While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 14, 2025
US President Donald Trump said Russia would face "severe consequences" if Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop his war in Ukraine.
Trump threatens Putin if he blocks Ukraine peace
US President Donald Trump threatened 'severe consequences' if Russia's Vladimir Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine but also said on Aug 13 that a meeting between them could swiftly be followed by a second that would include the leader of Ukraine.
Mr Trump did not specify what the consequences could be, but he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting with Mr Putin in Alaska on Aug 15 proves fruitless.
The comments by Mr Trump and the outcome of a virtual conference with Mr Trump, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held on Aug 13 could provide encouragement for Kyiv after fears the Alaska summit could end up selling out Ukraine by carving up its territory.
However, Russia is likely to resist Ukraine and Europe's demands strongly and previously has said its stance had not changed since it was first detailed by Mr Putin in June 2024.
READ MORE HERE
India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups
PHOTO: INDIA'S MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
India and Singapore explored deepening their engagement on digitalisation, skills building and industrial parks at a meeting of a key bilateral platform on Aug 13 during Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong's visit to the South Asian state.
DPM Gan led a six-member Singapore delegation at the third edition of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), which aims to boost collaboration between the two nations in emerging fields.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks
Singapore askST: Public bidding possible if assets seized in $3b money laundering case are sold at auction
Singapore 2 dead after fire in Jalan Bukit Merah flat, about 60 evacuated
Singapore TB screenings at two pre-schools after staff member diagnosed in July
Business Haidilao to close Clarke Quay outlet on Aug 31; exit follows 3 earlier outlet closures
Singapore HSA seeks Kpod investigators to arrest abusers, conduct anti-trafficking ops
Opinion How to train a drone warrior, with lessons from Ukraine
Opinion The truth about AI: Firms will profit, workers will lose jobs
According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press statement, the two sides reaffirmed the close and longstanding relationship between Singapore and India, underpinned by strong economic and people-to-people ties.
READ MORE HERE
Plastic pollution treaty talks in disarray
PHOTO: EPA
Attempts to secure a landmark treaty combating plastic pollution descended into disarray on the penultimate day of talks on Aug 13 as dozens of countries rejected the latest draft text, leaving the talks in limbo.
With time running out to seal a deal among the 184 countries gathered at the United Nations in Geneva, several countries slammed a proposed compromise text put forward by talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso of Ecuador.
A larger bloc of countries seeking more ambitious actions blasted what they consider a dearth of legally binding action, saying the draft text was the lowest common denominator and would reduce the treaty to a toothless waste-management agreement.
READ MORE HERE
'Water lettuce' chokes tourism, fishing at El Salvador lake
PHOTO: AFP
The waters of El Salvador's Lake Suchitlan are normally busy with fishermen and tourists – but this year, you'd be forgiven for thinking it isn't a lake at all.
The wetland, known for its biodiversity, has been overrun by a floating plant that feeds on chemical pollution, almost completely covering its surface and making it look like a lush, light-green field.
Fed by the waters of the mighty Lempa River, Suchitlan is a 13,500-hectare artificial lake built around 1976, and supplies the Cerron Grande hydroelectric power station.
READ MORE HERE
PSG beat Spurs on penalties to win Uefa Super Cup
PHOTO: AFP
European champions Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware on Aug 13 as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the Uefa Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2.
Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank as they led 2-0 just after half-time at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.
