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World News – 15 August 2025

  • Donald Trump is confident Vladimir Putin is ready for a peace deal at Friday’s summit. This statement comes despite Trump having not yet met the Russian leader. Nonetheless, the US has some hope of a second meeting, and with it, something like a ceasefire.
  • If you’re flying Air Canada anytime soon, you may want to check your itinerary. The airline has announced it expects to cancel 500 flights ahead of a massive Saturday strike.
  • Protests have destroyed the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s SNS offices in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city. Anti-government demonstrators also clashed with police and SNS supporters in Belgrade.
  • China has kicked off a robot Olympics. Spanning three days in Beijing, a multinational collection of robots and AI-driven machines will compete in sports including football, track and field, and table tennis. It’s all fun and games until we’re human batteries plugged into the Matrix…
  • As if things weren’t stacked against the Wallabies enough, they will go into the 2025 Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday with their fourth-choice flyhalf James O’Connor.
  • Defending champion Jannik Sinner swept past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0 6-2 to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, with the world No 1 extending his hard court winning streak to 25 matches.
  • Lock Scott Barrett will lead the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Cordoba.
  • Asian stocks saw a patchy rebound as hotter US producer inflation tempered hopes for a big Fed rate cut in September.
  • Oil prices nudged higher on Friday to fresh one-week highs after US President Donald Trump warned of “consequences”.
  • Gold was slightly lower as the markets digested the path of inflation-adjusted interest rates, which typically move in the opposite direction from bullion prices.
  • Oil prices dropped ahead of Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • The dollar held on to previous session gains on Friday.
  • Shein’s UK sales jumped 32% in 2024 to R49-billion (£2.05-billion), with profits up 57%, as bargain-hunting Brits flocked to its pop-ups, promos and coupon blitz— while inching closer to a long-delayed Hong Kong IPO.
  • China’s economy hit the brakes in July, with factory output at an eight-month low and retail sales sputtering, piling pressure on Beijing to unleash more stimulus amid trade tensions and property woes.
  • UN talks on the world’s first plastic pollution treaty dragged past deadline as countries clashed over curbs on virgin plastic production. Ambitious nations balked at a watered-down draft, while oil producers resisted limits, forcing negotiations into an extra day.
  • As Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin hold talks in Alaska, the US president’s hopes of sealing a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine are uncertain. However, a last-gasp offer from Putin of a possible nuclear deal could help both men save face.
  • White House correspondent Steve Holland has headed to Alaska and tells the Reuters World News podcast the world is waiting to see which Trump will show up at the meeting. Will he be friendly or impatient with Putin? Listen now.
  • Trump’s administration is discussing a refugee admissions cap of around 40,000 for the coming year with a majority allocated to white South Africans, according to two US officials briefed on the matter and an internal refugee program email.
  • Costco said it will stop selling the abortion pill mifepristone across all its US pharmacy stores, citing low demand.
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom led a campaign-style rally for a redistricting plan to foil what he called Trump’s bid to rig the next congressional race and cement his Republican House majority by redrawing the political map of Texas.
  • At least 60 people have died and more than 100 are missing, a day after sudden, heavy rain caused floods and landslides in Indian Kashmir, the second such disaster in the Himalayas in a little over a week.
  • Supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party threw flares and firecrackers at anti-government protesters in Novi Sad, prompting police to intervene to end the standoff, a major escalation of nine-month-long protests in Serbia.
  • China’s factory output growth slumped to an eight-month low in July, while retail sales slowed sharply, raising pressure on policymakers to roll out more stimulus to revive domestic demand and ward off external shocks to the $19 trillion economy.
  • Global stocks traded near record highs as investors awaited key talks between Trump and Putin over Ukraine, and for US retail data that may give clues on the health of the world’s biggest economy.
  • Well-heeled shoppers around the US seem – so far at least – willing to soak up price hikes for aspirational products from trendy Birkenstock sandals to Bugaboo prams, despite the impact of trade tariffs and belt-tightening elsewhere.
  • Air Canada and its unionized flight attendants remained at odds, despite government pleas for both sides to return to bargaining to avert a strike that would upend travel for tens of thousands of passengers.
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the country to move towards more self-reliance, manufacture everything from fertilisers to jet engines and EV batteries, and vowed to protect farmers in the face of a trade conflict with Washington.
  • China kicked off the three-day long World Humanoid Robot Games, looking to showcase its advances in artificial intelligence and robotics as 280 teams from 16 countries compete. Events include sports such as track and field, table tennis, and robot-specific challenges from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services.
  • A cognitively impaired New Jersey man grew infatuated with “Big sis Billie,” a Facebook Messenger chatbot with a young woman’s persona. His fatal attraction puts a spotlight on Meta’s AI guidelines, which have let chatbots make things up and engage in ‘sensual’ banter with children.
  • The first round of Bolivia’s presidential election is scheduled for Sunday, and investors are betting voters will make a turn to the right
