Sharia Law in the UK

Hi Global Recap readers,

A lot happened over the weekend.

But not just that, while I was finalizing today’s newsletter draft, the term “Active Shooter” started trending online.

• Normally, we don’t cover domestic news, so I hadn’t planned to mention it.

• But right alongside it was another trending term: “Free Palestine.”

Since this brings in an element of geopolitics (at least when the story was initially breaking), I’ve decided to include it here.👇

🌐 WORLD
Fast Scroll News

🇺🇸 Shooter Storms NYC Skyscraper

Shane Tamura, 27, just walked into the Park Avenue tower that houses Blackstone and NFL headquarters on Monday night with a rifle and killed five, including an NYPD officer, before taking his own life.

• Tamura used a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 and started firing around 6:30 p.m.

• The officer killed was working a private detail and leaves behind a pregnant wife.

• Tamura, from Las Vegas, had a valid Nevada gun permit and used to work as a casino security guard.

• Two protesters were arrested outside after yelling "Free Palestine," but police say Tamura acted alone. Because of initial reports of people yelling the chant, many online quickly claimed the shooter was a pro-Palestine activist. However, that narrative has since subsided.

🇬🇧 UK Pulls Sharia Job

The British government just deleted a job ad from its official site after political backlash. What was the job? Sharia law administrator.

• The role paid £23,500 and was posted by the Manchester Community Centre, not the government itself. However, it was hosted on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)’s Find A Job website.

• The successful applicant would have been employed by the Manchester Shariah Council.

• Applicants needed experience with Sharia law and British law, plus “boundary setting” skills, as “the nature of the work means it is easy to get emotionally involved in certain cases”.

• Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said the ad showed “our country and its values are being destroyed.”

• Shadow ministers Robert Jenrick and Chris Philp demanded a ban on Sharia courts in the UK.

🇱🇹 Drone Crosses NATO Line

An unidentified drone, likely from Belarus, crossed into Lithuanian airspace near Vilnius early Monday morning, triggering a full police response.

• Residents heard a “rumbling sound” at 5:55 a.m., like drones over Ukraine.

• Lithuanian officials say the drone might’ve been aimed at Ukraine, jammed by them, and then drifted off course.

• No injuries or damage reported, but Lithuania is now adding more defenses to its border.

• Belarus is prepping for joint military drills with Russia in September, adding to regional nerves.

🇷🇺 Trump Shortens Russia Deadline

Trump just dropped Russia’s window to end the war in Ukraine from 50 days to barely 10. Medvedev says it’s basically provoking a war.

• Trump made the announcement July 28 in Turnberry, Scotland, during talks with UK Prime Minister Starmer.

• His frustration with Putin has spiked; “not so interested in talking anymore.”

• Russia launched over 300 drones and 10 missiles into Ukraine just a day before the deadline shift.

• Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned on X that “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.”

🇰🇭 Thailand, Cambodia Halt Fire

After five days of brutal border clashes, and following Thailand’s declaration of martial law in eight border districts, Thailand and Cambodia have just agreed to stop shooting immediately.

• At least 33 people were killed and tens of thousands were forced from their homes since fighting started last week.

• Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim brokered the deal.

  • Thailand initially rejected his offer, but after Trump threatened to freeze tariff talks, the deal was accepted.

• Thailand’s army claims it hammered Cambodian positions with heavy guns and airstrikes. Cambodia says 13 died on their side, most civilians.

• Both armies are supposed to pull back and let outside monitors in, but trust is thin and the front line is still tense.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump’s Tariff
Deal Splits EU

Trump just scored a massive tariff-heavy trade deal with the EU that has France fuming and Brussels doing damage control.

• Trump supporters are calling the deal a monumental win for the US.

• Meanwhile, critics of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are saying she cracked under pressure.

But who actually came out on top depends on where you're sitting and what you're selling.

Core of the Agreement

It’s a 15% blanket tariff on EU goods headed to the US, starting Friday (except steel and aluminum, which are still at 50% for now).

• EU car imports, previously taxed at 27.5%, drop to 15% starting Friday.

• EU also committed to buying $750 billion of US energy over three years. Yes, just around when Trump is leaving office.

• It also bundled $600 billion in EU investment (on top of what they are already investing) into the US. Although, the details of this commitment is just as murky as Japan's supposed $550 billion deal.

  • Remember, Japan's GDP (nominal) is estimated to be $4.19 trillion in 2025. That means Japan supposedly promised to invest 13% of its GDP into the US, while the US keeps 90% of the profits.

  • This is why many are calling Japan’s commitment, an economic seppuku (ritualistic suicide), if this deal is indeed real.

France is not impressed

That said, French officials are livid, accusing Brussels of folding under Trump’s pressure.

• Trade minister Laurent Saint-Martin said, “Trump only understands force.”

• PM François Bayrou called it “a dark day for the EU.”

"Featherweight"

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had harsher words to say about the deal and Ursula von der Leyen during a Facebook livestream on Monday:

• Orbán said that the deal is worse than the US-UK deal.

• He also questioned where the money is coming from, since the European Commission "has no funds."

Winners and Losers

That said, if the deal is honored as announced, this is a huge win for Trump and US companies. But von der Leyen is also spinning it as a win, as 15% is still way less than the 30% Trump previously threatened.

• US exports to the EU will now be duty-free, including cars.

• The decades-old zero-tariff arrangement on pharmaceuticals between the US and EU is now at risk.

  • Under the new trade deal, EU pharmaceutical exports could face a 15% tariff. But if this were to happen, it won’t take effect until the US concludes a national security investigation.

In general, this means US consumers could see a hike in prices of EU prices soon, especially if companies pass the added costs on to consumers. If history is any indicator, companies are likely to do just that.

Sectors Still in Play

The details on wine and spirits tariffs haven’t been finalized yet, but talks are still in the works. This whole thing could take weeks, or even months of more back-and-forth.

• The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association of America estimates that a 15% import tariff on EU drinks could cost the US over 17,000 jobs and $2.5 billion in business.

• The biggest winners of the deal are strategic products like aircraft parts, certain chemicals, specific agricultural goods, semiconductor equipment, natural resources, and raw materials—because they’ll be hitting the US market duty-free.

Legal Maneuvering Ahead

This deal is politics first, legality later. Here’s what’s ahead:

• Trump is signing executive orders Friday to make it US law.

• EU needs a formal agreement, likely taking weeks or months.

• A joint statement drops Friday, but full sector lists are still incoming.