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Wildfires sweep southern Europe amid 40°C heat.

At least three people have died in a scorching heatwave that is fuelling dozens of wildfires across parts of southern Europe, forcing thousands of people from their homes.

Red heat alerts have been issued in parts of Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans, warning of significant risks to health as temperatures push above 40C.
 
Spain's weather service Aemet said temperatures could reach 44C in Seville and Cordoba, while southern Portugal could also hit 44C.
 
In Spain, an equestrian centre employee died after suffering severe burns in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, where winds over 70km/h drove flames near homes, forcing hundreds to flee.

Source: Somoy news.

Russia–China Naval Task Force Refuels Near Alaska as Joint Patrol Enters Next Phase. 🇷🇺🇨🇳⚡🇺🇸

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, August 12, 2025 — A joint naval task force comprising Russian and Chinese warships has made a strategic port call at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Avacha Bay on August 12, replenishing fuel and supplies before continuing its Asia-Pacific patrol mission. According to the Russian Pacific Fleet, vessels involved include the Russian anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs, the Chinese destroyer Shaoxing, and the PLA Navy replenishment ship Qiandaohu .

The joint patrol, launched after the "Maritime Interaction-2025" exercise held from August 1–5 near Vladivostok, aims to bolster maritime cooperation, maintain regional peace and stability, conduct surveillance, and safeguard economic interests . The fleet confirms that the ships will continue along their agreed patrol route following this replenishment stop .

Source: TASS — Russian News Agency (August 12, 2025)

 Indonesia Unveils First Rafale Fighter Jet in National Colors — 42 Aircraft on Order.

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has officially released the first images of its newly acquired Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jet, proudly wearing full Indonesian livery and the insignia of the 6th Air Wing, 12th Air Squadron. The aircraft, bearing serial number T-0301, marks a major milestone in Indonesia’s largest-ever fighter procurement program.

Indonesia signed a landmark contract in February 2022 for 42 Rafale jets — comprising 30 single-seat and 12 two-seat variants — to be delivered in three tranches. The first batch of six aircraft is scheduled to arrive in early 2026, with Indonesian pilots and technicians currently undergoing advanced training in France.

Source: TNI AU / The Aviationist

US, China extend tariff truce by 90 days.

The United States and China on Monday extended a tariff truce for another 90 days, staving off triple-digit duties on each other's goods as U.S. retailers get ready to ramp up inventories ahead of the critical end-of-year holiday season.

US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had signed an executive order suspending the imposition of higher tariffs until 12:01am EST (0501 GMT) on November 10, with all other elements of the truce to remain in place.
 
China's Commerce Ministry issued a parallel pause on extra tariffs early on Tuesday, also postponing for 90 days the addition of US firms it had targeted in April to trade and investment restriction lists.
 
"The United States continues to have discussions with the PRC to address the lack of trade reciprocity in our economic relationship and our resulting national and economic security concerns," Trump's executive order stated, using the acronym for the People's Republic of China. "Through these discussions, the PRC continues to take significant steps toward remedying non-reciprocal trade arrangements and addressing the concerns of the United States relating to economic and national security matters."

Source: Somoy News.

Zelensky Signals Potential End to Ukraine War Ready to Freeze Front Lines and Cede Occupied Territories to Russia 🚨

In a stunning shift amid escalating diplomatic pressures, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine may be prepared to end the ongoing war by allowing Russia to retain control over territories it currently holds in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. The proposal would effectively freeze the front lines as they stand, paving the way for a European-backed peace plan ahead of a anticipated Trump-Putin summit.

This development, reported exclusively by The Telegraph on August 11, 2025, reflects growing concerns over a negotiated deal that could bypass full Ukrainian input. While Zelensky insists no land under Ukrainian control would be ceded and any concessions would require a national referendum, the move marks a potential softening of Kyiv's stance amid battlefield realities.

Source: The Telegraph (August 11, 2025 article: "Ukraine prepared to cede territory held by Russia")

Russia & Belarus to Hold Major ‘Zapad-2025’ Military Drills in September 🚨

 The Belarusian Defense Ministry has announced that joint strategic military exercises “Zapad-2025” will be held in Belarus from September 12 to 16. The drills aim to test Moscow and Minsk’s combined capabilities to ensure the security of the Union State and readiness to repel any aggression.

Officials confirmed the exercises will be scaled down in scope and moved away from Belarus’s western borders in an effort to reduce tensions with NATO neighbors.

📌Source: Reuters

Ukrainian President #VolodymyrZelenskyy conveyed to #PMModi about the ongoing Russian invasion, highlighting attacks on Ukrainian cities, including the recent shelling in Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy urged #India to support peaceful efforts and emphasized that decisions about #Ukraine must involve Ukraine's participation.

