Digest for 11 August, 2025
US Considers Tariffs on China for Russian Oil Buys After Hitting India
The US is contemplating imposing tariffs on China for purchasing Russian oil, a move that follows the recent imposition of a total 50% duty on India for similar reasons. Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed President Trump is weighing options, noting the complexity of the US-China relationship. India has condemned the tariffs against it as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" and plans to take necessary actions to protect its interests, highlighting significant friction in global trade and energy politics.
Australia to Formally Recognise Palestinian State
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his country will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, joining a growing number of Western nations. The decision is contingent on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including no role for Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza. Albanese described the move as a practical contribution to a two-state solution amid the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza. The announcement drew criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lok Sabha to Debate Landmark Bills on Sports Governance and Ports
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to consider and pass three significant pieces of legislation. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aim to reform sports administration, promote ethical practices, and align with global anti-doping standards. Additionally, the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, seeks to consolidate laws, promote integrated port development, and establish new regulatory bodies, promising wide-ranging impacts on India's sports and maritime sectors.
ISRO to Launch 6,500 kg US-Built Communications Satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch a 6,500 kg American-built communications satellite in the coming months, a major milestone for its commercial launch capabilities. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted this as significant growth from receiving a US-donated rocket in 1963 to now launching heavy US payloads. This follows the successful joint NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite launch, cementing India's position as a key player in the global space industry.
Four Al Jazeera Journalists Among Seven Killed in Gaza Airstrike
An Israeli airstrike near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City killed seven people, including four journalists and an assistant from Al Jazeera. Israel's military claimed one of the journalists, Anas Al Sharif, was a Hamas cell leader, an allegation press freedom groups and Al Jazeera reject as unsubstantiated. The killings have been condemned as an attempt to silence reporting from the conflict zone, with the Hamas-run media office stating that 237 journalists have been killed since the war began.