10 Things Global News - 7th August 2025
The news from around the world
Trump Signals Possible Putin Summit
US Pushes Back on Plastic Treaty Limits
Backlash From Cigarette Incident at Memorial
Russia Hits Key Gas Hub in Ukraine
France Battles Largest Wildfire in Decades
Trump Seeks to End NASA Carbon Missions
Modi to Visit China Amid US Trade Rift
US Doubles India Tariffs Over Russian Oil
IDF Chief Warns Against Gaza Takeover Plan
Italy Approves €13.5B Sicily Bridge
Donald Trump could meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week for direct talks on ending the war in Ukraine, following a Kremlin meeting between Putin and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Trump hailed “great progress” in the three-hour talks, though White House officials cautioned that major obstacles remain, including Russia’s territorial demands and lack of a ceasefire proposal.
The talks came ahead of a Friday deadline Trump set for progress, after which the U.S. plans to impose secondary sanctions on countries trading with Russia. On Wednesday, Trump unilaterally imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s continued imports of Russian oil. Further sanctions could follow, despite diplomatic pushback from New Delhi.
Trump told reporters he hoped to meet both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon, though no location has been confirmed. Ukraine insists any peace must preserve its sovereignty. Trump’s envoy to Kyiv, Keith Kellogg, is expected to travel there in the coming days.
Sources: The Guardian, Reuters
The Trump administration has urged several countries to reject proposals for capping plastic production and banning chemical additives as global negotiations over a UN plastic treaty begin in Geneva. In a memo dated July 25, the U.S. warned that such “impractical global approaches” would raise consumer costs and harm industry. The position, closely aligned with the petrochemicals sector, places the U.S. in direct opposition to more than 100 countries backing limits on plastic production.
Delegates from oil-producing states have resisted upstream restrictions, while blocs like the EU and small island nations are pushing for a comprehensive treaty addressing the full plastic lifecycle—from production to waste. The U.S. also seeks to revise the treaty’s objective by removing references to lifecycle approaches, a stance critics say undermines prior agreements.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said countries should adopt solutions “according to national context.” Observers warn the U.S. position could derail efforts to secure a strong multilateral deal.
Sources: Straits Times, Reuters
France’s interior ministry has announced it will revoke the residency permit of a 47-year-old Moroccan man who was filmed lighting a cigarette using the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. The act, captured by a tourist and shared widely online, drew swift condemnation from officials and public figures. The man, arrested on Tuesday, reportedly admitted to the offense and is known to police for prior infractions.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau labelled the act “indecent and pathetic,” while the veterans minister called it an insult to France’s fallen soldiers. The incident has sparked political responses amid rising right-wing rhetoric, with some calling for stricter immigration enforcement.
The tomb, located under the Arc de Triomphe, honors soldiers killed in World War I and is a central site of national remembrance. Revoking the man’s permit is seen as a first step toward expelling him to Morocco.
Sources: RFI, Politico
Russian forces struck a critical gas compressor station in Ukraine’s Odesa region on Wednesday, targeting infrastructure used to import liquefied natural gas from the United States and Azerbaijan. Ukrainian officials said the facility, located in Novosilske near the Romanian border, is part of the Orlovka interconnector that channels gas into Ukraine via the Transbalkan pipeline. Kyiv called the attack a deliberate attempt to undermine winter energy preparations and disrupt ties with Western partners.
Ukraine’s energy ministry confirmed the site had recently handled test volumes of Azerbaijani gas and LNG from Greek terminals. President Zelenskyy condemned the strike as “absolutely cynical,” framing it as part of Russia’s broader campaign against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
The attack comes amid worsening Russia-Azerbaijan relations, and days before a planned meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and U.S. President Donald Trump. Officials did not confirm if the gas flow would continue, but Kyiv had scheduled 0.4 million cubic meters for delivery that day.
Sources: Meduza, Reuters
A massive wildfire in southwestern France has scorched over 16,000 hectares near the Spanish border, killing one person and injuring at least 13, as firefighters struggle to contain what officials are calling the country’s most severe blaze in nearly 80 years. Prime Minister François Bayrou described the fire as a “catastrophe of unprecedented scale,” attributing its intensity to drought and global warming.
