World News Live Updates: Australia To Recognize Palestine As A State
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Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Australia To Recognize Palestine As A State
Australia will recognize Palestine as a state, a major foreign policy change announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, AP says in a report. This decision marks a departure from Australia's historical stance of awaiting a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The move follows similar recognitions by European nations like Spain, Ireland, and Norway in May 2024 and comes amid increased international pressure for a political resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While largely symbolic, the recognition is seen as a diplomatic victory for the Palestinian Authority and adds to the global momentum for Palestinian statehood.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Asian Firms Divided On Insolvency Outlook Amid Ongoing Trade Challenges
A new survey of businesses across Asia reveals a nearly even split in expectations for customer payment behavior, with half anticipating stability and the other half foreseeing a deterioration in payment risk in the coming months, according to a report in AP. The 2025 Atradius Payment Practices Barometer survey, which polled firms in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam, highlights a tension between the region's economic resilience and rising financial vulnerabilities. These challenges are driven by a persistent global economic slowdown, ongoing US-China trade and technology disputes, and elevated inflation, which are increasing credit risks and the potential for bad debts for businesses.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Adidas Designer Apologizes For Shoe Design After Mexican Cultural Appropriation Claims
An Adidas designer has issued an apology following significant criticism from Mexico over the 'Oaxaca Slip-on,' a shoe that appropriated the design of traditional sandals made by Indigenous artisans, BBC said in a report. The backlash, which included formal condemnation from Mexico's Ministry of Culture, highlights a growing trend of international fashion brands facing accusations of cultural appropriation. This incident places Adidas under increased scrutiny regarding its ethical design and sourcing processes, posing a potential reputational risk and underscoring the broader industry challenge of respecting and compensating for the use of traditional cultural heritage. The controversy also brings attention to the ongoing global debate surrounding intellectual property rights for Indigenous communities and the inadequacies of current legal frameworks to protect their traditional craftsmanship from commercial exploitation.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
White House Responds To Christian Persecution Crisis In Sub-Saharan Africa
The White House and the State Department are formulating a response to a surge in deadly attacks on Christian communities by Islamic State-allied militants in sub-Saharan Africa, Fox News says in a report. This action follows recent massacres in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) carried out by groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The US response could involve increased diplomatic pressure, targeted sanctions, and counter-terrorism assistance to combat the extremist groups, which are contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis and regional instability. While Christians are frequently targeted, the broader violence impacts all local populations amid a complex mix of religious extremism and inter-communal conflict.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Flash Floods In China's Gansu Province Leave At Least 15 Dead
At least 15 people have died and dozens are missing after severe flash floods struck China's northwestern Gansu province, according to a report in BBC. The event highlights the significant strain on the region's infrastructure and disaster management capabilities. This incident is consistent with a broader pattern of extreme weather events across China this summer, which experts attribute to climate change, posing ongoing economic and logistical challenges related to recovery, resilience, and protecting vulnerable communities.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
German Opposition Leader Defends Partial Weapons Halt To Israel
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has publicly defended the government's decision to implement a partial halt on weapons sales to Israel, asserting that Berlin's fundamental commitment to Israel's security has not changed, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The move, which involves a limited set of weapons rather than a full embargo, has drawn a response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated he hopes for a reversal of the policy. This development occurs amid significant international pressure on Germany, including a case filed by Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in March 2024 accusing Germany of facilitating genocide in Gaza through its military and financial support to Israel.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Protests In Israel Mount Against Plan To Expand Gaza War
Protests in Israel have intensified as demonstrators increase pressure on the government to halt plans for expanding the war in Gaza, particularly a potential ground offensive in Rafah, as per a report in BBC. This domestic dissent coincides with a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where the Hamas-run health ministry reported that five people, including two children, died from malnutrition in the last 24 hours. The ongoing protests reflect growing public discontent with the government's handling of the war and the hostage situation, adding pressure that could impact the ruling coalition's stability and influence future military strategy.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Israel Confirms Killing of Al Jazeera Correspondent in Gaza
