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Media reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of tariffs as high as 50% on imports from Brazil, effective August 1st. The move has sparked strong dissatisfaction from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who condemned the U.S. for undermining the international order. Lula stated that he would work with other BRICS countries, including China and India, to formulate a joint response and counter what he described as American trade bullying.

According to reports, Trump justified the high tariffs on Brazil by citing political persecution of his ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. In early 2023, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress and Supreme Court in a violent uprising. As a result, Bolsonaro remains under multiple criminal investigations. On August 4th, Brazil's Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to be placed under house arrest, banning him from going out, using a mobile phone, or receiving visitors.

The report also mentioned that Lula strongly denounced U.S. interference in Brazil's sovereignty and declared that he had no intention of backing down. He said that negotiating with Trump at this point was meaningless. Lula plans to join forces with leaders of other BRICS nations, including India and China, to explore collective responses to the U.S. tariffs. He is also considering working with other countries to file a joint complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

On July 30, a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, ranking as the sixth-strongest earthquake ever recorded globally. The quake caused dramatic crustal deformation and a rare natural phenomenon: a "chain eruption" of seven volcanoes. According to observations by the Russian Academy of Sciences, parts of the southern epicentral region shifted nearly 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) southeast, an intensity comparable to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The earthquake was caused by the collision and locking of the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates, releasing pressure that had built up over many years. This led to a massive horizontal displacement at the southern tip of the peninsula. Scientists noted that this event is a classic example of the "elastic rebound theory," where intense plate movement can cause the Earth's surface to shift several meters in an instant. Preliminary measurements recorded a maximum displacement of approximately 6.5 feet (around 2 meters), far exceeding the normal annual rate of movement, which is typically about 1.5 centimeters. Such crustal changes are expected to continue for days or even weeks until tectonic activity stabilizes.

The earthquake-induced crustal ruptures and pressure release also triggered simultaneous volcanic activity. The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Far East Branch reported that seven volcanoes in the Kamchatka region erupted one after another following the quake. This marks the first time in nearly 300 years that such a large-scale and rare volcanic awakening has occurred in the area—almost like a “parade of volcanic eruptions.”

The Philippine military announced on August 4 that naval vessels from India and the Philippines have launched their first-ever joint patrol in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The two-day patrol operation began yesterday, with India deploying three warships, which are currently conducting maritime replenishment activities.

According to foreign media reports, this development comes as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departs for New Delhi, India’s capital, where he is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are set to discuss and possibly sign a number of agreements spanning legal, cultural, and technological fields. However, international attention is focused on whether the two countries will formalize a defense cooperation agreement.

In recent years, due to frequent tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has actively strengthened military ties with various allied nations. Last year, the Philippines purchased BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India. These missiles can reach speeds of up to 3,450 kilometers per hour.

India is a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), along with the United States, Japan, and Australia, working together to promote regional security cooperation. Beijing has criticized the Quad as a strategic effort to contain China.

Migrant boat disasters continue to occur with alarming frequency. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that a vessel carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized on August 3 in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen’s southern Abyan province. At least 68 people died and 74 are missing. According to reports, 54 bodies were washed ashore in Khanfa district, while another 14 were recovered by rescue teams and transported to Zinjibar Hospital. Only 12 migrants are known to have survived. Authorities have presumed the remaining missing individuals dead.

Abdusattor Esoev, head of the IOM’s mission in Yemen, noted a sharp rise in deaths and disappearances due to multiple recent shipwrecks in Yemeni waters. He warned that smuggling networks have grown increasingly reckless, forcing migrants onto dangerous sea routes using overcrowded and unseaworthy boats to cross the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. Local security officials also confirmed that numerous bodies were found along a large stretch of coastline, describing the scene as harrowing.

The IOM stated that irregular migration from Africa to Yemen remains significant despite over a decade of civil war in the country. Migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa continue to pour into Yemen in hopes of reaching Gulf nations for work opportunities. According to IOM data, more than 60,000 people have arrived in Yemen in 2024—a slight decrease from 2023, likely due to heightened coastal patrols. The organization has called on the international community to strengthen surveillance of illegal migration routes to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

Just two days after the Ukrainian parliament passed legislation to restore the independence of its anti-corruption institutions, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) uncovered a major corruption case involving military procurement. The case centers on contracts for military drones and electronic warfare systems, in which prices were deliberately inflated to extract kickbacks of up to 30%. Four individuals have already been detained, including a sitting member of parliament, two local government officials, and several members of the National Guard. The investigation is ongoing and continues to expand.

According to CNN, NABU and SAPO issued a joint statement on social media, revealing that the procurement contracts were signed with suppliers at deliberately inflated prices, allowing officials to skim kickbacks from the funds. The statement noted: “At the core of this corruption scheme was the signing of government contracts with suppliers at intentionally inflated prices.” While the names of those involved have not been publicly disclosed, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that the implicated National Guard personnel have been suspended.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram that there will be “zero tolerance” for any form of corruption and emphasized the need for government agencies to work together to uncover and prosecute wrongdoing fairly and in accordance with the law. Zelensky had previously sparked controversy and protests for attempting to place anti-corruption agencies under the control of the Prosecutor General. He later withdrew the proposal and supported revised legislation to restore their independence — a move welcomed by the European Union. EU officials have reiterated that preserving the independence of anti-corruption bodies is a key requirement for Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc.

The journey began at Fort Charlotte, a historic fortress perched atop a mountain, offering sweeping views of Kingstown and the majestic Caribbean Sea.

