Trump threatens 35% tariffs on Canadian imports
United States President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 35 percent tariff on imports of goods from Canada, set to take effect on 1 August. Earlier, it was 25 percent.
In a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, posted on Truth Social Thursday, Trump threatened the 35 percent tariff and warned that if Canada retaliates, he intends to increase the tariff further.
The stated reason for the tariff is Canada’s alleged failure to stop fentanyl from entering the U.S., though data shows Canada accounts for less than one percent of U.S. fentanyl seizures. The U.S. has been facing a fentanyl crisis due to the illegal import of the highly potent synthetic opioid, primarily used as an analgesic.
Rubio meets China’s Wang Yi as trade tensions grow
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur Friday while both advanced their agendas in Asia amid tensions from U.S.-imposed trade tariffs on several countries.
In his first trip to Asia since taking office, Rubio attended the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum. According to Reuters, analysts noted that Rubio aimed to position the U.S. as a more reliable partner than China, its primary strategic rival, during the visit.
US & Russia hold fresh talks on Ukraine at ASEAN
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio met yet again at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, keeping the Russia-Ukraine war as their key focus.
After a long talk, Rubio told reporters Thursday that the two have discussed a possible “new and different approach” to reviving peace effort in Ukraine.
Sheikh Hasina indicted for crimes against humanity
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Thursday indicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her senior officials for alleged crimes against humanity linked to a deadly crackdown on protesters during the July 2024 uprising in the country.
The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, with Justices Shafiul Alam Masud and Mohitul Enam Chowdhury, will begin proceedings for the case on 3 August, with opening statements and witness testimonies.
Decades on, PKK gives up arms in Turkey
In a ceremony held after a four-decade conflict with Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK symbolically began laying down its arms.
Roughly 30 PKK fighters participated in the ceremony, placing weapons in a cauldron. This marks the first step in a disarmament process expected to last several months, with the PKK voluntarily destroying their weapons.
The Turkish government sees this as a critical step towards a “terror-free Turkey”. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey, the US, UK, and EU.
Iran can recover some enriched uranium—Israel
In a briefing to reporter in Washington, D.C., Israeli officials stated that Iran may be able to retrieve enriched uranium buried beneath Isfahan, one of the three facilities struck by the United States forces in June.
Donald Trump believes to have successfully obliterated the country’s nuclear facilities with the US air and missile strikes on Iran last month. Iran denies seeking to develop nuclear weapons and says its enrichment of uranium is for peaceful purposes.
War crimes are likely being committed in Sudan—ICC
At the United Nations Security Council briefing on Thursday, The International Criminal Court (ICC) stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in western Sudan.
Sexual violence against women and girls of specific ethnicities was one of the most disturbing findings to surface in the ICC investigation in Darfur, Sudan. During the UNSC briefing ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said it was “difficult to find appropriate words to describe the depth of suffering” in the region.
9 bus passengers kidnapped & killed in Pakistan
Pakistani officials confirmed that the authorities have retrieved the bodies of nine bus passengers kidnapped by armed men in an attack in the southwest province of Balochistan. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Government official Naveed Alam stated that the bodies riddled with bullet wounds were found in the mountains overnight. A provincial government spokesman, Shahid Rind, said that the passengers were seized from two buses Thursday evening.
Trump announces supply of weapons via NATO
President Donald Trump Thursday announced that US will supply weapons aid to Ukraine through NATO. Trump told NBC News about a deal between US, NATO allies, and Ukraine on weapons shipment from the US.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 percent. So, what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons [to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons,” Trump said.
Trump headed to Texas to meet flood-affected families
President Donald Trump Friday will meet the first responders and families affected by the deadly floods that have affected various parts of central Texas. Governor of Texas Greg Abbott is expected to accompany Trump on his visit. The president is also expected to get a briefing from local officials in Kerville.
Kasturi Walimbe is a intern with ThePrint
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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