Al Jazeera announced its correspondent, Anas al-Sharif, was killed in Gaza City, with the Israeli military confirming his death, according to a report in AP. The broadcaster stated that al-Sharif and other journalists were killed in their tent. This event occurs amid a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with reports of other Palestinians being killed while seeking aid and a rising child death toll from hunger. The incident adds to the high number of journalist fatalities in the conflict, intensifying international political scrutiny of Israeli military operations. The article also noted related developments including a call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, and US support for Israel at the UN Security Council.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Hits Turkey, Killing One and Causing Buildings to Collapse
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey's northwestern Balikesir province on Sunday, causing at least one fatality, injuring 29 people, and leading to the collapse of more than a dozen buildings, as per a report in AP. The earthquake's epicenter was in the town of Sindirgi, with tremors felt as far as 200 kilometers away in Istanbul. This event places renewed pressure on Turkey's construction sector and government disaster agencies, intensifying scrutiny of building codes and urban planning, particularly in the context of the devastating earthquakes that occurred in February 2023.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Southern Europe Battles Worst Wildfires In Decades
Southern Europe is battling its most severe wildfires in decades, with France reporting its largest blaze in at least 50 years, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The fires, affecting countries including Spain, Portugal, and Italy, are fueled by a persistent and intense heatwave that has created exceptionally dry conditions. The unprecedented scale of the blazes has led to widespread evacuations, strained emergency services, and caused significant damage to ecosystems and key economic sectors like tourism and agriculture. Climate scientists have linked the intensity of the fires to the long-term effects of climate change.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Syria Hospital Security Footage Shows Killing Of Medical Worker
Security camera footage from a hospital in Sweida, southern Syria, published on Sunday, appears to show the killing of a medical worker by men in military uniforms, as per a report in AP. The video, released by the activist media collective Suwayda 24 and dated July 16, was recorded during a period of intense clashes involving local groups and government forces. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, depicts a group of medical staff in scrubs kneeling on the floor before armed men, highlighting the ongoing risks to healthcare personnel in the conflict zone.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Over 500 Arrested In London For Supporting Proscribed Pro-Palestinian Group
London's Metropolitan Police arrested 532 people on Saturday after supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a pro-Palestinian group recently proscribed as a terrorist organization, intentionally violated the law to challenge the government's enforcement of the ban, as per a report in AP. The vast majority of arrests were for displaying placards and other materials expressing support for the group, which the UK government officially outlawed in January 2024. The police action represents a significant enforcement of the new counter-extremism measures, with the group's supporters deliberately testing the legal boundaries. A separate pro-Palestinian demonstration also occurred in central London on Sunday.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Triple Crisis Of Heat, Water, And Power Disrupts Life In Iran
Iran is experiencing a severe 'triple crisis' as record-breaking heat, extensive power outages, and critical water shortages profoundly impact daily life across the country, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The situation is fueled by a combination of factors, including climate change-driven heatwaves, chronic underinvestment in an aging power grid hampered by international sanctions, and decades of water mismanagement. These interconnected issues create a vicious cycle: extreme heat increases electricity demand for cooling, while drought reduces hydropower capacity, crippling both the energy and water sectors. The crisis is causing significant economic disruption, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, and fueling public discontent over the government's inability to provide essential services.
Aug 11, 2025 09:50 IST
Netanyahu Defends Wider Gaza Offensive After Talks With US President Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced a new military offensive in Gaza that will be more extensive than previously indicated, stating Israel must 'complete the defeat of Hamas,' as per a report in AP. The move comes amid growing international and domestic condemnation of the nearly 22-month conflict and a severe humanitarian crisis, with reports of more Palestinians killed while seeking aid and the child hunger death toll reaching 100. In a significant diplomatic development, Netanyahu confirmed he discussed the military plan with US President Donald Trump, and the US subsequently defended Israel at a United Nations Security Council meeting.
