News from August 4, 2025
A compilation of news highlights from various sources.
Israeli President Urges ICRC Action on Gaza Hostages
Following the release of videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages by Islamic Jihad and Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu has also appealed to the Red Cross to provide food and medical treatment. Hamas has conditioned access to the hostages on the opening of humanitarian corridors.
Published: August 4, 2025
India Deems Trump’s Economic Threats “Unjustified”
India considers Donald Trump’s economic threats to sanction the purchase of Russian oil as “unjustified” and “unreasonable.” New Delhi benefits from lower purchase prices as Moscow seeks to finance its war effort in Ukraine.
Published: August 4, 2025
Israeli Supreme Court Suspends Netanyahu’s Dismissal of Attorney General
Gali Baharav-Miara is in conflict with the government, contesting the legality of certain decisions made by the Prime Minister, including his attempt in May to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet, the internal intelligence services, Ronen Bar.
Published: August 4, 2025
Altice France Gains More Freedom to Sell SFR
By validating the operator’s debt reduction plan, the Paris Economic Activities Court removes a major obstacle to the sale of its telecoms subsidiary.
Published: August 4, 2025
Trump Promises “Exceptional Replacement” After Dismissal of US Statistics Chief
Donald Trump’s decision to fire the head of employment statistics fuels doubts about the independence of economic figures as key appointments approach.
Published: August 4, 2025
AI Sows Discord in the World of Fanfiction
Fanfiction authors often view the emergence of stories generated by artificial intelligence with suspicion, a technology that disrupts the values of fan communities.
Published: August 4, 2025
Eva Nguyen Binh on Cultural Diplomacy Challenges
In an interview, the head of the Institut Français discusses the challenges of cultural diplomacy in a period of geopolitical tensions.
Published: August 4, 2025
The “Invention” of a National Identity with the Franks
The end of the Roman era has long been attributed to “great invasions,” not without political ulterior motives. Current historians prefer to invoke a long process marked by violence that led to a fusion of peoples.
Published: August 4, 2025
Dominique Collignon-Maurin, Voice of Luke Skywalker, Passes Away
Besides the Star Wars saga, Dominique Collignon-Maurin dubbed Disney characters and lent his voice to Mark Hamill, Dustin Hoffman, Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, and Gary Oldman.
Published: August 4, 2025
Tesla Grants Elon Musk a Staggering $29 Billion in Stock
The automaker has granted its CEO 96 million Tesla shares worth approximately $29 billion, even though the compensation plan is still not legally settled.
Published: August 4, 2025
Age Verification on Porn Sites: New Warning Issued
The requirement to verify the age of users of adult websites is subject to a ping-pong game between platforms and the government.
Published: August 4, 2025
Hervé Di Rosa’s Joyful Sarabande at MuCEM, Marseille
The artist has mixed his works with those from the museum’s collection in an exhibition titled “Un air de famille.”
Published: August 4, 2025
Women’s Tour de France Lags Behind in Prize Money
The yellow jersey winner of this edition, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, earned 50,000 euros for her victory, ten times less than that received by Tadej Pogacar, winner of the men’s version of the race a week earlier.
Published: August 4, 2025
The Birth of Scientific Academies, Reflecting the Power of Monarchs
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the funding needs of scholars coincided with the desire of monarchies to shine through science, giving rise to academies. Scientists benefited from the competition between European powers to advance their research.
Published: August 4, 2025
Boko Haram’s Scars on the Shores of Lake Chad
Fifteen years after the start of the insurgency, the factions inheriting the jihadist sect, although weakened, continue to sow terror on the shores of the lake located at the borders of Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
Published: August 4, 2025
“Placing Social Deficits on the Sick is Neither Bold Nor Courageous”
François Bayrou places the austerity cure on health spending on the most vulnerable when true fiscal justice should be established.
Published: August 4, 2025
Bolsonaro Supporters Thank Trump in Brazil
Following US sanctions against Judge Alexandre de Moraes and customs surtaxes against the South American country, tens of thousands of Jair Bolsonaro supporters gathered in the streets to thank the Republican president.
Published: August 4, 2025
Tensions Between New Zealand and Cook Islands
The relationship between the two states, linked by a free association agreement, has been turbulent since the Polynesian archipelago adopted an economic partnership project with China without consulting Wellington.
Published: August 4, 2025
“Of Pierre Boulez, We Know of Anger, Rigor, Intransigence, but Also the Small Bed”
When the composer’s music seems too hermetic, the writer imagines him in his austere cell.
