World News Highlights, 05 August 2025: US President Trump Says Gaza Occupation Decision Is Up To Israel

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Last Updated:August 06, 2025, 06:15 IST

From geopolitics to climate, tech to social change, News18 World live blog delivers real-time updates on what is the latest from around the globe

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News18

From geopolitics to climate, tech to social change, News18 World live blog delivers real-time updates on what is the latest from around the globe

US President Trump Says Gaza Occupation Decision Is Up To Israel

US President Donald Trump stated that the decision on whether to occupy all of Gaza is “up to Israel,” as per a report in Al Jazeera. This comment signals a potential policy shift from the previous administration of former President Joe Biden, which had publicly opposed a long-term Israeli re-occupation of the territory. The statement comes as international organizations continue to warn that an expanded Israeli military operation and potential full occupation would be “catastrophic” for the Palestinian population, citing the severe humanitarian crisis. Trump’s position is consistent with his historically pro-Israel foreign policy stance, which has often deferred to Israeli government decisions on regional security matters.

Experts Propose 'Healthocide' To Describe Rise In Attacks On Medical Services In Conflict

Academics are urging that deliberate attacks on medics and hospitals in conflict zones be termed ‘healthocide’ amid a rise in such incidents globally, according to a report in The Guardian. This trend of targeting healthcare, seen in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, severely undermines the principle of medical neutrality and Humanitarian Law. The systematic destruction of health infrastructure not only creates immediate humanitarian crises but also threatens global health security by crippling disease surveillance and increasing the risk of cross-border health emergencies, which carry significant economic implications.

US Will Not Seek Death Penalty for Mexican Cartel Leaders Zambada and Quintero

US prosecutors have decided against seeking the death penalty for Mexican drug traffickers Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero, who have both pleaded not guilty to extensive drug trafficking charges, according to a report in AP. The decision is particularly notable in the case of Caro Quintero, who is accused of orchestrating the 1985 murder of US Drug Enforcement Administration agent Kiki Camarena. This prosecutorial move is seen as a key step in US-Mexico relations, potentially smoothing future extraditions as Mexico’s constitution prohibits capital punishment and the government requires assurances that it will not be applied to extradited nationals.

Egyptian President Accuses Israel Of Systematic Genocide In Gaza

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has accused Israel of carrying out a ‘systematic genocide’ in Gaza, marking a severe downturn in public diplomatic relations between the two nations, Al Jazeera said in a report. The accusation adds significant political weight to international pressure on Israel, which is already facing a genocide case at the Court of Justice (ICJ) brought by South Africa. Sisi’s statement, made against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, is expected to influence the political environment surrounding the ICJ case and could complicate normalization efforts between Israel and other Arab states.

UN Reports Nearly 60,000 Displaced By Heavy Fighting In Northern Mozambique

Nearly 60,000 people have been displaced by a recent escalation of fighting in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis amid major cuts in international aid, Al Jazeera said in a report. The new wave of displacement is attributed to a resurgence in attacks by the Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama’a (ASWJ) insurgent group, also known as ISIS-Mozambique. This development comes despite the presence of Mozambican, Rwandan, and Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, raising concerns about the security strategy’s long-term effectiveness. The situation poses significant risks to regional stability and could further delay major natural gas projects vital to Mozambique’s economy, while humanitarian organizations struggle to respond due to funding shortfalls.

Mexican Authorities Arrest Migrant Activist Ahead Of Planned Caravan

Authorities in southern Mexico arrested activist and immigration advocate Luis García Villagrán in Tapachula, Chiapas, on Tuesday for alleged crimes connected to his work with migrants, as per a report in AP. The arrest occurred one day before a group of migrants was scheduled to begin a caravan to Mexico City to protest their treatment. An unnamed federal official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the case, confirmed the reason for the arrest.

Colombia Accuses Peru Of Annexing Disputed Amazon Island

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused Peru of fully annexing Santa Rosa Island in the Amazon river, escalating a long-standing border dispute between the two nations, as per a report in AP. In a public statement, Petro claimed Peru acted to annex the territory, which has been administered by Peru for decades but whose legal ownership remains contested. The core of the dispute lies in differing interpretations of treaties that are approximately a century old; Peru bases its ownership claim on these treaties, while Colombia argues they are not applicable because the island had not yet emerged from the river when the agreements were signed.