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Hindustan Times
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How to win at foreign policy
WHEN DONALD TRUMP meets Vladimir Putin in Alaska it will be the seventh time the two have talked in person. This time is different, though. Since their last sit-down, Mr Putin has launched an unprovoked war, lost perhaps a million Russian soldiers (dead and wounded) and inflicted ceaseless misery on Ukrainians in pursuit of an imperial dream. Undaunted, Mr Trump hopes to get in a room with a wily dictator, feel him out and forge a deal. It is the biggest test yet of his uniquely personal style of diplomacy. It is also a reminder of how unpredictable American foreign policy has become. Will Mr Trump be firm, making clear that America and its allies will do what it takes to guarantee Ukraine's sovereignty? Or will he be in such a rush to reopen business with Russia that he rewards its aggression and leaves Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks? As everyone clamours for the president's ear, no one knows what he will do. At the beginning of Mr Trump's second term his supporters had a theory about how he would wield American power. Rather than relying on deep relationships and expertise, he would rely on his gut. As a master negotiator with a knack for sensing what others want and fear, he would cut through the waffle and apply pressure ruthlessly. Everyone wants access to American markets. By threatening to shut them out, he would force recalcitrant foreigners to end wars and reset the terms of trade to America's advantage. Career diplomats and experts would be replaced by rainmakers. Yes, his transactional approach might foster a bit of corruption. But if it brought peace in Ukraine or Gaza, who cared? Alas, there are drawbacks to this approach. Using tariffs as a weapon hurts America, too. More fundamentally, junking universal principles for might-makes-right repels friends without necessarily cowing foes. And the substitution of presidential whim for any coherent theory of international relations makes geopolitics less predictable and more dangerous. Mr Trump is not a globalist, obviously. Nor is he an isolationist, or a believer in regional spheres of influence. He simply does what he wants, which changes frequently. One way to make sense of Trumpism is that he divides his efforts at dealmaking into three categories: high, medium and low stakes. In the first category are America's relations with unfriendly great powers, principally China and Russia. Israel is here, too, because of its importance in American domestic politics. Iran makes an appearance, because of the way it threatens its neighbours. All these relationships are complex, difficult and matter a lot to Mr Trump. 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Azerbaijan and Armenia had been fighting for 35 years. Mr Trump mediated a reopening of trade and transport links. The fruits may include a weakening of Russian influence in the area. The Congo-Rwanda deal is much shakier—Rwandan-backed rebels have violated it repeatedly—but not nothing. And there may be an upside for America, in the form of mineral deals. When it comes to medium-size stakes, Mr Trump's method works less well. He has started needless feuds with the leaders of Brazil (because it is prosecuting a Trumpy ex-president for allegedly attempting a coup), with South Africa (because he believes, wrongly, that it is persecuting whites) and with India (infuriating its prime minister with painful tariffs and undiplomatic boasting). The result? India will draw closer to Russia again, and be less inclined to act as a counterweight against China. Brazil and South Africa see China as a more reliable partner than America. 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A crypto deal and a nomination for a Nobel peace prize worked for Pakistan. A plane helped Qatar. The corruption is turning out to be as bad as almost anyone feared; the great deals have yet to materialise. Those who say Mr Trump is looking out for his own interests, not America's, have plenty of ammunition. All this is only a preliminary judgment. If Mr Trump stands up to Mr Putin this week, perhaps he can make his greatest-ever deal, ending Europe's worst war since 1945. Sadly, the odds are against it. For subscribers only: to see how we design each week's cover, sign up to our weekly Cover Story newsletter.
