Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs hit dozens of countries overnight: Unbiased Updates, Aug. 1, 2025
The clock has run out, and the tariffs are in. President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” deadline has officially hit, slapping dozens of countries with steep new trade rates overnight.
Meanwhile, in Texas, local leaders face tough questions about their response to the deadly July 4 flood in Hill Country. A tense meeting in Kerr County revealed new details, and one surprising admission that’s sparking even more anger.
And over at the White House, get ready for the East Wing to expand. A new ballroom project is in the works.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Aug. 1, 2025.
Tariff deadline hits: New rates, new rules, global uncertainty
President Donald Trump signed a late-night executive order on Thursday, July 31, unveiling his long-promised “reciprocal tariffs.” Due to the order, more than 70 countries have been officially hit with new import taxes, ranging from 10% to 41%.
The following countries, however, have been left out after striking last-minute deals: the U.K., Japan, the E.U., South Korea and Vietnam, struck last-minute deals.
Other nations, like Canada, woke up to stiff penalties. Canada specifically has been hit with 35% tariffs after Trump blamed Ottawa for failing to cooperate.
Nations without new deals now have until August 7 to negotiate or face full rates.
Syria, Laos and Myanmar are already facing max rates, which are 40 to 41%.
A total of 26 countries are facing tariffs higher than 15% following the overnight order. The tariffs, though, aren’t just on the origin countries. Trump is also targeting “transshipped” goods.
Anyone or anything that appears to be trying to evade the rules will be hit with a 40% tariff, according to the order.
The White House says this new era is “fair and balanced” trade, as opposed to “efficiency at all costs.”
Even so, with confusion at the ports, court challenges underway and prices already rising, the fallout could come fast.
US envoy Witkoff arrives in Israel ahead of Gaza aid tour
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has boots on the ground in Israel, and he’s already crossed into Gaza. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the White House sends a message: more aid is coming.
Witkoff, a real estate developer-turned-envoy, arrived in Israel on Thursday, July 31, and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He then made a rare crossing into southern Gaza, alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
The White House said the two are touring aid distribution sites in Rafah and meeting directly with Palestinians. They are also working to finalize a new plan to get more food into the strip.
Witkoff is expected to brief Trump immediately after the visit, with an aid package likely to be announced today.
The visit comes after at least 91 people were killed while trying to reach food trucks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Israel denied responsibility, saying its troops only fired warning shots and blamed the gunfire within the crowd.
Still, video shows wounded Palestinians getting hauled away in carts, with hospitals quickly overwhelmed.
Witkoff’s trip marks the first direct talks with Netanyahu since truce negotiations collapsed last week. It also comes as the U.S. ramps up pressure on both Israel and Hamas to reach a deal and end the war.
Kerr County flood leader says he was sick, asleep as waters rose
Texas lawmakers demanded answers, and grieving families cried for justice. Now, the man in charge during the state’s deadliest flood in decades has finally broken his silence.
The Kerr County emergency coordinator admitted he was sick and asleep when the July 4 flood hit along the Guadalupe River. The flooding killed more than 130 people, including children at a local summer camp.
William “Dub” Thomas testified Thursday, July 31, in a packed and emotional hearing, making his first public comments since the flood.
He said he did not wake up until it was too late.
“To those of you who ask, what would you have done differently? The honest answer is that, based on the data we had at the time, there was no clear indicator that a catastrophic flood was imminent,” Thomas said. “The rain fell in remote areas with limited gauge data. Forecasts were not materially different from past events that did not result in flooding. The situation evolved faster than anyone could have predicted.”
Families described the terror of watching floodwaters swallow homes and camps, including Camp Mystic, where 27 girls and staff died.
Lawmakers demanded answers, grilling not just Thomas but the county judge and sheriff. All individuals who were not present when the emergency began.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick delivered a blunt rebuke to Kerr County’s top official, saying, “I don’t know where you were on day one on July 4th, but you should have been here. You should have been here directing that response. That’s your responsibility.”
Critics said the lack of local alerts cost lives. Thomas responded to that criticism, saying he relied on National Weather Service warnings and did not issue an evacuation order.
The hearing comes as the state considers new laws, including flood siren systems and better forecasting tools, to hopefully prevent another tragedy.
Harris breaks silence in new memoir, late-night appearance
Kamala Harris returned to the spotlight Thursday, July 31, joining Stephen Colbert on his late-night talk show. It was the former vice president’s first interview since losing to President Donald Trump in November 2024.
Her appearance follows her announcement that she will not run for California governor. Harris also announced that her new memoir, “107 Days,” will be published in September. The book will chronicle her brief run as Democratic nominee for president.
On the show, Harris didn’t hold back, calling out lawmakers who she says are letting Trump do whatever he wants.
“We designed our democracy with three independent co-equal branches of government,” Harris said, “I mean, when you see the president of the United States trying to get rid of the Department of Education, and Congress has the role and ability to stand in the way of that, and they’re just sitting on their hands and they go on recess because they don’t want to deal with transparency? Yeah!”
Her new book hits shelves next month on Sept. 23.
Trump to build $200M, 650-seat ballroom at White House
After years of talk by President Donald Trump, the White House announced that construction will begin this September on a new state ballroom in the building’s East Wing. The new ballroom will be about 90,000 square feet and accommodate at least 650 guests.
But who’s footing the bill?
According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump and his “Patriot donors” will pay for the entire project.
“President Trump and other donors have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build this approximately $200 million,” Leavitt said. “I have provided some photos for all of you in the room today. This is the interior of the ballroom space. It’s quite beautiful. And then this is the exterior of the ballroom space. As you can see, it will come off the executive mansion as it sits today, and the East Wing will be modernized and renovated.”
This will be the most expensive renovation under Trump — even more than the pave-over at the Rose Garden, the Golden Oval Office or those towering flagpoles outside.
The ballroom will sit where the East Wing is now, meaning offices, including the first lady’s, will be temporarily relocated.
Trump has pitched this idea for over a decade, even calling former President Barack Obama’s administration back in 2010 to offer his services. Now, he’s making good on that promise and leaving his stamp on the people’s house.
Potato’s long-lost ancestor finally revealed
It turns out that French fries are actually related to tomatoes. Scientists claim the modern potato descended from an ancient tomato ancestor nearly 9 million years ago.
It ketch-upped with evolution and sprouted into something totally new.
Researchers cracked the case by digging through hundreds of wild potato genomes, discovering that a tomato gene gave the spud its tuber-growing superpower.
So next time you enjoy fries, ketchup, chips, and salsa, remember you’re just reuniting long-lost relatives.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