Source: The Times of India.

US Vice President J.D. Vance: “America Will No Longer Fund Ukraine’s War — Europe Must Step Up”

In a major policy signal reported by The Times, US Vice President J.D. Vance has declared that Washington will not continue providing financial support for Ukraine’s war effort. Vance emphasized that the era of US taxpayers carrying the bulk of the cost is over, and that European nations must assume greater responsibility if they want Kyiv to continue receiving aid.

The Vice President’s comments come amid growing skepticism in the United States over prolonged involvement in the conflict, as public and political pressure mounts to redirect resources toward domestic priorities. According to Vance, America’s role moving forward will focus on encouraging Europe to take the lead in sustaining military and financial support for Ukraine.

Analysts say the statement could mark a turning point in Western strategy, potentially forcing NATO allies to significantly increase their defense budgets and military assistance.

📌Source: The Times.

Australia to Recognize "Palastine" at UN General Assembly in September.

Australia has officially announced it will recognize the State of "Palastine" at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the move on 11 August 2025, stating the recognition will be conditional on commitments from the Palastinian Authority — including excluding H∆m∆s from governance, demilitarizing G∆za, and holding democratic elections.

This decision aligns Australia with other nations such as France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, who have also pledged recognition at the upcoming UNGA session.

📌Source: Reuters.

Philippine President Marcos Warns Country Could Be Drawn Into Taiwan Conflict, Vows Firm Stance in South China Sea.

During his official visit to India in early August 2025, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines would inevitably be drawn into any war over Taiwan due to its close proximity and the presence of approximately 200,000 Filipino workers on the island. He emphasized the country’s commitment to never back down in defending its territorial rights amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, reaffirming a strong naval stance against encroachments.
Marcos’s remarks have drawn criticism from China, which accused the Philippines of interfering in its internal affairs. The President clarified his statements as a realistic security assessment aimed at protecting Filipino nationals and national sovereignty.

— Source: Associated Press (AP), Reuters

Thousands rally in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s new Gaza plan.

Thousands of demonstrators demanded the release of the hostages and an immediate end to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to intensify the nearly two-year-old G'a'z'a w'a'r in the streets of Tel Aviv.

The prime minister's office announced a day earlier that, in spite of strong public opposition and military warnings that the action could put the hostages in danger, the security cabinet—a small group of senior ministers—had decided to take control of Gaza City, extending military operations in the devastated Palestinian territory.
 
"This is not merely a military choice. At the demonstration, Lishay Miran Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran, begged US President Donald Trump to step in and put an immediate end to the war, saying, "It could be a death sentence for the people we love most."
 
According to public opinion surveys, the vast majority of Israelis support ending the conflict right away in order to ensure the release of the 50 hostages that militants in Gaza are still holding. About 20 captives, according to Israeli sources, are still alive.

Source: Somoy News.

Europe's allies urge Trump not to deal with Putin without Ukraine.

A fresh wave of support for Ukraine has come from European friends, who have insisted that Kyiv be included in any peace negotiations with Russia.

"Without Ukraine, the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided," the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission said in a joint statement.
 
Their remarks followed US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday in an attempt to resume the war's end.
 
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern that any agreements without Kyiv would be "dead decisions" and that Ukraine would not be invited to its own peace negotiations.

Source: Somoy News.

Won't give land: Zelenskyy rejects Trump's territory-swap peace idea with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday dismissed the idea of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, after US President Donald Trump suggested a potential peace deal could involve “some swapping of territories.”

“Ukraine will not give land to the occupier,” Zelenskyy said, adding his country “will not give Russia any awards for what it has done.” He stressed that what is needed is “not a pause in the killings, but a real, lasting peace immediately.”

The comments came as European and Ukrainian officials met US Vice President JD Vance in England to discuss ways to end the more than three-year conflict. Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Poland attended the talks in Kent, which Zelenskyy described as constructive.

US senator urges India to help Trump end Ukraine war, slams Russian oil purchases.

US Senator Lindsey Graham has urged India to use its "influence" to help President Donald Trump end the Ukraine war, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Graham said that it will be "consequential" in improving relations between Washington and Delhi.

"As I have been telling my friends in India, one of the most consequential things they could do to improve India-US relations is to help President Trump end this bloodbath in Ukraine," Graham posted on social media.

Source: India Today.

Trump and Putin to meet in Alaska for Ukraine peace talks.

US President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, Trump says.

The two leaders will ""focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis,"" Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Trump made the highly anticipated announcement on social media today (August 9) after he said that the parties, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, were close to a ceasefire deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year conflict, one that could require Ukraine to surrender significant territory.
 
Addressing reporters at the White House earlier on Friday, Trump suggested an agreement would involve some exchange of land.
 
