Apple Announces $100B Investment in US; Netanyahu Clashes with Military Chief; Europe Fights for Rare Earth Independence

Good Morning,

Apple announced a massive $100 billion investment to produce iPhone components domestically as President Trump signals major chip tariffs ahead, while Taiwan investigates potential trade secret theft at semiconductor giant TSMC. Meanwhile, Russia moves to formalize its African military presence by replacing Wagner mercenaries with state-run forces in the Central African Republic, and Israeli military leadership publicly opposes expanding the Gaza conflict, creating new pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu. Elsewhere, Europe accelerates efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth minerals, even as a key exemption continues allowing most Canadian and Mexican goods tariff-free access to US markets.

Top Stories

• Apple will invest $100 billion to make US iPhone parts as Trump says a big chip tariff is coming - CNN

• Russia asks Central African Republic to replace Wagner with state-run Africa Corps and pay for it - Associated Press

• Israeli military chief opposes Gaza war expansion, raising pressure on Netanyahu - Reuters

• Taiwan Investigates TSMC Employees Over Possible Trade Secret Theft - New York Times

• How Europe is vying for rare earth independence from China - BBC

• Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs - Associated Press

United States

• Trump vows 100% tariff on chips, unless companies are building in the U.S. - CNBC

• U.S. soldier accused of trying to give Russia sensitive Army tank info for citizenship - CBS

• Apple will invest $100 billion to make US iPhone parts as Trump says a big chip tariff is coming - CNN

• Hundreds of flights delayed after tech issue grounds United Airlines flights - ABC

• Missed signals, lost deal: How India-US trade talks collapsed - Reuters

Africa

• Russia asks Central African Republic to replace Wagner with state-run Africa Corps and pay for it - Associated Press

• South African grocery retailer Shoprite plans to exit Ghana and Malawi - Reuters

• France fast-tracks African art return in new heritage bill - Africa News

• MIT launches new collaboration with Angola - MIT News

• South African Minister and Top Miner Clash Over US Minerals Plan - Bloomberg

Middle East 

• Trump administration reverses new guidelines tying Fema funds to Israeli boycotts - Middle East Eye

• Israeli military chief opposes Gaza war expansion, raising pressure on Netanyahu - Reuters

• Hamas still pays out salaries and rewards supporters - BBC

• Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel - Haaretz

• After Weeks of Sectarian Clashes in Syria, an Uneasy Truce Takes Hold - New York Times

Indo-Pacific

• Missed signals, lost deal: How India-US trade talks collapsed - Reuters

• What to know about chikungunya virus as cases rise in China - BBC

• Japanese population down record 900,000, 16th straight yr of decline - Kyodo News

• South Korea, US to conduct major joint military drills starting Aug 18 - Straits Times

• Taiwan Investigates TSMC Employees Over Possible Trade Secret Theft - New York Times

Europe

• U.S. soldier accused of trying to give Russia sensitive Army tank info for citizenship - CBS

• France fast-tracks African art return in new heritage bill - Africa News

• How Europe is vying for rare earth independence from China - BBC

• Why Europe’s flag carriers are flying higher than big US airlines - Financial Times

• Trump warns EU: 35% tariffs if $600bn investment pledge unfulfilled - Euro News 

Latin America  

• American Veteran Missing In Haiti After Failed Mission With Private Contractor - Latin Times

• Top federal official gunned down in broad daylight on busy avenue near U.S. border in Mexico - CBS

• Crucial exemption allows majority of Canadian and Mexican goods to be shipped to US without tariffs - Associated Press

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro Ignites Diplomatic Dispute With Peru Over Amazon River Island - Finance Colombia

• For Argentine farmers, Milei's free-market reforms fall short - France24

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