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will give a speech on the economic outlook and the Fed’s review of its policy framework next Friday at the Kansas City Fed’s annual central banking conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
  • Triple murder highlights escalating violence in Gqeberha: Police are investigating the fatal shooting of three people in Fairview, the latest in a series of violent incidents suspected of being linked to disputes within Gqeberha’s taxi industry. The attacks have left communities on edge and families in mourning.
  • Deputy President Mashatile urges amicable trade agreement with the US to protect SA jobs: Deputy President Paul Mashatile has emphasised the importance of an ‘amicable trade agreement’ with the US, saying that South African automotive and component manufacturers were running at a real risk of becoming unable to compete with other countries.
  • Police are investigating a double murder in Kingstown, Despatch, after two men were shot dead in the early hours of Thursday. Officers responded to a shooting in Dukubana Street at about 1.05am and found the bodies of two adult men with gunshot wounds. The motive is unknown, and no arrests have been made. A manhunt is under way, with police urging anyone with information (it may be given anonymously) to contact Detective Sergeant Mteteleli Ngalo at 082-441-7828 or Crime Stop at 08600-10111. The victims’ names will be released once their families have been informed.
  • Gqeberha, Walmer police have launched a murder investigation after a 25-year-old man was found dead in G-West, Walmer Location, on 13 August. Officers responded to a complaint of an assault near a tavern at about 7.19pm and discovered the victim with head and facial injuries. The motive is unknown, and no arrests have been made. The investigation continues.
  • Tesla could supply electricity to British homes, if approved by energy watchdog Ofgem.
  • Charcoal made from human waste could help solve fertiliser shortages in the UK as well as reduce pollution, a study has found.
  • Brits have been heading to Europe for ‘cheaper’ luxury after tax-free shopping became possible for UK visitors in the EU following Brexit.
  • Russian and US leaders are meeting today to discuss steps towards a ceasefire with Ukraine. This follows a meeting between the UK’s Prime Minister and Ukraine’s president, who agreed there is “strong resolve” for peace in Ukraine.
  • Discontinued online games could be protected by a new European law pushing companies to maintain them enough for purchasers to still be able to play them, preserving consumer rights and gaming nostalgia.
  • Marine researchers exploring extreme depths around the world say they have found an undiscovered ecosystem.
  • The Real Housewives have touched down in London with the show set to air next week – time to get acquainted with the cast!
  • Taylor Swift shared the tracklist and release date for her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast.
  • Jane Austen’s legacy is being celebrated through exhibitions around the world to mark 250 years since her birth.
  • The average number of years Europeans spend working is on the rise – these countries have the longest working life.
  • Manchester City FC has unveiled a rain-covered kit created by Puma as an ode to the famous Mancunian weather.
  • A study has suggested that blowing into a conch shell could help tackle the symptoms of sleep apnoea.
  • A Glasgow student has been named among Time magazine’s girls of the year for inventing a solar-powered blanket to help people experiencing homelessness stay warm.
  • The World’s Ugliest Dog contest took place at the weekend. Intrigued? It’s all about encouraging adoption and seeing the cuteness in every pooch.
  • Model Ellie Goldstein will be the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.
  • One thing the ANC did not break: South Africa has avoided the foreign currency debt crises that have crippled many emerging markets thanks to its well-developed local financial system, economist Dawie Roodt said.
  • South Africa’s forgotten R164 billion tax: Despite receiving billions in taxpayer funds, the Sector Education and Training Authority system is inefficient and ineffective, with billions sitting in idle cash reserves, an inflated wage bill, and over 600,000 learners failing to complete their certifications.
  • Transnet on track to go from zero to hero: Transnet is showing credible signs of a turnaround under new leadership and government-backed reforms, with rising rail volumes, improved port efficiency, and greater private-sector participation restoring confidence after years of mismanagement.
  • Eskom reaping the benefits of one man’s work: Eskom’s dramatic performance turnaround since 2023 has been largely credited to the leadership of Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo, whose implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan is bearing fruit.
  • Good news for complexes and sectional titles in South Africa: South Africans are flocking to sectional title properties, with many needing less space due to the decline in work-from-home jobs.
  • Major South African bank saying goodbye to Eskom power: Investec has applied for an electricity trading licence to supply private power to its headquarters in Sandton and support more of its customers.
  • Standard Bank branches going cashless across South Africa: Standard Bank is optimising its physical footprint by shifting most cash transactions to ATMs and digital channels, enabling it to roll out cashless branches across South Africa.
  • Goodbye Cape Town – reverse semigration trend hits South Africa: Soaring rents and a severe housing shortage in Cape Town are driving tenants to leave for more affordable provinces.
  • South Africa has been left behind: Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned that South Africa is lagging behind other countries in digital payments, as cash remains the country’s most popular form of payment.
  • Vodacom-Maziv R13 billion deal gets the greenlight: The Competition Appeal Court has overturned a previous ruling blocking Vodacom’s acquisition of a stake in Remgro-owned Maziv, clearing a major hurdle for the three-year-old deal that now awaits final approval from ICASA.
  • New Chinese hatchback launching in South Africa next week: MG has revealed the launch date for a new, affordable hatchback coming to South Africa.
  • Major update for Cape Town’s new sky train: The City of Cape Town has opened a public participation process for the land that could form the starting point for its new sky train.
