ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including US President Donald Trump naming Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as the interim administrator of the space agency NASA, Hamas saying it agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire negotiations continue, and Trump announcing a sweeping 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods entering the US.

TOP STORIES

• Trump taps Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim NASA chief

US President Donald Trump named Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as the interim administrator of the space agency NASA.

"Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country’s Transportation Affairs, including creating a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control system, while at the same time rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient, and beautiful, again," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing the appointment.

He indicated that Duffy may serve only "for a short period of time."

It remains to be seen whether he intends to seek the required Senate confirmation for the position.

• Hamas says it agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire negotiations continue

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said it agreed to release 10 Israeli hostages as part of its “flexibility” to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Hamas “continues its intensive and responsible efforts to ensure the success of the ongoing round of negotiations, striving to reach a comprehensive agreement that ends the aggression against our people, secures the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid, and alleviates the worsening suffering in the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement.

“In its commitment to the success of the current efforts, the movement has shown the necessary flexibility and agreed to release 10 prisoners,” it added.

Hamas said key issues including the flow of aid, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave and real guarantees for a lasting ceasefire remain under discussion.

Israel did not immediately comment on the statement by Hamas.

• Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, criticizes Bolsonaro trial

US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods entering the US, citing that country’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro and alleged censorship targeting American platforms.

Trump denounced a trial Bolsonaro is facing as "an international disgrace" in a letter on Truth Social.

"This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!" he said as he praised Bolsonaro as "a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term."

Bolsonaro and seven others have been indicted for an attempted coup after Brazil's top court accepted charges against the former leader and his allies.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US President Donald Trump welcomed the leaders of five African nations to discuss strengthening economic partnerships and unlocking investment opportunities across the continent.
• Prosecutors raided South Korea's Defense Ministry and the presidential National Security Office (NSO) as part of an investigation into the death of a Marine in 2023 during a rescue operation, local media reported.
• Austria's lower house of parliament passed a bill that enables law enforcement and intelligence agencies to monitor the digital communications of high-risk suspects who use encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to attend the 7th Trilateral Meeting of the Türkiye-ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership as part of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on July 10-11, said Turkish diplomatic sources.
• The Trump administration sued the state of California for alleged Title IX violations regarding the banning of transgender student athletes from participating in girls' school sports teams, according to media outlets.
• Officials from Egypt, Libya and Sudan held a high-level meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, local media reported.
• Türkiye's Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran has been appointed as the country's communications director, the Official Gazette announced.
• The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for an "immediate de-escalation,” citing “increased reports of a continued military build-up in and around the capital Tripoli.”
• The US imposed sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, citing her "efforts to prompt" International Criminal Court (ICC) action against US and Israeli officials.
• Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) advanced to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final by beating Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinals.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump says 50% tariff on copper to take effect on Aug. 1

US President Donald Trump said a 50% tariff on copper imports which he announced the previous day will take effect on Aug. 1.

"I am announcing a 50% TARIFF on Copper, effective August 1, 2025, after receiving a robust NATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Copper is essential in the manufacturing of semiconductors, aircraft, ships, ammunition, data centers, lithium-ion batteries, radar systems, missile defense systems and even hypersonic weapons, "of which we are building many," he said.