World News | Trump Tariffs| Texas Flood: US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration will impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from South Korea and Japan, with the new rates set to take effect from August 1.
Trump Tariffs | World news
US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that his government will impose a 25 per cent tariff on South Korean and Japanese imports, effective August 1, extending the earlier “Liberation Day” tariffs announced in April. Trump communicated the new tariff information in formal letters to the leaders of the two countries, warning that any retaliatory tariff increases will be reciprocated with equal increases from the US. He also said that nations opting to produce inside the United States would be exempt from the new tariffs, with a guarantee of speedy regulatory approvals for investments.
The action indicates an increasingly aggressive approach in current trade talks, with Trump‘s administration maintaining that such protectionist steps are showing encouraging results. Despite this, the necessity of having to extend the deadline for negotiations initially set for Wednesday and the move to increase tariff rates indicate undercurrent tensions and less-than-hoped-for progress in talks. Trump‘s messages, posted on Truth Social, highlighted correcting trade deficit imbalances, labeling the 25 per cent tariff “far less than what is needed.
Texas Flood | World news
At least 104 individuals have been confirmed killed due to fatal floods in Texas, with the worst-hit location being Kerr County. Local officials reported the retrieval of 84 bodies from the area. It includes 56 adults and 28 children. 10 campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic, which is a popular summer camp in the region are among those missing. Following the tragedy Kerr County Sheriff’s Department had expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
Camp Mystic alone lost 27 campers and counselors to the waters, shows the devastating human cost to the summer camp community. It now becomes a question of whether enough warnings were sounded in a timely manner. In spite of early flood warnings and flash flood emergencies predicted by the National Weather Service, several camps still stood in low-lying, flood-prone zones. Some were quick to act and moved several hundred children to safety, but others were reportedly caught unaware perhaps because of poor cellphone coverage and emergency communications flaws.
The authorities have promised to launch a full investigation into the tragedy when search-and-rescue operations are over. This involves a complete analysis of the way alerts were released, the responsiveness of camp operators, and the contribution of infrastructure in reducing disaster in what residents call “flash flood alley.”
PM Modi arrives in Brasilia | World news
After his participation in the BRICS Summit that held in Rio de Janeiro, PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Brasilia for a State visit. As part of his arrival at the hotel in the Brazilian capital, PM Modi was warmly welcomed with a traditional cultural performance. It reflects the host country’s rich heritage. The performance also added a spiritual and festive touch to the occasion. It marks the start of his official engagements in Brasilia.
ALSO READ: Texas Floods: New Jersey Coast Guard Swimmer Rescues Around 200, Including Dozens Of Children
Brazil is set to confer the country’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports IANS.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Taliban leaders Haibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, citing crimes against humanity for persecuting women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people, CNN reports . It marks the first time LGBTQ+ victims are recognised in such charges.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled a legislative committee illegally blocked the state’s conversion therapy ban, effectively handing Gov. Evers more control over agency rules, The Associated Press reported. The decision also affects laws on environmental and health protections, while igniting a power struggle with GOP lawmakers.
A fast-spreading wildfire fanned by powerful winds forced the closure of Marseille Provence Airport on Tuesday and crept dangerously close to France’s second-largest city, Reuters reported.
The catastrophic flooding over the July Fourth weekend in central Texas has claimed at least 104 lives, with dozens still missing and rescue teams racing against time to find survivors, The Associated Press reports.
Germany has accused the Chinese military of targeting a German plane with a laser during an routine EU mission to guard shipping lanes in the Red Sea, AFP reports. Berlin reportedly called the action “entirely unacceptable” and summoned China’s ambassador for negotiations.
Five Israeli soldiers were killed and 14 others injured during fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, the army said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the military confirmed that the soldiers belonged to the Netzah Yehuda Battalion of the Kfir Brigade and were killed in battles on Monday evening. Two of the injured are reported to be in serious condition.
Foreign tourists are gradually returning to China as the country eases its visa rules to historic levels. Travelers from 74 countries can now visit China for up to 30 days without a visa—a significant expansion from previous restrictions. The government has been widening visa-free access to revive tourism, strengthen the economy, and enhance its global image. In 2024, over 20 million foreign visitors entered China without a visa, accounting for nearly one-third of all arrivals and more than doubling last year’s figures, according to the National Immigration Administration.
Russia claimed on Monday that its forces had carried out strikes on Ukrainian military recruitment centers, while Ukraine reported a drone attack on an oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Territory.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian troops also captured one settlement each in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions over the past 24 hours.
The ministry added that its forces targeted Ukrainian recruitment centers, hitting assembly and storage sites for attack drones, ammunition depots, and fuel storage facilities.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday (July 8) that Japan will continue negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a bilateral trade agreement that serves the interests of both nations.
Speaking at a meeting with cabinet ministers to review Japan’s approach to U.S. tariffs, Ishiba confirmed that Japan has received a proposal from Washington to extend trade discussions until a new deadline of August 1.
A wildfire swept through a hilly area in southern France on Monday (July 7), prompting road closures and evacuations, local media reported.
Videos shared on social media showed flames tearing across the landscape. Reuters verified the location by cross-checking the road layout, trees, signage, and building facades with archived and satellite imagery. The footage’s date was confirmed through original file metadata.
US President Donald Trump on Monday expressed confidence that Hamas is open to agreeing to a ceasefire with Israel, as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance efforts to end the ongoing war in Gaza.
“They want to meet, and they want to have that ceasefire,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked whether ongoing clashes involving Israeli soldiers could jeopardize the negotiations.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump as indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations continue. Earlier, he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, AP reports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit, announced that India’s upcoming BRICS presidency will adopt a “people-centric approach” rooted in the principle of “humanity first.”
Addressing a session on environment, COP-30, and global health, Modi said India aims to redefine BRICS as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability,” and will work closely with member nations on key global challenges.
Two young sisters who died in the catastrophic Texas floods were found holding hands, a relative revealed. Blair and Brooke Harber, aged 13 and 11, had been vacationing with their family at the Casa Bonita cabin community in Hunt when raging floodwaters swept through the area.
Their bodies were recovered more than a day later, roughly 15 miles downstream. The image of the sisters clinging to each other in their final moments has shaken the grieving community and underscored the devastating human toll of the disaster.
