The world in brief
Catch up quickly on the global stories that matter
Updated 2 hours ago
Donald Trump announced new tariff rates for more countries, including a 50% levy on Brazil. They are due to come into effect on August 1st. In a letter to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president, Mr Trump cited the country’s trade policies and also its treatment of Jair Bolsonaro, the hard-right former president who is on trial for an alleged coup attempt. Mr Trump called that a “witch hunt”.
Hamas promised to release ten hostages as part of ongoing ceasefire talks with Israel. Despite the gesture, the talks are grinding, with reported disagreements over aid and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Separately, Houthi rebels sank a cargo ship in the Red Sea, believing it was bound for Israel. It is the second such vessel the Iran-backed group has destroyed this week.