AI's Energy Demand Threatens Big Tech's Net-Zero Pledges

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is causing a significant increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions for major technology companies, threatening their commitments to achieve net-zero, as per a report in The New York Times. New sustainability reports indicate that the massive energy required for training AI models and powering data centers is leading to a surge in emissions, directly contradicting the companies’ climate goals. This trend poses a significant risk to global climate targets, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement, by placing additional strain on energy grids and complicating the transition to renewable energy. The development is also prompting increased regulatory scrutiny on the environmental impact of data centers and fueling research into more energy-efficient “Green AI” technologies.

USMCA Exempts Most Canadian And Mexican Goods From New US Tariffs

The vast majority of goods from Canada and Mexico are shielded from a new 35% US tariff hike implemented last week by President Donald Trump, according to a report in AP. A critical exemption within the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was negotiated during Trump’s first term, excludes any goods that comply with the trade pact’s rules. While most Canadian exports will continue to enter the US duty-free, the report notes that separate 25% tariffs are targeted at a small portion of Mexican goods that do not meet the agreement’s criteria.

President Trump To Form Task Force For 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

US President Donald Trump is establishing a new task force dedicated to the 2028 Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles, according to a report in AP. The White House announced that Trump will formalize the task force by signing an executive order on Tuesday. The 2028 event marks the first time the Olympic Games will be hosted in the US since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president considers it a “great honor to oversee this global sporting spectacle.”

Royal Opera House Cancels Israel Performances After Staff Criticism

The UK’s Royal Ballet and Opera has cancelled its scheduled performances of ‘Tosca’ in Tel Aviv after nearly 200 staff members signed an open letter criticizing the organization’s position on the war in Gaza, according to a report in The New York Times. The internal pressure from employees, who condemned the institution’s perceived silence on the humanitarian crisis, directly led to the decision to scrap the collaboration. This move highlights the increasing pressure on international cultural institutions to adopt political stances regarding global conflicts and is seen as a significant development for pro-Palestinian advocacy campaigns. The cancellation carries potential financial and reputational consequences for the Royal Opera House and contributes to the growing cultural isolation of Israeli institutions, setting a major precedent for the global arts sector.

Jewish Groups In UK Protest Potential Ban On Palestine Action

Hundreds of protestors, including members of UK Jewish organizations, demonstrated near Downing Street on Tuesday to oppose the government’s consideration of proscribing the activist group Palestine Action, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The demonstrators, representing a segment of the British Jewish community critical of Israeli policy, delivered a letter to the government labeling the potential ban “illegitimate and unethical.” The protest also included calls for the UK to impose sanctions on Israel, highlighting the domestic political pressure on the UK government regarding its policies toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader debate over freedom of protest.

Young Guides In Hiroshima Personalize Nuclear Bombing History

In Hiroshima’s Peace Park, a young guide is helping visitors personally connect with the history and impact of the world’s first nuclear bombing, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve the memory of the 1945 event as the generation of direct survivors, known as ‘hibakusha’, ages. By providing personal and relatable narratives, these youth guides aim to ensure the lessons of the atomic bombing are not forgotten, reinforcing Japan’s unique role in advocating for global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament amidst renewed international tensions over nuclear weapons.

German Club Cancels Transfer Of Israeli Striker Amid Fan Backlash

German second-division club Fortuna Dusseldorf has backed out of a deal to sign Israeli striker Shon Weissman from Spanish club Granada due to strong opposition from its supporters, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The fan backlash is reportedly linked to Weissman’s nationality amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to the cancellation of the planned transfer.

Nigerian Customs Seize Over 1,600 Birds In Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust

In a major blow to illegal wildlife trafficking, Nigerian customs authorities have seized more than 1,600 parrots and canaries at the Lagos international airport, AP said in a report. The birds were reportedly destined for Kuwait without the required permits. The operation is being hailed as one of the country’s most significant wildlife trafficking busts in recent years and underscores Nigeria’s role as a critical transit hub for the global illegal wildlife trade. According to experts, the seizure represents a positive development in Nigeria’s enforcement efforts against criminal networks that supply the lucrative international market for exotic pets.

Political Tensions And Gaza Conflict Fuel Emigration From Israel

Israel is experiencing a significant social crisis marked by an increasing wave of emigration, according to a report in France 24. This trend is fueled by a combination of factors, including escalating security tensions from the prolonged Gaza war, widespread public dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict and hostage crisis, and lingering societal divisions from the 2023 judicial overhaul controversy. The resulting political instability and economic strain are reportedly causing many, including skilled professionals, to consider leaving the country.