  • Discovery Pothole Patrol celebrates four years of making Joburg’s roads safer for all: Discovery Pothole Patrol celebrates an important milestone – four years of partnership with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) to facilitate the repair of potholes in the Johannesburg metro.
  • Trump Meets Putin: President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, at 3:30 pm ET today to discuss the war in Ukraine. The talk—which will be conducted one-on-one with two translators present—will be followed by lunch with their delegations and a joint press conference. While Putin and Trump have had several phone calls this year, this will be their first in-person meeting since 2018. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend, though he did join Trump and other NATO leaders in a virtual meeting Wednesday. During that call, Trump affirmed his commitment to a ceasefire and agreed not to discuss peace deal parameters, including possible territorial divisions, without Ukraine present. Putin reportedly seeks to add US-Russia nuclear arms relations to today’s agenda. Trump told reporters his aim is to secure a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy.
  • Mind-Reader Study: Stanford University researchers have successfully translated patients’ inner monologues with up to 74% accuracy, according to a study released yesterday. Brain-computer interfaces have become increasingly adept at helping people with neurodegenerative diseases communicate (see write-up). A team of researchers took this further by studying not just attempted speech but silent thoughts. They implanted microelectrodes in the brains of four participants with paralysis from either ALS or a brainstem stroke. They then instructed patients to speak or imagine a set of words. Both activated similar neural pathways in the brain’s motor cortex region (responsible for speech), with imagined speech showing weaker activity. The team used AI to interpret inner thoughts from a vocabulary of up to 125,000 words.
  • ‘Baby Shark’ Suit: South Korea’s Supreme Court dismissed a US composer’s $21.6K lawsuit alleging the viral children’s hit “Baby Shark” was plagiarized, ending a six-year legal battle. The court ruled Jonathan Wright, also known as Johnny Only, lacked the originality needed for copyright protection in his 2011 version, as both his and Pinkfong’s 2015 adaptation were based on a traditional campfire song more than a century old. The ruling reaffirmed that the melody remains in the public domain. “Baby Shark” became a global phenomenon after Pinkfong’s YouTube video exploded, boasting roughly 16  Billion views by 2025 and standing as the most watched YouTube video of all time. It reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019 and was the first YouTube video to cross 10 billion views in 2022. The song sparked social media trends, like the #BabySharkChallenge. “Baby Shark” remains a major revenue driver for Pinkfong, earning $32.6M in the first half of 2025. The brand has grown into TV and Netflix series, films, apps, and even a collaboration with SeaWorld.
  • The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics to sell naming rights to the competition venues, a first for the Olympic Games.
  • LL Cool J tapped to host 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (Sept. 7); will be simulcast on CBS, along with MTV and Paramount+, for first time
  • The 2025-26 English Premier League season kicks off today.
  • NBA approves sale of Boston Celtics to private equity mogul Bill Chisholm at a $6.1B valuation, a record price for an American sports team
  • Leaked internal Meta document reveals the company’s AI chatbots were allowed to engage in “sensual” or “romantic” conversations with minors; company says it has since struck the guideline.
  • AI drug discovery platform helps researchers sift through tens of millions of potential drug compounds to identify new classes of antibiotics; two candidates cleared drug-resistant gonorrhea and staph infections in mice.
  • Scientists create new stable carbon structure, the first such demonstration since “buckyballs”—ball-shaped arrangements of 60 carbon atoms—in 1990.
  • US stock markets close near flatline (S&P 500 +0.0%, Dow -0.0%, Nasdaq -0.0%) as US producer price index—key inflation metric tracking wholesale product prices—shows 0.9% rise in July, the highest monthly gain in three years.
  • Average US 30-year fixed mortgage rate drops to 6.58%, the lowest level since October.
  • Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway reveals roughly $1.6B stake in UnitedHealth.
  • Nearly 16% of venture-backed deals in 2025 so far have been down rounds, when a startup raises money at a lower valuation than in its previous funding round; figure marks a decade high, per new data.
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will call a special election Nov. 4 to vote on redrawn maps in an effort to secure five more Democratic House seats in midterms; follows Texas’ plan to redistrict in favor of Republicans.
  • Florida announces new $6M detention center, “Deportation Depot,” opening in two weeks; will house over 1,300 people.
  • Supreme Court allows Mississippi law requiring social media to verify children’s ages to stay in effect for now.
  • Tropical Storm Erin expected to reach hurricane strength later today, with winds of at least 74 mph—first hurricane of 2025 Atlantic season.
  • KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, told 145 new police officers to not accept any bribes, often called “cool drinks” (the illusive “Coca-Cola R200 form”) from criminals, as they should remember their oaths, News24 reports.
  • EWN reports that rescue efforts will resume for a missing pilot in Durban after operations were halted on Thursday evening due to poor visibility and safety concerns for divers.
  • Hezbollah has raised the spectre of civil war in Lebanon if the government decided to confront or eliminate the group. The Lebanese government wants to control arms in the country — in line with a US-backed plan — but Hezbollah says it won’t put down arms until Israel ends its strikes and occupation of a southern strip of Lebanon.
  • Sudden floods in Indian Kashmir have killed at least 60 people and left 200 more missing, as rescuers use shovels and earthmovers to search for mudslide survivors on Friday.