Micky van de Ven gave last season's Europa League winners the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got their second goal three minutes into the second half.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Highlights of Putin statement after summit with Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he and U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) hold a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Following are key quotes from Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday. Translation by Reuters. ON RUSSIA-U.S. TIES As is known, Russian-American summits have not been held for more than four years. This is a long time. The past period was very difficult for bilateral relations. And, let's be honest, they have slid to the lowest point since the Cold War. And this is not good for our countries, or the world as a whole. Obviously, sooner or later, it was necessary to correct the situation, to move from confrontation to dialogue. And in this regard, a personal meeting of the heads of the two states was really overdue... ON UKRAINE As you well know and understand, one of the central issues has become the situation around Ukraine. We see the desire of the U.S. administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins. I have said more than once that for Russia the events in Ukraine are associated with fundamental threats to our national security. Moreover, we have always considered and consider the Ukrainian people, I have said this many times, brotherly, no matter how strange that may sound in today's conditions. We have the same roots and everything that is happening for us is a tragedy and a great pain. Therefore, our country is sincerely interested in putting an end to this. But at the same time, we are convinced that in order for the Ukrainian settlement to be sustainable and long-term, all the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated... All of Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored. I agree with President Trump — he spoke about this today — that Ukraine's security must, without a doubt, be ensured. We are ready to work on this. I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue. ON ECONOMIC TIES It is obvious that Russian-American business and investment partnership has enormous potential. Russia and the United States have something to offer each other in trade, energy, the digital sphere, high tech and space exploration. Cooperation in the Arctic, resumption of interregional contacts, including between our Far East and the American West Coast, also seem relevant... I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States. ON COOPERATION WITH TRUMP Overall we have established very good business-like and trusting contact with President Trump. And I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can - the quicker the better - reach an end to the conflict in Ukraine. REUTERS
AsiaOne
13 minutes ago
- AsiaOne
Trump says no summit deal reached with Putin over ending war in Ukraine, World News
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — US President Donald Trump said that nearly three hours of direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Aug 15) did not yield an agreement to pause Moscow's war in Ukraine, though he characterised the meeting as "very productive". During brief remarks to reporters, the two leaders said they had made progress on unspecified issues, but they offered no details and took no questions. "There were many, many points that we agreed on. I would say a couple of big ones that we haven't quite got there, but we've made some headway," Trump said, standing in front of a backdrop that read, "Pursuing Peace." "There's no deal until there's a deal," he added. It was not immediately clear whether the talks had produced meaningful steps toward a ceasefire in the deadliest conflict in Europe in 80 years, a goal that Trump had set at the outset. In brief remarks, Putin said he expected Ukraine and its European allies to accept the results of the US-Russia negotiation constructively and not try to "disrupt the emerging progress". "I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point, not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States," Putin said. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv. The anticlimactic end to the closely watched summit was in stark contrast to the pomp and circumstance with which it began. When Putin arrived at an Air Force base in Alaska, a red carpet awaited him, where Trump greeted Putin warmly as US military aircraft flew overhead. For Putin, the summit — the first between him and a US president since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — was already a big win, regardless of its outcome. He can portray the meeting as evidence that years of Western attempts to isolate Russia have unravelled and that Moscow is retaking its rightful place at the high table of international diplomacy. Trump hopes a truce in the 3-1/2-year-old war that Putin started will bring peace to the region as well as bolster his credentials as a global peacemaker worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Russia denies the allegations, and the Kremlin has dismissed the ICC warrant as null and void. Russia and the United States are not members of the court. Both Moscow and Kyiv deny targeting civilians in the war. But thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority Ukrainian, and the war has killed or injured well over a million people from both sides. Trump and Putin, along with top foreign-policy aides, conferred in a room at an Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska in their first meeting since 2019. Trump's publicly stated aim for the talks was to secure a halt to the fighting and a commitment by Putin to meet swiftly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to negotiate an end to the war, which began when Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Zelenskiy, who was not invited to the summit, and his European allies had feared Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict and recognising — if only informally — Russian control over