Tensions between the United States and Russia have escalated once again. This week, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear-armed strategic submarines to key regions in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The move is widely seen as a direct response to recent provocative remarks by former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev.

Medvedev had recently posted on social media, warning that if the United States "continues arming Ukraine and undermining global strategic balance," Russia may consider the use of strategic nuclear weapons. He further claimed that "the West should not underestimate Russia's resolve to defend its national interests."

In response to Medvedev’s comments—which sparked international concern—Trump convened a National Security Council meeting at the White House and promptly signed an order instructing U.S. Strategic Command to deploy two Ohio-class submarines, both equipped with nuclear strike capabilities. One was sent to Atlantic waters near Europe, and the other to strategic waterways in the Indo-Pacific region, in a move meant to signal America's "strong deterrence and full readiness."

A White House spokesperson stated that the deployment is not a signal of war but aims to "ensure global strategic stability and uphold commitments to allies," while also warning Moscow to "cease nuclear threats and provocative behavior."

The Pentagon confirmed that the submarines have completed necessary preparations and are ready to execute orders at any time. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Eric Michaels, emphasized: "This is a defensive deployment, intended to prevent miscalculation and escalation."

The international community is closely monitoring the latest developments. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed support for the U.S. action and urged Russia to "stop dangerous escalation." Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all parties to "exercise restraint" and avoid further conflict escalation.

At present, military communication hotlines between the U.S. and Russia remain inactive, raising concerns that the lack of strategic dialogue could lead to miscalculations—or even a worsening nuclear crisis.

On the 31st, U.S. President Donald Trump sent letters to the CEOs of 17 pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi, and Johnson & Johnson, demanding they lower the prices of prescription drugs in the U.S. Trump stipulated that drug prices should not exceed those in other advanced countries and set a 60-day deadline for compliance. Following the announcement, pharmaceutical company stock prices dropped sharply.

The 17 major pharmaceutical companies include AbbVie (ABBV-US), AstraZeneca (AZN-US), Amgen (AMGN-US), Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly (LLY-US), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY-US), Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK-US), Gilead (GILD-US), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ-US), Novartis (NVS-US), Merck (MRK-US), Novo Nordisk (NVO-US), Regeneron (REGN-US), Pfizer (PFE-US), and Sanofi (SNY-US).

According to statistics from the RAND Corporation, U.S. prescription drug prices are two to three times higher than in other developed countries, with some medications priced up to 10 times higher. As a result, Trump signed an executive order in May of this year requiring drugmakers to reduce prices to match the lowest prices available overseas. If companies refuse to comply, U.S. authorities may impose regulations to enforce price cuts or consider importing cheaper drugs from abroad.

Trump also urged pharmaceutical companies to offer "most-favored-nation" pricing for low-income patients under the Medicaid program and to ensure that newly developed drugs fall under the same pricing policy. Additionally, if pharmaceutical companies attempt to offset lower U.S. prices by raising prices in other countries, any resulting excess overseas profits must be returned to U.S. patients and taxpayers. The government intends to regulate this through negotiated agreements.

Industry representatives, however, argue that differences in healthcare systems and market conditions across countries influence final drug pricing, making uniform pricing unrealistic. They also warn that lowering drug prices could reduce funding for research and development, potentially doing more harm than good for the U.S.

Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, presented symbolic gifts—including the Conscience Scarf, the Compass Clock of Conscience, and the keychain with the "Smile of Conscience"—to Mr. Percival Hanley, General Manager of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.

After enduring two years of war, Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip are now facing an even more dire situation. Severe food shortages could lead to a large-scale famine, with up to 500,000 people at risk of death. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas in January, negotiations later failed, and Israel resumed its blockade of Gaza in March. It wasn’t until late May that limited supplies were allowed to enter again.

Currently, two main organizations are responsible for distributing aid. One is the United Nations. According to the Israeli military, even when UN aid enters Gaza, it ends up under Hamas control. On the 27th of last month, 55 UN aid trucks entering Gaza were emptied by crowds before reaching their destinations. Meanwhile, hundreds more UN food trucks remain stuck near the Kerem Shalom border crossing into southern Gaza, unable to enter. UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric blamed Israel for "massive bureaucratic obstacles and security issues" that are "preventing us from doing our job."

The other organization is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), established with support from the United States and Israel. GHF operates four food distribution stations in southern and central Gaza and claims its system prevents aid from being seized by Hamas. However, the number of distribution sites is too small, their schedules irregular, and it is questionable whether civilians can safely travel long distances to access them. GHF stations are often overcrowded and have even come under fire from Israeli soldiers. According to the UN human rights agency, hundreds of people have been killed near these GHF stations. GHF’s own Palestinian staff have also been killed by Hamas gunmen. This has prompted the UN and other aid groups to call for GHF's shutdown, condemning the foundation's methods as inefficient and dangerous.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently denied that anyone in Gaza is starving. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump disagrees. His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, plans to visit the Gaza Strip to inspect the distribution of aid. Israel’s hardline stance is also shifting international perspectives. The European Union is considering suspending a major scientific research program, while France, the UK, and Canada are planning to formally recognize the State of Palestine in September.

Although Israeli society has long resisted the label of "genocide," a turning point came on the 29th when 31 prominent Israeli figures published an open letter in The Guardian, condemning Israel for causing famine in Gaza and calling for severe sanctions. Two major Israeli human rights organizations—B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel—have also released reports accusing Israel of implementing a genocidal policy in Gaza.