Published: August 4, 2025
Heatwave Over France: What is the Heatwave Alert Threshold for Your Department?
The thresholds for daytime or nighttime temperatures to trigger a heatwave alert are not the same everywhere in France.
Published: August 4, 2025
The Hidden Treasures of Malaysia… And Beyond
A kaleidoscope of tropical landscapes and multi-cultural traditions, Malaysia holds beautiful surprises in all corners of the country and even beyond.
Published: August 4, 2025
Tour de France Femmes: Record Audience
The competition, won by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, gathered an average of 2.7 million viewers per stage.
Published: August 4, 2025
Tesla Grants $29 Billion in Shares to Elon Musk
While Elon Musk’s compensation has been the subject of a legal battle for years, the automaker justifies its decision by the “war for talent in artificial intelligence” and the “extraordinary value” that Musk has brought to Tesla.
Published: August 4, 2025
South Africa Seeks New Markets Amid US Tariffs
The government has set up an assistance office to help South African exporters and producers explore new markets in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Published: August 4, 2025
Altice France Debt Restructuring Approved
The Paris Economic Activities Court has approved the terms of the safeguard plan, including all companies in the group.
Published: August 4, 2025
Press Review: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s Victory
International media outlets believe that the country is now passionate about women’s cycling with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s victory.
Published: August 4, 2025
Iran Says US Must “Be Held Accountable”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman rejected the possibility of direct talks between Tehran and Washington.
Published: August 4, 2025
Legal Battle for the Inheritance of China’s Former Richest Man
Zong Qinghou, founder of the Wahaha beverage empire, reportedly had three children from an extramarital affair. They are disputing the inheritance of the ex-tycoon with his legitimate daughter, who became CEO of the company.
Published: August 4, 2025
Heatwave Settles Over Southwestern France and the Rhone Valley
Temperatures are expected to remain lower than those recorded during the heatwave of late June-early July, according to weather forecasts.
Published: August 4, 2025
Senegal to Investigate Political Violence
According to Amnesty International, at least 65 people were killed during protests against the government between 2021 and 2024. The Minister of Justice has referred the matter to the Public Prosecutor to investigate these deaths.
Published: August 4, 2025
Trial Begins in Russia for Crocus City Hall Attack
The March 2024 attack was claimed by the Islamic State Organization (ISIS). 19 people are appearing before a military court in Moscow, including the four alleged assailants, originally from Tajikistan.
Published: August 4, 2025
South Korea Removes Loudspeakers
South Korea removes loudspeakers used to broadcast K-pop and news bulletins towards North Korea.
Published: August 4, 2025
Red Alert in Aude, France Due to High Fire Risk
Nine departments in the south of France will be placed on orange alert for fires, warns weather services.
Published: August 4, 2025
Lebanese President Promises Justice Five Years After Beirut Explosion
The investigation into the explosion that occurred on August 4, 2020, which killed more than 220 people and injured 6,500, has not yet been completed. Monday has been declared a day of national mourning, and rallies demanding justice are planned in the Lebanese capital.
Published: August 4, 2025
Agnès Varda’s Parisian Wanderings at Musée Carnavalet, Paris
An original exhibition, focused on her links with the capital, highlights the artist’s photographic work and her studio in the 14th arrondissement.
Published: August 4, 2025
The “Little Stitches” of Clermont-de-l’Oise
After the “preservation school” of Clermont-de-l’Oise, bloggers visit the Henri-Theillou Psychiatry Museum of the city, and its rich vocabulary of confinement.
Published: August 4, 2025
Municipal Elections 2026: Left Aims to Reclaim Alès
At the head of the commune of Gard for thirty years, the mayor has announced that he will not run again. Although disunited for the time being, the left-wing forces intend to take back this former mining town.
Published: August 4, 2025
Over 50 People Abducted in Northwestern Nigeria
Zamfara State has long suffered from gang violence that kidnaps people for ransom, loots villages, and levies taxes.
Published: August 4, 2025
Migrant Shipwreck off Yemen Leaves Dozens Dead or Missing
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 157 people were on board the boat. According to Yemeni security sources, 32 people were rescued.
Published: August 4, 2025
Ukraine’s Democratic Surge
Under pressure from Ukrainians, a bill has restored the independence of two agencies responsible for fighting corruption. Backtracking on this scourge would amount to betraying the sacrifices of soldiers on the front and jeopardizing the chances of joining the EU.
Published: August 4, 2025
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