one-fifth of Ukraine. Trump sought to assuage such concerns as he boarded Air Force One, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorial concessions. "I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to get them at a table," he said. Asked what would make the meeting a success, he told reporters: "I want to see a ceasefire rapidly ... I'm not going to be happy if it's not today ... I want the killing to stop." Zelenskiy has ruled out formally handing Moscow any territory and is also seeking a security guarantee backed by the United States. Trump said he would call Zelenskiy and Nato leaders to update them on the talks with Putin. The meeting also included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Trump's special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff; Russian foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov; and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Trump, who once said he would end Russia's war in Ukraine within 24 hours, conceded on Thursday it had proven a tougher task than he had expected. He said if Friday's talks went well, quickly arranging a second, three-way summit with Zelenskiy would be more important than his encounter with Putin. Zelenskiy said Friday's summit should open the way for a "just peace" and three-way talks that included him, but added that Russia was continuing to wage war. A Russian ballistic missile earlier struck Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, killing one person and wounding another. "It's time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. [[nid:721377]]
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Made-for-TV pageantry as Trump brings Putin in from the cold
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shaking hands at the end of a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug 15. ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Stepping foot on Western soil for the first time since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine , Russian President Vladimir Putin basked in choreographed pageantry courtesy of his US counterpart Donald Trump – and also signs of American power. In made-for-television images, the pair each flew in their presidential planes to Elmendorf Air Base, the largest US military installation in Alaska that played a key role in monitoring the Soviet Union. Mr Trump waited in Air Force One until Mr Putin landed and then stepped down to the tarmac, clapping as he saw the Russian leader for the first time since 2019, this time under a frigid slate-grey sky. They then walked toward each other, smiled and shook hands before posing together on a stage that read, 'Alaska 2025'. In a highly unusual move, Mr Putin stepped in 'The Beast,' the ultra-secure US presidential limousine, alongside Mr Trump before they headed into talks that were set to focus on Ukraine. Mr Putin grinned widely and appeared to joke to reporters as the two started their meeting in a room which the American hosts emblazoned with words – written only in English – 'Pursuing Peace'. The reception was a striking contrast to a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, when Mr Trump and Vice-President JD Vance berated him and accused him of ingratitude. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says 'great progress' made in meeting with Putin over Ukraine war Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Singapore Using nature, multi-use structures among solutions being studied to protect Singapore coastlines Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore HSA evaluating rapid urine test kits to enable faster detection of etomidate, found in Kpods Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency Opinion Revitalise nightlife? Let's get the crowds out first Mr Zelensky was long hailed across the Western world. Mr Putin by contrast has curtailed his travel sharply since he sent troops to invade Ukraine, and he faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to the war. Pressing their power Mr Putin was quickly confronted on the war as a reporter repeatedly and loudly shouted out to him, 'When will you stop killing civilians?' The Russian leader did not react. And both aides ahead of the summit sought to press their message, sometimes in unsubtle ways. As Mr Putin walked in, a B-2 stealth bomber – an ultimate symbol of US military power – flew overhead. Mr Sergei Lavrov, the veteran Russian Foreign Minister rarely seen out of a jacket and tie, was photographed arriving ahead of Mr Putin in Alaska in a sweatshirt emblazoned with 'CCCP' – the USSR – in a reminder of the superpower status that Mr Putin has been striving to recreate. Senior Russian officials were temporarily relieved from the severe US sanctions in place since the Ukraine invasion, allowing them not just to arrive in the United States but to carry out day-to-day transactions such as withdrawing money from cash machines. Mr Putin and Mr Trump were not expected to step off the base, but activists held out hope of at least a fleeting protest by posting blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags on roofs that could be in eyesight if either leader stared out of a plane window on their descent. Protesters also taped signs to lampposts and walls near the downtown convention centre where journalists picked up accreditations and the occasional Russian official may have strolled. One sign with a portrait of Mr Putin read, 'This war criminal kidnaps children'. With just a week to prepare since Mr Trump announced the summit, Anchorage was strained to capacity with hotels full of pre-booked tourists on fishing expeditions and coastal cruises who had no warning that their summer destination would become the focus of global diplomacy. Russian journalists, unable to secure accommodation, posted disapproving pictures of staying inside a sporting arena, where they slept on cots partitioned off from one another by black curtains. The US hosts served the Russian journalists a selection of familiar foods – shashlik meat skewers, grilled fish and, in a common dish for Russians that suddenly could take on another meaning, chicken Kiev. AFP