  • Rapid animal rescue response as wildfires spread in Greece

    International Fund for Animal Welfare
    Wildfires continue to break out across southern Europe, with communities in Greece now facing some of the most urgent threats. We are supporting our long-standing partner, Save Your Hood, in their on-the-ground response to the immediate needs of …

  • DC Mayor Bowser walks delicate line with Trump, reflecting the city’s precarious position

    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    NEW YORK — As National Guard troops deploy across her city as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to clamp down on crime, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is responding with relative restraint. She’s called Trump’s takeover of the city’s police department …

  • African Union joins call for true-to-size world map to replace Mercator version

    The Guardian
    Created by the cartographer Gerardus Mercator for navigation, the projection distorts continent sizes, enlarging areas near the poles like North America and Greenland while shrinking Africa and South America. “It might seem to be just a …

  • Toxic Spill Exposes Zambia’s Geopolitical Tightrope

    Bloomberg
    Six months after a copper mine’s waste dam burst in Zambia, unleashing toxic sludge, the potential extent of the catastrophe is emerging. The US ambassador to the southern African nation estimates it could rank among the …

  • Live Updates: Trump Flies to Alaska for High-Stakes Summit With Putin

    The New York Times
    The first face-to-face meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine will test President Trump’s promise that he can end the war. Share full article. Image President Trump speaking to President Vladimir V. Putin as they …

  • Spain battles 14 major fires with more expected

    Reuters
    VILLANUEVA DE LA SIERRA, Spain, Aug 15 (Reuters) – Spain battled 14 major fires driven by high winds and aggravated by heat on Friday as authorities warned of “unfavourable conditions” to tackle flames that have already killed seven people and burned …

  • Plastic Pollution Talks Collapse as Oil States Oppose Tough Treaty

    The New York Times
    Negotiations over a global plastic pollution treaty collapsed on Friday as countries failed to bridge wide gaps on whether the world should limit plastic manufacturing and restrict the use of harmful plastic chemicals. Environmental groups accused a …

  • What do Alaskans make of the geopolitical circus arriving in their city?

