Peace holdings steady amidst the heat, PSG secures fresh triumph, combatting plastic waste pollution...
The Ukrainian army carried out a drone strike on Russian territory, causing fires in two southern regions and resulting in three injuries. Meanwhile, diplomats from 184 countries are attempting to agree on an international treaty to combat plastic pollution, but the latest round of talks ended without reaching an agreement on a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution.
The INC-5.2 talks, held from August 5 to 14, 2025, were marked by a divide between countries pushing for ambitious, legally enforceable production caps on plastics and others advocating voluntary or nationally-determined approaches. Resistance was especially from fossil fuel-producing and plastic-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia. Disagreements over the scope and strength of legal obligations, with some nations preferring non-binding frameworks, also contributed to the collapse of the talks.
Despite the failure, the INC Chair expressed optimism about continuing and renewing efforts to achieve a global plastics treaty in the future. Youth and civil society groups strongly call for binding targets, financial mechanisms, and embedding human rights in the treaty.
Elsewhere, the second wave of the summer heatwave has been ongoing since August 8 and is affecting 75 departments on Thursday, August 14. The heatwave is sparing the northwest of France, but air pollution is becoming a concern in the most exposed departments. Speed restrictions have been implemented in Île-de-France to reduce the impact of vehicles.
In a positive development, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) team started the season by winning the European Super Cup against Tottenham, after trailing 2-0 until the 85th minute. PSG managed to turn the game around in the final ten minutes, thanks to Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos, and finished the job in a penalty shootout. This victory came after their heavy defeat against Chelsea in the Club World Cup final.
Unfortunately, two people have died from the listeriosis cases linked to the consumption of cheeses from the Chavegrand dairy. The cases of listeriosis involve 11 women and 10 men aged 34 to 95, with 18 of them over 65.
The Golfech power plant in Tarn-et-Garonne has reduced its activity due to high temperatures and the warming of the Garonne. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London on Thursday. The red alert for the heat wave has been lifted, but a dark orange alert continues to affect three-quarters of France.
References: [1] UN Environment Programme (2025). "Fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on a global legally binding instrument on plastic pollution concludes without agreement." [Online]. Available: https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/fifth-session-intergovernmental-negotiating-committee-inc-52-global-legally-binding-instrument-plastic-pollution-concludes-without-agreement
[2] Tait, R. (2025). "Plastic pollution treaty talks collapse amid rifts over production caps." The Guardian. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/14/plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-collapse-amid-rifts-over-production-caps
[3] BBC News (2025). "Plastic pollution treaty talks end without agreement." [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58408341
[4] United Nations (2025). "Negotiations on a global legally binding instrument on plastic pollution end without an agreement." [Online]. Available: https://www.un.org/press/en/2025/sgsm19602.doc.htm
[5] Friends of the Earth International (2025). "Youth and civil society groups call for binding targets, financial mechanisms, and human rights in the global plastics treaty." [Online]. Available: https://www.foe.co.uk/news/youth-and-civil-society-groups-call-for-binding-targets-financial-mechanisms-and-human-rights-in-the-global-plastics-treaty
- Concerning the global plastic pollution treaty, diplomats from 184 countries are attempting to reach an agreement, but talks focused on production caps have been met with resistance from plastic-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia.
- In a different context, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) team managed to turn around their European Super Cup game against Tottenham, winning despite trailing 2-0 until the 85th minute.
- Meanwhile, scientific efforts are underway as the Golfech power plant in Tarn-et-Garonne has reduced its activity due to high temperatures and the warming of the Garonne.
- There's some unfortunate news in the health-and-wellness sector, as two people have died from listeriosis cases linked to the consumption of cheeses from the Chavegrand dairy.
