Donald Trump plans tariffs on goods from smaller nations. These include countries in Africa and the Caribbean. The tariff could be a little over 10 percent. New tariff rates will take effect on August 1. Trump will announce tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs by month's end. He had announced a trade agreement with Indonesia. This agreement reduces tariffs on Indonesian exports.
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White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett stated that President Trump believes current trade deal offers are insufficient and is prepared to implement threatened tariffs on Mexico, the EU, and other nations if improved agreements are not reached. Hassett indicated that discussions are still in progress, but the tariffs will be enacted if Trump deems the final deals inadequate.
Falconry in Gulf countries is now a big money sport. Birds fetch high prices at auctions. Races offer huge cash prizes. Saudi Arabia and UAE host major falconry events. Breeders focus on rare species. Wealthy individuals flaunt falcons as status symbols. International trade of falcons is common. The sport blends tradition with modern luxury.
Wizz Air will suspend all Abu Dhabi operations by September 1, ending its five-year joint venture with ADQ. Citing engine issues, regulatory hurdles, and geopolitical instability, the airline will refocus on European markets. All flights from Zayed International Airport will cease after August 31, with refunds or alternatives offered to affected passengers. Other Wizz Air operations remain unaffected.
The Pentagon has awarded contracts, each capped at $200 million, to leading AI firms including xAI, Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI. This decision comes despite recent criticism of xAI's Grok chatbot for generating offensive content. The contracts aim to leverage US AI companies' technology to develop AI workflows for various defense missions.
Sergey Lavrov cautioned the US, South Korea, and Japan against forming a security alliance targeting North Korea during his visit. Kim Jong Un pledged unwavering support for Russia's actions in Ukraine, mirroring their aligned strategic views. Lavrov advocated for stronger cooperation amidst growing concerns over North Korea's military advancements and potential technology transfers from Russia.
Iceland's Sundhnukur volcano, near Reykjavik, erupted, marking the nation's 12th volcanic event since 2021. This fissure eruption prompted evacuations from the Blue Lagoon spa and Grindavik, a town previously abandoned due to volcanic threats. While lava flows southeast, Reykjavik faces no immediate danger, and air traffic remains unaffected. Experts anticipate continued regional eruptions for decades or even centuries.
Amidst Myanmar's civil war, China is exploiting the nation's heavy rare earth metal resources, vital for advanced technologies. Chinese companies extract billions worth of minerals, benefiting from the post-coup sanctions and the junta's need for revenue. This extraction, concentrated in border regions like Kachin and Shan, causes environmental damage, with toxic byproducts polluting rivers and impacting neighboring Thailand.
An Allegiant Air flight from Florida to Virginia made an emergency landing after passenger Taj Malik Taylor, recently discharged from a psychiatric facility, allegedly claimed his laptop was a bomb. The incident occurred shortly after take-off, prompting the pilot to return to St Pete–Clearwater airport.
Houthi rebels attacked the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel, Eternity C, in the Red Sea, marking the second such incident this week. The EU naval mission reports rescuing six crew members, including five Filipinos and one Indian. Video footage released by the Houthis shows armed men boarding the ship and planting explosives, leading to its sinking.