    BBC News
    US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are set to touch down at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a 30 minute drive away. Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky is not invited, something Ms Correa says is “pretty sad”.

  • State-controlled messaging alters crypto usage in Russia

    Digital Watch Observatory
    State-backed messaging platforms also open the door to regulatory oversight, complicating private crypto exchanges and noncustodial wallets. In response, fintech startups and SMEs may turn to decentralised applications and privacy-focused tools, …

  • Mali’s junta arrests generals and French national over alleged coup plot

    The Guardian
    Mali’s military rulers have arrested a group of military personnel and civilians, including two Malian generals and a suspected French agent, accusing them of attempting to destabilise the country. The announcement followed rumours in recent days …

  • Weather tracker: Typhoon Podul pounds southern Taiwan

    The Guardian
    Typhoon Podul crossed southern Taiwan on Wednesday with wind speeds of up to 110mph (177km/h), equivalent to a category 2 hurricane. Podul had developed a week earlier, near the Northern Mariana Islands …

  • Japanese PM: Co-creating Africa’s brighter future at TICAD 9

    African Business Magazine
    Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says that TICAD9 will offer a vibrant platform for forging deeper partnerships between Japan and Africa. August 15th, 2025. Opinion by. Shigeru Ishiba. Twenty-five years ago, in 2000, I visited Senegal for the first time, …

  • Feds Turn Into Beat Cops Under Trump’s DC Policing Surge

    The New York Times
    In the nation’s capital, federal agents have operated a sobriety checkpoint, made gun and drug busts and carried out other day-to-day police work. Some residents are uneasy.

  • Dr Mohammed Mustafa on why we need more than recognition to end the crisis in Gaza – Australian Politics podcast

    The Guardian
    British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa has seen first-hand the horrors occurring daily in Gaza from his time working in hospitals across the region. Speaking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, he describes life on the ground in the war …

  • Troops in Washington Remain Largely Unseen So Far

    The New York Times
    President Trump promised an “overwhelming presence” of federal agents and military troops on the streets of Washington when announcing a crime crackdown earlier this week. Four days in, however, National Guard soldiers have mostly been seen massing in …

  • 7 moments from Trump and Putin’s history of falsehoods before their Alaska summit

    PBS NewsHour
    U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have more than a little history. While running for office in 2016, Trump praised Putin and said Putin praised him. When they met in Helsinki, Finland …

  • Global plastic talks collapse as countries remain deeply divided

    BBC News
    Global talks to develop a landmark treaty to end plastic pollution have once again failed. The UN negotiations, the sixth round of talks in just under three years, were due to end on Thursday but countries continued to negotiate into the night in the …

  • The big bratwurst brawl: why is this simple sausage so sizzlingly controversial?

    The Guardian
    So bratwurst was invented in Bavaria in the late-14th century, or thereabouts? Wait. Some years ago the Bavarians unearthed their own documentation: a decree from Nuremberg council declaring that only pork loin could be used to make sausage – from 1313.

  • Exclusive: Second senior Chinese diplomat detained for questioning, sources say

    Reuters
    BEIJING, Aug 15 (Reuters) – A deputy to a prominent Chinese diplomat being questioned by authorities was also detained, three people with knowledge of the matter said, a further sign of uncertainty in the top echelons of China’s diplomacy.

  • Suspected French spy arrested in alleged Mali coup plot

    BBC News
    Mali’s military rulers say they have arrested a French national on suspicion of spying for his country in an attempt to destabilise the African nation. In a statement read on national television late on Thursday, the junta said that Yann Vezilier was …

  • In Open Letter, More Than 360 Academics Blast Cancellation of Harvard Educational Review Issue on Palestine

    Harvard Crimson
    More than 360 academics from universities worldwide signed an open letter blasting a Harvard publishing group for abruptly canceling a special issue about Palestine and education — and urged the publisher to publicly acknowledge the decision as …

  • Trump says Putin won’t ‘mess around with me’ as pair prepare for Ukraine talks in Alaska

    BBC News
    US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are preparing for a highly anticipated summit in Alaska on the Ukraine war. Trump says Putin won’t “mess around with me” at their first one-on-one meeting in six years.