The fire broke out Tuesday in the village of Ribaute and has since swept across multiple villages in the Aude region, including Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse and Jonquières. Among the injured are 11 firefighters; one remains in critical condition. Over 2,100 firefighters, dozens of aircraft, and military units have been deployed.
At least 25 homes and dozens of vehicles have been destroyed. One elderly woman died in her home, and another person is missing. Roads have been closed, residents evacuated, and thousands remain without power as the blaze continues under strong winds and high temperatures.
Sources: DW, BBC
The Trump administration has moved to eliminate funding for two NASA missions that monitor carbon dioxide and plant health, potentially ending a crucial source of climate and agricultural data. The fiscal 2026 budget proposal omits support for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories: a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument on the International Space Station since 2019. NASA said the missions are “beyond their prime,” though experts argue they remain unmatched in sensitivity and global coverage.
Retired NASA scientist David Crisp, who led their development, warned that the satellites provide vital insights into carbon flows and drought stress. Lawmakers are divided, with the House backing the cut while the Senate aims to preserve funding. A possible stopgap funding resolution could delay action, but some fear the administration may still block funds.
Efforts are underway to secure external support from international or private partners, though legal and logistical challenges remain unresolved.
Sources: Washington Post, Associated Press
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to visit China later this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking his first trip to the country in over seven years. The visit, tentatively scheduled for August 31 in Tianjin, comes at a time of heightened trade tensions with the United States and signals a gradual warming of relations between India and China after the 2020 border clash.
Modi is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and possibly hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is also attending the summit. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is already in Russia for discussions on defense ties and oil imports, while Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is due to follow in the coming weeks.
Trump’s recent tariffs on Indian goods—triggered by New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil—have disrupted ties with Washington. India’s internal assessment estimates a potential 35% total tariff exposure if further penalties are enacted.
Sources: Times of India, Reuters
President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The move, detailed in an executive order, adds a new 25% tariff to duties already set to take effect this week. India condemned the action as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” calling it a threat to national energy security.
The penalties, set to begin in 21 days, come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and India and may affect up to 80% of India’s exports to the U.S., including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and jewelry. Economists estimate the impact could reduce India’s GDP by nearly 1%.
While India faces pressure to end Russian energy imports, critics argue the U.S. has not imposed similar measures on other major buyers like China. The tariff spike follows failed trade talks and has united Indian political parties in rare agreement against what opposition leaders call economic coercion.
Sources: Bloomberg, CNBC
Israel’s military chief has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against plans to fully occupy Gaza, saying the move could endanger Israeli hostages and strain the army. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir raised his concerns in a tense three-hour meeting, describing the operation as a “trap” that could cause further troop casualties and jeopardize remaining hostages.
Israel currently controls about 75% of Gaza, but the remaining 25% contains most of the territory’s 2 million residents and the estimated 50 remaining hostages—only 20 of whom are thought to be alive. Zamir reportedly opposes pushing into densely populated areas, fearing a repeat of past incidents where hostages died during rescue attempts.
Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right ministers to escalate the war, while opposition figures and former security officials warn the plan could backfire. Public criticism has intensified as humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen and Israeli casualties rise.
Sources: The Independent, Times of Israel
Italy has granted final approval for the long-delayed Strait of Messina bridge, a €13.5 billion project that would create the world’s longest single-span structure, connecting Sicily to the mainland. The decision, confirmed Wednesday by the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development, marks a major step toward a decades-old ambition to develop Italy’s southern regions.
The 3.3-kilometer bridge is backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government and led by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. Construction is expected to begin once the national audit court validates the resolution, with completion targeted for 2032.
The project has drawn criticism from environmental groups and safety experts concerned about building in an earthquake zone, as well as fears of organized crime involvement and budget overruns. Still, officials argue the bridge will generate over 100,000 jobs, boost GDP, and improve logistics and tourism. A bid to classify it as a NATO priority has also drawn pushback from EU defense officials.