While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 7, 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
A meeting between US President Donald Trump (centre), Russian leader Vladimir Putin (left) and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky could take place as early as next week, according to reports.
PHOTOS: EPA, NYTIMES, REUTERS
Follow topic:
Trump open to meeting Putin, Zelensky
Donald Trump could meet as early as next week with Vladimir Putin following what the US president described as “highly productive” talks in Moscow between his special envoy and the Russian leader.
The potential summit was discussed in a call between Mr Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky that, according to a senior source in Kyiv, included Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte and the leaders of Britain, Germany and Finland.
“The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “President Trump wants this brutal war to end.”
The New York Times and CNN, citing people familar with the plan, said Mr Trump plans to sit down with Mr Putin as early as next week, and then wants a three-way meeting with the Russian leader and Mr Zelensky.
Backlash over ‘interview’ with AI avatar of shooting victim
SCREENSHOTS: YOUTUBE/JIM ACOSTA
Independent journalist Jim Acosta faced a torrent of online criticism on Aug 6 after he posted an “interview” conducted with an AI avatar of a US school shooting victim.
Former CNN White House chief correspondent Mr Acosta interacted with a virtual likeness of Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 people killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting in 2018.
Mr Acosta, a long-standing hate figure for some supporters of US President Donald Trump who often derided the veteran Washington correspondent, has long been an advocate for increased gun control.
Scientists find genes linked to chronic fatigue syndrome
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh said on Aug 6 they have discovered differences in the DNA of people with chronic fatigue syndrome that should help dispel the notion that the debilitating condition is psychological or driven by laziness.
Their study found eight areas of genetic code that are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy volunteers.
The finding provides “the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person’s chance of developing the disease,” the researchers said in a statement.
Zara ads banned over ‘unhealthily thin’ models
PHOTO: AFP
Britain’s advertising regulator on Aug 6 banned two adverts by Spanish clothing group Zara for featuring models that appeared “unhealthily thin”, calling the images “irresponsible”.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it took action after it received a complaint about the ads, which were listed on Zara’s website in May.
One image showed a model with “protruding” collarbones, with her pose and styling making her appear “very slim”.
Spurs’ Son Heung-min joins Los Angeles FC
South Korean forward Son Heung-min has joined Los Angeles FC in a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer, ending a decade-long stint at Tottenham Hotspur, both clubs announced on Aug 6.
Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed by either club, but the Athletic reported LAFC paid a fee in the region of US$26.5 million (S$34 million) for the 33-year-old.
Son, who joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, led the north London club to their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May.