  • Waa kuma Siyaasiga miisaanka culus ee taageeray aqoonsiga Somaliland

    www.bbc.com
    Mid ka mid ah madaxda la soo doorto ee Maraykanka ee saamaynta leh ayaa madaxweynaha Maraykanka Donald Trump ka dalbaday in aqoonsi heer waddan la siiyo Somaliland oo tan iyo 1991 baadigoob ugu jirto inay ictiraaf hesho.

  • No consensus on binding plastic treaty at talks in Geneva, delegates say

    Reuters
    German plastic recyclers give their views on the world’s increasing plastic pollution while the international community. Plastic trash is sorted at the waste sorting plant of recycling company Remondis in Erftstadt, Germany, August 12 …

  • Japan to propose India-Africa economic zone at TICAD 9 event

    Asahi Shimbun
    Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will propose an initiative for economic integration and development from the Indian Ocean to Africa at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). His announcement of the plan will come on …

  • US-Russia talks on Ukraine: who’s who in the delegations to Alaska?

    The Guardian
    Russian delegation · Sergei Lavrov · Yuri Ushakov · Andrei Belousov · Kirill Dmitriev · Anton Siluanov.

  • Burma Star veteran recalls VJ Day ‘godsend’

    BBC News
    Veteran James Fenton was in India preparing for an attack on the Japanese mainland when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces on 15 August 1945, ending World War Two. The 103-year-old described the surrender as a “godsend” for his unit, …

  • Crime ‘hot spots’ targeted, encampments cleared, as feds expand DC push

    The Washington Post
    D.C.. Crime ‘hot spots’ targeted, encampments cleared, as feds expand D.C. push. President Trump promised to “have the crime situation solved in D.C. very soon,” as White House and Pentagon …

  • Trump to meet Putin for summit in Alaska as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages

    BBC News
    US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are preparing for a highly anticipated summit in Alaska on the Ukraine war. The White House says Trump will exhaust all options to end the war at their first one-on-one meeting in six years.

  • Mali’s military arrests generals, suspected French agent in overthrow plot

    Aljazeera.com
    Authorities in Mali have arrested a group of military personnel and civilians, including two Malian army generals and a suspected French secret agent, accused of attempting to destabilise the country. Mali’s security minister, General Daoud …

  • EU sends wildfire help to Spain as death toll rises

    Yahoo News Canada
    The European Union has sent two firefighting planes to Spain to help battle raging wildfires, after the country activated the bloc’s disaster assistance mechanism for the first time. The assistance comes as the country recorded a third wildfire-related …

  • Ghana dispatch: inquiry underway into fatal military helicopter crash that killed top government officials

    JURIST
    The government of Ghana on August 14, 2025 announced that it has invited American forensic experts to assist in investigating the August 6 military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers. The Ghana Armed Forces …

  • Trump’s DC takeover escalates with surge in arrests and homeless encampments cleared

    PBS NewsHour
    Protests also erupted in the streets after the White House said federal agents would patrol around the clock. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Juliette Kayyem, a former Homeland Security official now at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

  • Why did Russia sell Alaska to the United States?

    Aljazeera.com
    For a Trump-Putin summit that might focus on land swaps, Alaska might just be an appropriate venue, 158 years after it last exchanged hands. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. US President Donald Trump shakes …

  • Greens will push for Senate Inquiry into childcare safety crisis, say enough is enough on patchwork fixes

    Australian Greens
    Australian Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and care, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, says years of neglecting the system has left children at risk and families without confidence.

  • Town of Mocksville to end volunteer firefighter program

    WFMYNews2.com
    Only six volunteers remain in the program, and town officials said their participation in calls has declined. Author: Taylor Ford. Published: 10:10 PM EDT August …

  • CO25175 | BRICS in the Wake of the Rio Summit and US Tariff Threats

    S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
    The 17th BRICS Summit highlighted the bloc’s continued expansion and institutionalisation amid US tariff threats. As India prepares to assume chairmanship of BRICS in 2026, a focus on advancing digital public infrastructure and consolidating the new …

  • Anthony Albanese defends Palestine decision after criticism from US ambassador

    SBS
    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fired back at a US diplomat after he criticised Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine. On Monday, the Albanese government revealed it would join other Western nations, including the UK, France and Canada, …

  • Five key points on how a long-respected US human rights report became a ‘cudgel’ under Trump

