Following is a summary of current world news briefs.
Oil producer pressure, Trump rollbacks threaten global treaty on plastics pollution
Hopes for a "last-chance" ambitious global treaty to curb plastic pollution have dimmed as delegates gather this week at the United Nations in Geneva for what was intended to be the final round of negotiations. Diplomats and climate advocates warn that efforts by the European Union and small island states to cap virgin plastic production - fueled by petroleum, coal and gas - are threatened by opposition from petrochemical-producing countries and the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump.
US reverses pledge to link disaster funds to Israel boycott stance
The Trump administration on Monday reversed course on requiring U.S. cities and states to rebuke boycotts of Israeli companies in order to receive disaster funds, according to a statement, and deleted the earlier policy from its website. The Department of Homeland Security removed its statement that said states must certify they will not sever "commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies" to qualify for the funding.
Israel says missile launched from Yemen intercepted
The Israeli military said early on Tuesday it intercepted a missile from Yemen after air raid sirens sounded in several areas across the country. The Iran-aligned Houthi group, which controls the most populous parts of Yemen, has been firing at Israel and attacking shipping lanes.
Canada airdrops aid into Gaza, says Israel violating international law
Canada said on Monday it delivered humanitarian assistance through airdrops to Gaza, which has been under a devastating Israeli military assault for almost 22 months, with Ottawa again accusing Israel of violating international law. "The (Canadian Armed Forces) employed a CC-130J Hercules aircraft to conduct an airdrop of critical humanitarian aid in support of Global Affairs Canada into the Gaza Strip. The air drop consisted of 21,600 pounds of aid," the Canadian government said in a statement.
US could require up to $15,000 bonds for some tourist visas under pilot program
The U.S. could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas under a pilot program launching in two weeks, a government notice said on Monday, an effort that aims to crack down on visitors who overstay their visas. The program gives U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays, according to a Federal Register notice. Bonds could also be applied to people coming from countries where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient, the notice said.
Trump again threatens India with harsh tariffs over Russian oil purchases
U.S. President Donald Trump again threatened on Monday to raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, while New Delhi called his attack "unjustified" and vowed to protect its economic interests, deepening the trade rift between the two countries. In a social media post, Trump wrote, "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine."
Codelco must send reports to restart underground mining after El Teniente collapse, government says
Chilean state-run miner Codelco must produce four reports on the collapse at its El Teniente copper mine that killed six people after an earthquake last week, according to a government document seen by Reuters on Monday, before it can restart its underground operations there. Codelco is the world's largest copper producer.
South Korea starts removing anti-North Korean loudspeakers on border
South Korean authorities began removing on Monday loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the country's border, Seoul's defense ministry said, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang. Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticizing the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialog with its neighbor.
Brazil police place former President Bolsonaro under house arrest
Brazilian authorities placed former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is standing trial on charges of plotting a coup, under house arrest on Monday, in a move that could escalate tensions with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the arrest order, saying in his decision that the right-wing firebrand did not comply with judicial restraining orders imposed on him last month.
EU to suspend US tariff countermeasures for 6 months
The European Union will suspend its two packages of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs for six months following a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, a Commission spokesperson said on Monday. The EU-U.S. agreement leaves many questions open, including tariff rates on spirits, and Trump's executive order last week setting tariffs on most EU goods at 15% did not include carve-outs such as for cars and car parts.
Pets end up in LA shelters after owners detained in immigration raids
Los Angeles County has a new task taking care of dogs and cats after their owners were detained or deported in immigration raids that picked up this summer under the Trump administration. From June 10, the county has taken in 28 animals, 22 of whom are dogs. Eleven dogs and two cats have been placed with homes since then.
'There is no money': Argentina's Milei vetoes pension boost passed by Congress
Argentine President Javier Milei on Monday vetoed a pension boost and a bill strengthening protections for people with disabilities, which lawmakers had passed in July, saying that they put fiscal balance at risk. The decision to veto the bills had already been announced by Milei last month, although Congress - where the libertarian president does not have a majority - can still overturn the vetoes.
Finland´s president discusses Ukraine ceasefire, icebreaker deal with Trump
Finland's President Alexander Stubb said on Monday he held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, expressing support for all efforts toward an immediate ceasefire. Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its oil, including India and China, unless President Vladimir Putin agrees by Friday to end the 3-1/2-year war in Ukraine.
US government restricts sports visas for transgender women
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on Monday it has updated its immigration policy to restrict visa eligibility for transgender women seeking to compete in women's sports. Under the policy update, USCIS will consider "the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women" as a negative factor when evaluating visa petitions in categories such as O-1A for extraordinary ability, EB-1 and EB-2 green cards for highly skilled workers, and national interest waivers.
Israel's Netanyahu to convene cabinet on Gaza war goals
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he would convene his security cabinet this week to discuss how to instruct the military to meet his war goals in Gaza. "We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war objectives: the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said at the outset of a regular cabinet meeting.
Canadian ministers to visit Mexico to discuss trade with Mexican officials
Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will visit Mexico this week to advance priorities on economic growth and trade with their counterparts and with President Claudia Sheinbaum, Ottawa said on Monday, amid trade disputes with the United States. The visit will take place from August 5 to August 6, according to a release from Global Affairs Canada, which represents the Foreign Ministry and the Trade Ministry.
Russia's Medvedev warns of further steps after Moscow abandons missile moratorium
Russian former President Dmitry Medvedev blamed NATO countries on Monday for the abandonment of a moratorium on short- and medium-range nuclear missiles and said Moscow would take further steps in response. Medvedev, who has been engaging in a exchange of acerbic barbs on social media with U.S. President Donald Trump, made his comments after Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow no longer considered itself bound by the moratorium on the deployment of short- and medium-range nuclear missiles.