Kamchatka Earthquake Triggers Tsunami; Russian Attacks Kill 27 in Ukraine, Trump Issues Ultimatum
Key Takeaways
- Kamchatka earthquake triggers 3-4m tsunami; warnings issued for Russia, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii.
- Russian attacks in Ukraine kill 27; Trump gives Russia 10-day ultimatum to end war.
- Union Pacific acquires Norfolk Southern for $85B, creating transcontinental railroad across 43 states.
- IMF: Spain to outperform Eurozone with 2.5% growth in 2025, double the average.
- Baker Hughes to acquire Chart Industries for $13.6B, expanding into LNG and data centers.
Top Stories
Kamchatka earthquake triggers 3-4m tsunami; warnings issued.
On July 30, 2025, an 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka caused a 3-4m tsunami, prompting warnings for Russia, Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii. The governor urged residents to avoid the coast.
Russian attacks kill 27 in Ukraine; Trump sets ultimatum.
Between July 28-30, 2025, Russian attacks in Ukraine resulted in at least 27 civilian deaths and over 90 injuries, including 16 inmate deaths in a Zaporizhzhia prison. President Zelensky reported attacks on 73 cities, while Donald Trump gave Russia a 10-day ultimatum to end the war.
Union Pacific acquires Norfolk Southern for $85B.
On July 29, 2025, Union Pacific announced it would acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, creating America’s first transcontinental railroad valued at over $250 billion, connecting 50,000 route miles across 43 states.
IMF: Spain to outperform Eurozone with 2.5% growth in 2025.
The IMF maintains its forecast for Spain, projecting 2.5% growth in 2025 and 1.8% in 2026, more than double the Eurozone average, making it the best-performing major developed economy in 2025.
Baker Hughes to acquire Chart Industries for $13.6B.
On July 29, 2025, Baker Hughes announced a $13.6 billion deal to acquire Chart Industries, expanding Baker Hughes' reach into liquefied natural gas, data centers, and other technologies.
Business Today
US stocks close lower; Dow down 0.46%.
U.S. stocks closed lower on July 30, 2025, with the Dow down 0.46% and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq retreating from record highs as investors awaited the Fed's policy decision.
Brazil faces 50% US tariffs; government prepares response.
On July 29, 2025, former Minister Antônio Cabrera criticized the Lula government's response to U.S. tariffs, particularly on orange juice, warning of economic impacts as the US plans to introduce 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods from August 1.
US and EU reach trade deal framework.
On 2025-07-27, the U.S. and EU reached a trade deal framework.
Mizuho Bank acquires 70% stake in UPSIDER for $310M.
Mizuho Bank acquired approximately 70% stake in UPSIDER Holdings for about 46 billion yen, making it a subsidiary to strengthen its business for SMEs and digitize its credit operations.
IMF upgrades global growth forecast to 3% in 2025.
The IMF upgraded its global economic growth forecast to 3% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026, mainly attributed to the easing of trade tensions between the U.S. and China, with China's economy expected to grow 4.8% in 2025.
EU-US trade deal could cost pharma industry $13-19 billion.
In late July 2025, analysts reported that a trade deal between the EU and the US could cost the pharmaceutical industry between $13 billion and $19 billion due to a 15% tariff on branded medicines.
Climate & Health
Japan experiences heat wave, increase in infectious diseases.
In July 2025, Japan experienced a heat wave with average temperatures nearly 2.9 degrees higher than normal, with Tokyo reaching 36 degrees, alongside an increase in whooping cough and COVID-19 infections.
EPA proposes revoking climate regulation, calls it largest deregulatory action.
On July 29, 2025, the Trump administration, through the EPA, proposed revoking the 2009 'endangerment finding' that allows climate regulation, aiming to deregulate the automotive sector and gas or coal-fired power plants.
Global Watch
US sanctions Maduro, offers $25M reward for capture.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Nicolás Maduro and other Venezuelan officials on July 29, 2025, for ties to the 'Cartel de los Soles,' offering a US$ 25 million reward for information leading to Maduro's capture or conviction.
UN warns of looming famine in Gaza; malnutrition soars.
The UN, FAO, WFP, and UNICEF warned of a looming famine in Gaza due to ongoing conflict and restricted aid, with acute malnutrition rates among children under 5 in Gaza City quadrupling in two months, reaching 16.5%.
Russian airstrikes kill 16 inmates in Zaporizhzhia prison.
On July 29, 2025, Russian airstrikes on a prison in the Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine killed at least 16-17 inmates and injured 42-43 people, with President Zelenskyy calling the attack deliberate.
Trump shortens Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deadline, threatens tariffs.
On July 28, 2025, US President Trump shortened the deadline for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire to 10-12 days, threatening new tariffs if an agreement isn't reached, while Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated he does not expect a break in relations between Putin and Trump.
New Zealand supports recognition of Palestine for two-state solution.
New Zealand, along with 14 other countries, issued a joint statement supporting the recognition of Palestine as a step towards a two-state solution, calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
EU considers sanctions against Israel over Gaza humanitarian crisis.
The EU states are discussing sanctions against Israel due to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, including partially suspending Israel's participation in the Horizon Europe research program.
France advocates for two-state solution at UN conference.
On July 28, 2025, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot advocated for a two-state solution at a UN conference in New York to achieve peace in the Middle East, denouncing attacks on Gaza civilians and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Trump meets UK leaders in Scotland, discusses tariffs, energy.
During his July 28, 2025 visit to North East Scotland, Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney, discussing energy policy, tariffs, and other topics at Trump's Menie golf resort.
Police clash with protesters in Serbia after student expulsions.
On July 29, 2025, police clashed with anti-government protesters in Novi Pazar, Serbia, after students were expelled from a faculty building, with demonstrations spreading to other cities.
Ex-Finnish President Niinistö discusses Trump, Putin, Ukraine diplomacy.
On July 28, 2025, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö discussed the Ukraine war and diplomacy, believing Trump will continue his diplomatic approach with Putin, and that the EU should be involved.