Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, Trump announced sweeping tariffs, deadly unrest erupted in Angola, and a Pacific tsunami alert was issued, alongside rising geopolitical tensions, fragile ceasefires, and renewed pushes for Palestinian statehood.

First time reading? Stay ahead of current events. Sign up here.

Feel free to send us feedback at [email protected]

Trump announces sweeping new tariffs

President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on dozens of countries while finalising trade deals with others, including the UK, EU and Japan. Canada faces a 35% tariff, India 25%, Switzerland 39% and Taiwan 20%, despite its key role in semiconductor supply. Other rates include 40% for Laos, 35% for Iraq and Serbia, and 30% for several African states. 

The White House says the move aims to cut the US trade deficit and fund domestic tax cuts. Nations meeting the 1 August deadline, such as the UK and EU, avoided higher rates, while China faces a 12 August deadline. The tariffs, the highest average in decades, take effect within a week.

War in Gaza drives new push for Palestinian statehood

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Britain will recognise a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire with Hamas. The move, part of wider European efforts to end the Gaza war, would be tied to commitments on hostages, halting West Bank annexation, and Palestinian Authority reforms. 

Canada has announced similar plans, with conditions on Hamas’s exclusion from future elections. Portugal is consulting on recognition, while Spain, Ireland, and Norway did so in May 2024, and France has pledged to follow. Finland has also signalled support. Currently, 144 UN member states recognise Palestine. Israel opposes the plans, and the US has voiced concern.

Massive 8.8 quake off Kamchatka triggers Pacific tsunami alerts

A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering 4-metre tsunami waves and evacuation orders across the Pacific. Buildings were damaged, several people injured, and the Klyuchevskoy volcano began erupting. Japan issued evacuation orders along its eastern coast, including near the Fukushima nuclear plant, while Hawaii urged residents to move to higher ground. French Polynesia warned of waves up to 2.2 metres in the Marquesas Islands. 

Despite dramatic scenes, Russia reported no casualties, crediting robust infrastructure and effective alerts. The quake disrupted surgery in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where medics steadied equipment mid-operation.

El Salvador removes presidential term limits

El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has approved constitutional reforms removing presidential term limits, allowing President Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite re-election. The changes, passed by Bukele’s majority New Ideas party in a fast-tracked vote, also extend presidential terms from five to six years and move the next election to 2027. 

Bukele, first elected in 2019, secured a second term last year after a court ruling – by judges appointed during his presidency – permitted him to run despite a ban. Supporters credit his anti-gang crackdown for a sharp drop in murders, while critics, including rights groups, warn of mass arbitrary arrests and a shift towards one-party rule. Amnesty International says state violence is replacing gang violence.

US deploys nuclear submarines as tensions escalate over Ukraine

Sixteen people were killed and 155 injured as Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv overnight, collapsing an apartment block. Ukraine intercepted most of 309 drones and eight cruise missiles, but several hit their targets. The attack came as the US warned of tougher sanctions unless Russia agrees to a ceasefire by 8 August — a deadline Moscow has rejected. 

President Trump also deployed two nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” after Russian Security Council deputy chair Dmitry Medvedev mocked the ultimatum and hinted at a retaliatory nuclear threat. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies uncovered a large-scale scheme involving inflated state contracts for military equipment, leading to four arrests. President Zelensky said restoring the agencies’ independence was crucial for accountability and Ukraine’s EU bid.

Thailand and Cambodia maintain fragile ceasefire amid border tensions

A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia held for a second day despite ongoing accusations of violations. Thailand’s military claimed Cambodian troops fired small arms and mortars at three border locations overnight, which Cambodia denied, calling the claims false and damaging to trust. The truce, agreed on Monday in Malaysia, followed five days of intense fighting that killed at least 43 people and displaced over 300,000. 

Cambodia escorted diplomats to a destroyed border checkpoint on Wednesday (Jul. 30) to show compliance, with Thailand planning a similar visit. Thailand holds 18 Cambodian soldiers who surrendered and plans to return them after a lasting ceasefire. Defence ministers from both countries will meet on 4 August in Cambodia.

Senegal launches domestic funding plan to tackle debt crisis

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has unveiled an economic plan to stabilise the country’s finances, pledging that 90% of funding will come from domestic sources without increasing debt. Facing pressures from hidden debts left by the previous government, which led the IMF to suspend its loan programme, Senegal aims to generate over 4.6 trillion CFA francs ($8.16 billion) between 2025 and 2028. 

Measures include merging state institutions, cutting tax exemptions on online gaming and mobile money, raising tobacco taxes, and increasing visa fees. Revenue will also come from renegotiated oil and mining contracts. The plan targets reducing the budget deficit from 12% of GDP in 2024 to 3% by 2027 while reforming subsidies and social programmes.

Myanmar lifts state of emergency, paving the way for disputed vote

Myanmar’s junta ended the state of emergency imposed since its 2021 coup, allowing for a December election likely to be boycotted by opposition groups. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing named himself acting president and created a National Security and Stability Commission, leaving military power largely unchanged despite the formal shift.

Deadly protests erupt in Angola over fuel price rise

At least 22 people, including a police officer, have been killed and 200 injured in Angola during protests over a 33% diesel price rise, Interior Minister Manuel Homem said. Initially sparked by a taxi drivers’ strike, the unrest has escalated into widespread looting, vandalism, and clashes across multiple provinces. Over 1,200 arrests have been made, with businesses closed and emergency services overwhelmed. 

The government blames “infiltrators” for violence, while opposition groups cite economic hardship, poor governance, and corruption as root causes. Taxi unions have distanced themselves from the destruction. Several countries have issued security warnings, and a Lufthansa flight to Luanda was cancelled. Fuel price hikes have driven up transport fares and the cost of basic goods.

Thanks for reading the tut0ugh Weekly Brief.

Stay informed—follow us on social media for daily updates on global events.

See you next week!