11.08.2025 – WEEKLY BRIEFING

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  • Satellites watch France’s largest wildfire in 75 years burn an area larger than Paris – 08.08.2025

The worst wildfire in France in over 70 years has burned about 42,000 acres (17,000 hectares) of forests and farmland near Ribaute in the Aude region, fueled by strong Mediterranean winds and extreme summer heat. Satellite images from Airbus’s Pleiades Neo, as well as NASA’s Terra and Landsat 9, captured the scale and rapid spread of the fire, which killed one person, injured 13, and damaged several villages. Firefighters largely contained the blaze within four days, though hotspots remain, and officials linked the disaster to worsening climate change amid a record-breaking summer of heat in western Europe.

  • France’s recognition of Palestinian state scuttled Gaza truce talks, Rubio says – 09.08.2025

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, followed by similar moves from the UK and Canada, ended prospects for ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Rubio argued that the recognition signaled to Hamas it was being rewarded, reducing its incentive to negotiate, while U.S. officials also accused the group of not acting in good faith. The recognitions came amid growing international criticism of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemning the suffering there.

  • London police arrest 474 people as pro-Palestinian protesters defy new law – 09.08.2025

British police arrested 474 people in central London during a protest by supporters of the recently banned pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, who openly defied the law to challenge the ban. The legislation, passed in July after activists damaged aircraft at an RAF base in protest of UK support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, makes public support for the group a criminal offense. While organizers claimed the arrests were limited and the law unworkable, police stated that nearly all demonstrators expressing support were detained. Supporters are contesting the ban in court, arguing it violates freedom of expression. The arrests took place amid a busy weekend of protests in London, including pro-Palestinian marches, planned demonstrations for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and rallies related to immigration, with police warning of significant strain on resources.

  • Zelenskiy thanks Europe for its support as Kyiv seeks place at table with Trump and Putin – 10.08.2025

Ahead of the August 15 summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine and Europe are concerned about being excluded from the decision-making process. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized that the war must end fairly and in a way that safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty, while European leaders stressed that peace cannot be decided without Ukraine and that robust security guarantees are essential. Trump’s suggestion of a “territorial swap” has alarmed Ukraine, and Moscow has stated it is not ready to meet with Zelenskiy for such talks. Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, and the details of any potential agreement remain unclear. Europe has announced that it has prepared its own counterproposal, while some analysts warn that a Putin-Trump deal could have negative consequences for Kyiv and Europe.

  • Anas al-Sharif among five Al Jazeera staff killed by Israel in Gaza – 10.08.2025

Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four colleagues were killed in an Israeli attack on a tent for journalists outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. A total of seven people died in the strike. Al Jazeera condemned the attack as a deliberate violation of press freedom, while the Israeli military accused al-Sharif of being a Hamas member and claimed to have evidence. Human rights groups and some UN officials said there was no proof for these allegations and raised concerns over journalists being targeted. Since Israel’s Gaza operation began in October 2023, more than 200 journalists and media workers have been killed.

  • Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Albanese says – 10.08.2025

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, joining France, Britain, and Canada, with formal recognition planned at the UN General Assembly in September. He said the decision is based on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including no role for Hamas in government, Gaza’s demilitarization, and elections, framing it as support for a two-state solution to end the conflict and suffering in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the move as “shameful,” while nearly 150 UN member states have already recognized Palestinian statehood. Albanese called the step a practical contribution to peace efforts, and New Zealand said it would decide on recognition in September.

  • Trump vows to evict homeless from Washington, official says National Guard may be deployed – 11.08.2025

President Donald Trump has proposed evicting homeless people from Washington, D.C., and jailing criminals, alongside a potential deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the city, despite Mayor Muriel Bowser stating there is no current crime surge. While Trump controls the D.C. National Guard directly, the details of his plan and legal authority to remove homeless individuals remain unclear. Federal officials say 450 law enforcement officers were recently deployed following an attack on a White House staffer, though city data shows violent crime is down 26% compared to 2024. Bowser emphasized that violent crime is at a 30-year low after a spike in 2023, and any full federal takeover of the city would likely require congressional action.

  • European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting – 11.08.2025

European leaders reaffirmed that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved without Kyiv’s involvement ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where ending the war will be a key topic. The joint European statement called for a “just and lasting peace” with security guarantees for Ukraine, rejecting changes to borders by force. While Trump has signaled readiness to meet Putin regardless of a Zelenskyy meeting, Kyiv and Moscow remain far apart, with Russia demanding territorial concessions and limits on Ukraine’s military, and Zelenskyy ruling out giving up land. A monthlong U.S.-led truce effort has stalled, and Washington has threatened more sanctions if no progress is made. Analysts say Putin is not under immediate pressure, but European and NATO officials urge tougher sanctions and continued military support to strengthen Ukraine’s position before talks.

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