Daily World Briefing, Aug. 9

Trump says to meet Putin on Aug. 15 in U.S. state of Alaska

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday on social media that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place on Aug. 15 in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Trump said on Truth Social that further details will follow.

Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Putin and Trump will focus on options for achieving a long-term peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict at the upcoming summit, RIA Novosti reported.

On Thursday, Trump said that a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders is not a condition for him to meet with Putin.

Israeli plan to take over Gaza City sparks regional outcry

The Israeli Security Cabinet's recent plan to take over Gaza City has sparked condemnation from home and abroad, with many saying the decision violates international law, worsens the Gaza humanitarian crisis, and undermines efforts to reach a ceasefire deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Friday in a statement that the Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over the enclave's biggest city, and that the Israel Defense Forces will prepare for the takeover while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones.

Following the announcement, Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in a social media post that the decision is "a disaster that will lead to many more disasters."

Hamas said in a statement that it considers the Israeli plan "a new war crime," which represents "a clear reversal of the course of negotiations" and reveals "the true motives behind his (Netanyahu's) withdrawal from the final round."

Wildfires ravage Greece amid strong winds, leaving one dead

Multiple wildfires swept across Greece on Friday, breaking out amid powerful seasonal winds that fueled blazes in several regions.

The fires prompted mass evacuations, inflicted heavy property damage, and left at least one person dead in Attica, according to local authorities.

The most severe blaze was reported in Keratea, about 35 kilometers southeast of central Athens.

The wildfire erupted around 2 p.m. local time and quickly spread through dry grasslands, farmland, and residential areas, driven by strong winds and parched vegetation, Greece's national broadcaster ERT reported.

Thousands under evacuation orders as fast-moving wildfire rages in Southern California

Thousands of people are under evacuation orders as a fast-moving wildfire continues to rage in Southern California on Friday amid a major heat wave.

The Canyon Fire broke out around 1:25 p.m. local time (2025 GMT) on Thursday near Piru, a small historic town located in eastern Ventura County and dozens of kilometers northwest of Los Angeles. The blaze grew rapidly to over 4,800 acres (about 19.4 square km), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

As of Friday morning, the containment has reached 25 percent, said the LA County Fire Department on social media.

Modi, Putin hold phone talks amid rising U.S. pressure on India-Russia oil trade

Amid the ongoing U.S. pressure on India-Russia oil trade, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Modi posted a statement on social media, saying that he was looking forward to hosting the Russian president later this year.

"I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," Modi said.

16 killed, 8 injured in paramilitary forces attack in W. Sudan: volunteer groups

At least 16 civilians were killed and eight others injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in North Kordofan State, western Sudan, volunteer groups said on Friday.

"Yesterday (Thursday) evening, RSF forces attacked the village of Markaz Al-Ziyadiya in North Kordofan State," which also left six individuals missing, the Sudanese Doctors Network, a volunteer group, said in a statement.

The network condemned what it described as "a brutal attack," stating that it constitutes a full-fledged "war crime" and reflects a systematic pattern by the RSF of targeting civilians in Sudan.

Hezbollah member killed in Israeli drone strike in S. Lebanon

A Hezbollah member was killed on Friday morning in an Israeli drone strike targeting a vehicle in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources.

The Public Health Emergency Operations Center, affiliated with the Ministry of Public Health, said in a statement that the Israeli drone strike targeted the Zahrani road in the Nabatieh district, leading to one death.

A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the dead was a Hezbollah member named Mohammad Shehadeh, from the town of Adloun.

Germany halts military exports to Israel over Gaza concerns

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday that Germany will suspend all exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip.

The decision came after the Israeli cabinet approved military operations aimed at occupying the Gaza Strip. Merz urged the Israeli government to "refrain from taking further steps to annex the West Bank."

Merz also voiced deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stressing that with its ongoing offensive, Israel bears greater responsibility than ever to meet the needs of civilians in the enclave. He called on Israel to allow full access for aid deliveries, including supplies from the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations.■