift follows Kennedy’s earlier removal of the national vaccine advisory panel and his rollback of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
Experts warn the decision weakens the country’s pandemic readiness. Critics noted mRNA vaccines helped slow COVID-19’s spread and could be vital in future outbreaks. Kennedy insists a “universal vaccine” mimicking natural immunity is now the administration’s focus.
Sources: BBC, Associated Press
A redistricting standoff is intensifying across the U.S. as Democrats in states like California and New York consider mid-decade map changes to counter Republican efforts in Texas. California Governor Gavin Newsom is backing a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional districts through a special election in November, which could flip up to five GOP-held seats. Newsom said the plan would only proceed if Texas finalizes its own redistricting push.
The initiative follows Texas Republicans’ decision to reconvene mid-cycle, reportedly under pressure from Donald Trump, to secure additional GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democratic governors argue that retaliatory gerrymanders are necessary despite prior support for independent redistricting commissions. States like Illinois and Maryland have already drawn aggressive maps, while procedural limits in New York and Washington make similar moves more difficult.
Legal scholars note Congress has the constitutional authority to outlaw mid-cycle redistricting, but no bipartisan action appears likely. The conflict has raised concerns about a nationwide race to the bottom in electoral fairness.