AnewZ Morning Brief - 28th July, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 28th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. EU and U.S. agree trade deal, with 15% tariffs for European exports to America

The United States and European Union have reached a trade deal framework, ending a months-long standoff between two of the world's biggest economic partners.

After make-or-break negotiations between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland, the pair have agreed a U.S. tariff on all EU goods of 15%.

That is half the 30% import tax rate Trump had threatened to implement starting on Friday. He said the 27-member bloc would open its markets to U.S. exporters with zero per cent tariffs on certain products.

2. Thailand and Cambodia to hold talks on deadly border conflict in Malaysia

The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia will attend mediation talks in Malaysia on Monday over their deadly border conflict, the Thai government said, even as both sides accuse each other of launching fresh artillery strikes across contested areas.

Talks are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local time (0700 GMT) on Monday, with acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai leading the Thai negotiating team, the government announced in a statement on Sunday night.

3.Passenger train derails in Germany, killing three and injuring dozens

A passenger train carrying a 100 people has derailed in Germany, killing at least three people and wounding dozens of others, according to officials.

The crash happened on Sunday evening in a forested area near the town of Riedlingen in southwestern Baden-Wurttemberg state, roughly 158km (98 miles) west of the city of Munich.

4. Russia opens new direct flights to North Korea

The first direct passenger flights from Moscow to Pyongyang since the mid-1990s began on Sunday evening.

The eight-hour, 6,500-kilometre (4,040-mile) flight, operated by private Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines, took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport at 19:00 local time (18:00 CEST).

The 440 places on the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft quickly sold out, Russian state media claimed, with tickets costing 44,700 rubles ($563, €479). However, the AFP news agency reported that nine tickets were still available on the airline's official website on Sunday morning.

5. Syria to hold first parliamentary elections since al-Assad’s fall

Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, said the head of a body tasked with organising the election process.

Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, chairman of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, told state news agency SANA on Sunday that elections will take place between 15 and 20 September.

They will be the first to take place under the country’s new authorities after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December.

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