First Thing Wednesday, 30 July 2025

:high_voltage: MAIN STORY: Eastern Cape’s Auto Industry in Crisis Mode! South Africa’s Eastern Cape is sweating bullets over the auto industry. Why? Because the US is about to drop some massive tariffs on SA exports starting August 1st. Numsa (a big union) is basically yelling “job catastrophe!” at the government. Sounds like things could get real hairy for a lot of people there. :grimacing:

:sleeping_face: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING (Global Edition):

  • UK’s Palestine Move: The UK’s planning to recognize Palestine as a state in September, unless Israel chills out on the Gaza situation. Big diplomatic move.
  • Kamchatka Earthquake & Tsunami: A massive quake in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a 4-meter tsunami! Northern Japan got evacuated, and even parts of North America’s west coast were on alert. :ocean:
  • Ukraine Airstrike: A Russian airstrike apparently hit a hospital and prison in Ukraine, killing 19 people. Russia, of course, denies targeting civilians. :broken_heart:
  • German Chopper Crash: Two German soldiers are dead and one’s missing after a military helicopter crashed near Leipzig during a training exercise. Sad news. :germany:

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