Swedish Prime Minister Faces Criticism Over AI Use

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has come under fire after admitting he regularly consults AI tools for a “second opinion” in his role, according to a report in The Guardian. Kristersson, who leads Sweden’s centre-right coalition, specified using services including ChatGPT and the French tool LeChat, adding that his colleagues also utilize AI in their daily work. The admission has drawn criticism from tech experts and media, with one newspaper accusing the prime minister of falling for “the oligarchs’ AI psychosis.”

OpenAI Releases Open Models To Compete With China's DeepSeek

OpenAI has launched free and more transparent open-weight AI models, marking a significant strategic expansion from its traditionally closed-source, subscription-based business model, Financial Times says in a report. This move is a direct response to the intensifying competition in the open-source AI sector, particularly from prominent Chinese companies like DeepSeek, which have gained traction by releasing powerful, free models. The decision places OpenAI in direct competition within the open-source ecosystem, a space currently populated by major players like Meta and Mistral AI. While this diversifies OpenAI’s strategy to capture developer interest, the company’s most advanced models, such as GPT-4o, will remain proprietary and accessible via paid subscriptions.

US Pressure Fails As Japan And South Korea Resist Alaska LNG Deal

The Trump administration’s push to secure commitments from Japan and South Korea for the major Alaska LNG project has been unsuccessful, as both nations are resisting pressure to tie the energy deal into broader trade agreements, the Financial Times said in a report. Despite the US leveraging trade talks and the threat of tariffs, Tokyo and Seoul have remained hesitant. Their reluctance is primarily driven by economic factors, including the project’s high estimated costs and the availability of more competitively priced and flexible LNG supplies from other global producers. This situation underscores the limitations of using political and trade pressure to compel allies into long-term, capital-intensive energy infrastructure projects when market fundamentals do not align.

BP To Cut 6,200 Jobs And Raise Dividend After Reporting $2.4B Profit

Oil major BP will cut 6,200 jobs as it launches its second business review in the last six months, a move aimed at restructuring its operations, Financial Times says in a report. The announcement was made alongside the company’s second-quarter financial results, which showed adjusted profits of $2.4 billion. Concurrently, BP has raised its dividend, signaling to investors its confidence in future financial performance despite the significant workforce reduction and operational review.

Sri Lankan Parliament Votes To Remove Acting Police Chief Over Misconduct

Lawmakers in Sri Lanka have impeached and removed acting Inspector-General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon over findings of misconduct and gross abuse of power, AP said in a report. The motion passed in the 225-member parliament with a vote of 117-0, with one abstention. The decision follows a parliamentary committee inquiry that found him guilty of allegations, including involvement in the torture of a civilian. Tennakoon’s appointment in an acting capacity in November 2023 was controversial, and Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court had previously issued an order preventing his permanent confirmation due to ongoing fundamental rights cases against him.

Cameroon Bars Key Opposition Candidate From Presidential Race

Cameroon’s constitutional council on Tuesday rejected an appeal from opposition candidate Maurice Kamto, officially barring him from the ballot for the upcoming presidential election, according to a report in AP. Kamto, a former government minister, is widely viewed as the primary challenger to long-serving President Paul Biya. The decision, which followed an earlier exclusion by the electoral commission, has fueled concerns of potential unrest and prompted the deployment of security forces in the capital, Yaounde.

Iran Appoints Moderate Politician Ali Larijani To Top Security Post

Iran’s president has appointed moderate conservative Ali Larijani as the new secretary for the Supreme Security Council, the nation’s highest security body, according to a report in AP. The appointment marks a return for Larijani to a position he previously held from 2005 to 2007. He replaces Gen. Ali Akbar Ahmadian, who had held the role since 2023. Larijani’s appointment is notable as he was barred from the 2021 presidential election and takes place during a period of political transition following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and amid heightened regional tensions.

