1. Ukraine–UK Diplomatic Engagement Ahead of Trump–Putin Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London and met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss strategies ahead of the highly anticipated Alaska summit between former U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin. The leaders emphasized shared goals regarding the Ukraine–Russia conflict.
2. Russia Signals Openness to U.S. Peace Efforts
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the U.S. administration’s “sincere efforts” to resolve the Ukraine war. This diplomatic overture comes with the looming Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, where discussions are expected to focus on Ukraine, arms control, and broader U.S.–Russia relations.
3. Global Markets—Strong Rally, Weak Dollar
Markets are rallying worldwide as traders ramp up expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut. This has pushed the U.S. dollar to multi-week lows.
4. Vietnam’s First U.S. Oil Purchase of 2025
Vietnam’s Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical (BSR) acquired one million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, marking the country’s first U.S. oil purchase this year. The deal aligns with regional efforts to diversify imports and avoid U.S. tariffs.
5. India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Vietnamese Steel
India’s Ministry of Commerce has imposed an anti-dumping duty on select alloy and non-alloy hot-rolled flat steel imports from Vietnam following a year-long probe. The move aims to protect India’s domestic steel industry from cheaper imports.
6. Vietnam to Launch First Domestic Crypto Exchange
South Korea’s Dunamu (operator of Upbit) has teamed up with MB Bank to launch Vietnam’s first domestically built cryptocurrency exchange. The collaboration includes technology sharing and support for regulatory compliance, investor protection, and local talent development.
7. Vietnam’s Cashless Payments Skyrocket
Vietnam’s per‑capita cashless payment volume has reached $11.3 trillion, equating to 26 times its GDP. This makes Vietnam second only to China in digital payment adoption as banks accelerate digital transformation.
8. Vietnam Condemns U.S. Human Rights Report as ‘Unobjective’
Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the U.S. 2024 human rights report, alleging it includes inaccurate information and biased assessments. The statement emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to fair dialogue to strengthen the U.S.–Vietnam strategic partnership.
9. Literary Achievement: Vietnamese Winner in Taiwan
Twenty-three-year-old Nguyễn Thị Hiền from Vietnam secured the top prize at the 10th Taiwan Literature Awards for Migrants. Her recognition marks a notable success for Vietnamese literary representation abroad.
10. Worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace
The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) has called for a global Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace on August 14, 2025, to mark the eve of the observance—a spiritual initiative aimed at fostering peace.
11. Posco Eyes Investment in Vietnam’s Industry
South Korea’s Posco International Corporation is exploring investments in Vietnam in sectors such as rare-earth refining and LNG energy—signaling stronger economic cooperation between the two nations.
12. Journalists’ Death Toll Mounts in Gaza Conflict
Since the onset of Israel’s offensive nearly two years ago, approximately 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza, as reported by press freedom organizations.
13. Regional Geopolitics: Rising China–Russia Co-operation
On the eve of Victory in the Pacific Day, concerns are growing over increasing military cooperation between China and Russia in the Indo‑Pacific. Experts warn that this may threaten the regional rules-based order, especially with joint naval exercises underway.