Good morning, everyone!
Today, we will look at a wave of U.S. developments, the ongoing wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine, and other news spanning the globe.
Let’s get to it.
Africa
-At least 40 people were killed in Sudan’s Darfur region after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked a famine-struck displacement camp there.
The camp houses at least 200,000 people.
The western Darfur region has been one of the hardest hit over the course of the country’s two-year-long civil war.
In total, an estimated 150,000 people have been killed in that period, and another 12 million have been displaced.
-Unemployment in South Africa rose to 33.2% in the second quarter, one of the highest rates in the world.
The persistent unemployment presents a challenge to the country’s shaky coalition government.
-The Central Bank of Kenya slashed its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points on Tuesday, the seventh rate cut in a row.
Other Links:
Congo army and rebels trade blame over clashes, troop buildup - Reuters
French president admits to France's repressive war during Cameroon's independence struggle - France 24
Nigeria debates air rage 'double standards' - DW
US announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo - AP
Kenyan activist tries to block new Ritz-Carlton safari lodge opening - Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean
-Argentine President Javier Milei is looking to boost Israel’s diplomatic relations in Latin America with a new initiative.
-Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum named Maria del Carmen Bonilla to serve as deputy finance minister, ending weeks of speculation over who would assume the post.
-Inflation in Brazil rose 0.26% in July, slightly up from the 0.24% recorded the month prior.
-Coffee prices in Brazil fell in July for the first time in 18 months.
-On August 13, 1926, Fidel Castro was born.
Other Links:
Mexico expels 26 cartel figures wanted by US authorities in deal with Trump administration - AP
Paraguay's Lower House gives nod to Mercosur-Singapore FTA - MercoPress
Milei’s FX Reforms Spur Worst Corporate Default Wave Since 2020 - Bloomberg
Adidas Apologizes After Mexico Criticizes Oaxacan-Inspired Shoe - The New York Times
Scientists search for DNA of an endangered salamander in Mexico City’s canals - ABC
Asia/Indo-Pacific
-Armenia and Azerbaijan published the text of a peace agreement signed at the White House last week.
-Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was among those detained in New Delhi during a protest against electoral practices.
-Myanmar’s security forces have implemented “systemic torture,” according to a new United Nations report.
-Japan and Pakistan agreed to cooperate on digital currency development.
-The Reserve Bank of Australia slashed its benchmark interest rate on Tuesday, the third cut this year, and signaled further policy easing as the economy continues to slow.
-China said it suspended ties with Czech President Petr Pavel after he met with the Dalai Lama late last month.
-A Russian delegation will visit North Korea this week.
-Typhoon Podul is expected to make landfall in Taiwan today.
-On this day in 1898, the U.S. Army seized control of the Philippine port of Manila during the Spanish-American War.
Other Links:
Philippines voices concern over 'dangerous' Chinese actions after Scarborough Shoal collision - Reuters
China Urges Firms to Avoid Nvidia H20 Chips After Trump Resumes Sales - Bloomberg
China releases rare footage of DF-100 cruise missile to deter US - South China Morning Post
Malaysia, partners sending peace mission to Myanmar to help Rohingya refugees - Reuters
US designates BLA separatists in Pakistan a terror group - DW
South Korea's former first lady arrested after court issues warrant, Yonhap reports - Reuters
Europe
-Russian forces made a breakthrough along the front line in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The advance comes as Moscow seeks to make territorial gains ahead of an expected meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Separately, Ukrainian forces made small gains in its Sumy region, which lies along the Russian border.
-The White House called Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin a “listening exercise.”
-Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has taken the lead to become the most popular party in the country, according to a new poll.
-German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will convene a virtual summit meeting on Ukraine today.
-On this day in 1961, East German officials began construction on the Berlin Wall, dividing the Soviet-controlled east from the democratic west.
Other Links:
EU countries issued a statement in support of Ukraine without Hungary - Euronews
Groups seek to influence plastic pollution treaty talks at the UN as negotiations wind down - AP
Wildfires rage across southern Europe as temperatures top 40C - BBC
France adopts law upholding ban on bee-killing pesticide - France 24
Fugitive Moldovan tycoon offers $3,000 a month to anti-government protesters - Reuters
Middle East
-In a statement published yesterday, 26 foreign ministers from developed nations said human suffering in the Gaza Strip has reached “unimaginable levels” and called on Israel to ease aid restrictions to the coastal enclave.
-Denmark announced it would airdrop aid into Gaza as humanitarian groups warn that famine has taken hold in the territory.
-Days after Australia announced it would recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, was “in denial” over human suffering in Gaza.
Netanyahu has denied reports of starvation in the area.
-Iran said direct nuclear talks with the United States could be possible under “equal conditions.”
-The Iranian government said it apprehended 21,000 “suspects” during its 12-day war with Israel in June.
-The Iraqi government restored power to areas hit by blackouts.
Other Links:
Israel-Qatar Tensions Escalate After Israel Kills Al Jazeera Journalists - The New York Times
Thousands protest in Israel over Gaza City occupation plan - BBC
UN chief puts Israel, Russia 'on notice' over conflict-related sexual violence accusations - Reuters
Tesla mulls autonomous trials in Israel, Middle East - The Jerusalem Post
Syrian soldier killed in clashes with SDF in Aleppo, state news agency says - Reuters
United States
-Annual inflation rose by 2.7% in July, unchanged from the previous month.
-The Texas state senate approved a new congressional map yesterday after Democratic lawmakers walked out of the chamber. Two Democrats remained to vote, giving the Republican majority the quorum needed to advance the measure.
-Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked for a county judge to jail former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke.
-Trump called on Congress to pass legislation to end no-cash bail in major American cities.
-Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker—a prospective 2028 presidential candidate—said he supports an arms blockade on Israel.
-Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggested eliminating the monthly jobs report. Earlier this month, Trump fired the head of the agency after the July report showed weak employment growth.
-The U.S. budget deficit grew to $291 billion in July.
Earlier this week, the national debt surpassed $37 trillion.
-Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service after the resignation of Billy Long.
Long had served in the post for less than two months.
-The State Department released a scaled-down version of its annual human rights report.
-The White House said it would conduct a review of all Smithsonian exhibitions to assess whether they align with “American ideals.”
-Former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is expected to run for Senate next year.
-Iowa state lawmaker and Paralympian Josh Turek announced his candidacy for the Senate seat held by Joni Ernst, becoming the fifth Democratic candidate to enter the race.
-Power consumption in the United States is set to reach record highs in 2025 and 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration.
-On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed his signature Economic Recovery Tax Act into law.
Other Links:
Law enforcement increased in D.C., with role of National Guard still taking shape - The Washington Post
Russia Is Suspected to Be Behind Breach of Federal Court Filing System - The New York Times
Trump Calls on Goldman Sachs to Replace Economist Over Tariff Stance - The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration says George Washington University violated law over Jewish students, faculty - Reuters
Shooter attacked CDC headquarters to protest COVID-19 vaccines - AP
Target store shooter fired randomly and had a history of mental illness, police say - AP
That’s all for today. See you tomorrow.
Notes:
https://scowcroft.substack.com/p/tsg-weekly-calendar-august-11-17