Daily World Briefing, July 28
U.S., EU seal trade deal amid concerns over tariff imbalance
U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen claimed Sunday that they had reached a trade deal under which the United States would impose a baseline tariff of 15 percent on European Union (EU) goods.
The announcement was made at a joint press briefing Sunday afternoon following trade talks at the Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire, Scotland.
Although both leaders described the deal as a step toward restoring "trade balance" and promoting more equitable two-way commerce, the agreement allows the United States to impose a broad 15 percent tariff on EU goods while securing zero-tariff access for a range of strategic American exports. In contrast, the EU has pledged to purchase 750 billion U.S. dollars' worth of American energy and commit an additional 600 billion U.S. dollars in investments in the United States.
Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid begin entering Gaza through Kerem Shalom border crossing
Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid began entering the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, according to local Palestinian sources.
Eyewitnesses told Xinhua the aid convoy initially gathered at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing under the supervision of the Egyptian Red Crescent.
The trucks then proceeded to the Kerem Shalom crossing, where they underwent inspection by Israeli authorities before being allowed into the besieged enclave, the sources said.
The flow of humanitarian assistance comes amid growing international appeals to facilitate urgent aid delivery to Gaza, where residents continue to face severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
Thai acting PM to discuss Thai-Cambodian border issue in Malaysia: gov't spokesman
Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead a delegation to Malaysia for discussions on the Thai-Cambodian border issue, a Thai government spokesman said on Sunday.
In a statement, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said Phumtham will travel to Malaysia on Monday at the invitation of Anwar Ibrahim, prime minister of Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair. The Thai delegation will also include Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
According to the spokesman, Malaysia has also invited Cambodian representatives to the discussions, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expected to attend, adding that Thailand will not compromise on sovereignty matters.
Yemen's Houthis say to target "all foreign ships" linked to Israel
Yemen's Houthi armed group said in a statement late Sunday night that it will begin targeting "all foreign ships linked to Israel… regardless of their destination," citing retaliation for what it called Israel's "blockade and starvation" campaign against Gaza.
"This escalation includes targeting all ships belonging to any company that deals with Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality and wherever they may be, within our forces' reach," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.
"We warn all companies to cease their dealings with Israeli ports, starting the hour this statement is issued," he said, calling on all countries to pressure Israel to halt its aggression and lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip "if they wish to avoid this escalation."
At least 43 civilians killed in suspected ADF rebel attack in eastern DR Congo
At least 43 civilians were killed overnight from Saturday to Sunday in an attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local sources said Sunday.
According to local media reports, ADF fighters stormed a Catholic church early Saturday in the town of Komanda, Ituri Province. A local civil society leader in Komanda said most of the victims, primarily Catholic worshippers, were preparing for Sunday celebrations when the attack took place. Several houses were burned, and an unknown number of people remain missing.
Witnesses said the assailants also looted a local bank and other community properties before retreating into the nearby forest.
3 dead, several injured in train derailment in Germany
A regional express train derailed Sunday evening in the southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, leaving three people dead and several others seriously injured, local police said.
The accident occurred near the town of Riedlingen when two carriages of the train left the tracks. Local police have established a command center at the scene and deployed a large number of rescue personnel, according to a police statement.
The affected railway line, along with a nearby road, has been closed. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation, the statement added.■