Pakistan Arrests Over 200 Activists Rallying For Former Leader Imran Khan

Over 200 supporters of former leader Imran Khan were arrested by police in Pakistan on Tuesday during attempts to organize rallies across the country, as per a report in AP. The demonstrations were intended to mark the first anniversary of Khan’s significant arrest in May 2023. Among the detainees was Rehana Dar, a politician from Khan’s party, who was taken into custody in Lahore amid a broader crackdown by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

US President Donald Trump to Establish Task Force for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Tuesday to officially establish a task force for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, AP said in a report. The White House stated that the president considers it a great honor to oversee the global sporting event. The 2028 Games mark the first time the Olympics will be held in the US since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

WhatsApp Rolls Out New Safety Feature To Combat Group Chat Scams

WhatsApp is rolling out a new ‘safety overview’ feature to protect users from increasingly prevalent group chat scams, The Verge said in a report. This feature appears as a full-screen warning when a user is invited to a group by an unknown contact, displaying group creation details and the inviter’s identity before allowing access to the chat. The initiative is part of a broader strategy by parent company Meta to combat sophisticated fraud, highlighted by a collaborative takedown in June with OpenAI that dismantled a criminal operation in Cambodia using AI to generate scam messages. The move is seen as a crucial business strategy to maintain user trust and platform integrity amid a global surge in online fraud.

Titan Submersible Implosion Was Preventable Due To Inadequate Design, US Coast Guard Says

The fatal implosion of the Titan submersible in 2023, which resulted in the deaths of all five people aboard, has been deemed ‘preventable’ by the US Coast Guard, Al Jazeera says in a report. The primary cause identified for the accident was the submersible’s ‘inadequate design’, specifically its experimental carbon fiber hull that lacked industry-standard certification. This conclusion comes amid an ongoing multi-agency investigation which has highlighted a history of ignored safety warnings from industry experts. The incident has had a significant impact on the deep-sea tourism sector, effectively halting operations for the submersible’s owner, OceanGate, and prompting international calls for more stringent safety regulations and certification processes for such vessels.

Ion Iliescu, Post-Communist Romania's First President, Dies At 95

Ion Iliescu, who became Romania’s first freely elected president after the 1989 fall of communism, has died at the age of 95, as per a report in AP. Iliescu assumed power after the execution of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and was a central figure in the country’s transition. At the time of his death, he was a key defendant in the ongoing ‘Revolution File’ trial, facing charges of crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the deaths of over 800 people that occurred after he had taken control. His passing will lead to the termination of the criminal proceedings against him, preventing a final judicial verdict on his culpability and leaving a sense of unfulfilled justice for the families of victims from the 1989 revolution.

WhatsApp Removes Over 6.8 Million Accounts in Global Anti-Scam Operation

As part of a broader effort to combat rising online fraud, WhatsApp has announced new features to protect users and has taken down over 6.8 million accounts linked to criminal scam operations worldwide, according to a report in TechCrunch. This move comes amid increasing global regulatory pressure on tech platforms to ensure user safety and represents a significant operational action by parent company Meta to maintain platform integrity. The crackdown targets sophisticated, large-scale scam centers that leverage the platform for illicit activities, highlighting the ongoing challenge tech companies face in policing their services against organized online crime.

President Trump To Establish Task Force For 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

US President Donald Trump will establish a new task force dedicated to the 2028 Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles by signing an executive order on Tuesday, AP says in a report. According to the White House, Trump considers overseeing the global sporting event a great honor and has cited the LA Summer Games as one of the events he is most looking forward to during his second term. The 2028 Games will be the first Olympics hosted by the US since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Trump Announces New Tariffs On Semiconductors And Chips

US President Donald Trump has announced plans for new tariffs on semiconductors and chips, signaling a potential escalation in the US-China tech competition, TechCrunch says in a report. The move is being considered alongside a review of export restrictions on advanced AI chips. These potential policies build on previous measures, such as export controls implemented by the former Biden administration and the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which was aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing. The proposed tariffs and restrictions could increase costs for the US semiconductor industry, further impede China’s access to critical technology, and potentially lead to greater fragmentation of the global supply chain.

Philippines Condemns China Rocket Launch Over Debris Scare

The Philippine government has condemned China’s latest rocket launch after suspected debris fell near the western province of Palawan, sparking alarm, according to a report in AP. Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated on Tuesday that while there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the debris that fell Monday night, the incident posed a significant danger to people, ships, and aircraft in the region. The condemnation highlights escalating diplomatic friction and raises concerns over the safety and economic implications for crucial shipping and aviation routes in Southeast Asia.