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First Post
14 minutes ago
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Trump departs to Alaska for high-stakes meeting with Putin on Ukraine
President Donald Trump 's face-to-face high-stakes summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday could determine the fate of European security as well as the trajectory of the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One as he departs Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 15, 2025, en route to Anchorage. Image- AFP US President Donald Trump departed for Alaska on Thursday ahead of a closely watched meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a high-stakes encounter that could shape the future of European security and influence the course of the war in Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among the Trump administration officials joining the president for his flight to Alaska. Trump will also be accompanied on Air Force One by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and top White House aides, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Monica Crowley, a former Fox News commentator serving as Trump's chief of protocol, also are making the trip. Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will meet on Friday in Alaska in a high-risk summit that could prove decisive for the future of Ukraine. Putin will step onto Western soil for the first time since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a relentless war that has killed tens of thousands of people and has seen Russia make rapid gains just before the summit. Trump extended the invitation at the Russian leader's suggestion, but the US president has since been defensive and warned that the meeting could be over within minutes if Putin does not compromise. 'HIGH STAKES,' he posted on his Truth Social platform shortly before boarding Air Force One and taking off for the near seven-hour flight to Anchorage. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mission Alaska: As Trump and Putin meet, Ukraine's redlines are clear and unmoving
Trump's and Putin's summit in Alaska today is being keenly watched around the globe. But the first face-to-face meeting between the two since 2021 is already mired in uncertainty. From the moment it was announced, disagreements emerged over who initiated the talks. While the White House insists the proposal came from Moscow, the Kremlin has denied this, and Putin himself has downplayed the dispute by claiming both sides are 'equally interested'. This minor diplomatic manoeuvre highlights a bigger truth: the Kremlin was eager for the meeting but also intent on portraying Trump as the one who needed it more. The talks come amid growing US frustration with Russia. After months of outreach through Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump had publicly condemned Moscow's continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians and warned of secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil. Washington has already imposed new tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian energy. The White House officials expect the agenda to touch on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine and the parameters of a future peace agreement. They have described the meeting as a chance for Trump to hear Moscow's position on ending the war. Yet the danger is that the meeting would resemble the Cold War-era Great-Power deals – decisions made over smaller nations without their participation. For Ukraine, this is a big issue. In fact, Kyiv and European partners have agreed on red lines ahead of Trump-Putin talks in Alaska. At the initiative of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on Aug 13 negotiations were held on the eve of the Trump-Putin summit. In those negotiations, for the first time in recent weeks, the West delivered a comprehensive joint message with clear conditions for the peace process. Any talks on ending the war must start with an immediate ceasefire along with new prisoner exchanges and the release of kidnapped childrenUkraine must be a direct participant in further negotiations after the Alaska talks Broader dialogue must be part of a single transatlantic strategy based on strong military and financial support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia Occupied territories cannot be a subject of discussion at the Anchorage summit Kyiv must receive reliable security guarantees with no demilitarisation envisioned. Although Trump has made it clear that Nato should not be part of those security guarantees, US and all willing allies should be involved in security assurances. If no progress is to be made, sanctions and other pressure on Moscow would intensify. Merz acknowledged that Ukraine is ready to discuss territorial issues, but only starting from the current line of contact, without legal recognition of the occupation. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has stressed that a withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from Donbas 'in exchange for silence' is not under consideration. He also conveyed to Trump that Putin is bluffing – both regarding his military plans and on sanctions. French President Macron confirmed that no discussion of territorial issues is possible without Ukraine. And Trump promised to call Zelenskyy after his meeting with Putin to determine the next steps. According to some American reports, US is already looking for a venue for a potential trilateral meeting at the end of next week. These statements are important, as the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' must remain key. European countries also agreed to work to arrange a future trilateral meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy. It should happen in Europe in a neutral country acceptable to all parties. Notably, Zelenskyy also held a constructive call with Indian PM Modi this week. He briefed Modi on ongoing Russian strikes, including a recent attack on a Zaporizhzhia bus station that injured dozens of civilians. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine's participation in all talks is essential – 'other formats will not deliver results' – while welcoming India's engagement in peace efforts. Sanctions were also discussed. Zelenskyy urged reducing Russia's revenues from oil to weaken Moscow's war financing. 'Every leader with tangible leverage over Russia should send the right signals to Moscow,' he said. The two leaders also agreed to meet in person during Sept's UN General Assembly. The coming days will be decisive in shaping the positions of the parties at the negotiations. Worryingly for Ukraine, the likelihood that Putin will be able to persuade Trump to make excessive concessions remains quite high. India, with its global influence and growing partnership with Ukraine, can play a vital role in ensuring that international law is the foundation for negotiations. The UN Charter cannot be bent for political convenience without undermining all nations' sovereignty. Ukraine expects the summit to deliver real progress towards a stable, just peace that fully respects its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any proposal that demands giving up Ukrainian land is off the table. And if US military aid slows or stops, Kyiv will waste no time locking in deeper defence ties with European partners — securing weapons, air defences, intelligence, and training to keep its defences strong and its territory protected. For Ukraine, and for the international community, the message ahead of Alaska is clear: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Ukraine will not accept peace made without it – and neither should the world. A peace that compromises Ukrainians is not a peace that will last. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