    The Guardian
    Bukele’s hardline approach to crime has been accompanied by an assault on civil society and democratic institutions. Orbán and Bukele have both positioned themselves as Trump adherents – with El Salvador opening up a notorious mega-prison …

  • Trump Sought to Minimize Expectations for Putin Talks

    The New York Times
    President Trump said this afternoon that the goal of his meeting tomorrow with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was simply to set the table for more discussions down the line. His aides have also described the summit, which is to be held at a …

  • Global leaders extend plastic pollution treaty talks with endgame still unclear

    FRANCE 24
    High level negotiations between 185 countries over reaching a global agreement to combat plastic pollution were prolonged into Friday, as rival blocs continue to clash over prioritizing a phase out of the material or bettering waste management systems.

  • Why Are Plankton So Crucial For Life on Earth – And How Is Climate Change Affecting Them?

    Earth.Org
    Plankton, the microscopic organisms that form the basis of the marine food web, produce half of the Earth’s oxygen and absorb up to 40% of the global carbon emissions. But with climate change-driven ocean warming, algae reproduction and shrinking …

  • More than 20 writers withdraw from Bendigo Writers Festival over censorship concerns

    ABC News
    The writers who’ve withdrawn say they’re concerned the event’s code of conduct impinges on free speech in relation to the war in Gaza. abc.net.

  • Wildfires claim third life in Spain as intense heat continues across Europe

    The Guardian
    The European Commission said it was sending water-bombing planes to Spain as it struggled to contain deadly blazes, with countries across the Balkans also receiving firefighting support. A volunteer firefighter died …

  • The water’s not safe to drink in much of war-torn Sudan. But people have no choice

    CBC.ca
    Crowded camps, heavy rain and a lack of hygiene supplies have fostered the perfect storm for cholera, a painful and deadly water-borne disease, to spread. “Displaced persons are extremely exposed to those …

  • Vehicle of interest photos released as OPP investigate fatal motorcycle crash

    Ottawa Citizen
    In a social-media post on Thursday, police said they were attempting to identify a black Honda Civic or Accord that had been seen nearby at the time of the crash at County Road 2 and Brodeur Road. Anyone with dashcam video of the area at that time was …

  • Mali’s military rulers arrest 2 generals, a suspected French agent and others in alleged coup plot

    Lethbridge News Now
    The announcement followed rumors in recent days of arrests of Malian army officers and was made by Mali’s security minister, Gen. Daoud Aly Mohammedine on the evening news on the local media. He assured the audience that a full investigation was underway …

  • Mali junta accuses ‘foreign states’ of attempted destabilisation plot

    FRANCE 24
    Mali’s ruling military junta said Thursday it had arrested a French national suspected of working for French intelligence services and at least 55 soldiers for allegedly attempting to “destabilise the institutions of the republic” with the help of …

  • 15 August 2025: The Week in Australian Foreign Affairs

    Australian Institute of International Affairs
    This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese in Queenstown for 2025 Australia–New Zealand Leaders’ Meetin; Australia to recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th UNGA in September; Marles, Wong, and Conroy travel to the Pacific, and more.

  • Australia’s commitment to recognise Palestine met with ‘disappointment and disgust’ by Trump administration

    ABC News
    He claims the decision by Australia and other countries like the UK, France and Canada could inadvertently push Israel towards annexation of the West Bank. Mr Huckabee said President Donald Trump had done “more than anyone …

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3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Older Persons Grants Land Today — No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, Older Persons grants are paid today, 30 October, under SASSA’s revised November payment schedule — with disability grants on Monday 2 November, children’s grants on Tuesday 3 November, and grants under review on Thursday 5 November. Two things every beneficiary should know. First, grant money does not expire on payment day. It stays…

  • November Grants Pay Early – No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. November grants pay earlier than usual. Older Persons grants are paid on Friday 30 October, Disability grants on 2 November, and Child Support and other grants on 3 November. Grants still under review are paid on 5 November. The money…

  • NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October — SASSA households, apply now

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year close on Friday 31 October 2026, and no extension is expected. If your household receives a SASSA grant, your child already passes the NSFAS financial eligibility test — but they still have to…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bliksem – to hit. This is a derogative term meaning to hit or punch someone.Example: “I’ll bliksem you!”

  2. Thanks for this post – I have had a great time visiting your site and find myself now wanting to physically visit South Africa. Well Done!