"There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both," the Republican president said.

Source: Somoy News.

Wildfires shut down key Turkish waterway.

The Dardanelles Strait has been temporarily shut to maritime traffic due to forest fires raging in northwestern Turkey, the country's transport ministry has said.

The major international waterway was shut as a precautionary measure as the blazes spread near the city of Canakkale, where a number of residents were evacuated.
 
Turkish firefighters have been deployed to try to contain the fires. Specialist firefighting planes and helicopters are also in use.
 
The Dardanelles links the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Together with the Bosporus Strait, it serves as a vital route for commercial shipping between Europe and Asia.

Turkish firefighters have been deployed to try to contain the fires. Specialist firefighting planes and helicopters are also in use.

Source: Somoy News.

Ukraine Reinforces U.S.-Supplied M1A1SA Abrams Tanks After Vulnerabilities Exposed in Combat .

Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian armoured units have begun urgent field upgrades to U.S.-supplied M1A1SA Abrams main battle tanks after combat on the eastern front exposed critical weaknesses in their armour protection, according to an exclusive report from Army Recognition.

The U.S. delivered 31 M1A1SA Abrams to Ukraine between October 2023 and early 2024. However, battlefield experience against modern Russian weaponry — including top-attack anti-tank guided missiles, first-person-view (FPV) kamikaze drones, and loitering munitions — has revealed that the tanks’ standard armour package lacks adequate roof and rear protection. Unlike the U.S. Army’s latest M1A2 SEP v3 variants, the M1A1SA versions supplied to Ukraine do not feature depleted-uranium armour inserts or active protection systems, making them more vulnerable to advanced threats.

In response, Ukrainian crews have improvised a layered defensive approach. This includes the installation of Soviet-era Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour (ERA) blocks along the turret and hull, as well as “cope cage” armour over the turret roof and engine deck to counter top-attack munitions. Additional mesh and side-skirt protection have also been fitted to shield vital areas from drones and RPG fire.

Military analysts note that these upgrades mirror measures taken by other armies — including Russia — in adapting armoured vehicles to the drone-dominated battlefield. While the retrofits cannot match the full capabilities of modern active defence systems, they represent a crucial, rapidly deployable enhancement to survivability.

Source: Exclusive Report, Army Recognition — 8 August 2025

India halts US arms deal over Trump’s tariffs.

New Delhi has put on hold its plans to procure new US weapons and aircraft, according to three Indian officials familiar with the matter, in India's first concrete sign of discontent after tariffs imposed on its exports by President Donald Trump dragged ties to their lowest level in decades.

Delhi, which has forged a close partnership with America in recent years, has said it is being unfairly targeted and that Washington and its European allies continue to trade with Moscow when it is in their interest.

India had been planning to send Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington in the coming weeks for an announcement on some of the purchases, but that trip has been cancelled, two of the people said.
 
Trump on August 6 imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as punishment for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, which he said meant the country was funding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That raised the total duty on Indian exports to 50% – among the highest of any US trading partner.
 
The president has a history of rapidly reversing himself on tariffs and India has said it remains actively engaged in discussions with Washington. One of the people said the defence purchases could go ahead once India had clarity on tariffs and the direction of bilateral ties, but "just not as soon as they were expected to."

Source: Somoy News.

 Israel & Egypt Seal Record-Breaking $35 Billion Natural Gas Deal 🚨

In the largest energy agreement in Israel’s history, Israel and Egypt have signed a $35 billion natural gas export deal. The agreement will see 130 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas supplied from Israel’s Leviathan field to Egypt until 2040.

The deal will roll out in two phases:

Phase 1 (2026) — Delivery of 20 bcm after pipeline upgrades.

Phase 2 — Remaining 110 bcm, dependent on Leviathan expansion and a new pipeline via Nitzana.

This landmark pact strengthens regional energy ties and positions both nations as key players in the global gas market.

Source: Reuters | Financial Times.

Germany Suspends Arms Exports to Israel Over G∆za Offensive, Chancellor Merz Criticizes Netanyahu’s Occupation Plan.

In a significant diplomatic move, Germany has announced an immediate suspension of all arms exports to Israel that could be used in the ongoing conflict in the G∆za Strip. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis, describing Israel’s plan to take control of G∆za City as increasingly difficult to justify.

Merz emphasized Germany’s commitment to protecting civilian lives, calling for an urgent ceasefire and the safe release of hostages. “We are deeply concerned about the suffering of the civilian population in G∆za,” he stated, while urging restraint and diplomatic solutions amid the intensifying violence.

This suspension signals a rare and critical stance by a key European ally during the ongoing conflict between Israel and p∆lestine.

Source: Reuters | Times of Israel | Politico (August 8, 2025)