Sudan: RSF announces parallel government; US-EU trade deal reached
Key Takeaways
- RSF announces parallel government in Sudan led by Dagalo; US sanctions Dagalo.
- US-EU trade deal: 15% tariff on EU goods, higher tariffs on key sectors.
- Israeli forces intercepted 'Handala' ship carrying aid to Gaza; activists detained.
- Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg, forcing Pulkovo Airport to close for five hours.
- Aaron Ford enters Nevada governor race, potentially becoming state's first Black governor.
Top Stories
RSF announces parallel government in Sudan; US sanctions Dagalo.
On July 27, 2025, the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, announced a parallel government in Sudan, with Dagalo heading a 15-person council. The US has sanctioned Dagalo for genocide and Burhan for choosing war over negotiation amid a humanitarian crisis.
US-EU trade deal: 15% tariff on EU goods, higher for some.
On July 27, 2025, the US and EU reached a trade agreement with a 15% tariff on most EU goods entering the US, but higher tariffs of 27.5% on cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, with the EU agreeing to invest $600 billion in the US and purchase $750 billion in energy over 3 years.
Israeli forces intercept 'Handala' ship carrying aid to Gaza.
On July 26, 2025, Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged 'Handala' ship near Gaza in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid and 21 international activists, who were later detained.
Ukrainian drones target St. Petersburg, Pulkovo Airport closed.
On July 27, 2025, Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg, forcing Pulkovo Airport to close for five hours, with Russian defence ministry reporting 291 drones downed.
Aaron Ford enters Nevada governor race; could be first Black governor.
Nevada Democrats see an opportunity to oust Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, with Aaron Ford, the state attorney general, officially entering the race on July 27, 2025, potentially becoming Nevada's first Black governor.
Cultural Highlights
Convicted fraudster planned fictitious music festival Monmouth Rising.
A BBC News investigation revealed that James Kenny, a convicted fraudster, planned a fictitious music festival, Monmouth Rising, promising headliners like The Killers and Pulp, defrauding employees, suppliers, and investors.
NYT: Struggles faced by young men, cultural shifts cited.
The New York Times published opinion pieces on July 26, 2025, discussing struggles faced by young men, citing cultural shifts, outdated masculine norms, and socioeconomic changes.
NYT discusses 'mankeeping,' women's emotional labor for men.
The New York Times published an article on July 28, 2025, discussing 'mankeeping,' the emotional labor women perform to meet the social and emotional needs of men.
Economic Trends
US to impose new tariffs on trading partners on August 1.
On August 1, 2025, the US, under President Trump, will impose new tariffs on trading partners, with rates up to 50 percent, potentially increasing prices for American consumers and businesses.
CK Hutchison seeks Chinese investor for $23B port deal.
On July 28, 2025, CK Hutchison announced it is seeking a Chinese investor to join the buying consortium for its port business, including ports in Panama, valued at approximately $23 billion.
Germany's budget deficit at 3.3% of GDP due to defense spending.
Germany's budget deficit is expected to be 3.3% of GDP this year, with the EU Commission likely not proceeding against Germany due to increased defense spending.
Analyst: Milei believes economic success will lead to electoral success.
On July 26, 2025, political analyst Carlos Fara stated that President Javier Milei believes economic successes will lead to electoral success, potentially allowing him to discipline political and business sectors.
China announces plan to boost agricultural product consumption.
On July 27, 2025, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced a plan to promote the consumption of agricultural products, including 23 specific measures in nine aspects.
Job market for economists significantly worsens.
The job market for economists, particularly those with Ph.D.s, has significantly worsened due to scaled-back hiring by universities and nonprofits and layoffs in government agencies.
Cinven in talks to acquire Artefact for potential €1B.
Cinven is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Artefact, a French data and artificial intelligence consulting services provider, in a deal that could value Artefact at approximately €1 billion.
Ethical Business
Labor abuses persist in luxury industry despite laws.
Vanessa Friedman, the fashion director for The New York Times, addresses the issue of labor abuses in the luxury industry, noting that sweatshop conditions persist despite laws and agreements.
Gaza Aid
Spain sends 12,000 kilos of food to Gaza amid famine.
Following international pressure, Spain will send 12,000 kilos of food to Gaza, expected to arrive around August 1, to help alleviate the crisis where 100,000 children are at risk.
Israel allows aid into Gaza amid starvation reports.
On July 27, 2025, Israel announced a daily pause in military operations to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, while Reuters highlighted the opening of new aid routes amid starvation reports.
Medical Advances
Roche trials trontinemab, experimental Alzheimer’s drug.
Roche is conducting and planning trials for trontinemab, an experimental Alzheimer’s drug, to delay or prevent symptoms, with late-stage studies focusing on people at risk of cognitive decline.
Political Pulse
US insists TikTok be controlled by a US company.
On July 28, 2025, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that President Trump wants TikTok to be controlled by a US company to protect user data, requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets by September 17 or face a ban.
Epstein scandal could hurt Republican midterm election prospects.
U.S. lawmakers Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna are concerned that the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could damage public trust and hurt Republican prospects in the 2026 midterm elections, advocating for the full release of government Epstein files.
UN promotes two-state solution; US and Israel boycott.
On July 27-28, 2025, the UN General Assembly hosted a conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia to promote a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which the US and Israel boycotted.
Orban discusses Trump's victory, predicts world war probability.
On July 26, 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban discussed the potential impact of Donald Trump's victory and the increasing probability of a world war in the next 5-10 years.
Zondo criticizes Ramaphosa for appointing ministers implicated in corruption.
Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa for appointing ministers implicated in the state capture scandal, expressing concern that findings may be ignored.
Kim Yo-jong dismisses South Korea's conciliatory policies.
On July 28, 2025, Kim Yo-jong criticized President Lee Jae-myung's conciliatory policies, dismissing any interest in policies or proposals from Seoul and criticizing its alliance with the U.S.
Robert Reich: Baby Boomers Blew It, inequality rising.
On July 26, 2025, Robert Reich discussed the political failures of baby boomers, the rise of inequality, and the failures of Democrats to connect with struggling Americans in an interview with the New York Times Magazine.
Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayoral primary election.
Zohran Mamdani won New York City's mayoral primary election due to a ranked-choice strategy, receiving 59.6% of the ranked ballots.
Trump criticizes wind turbines during visit with European leaders.
Donald Trump, during a visit with European leaders, criticized wind turbines, stating that they spoil the view and are expensive, adding that the US will not have them.
DeSantis appointee Uthmeier opens immigration detention center.
James Uthmeier, appointed by Ron DeSantis, is making waves as Florida's new Attorney General, announcing the opening of an immigration detention center in the Everglades.
Tech Innovations
US health officials to launch health-care data sharing plan.
On July 26 and 27, 2025, U.S. health officials planned to launch a plan at the White House to encourage seamless health-care data sharing with tech companies.
Ukraine War
NPR interviews journalist about '2,000 Meters to Andriivka' documentary.
On July 26, 2025, NPR's Scott Simon interviews journalist Mstyslav Chernov about his new documentary, '2,000 Meters to Andriivka,' focusing on a Ukrainian effort to recapture the town.
Russia: West prioritizes weapons, not peace in Ukraine.
On July 26, 2025, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated the West has never prioritized peace in Ukraine and would stop arming Ukraine if it wanted peace.