Norway To Review Its $2 Trillion Sovereign Fund's Israeli Investments

Norway’s Finance Minister, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, has initiated a review of the country’s $2 trillion Government Pension Fund Global’s investments in Israeli companies, Financial Times said in a report. The probe follows public outcry and allegations that certain companies have aided Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The fund, the world’s largest of its kind, operates under a strict ethical framework overseen by an independent Council on Ethics and has previously divested from firms over human rights and conflict-related concerns. This review could lead to the divestment from specific companies, impacting their market value and setting a significant precedent for how global investors integrate geopolitical conflict into their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria.

EU Asylum Applications Shift Towards Spain Amid Overall Decline

Asylum applications within the European Union are undergoing a significant shift, with Spain becoming a preferred destination for many, Al Jazeera says in a report. This change occurs amidst a general decline in the total number of applications lodged within the EU, a trend attributed to stricter national migration policies in other member states and an increased EU focus on external border control. The redirection of migration flows, particularly via the dangerous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, is placing considerable strain on Spain’s asylum and reception systems, testing the effectiveness of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and its burden-sharing mechanisms.

Deadly Unrest Erupts in Angola Over Fuel Price Hikes

Deadly unrest, poverty, and hunger are escalating in oil-rich Angola following significant fuel price hikes, Al Jazeera says in a report. The public anger stems from the government’s phased removal of fuel subsidies, a policy initiated in June 2023 as part of a broader economic reform program. Despite being one of Africa’s largest oil producers, the majority of the Angolan population has not seen benefits from this wealth and is now facing a severe cost of living crisis, with the fuel price increases exacerbating already high inflation and deepening poverty.

Palestinian Women On Hunger Strike For Return Of Activist's Body

In the West Bank village of Umm al-Khair, nearly two dozen Palestinian Bedouin women are on a hunger strike demanding the return of the body of a community leader killed during a clash with Israeli settlers, as per a report in AP. The women state their protest will continue until the remains are released for burial. This incident occurs within the context of Israel’s controversial policy of withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed in clashes, a practice condemned by human rights groups. It also highlights the ongoing political implications of rising tensions in the West Bank, which has seen a surge in settler violence and consistent displacement threats against Palestinian communities in Area C.

Moldovan Regional Leader Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison Over Russian Funding

A court in Moldova has sentenced the pro-Russia regional leader Yevgenia Gutsul to seven years in prison for funneling Russian money to a political party, a landmark case expected to increase tensions with Moscow, The Guardian says in a report. Prosecutors said Gutsul systematically funneled undeclared funds into Moldova between 2019 and 2022 to finance the now-banned pro-Moscow Șor party. The party was founded by Ilan Shor, a pro-Russia businessman living in exile who was previously convicted of fraud in Moldova.

UN Warns Of Food Insecurity Crisis In Northern Nigeria

The United Nations is warning of a growing food insecurity crisis in northern Nigeria, where jihadist violence and cuts to humanitarian funding are forcing rural communities to abandon farmlands, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. Ongoing violence, primarily from groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, has displaced a significant number of people from the country’s northern agricultural heartland. This displacement, combined with global humanitarian funding shortfalls and local economic pressures, has severely disrupted food production. Aid agencies report that the situation threatens to escalate into a major humanitarian crisis, impacting Nigeria’s national food security and leaving millions, particularly displaced populations and children, at risk of acute malnutrition.

Protests Erupt In China Over Viral School Bullying Case

Protests have erupted in China’s Sichuan province in response to a viral school bullying incident, with demonstrators alleging a violent police response, according to a report in BBC. The public outcry stems from the murder of a 13-year-old boy in Handan in March 2024, a case that ignited national anger over juvenile crime and the justice system’s handling of it. Protesters in Sichuan have reported that police used batons and electric prods to disperse the crowds.

Antarctic Krill Fishery Shut Down Early After Record Catch Breaches Limit

For the first time, the Antarctic krill fishery has been shut down early after a record catch exceeded the seasonal limit, as per a report in AP. The unprecedented closure, which follows the lapse of a key conservation framework, carries significant economic implications, causing immediate revenue losses for the krill fishing industry. This industry has been expanding to meet growing global demand for krill in aquaculture feed and health supplements. The event highlights challenges within the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and increases calls for member nations to implement stricter, science-based regulations to protect the vital ecosystem, which is also crucial for climate change mitigation.

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