ONEST WEEKLY RECAP
- Olga Nesterova
- Aug 9
- 5 min read
August 4-9, 2025
This Week at a Glance
U.S. Politics & Policy
Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs, ordered a new census excluding undocumented immigrants, and floated a federal takeover of D.C.’s police. Texas Democrats fled to block GOP redistricting; the FBI is helping track them. VA moved to roll back abortion access for veterans.
Global Affairs
Leaked U.S.–Russia truce plan drew outrage in Ukraine; Trump–Putin meeting set for Aug. 15. Netanyahu announced a Gaza takeover plan facing domestic and global pushback. India bristled at doubled U.S. tariffs, paused defense talks.
Business & Economy
Automakers lost $12B since tariffs; Tesla handed Elon Musk $29B in stock; Palantir hit $1B in quarterly revenue. Disney to merge Hulu into Disney+, launch $30 ESPN app, and secure WWE rights.
Climate & Crisis Wildfires scorched California and southern France; Pakistan floods worsened by climate change; chikungunya outbreak hit China.
Flashpoints
Massive U.S. judiciary cyberattack exposed sealed indictments; Russia listed abducted Ukrainian children online; Hong Kong targeted pro-democracy activists abroad.
United States — Politics, Policy & Power Moves
White House Optics Under Fire
Photos of the “remodeled Rose Garden”—now resembling a parking lot—and construction of a $200M golden ballroom sparked criticism over priorities. Trump also added gold trim to the Oval Office ceiling, doors, door frames..
Texas Democrats vs. GOP Redistricting
Fifty-seven Texas House Democrats fled the state to block a Republican map that could erase five Democratic seats before the 2026 midterms. Gov. Abbott threatened fines, expulsions, and legal action; the FBI is assisting in tracking lawmakers.
Abortion Rollback for Veterans
The VA proposed revoking abortion access for veterans except when the mother’s life is endangered, reversing Biden-era protections in cases of rape, incest, or health risk.
Trump’s Expanding Executive Orders
This week’s orders included:
Banking Protections for Political/Religious Views – Directs federal regulators to stop banks from denying services based on political or religious affiliation (explicitly citing “MAGA” and “Trump” as examples). Lenders must reinstate affected clients within 120 days.
University Admissions Transparency – Requires colleges to disclose detailed admissions data, including race, test scores, and other factors, to ensure no preference is given based on race or diversity/equity criteria. Includes stricter audits and penalties for violations.
Alternative Assets in 401(k)s – Instructs the Labor Department and SEC to make it easier for retirement plans to invest in private equity, real estate, and other alternative assets within 180 days, potentially increasing returns but also risk.
Grantmaking Overhaul – Orders agencies to streamline federal grants, increase oversight, and align funding with administration priorities. Some diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs may be reduced or eliminated in the process.
Census Shake-Up
Trump ordered a “new and highly accurate” census excluding undocumented immigrants, despite constitutional requirements to count all persons.
Law Enforcement & Crime
FBI data showed violent crime fell 4.5% in 2024—the lowest in 20 years—but assaults on police rose.
Trump floated a federal takeover of D.C.’s police after a carjacking of a former DOGE employee, despite crime stats showing a drop.
Military & Security Shifts
A secret directive signed by President Trump authorizes military action against Latin American drug cartels. Mexico’s president responded that U.S. forces are unwelcome in her country: “We cooperate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion.”
Pentagon contracts worth $7.8B awarded for missile stockpiles.
Army to expand missile defense units by 30%.
Air Force to cut retirement benefits for transgender service members.
Economic & Business Headlines
New tariffs hit dozens of countries; Brazil at 50%, India now doubled to 50% over Russian oil imports.
Automakers lost $12B since tariffs took effect; Japan secured adjustments lowering some rates.
Tesla granted Elon Musk $29B in stock; Palantir hit $1B quarterly revenue.
Disney merging Hulu into Disney+, launching a $30/month ESPN app, and acquiring WWE rights.
Global Affairs — Diplomacy, Conflict & Trade
Ukraine & Russia
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin alone in Moscow ahead of a now-disregarded ceasefire “deadline.”
Leaks revealed a U.S. “truce proposal” that would let Russia keep occupied Ukrainian territory, lift most sanctions, and resume oil and gas sales — sparking outrage in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Trump’s plan, saying any deal that cedes land to Russia is unacceptable.
NATO delivered its first NL-funded weapons package under a new priority list.
Ukraine seized sensitive documents from Russia’s newest nuclear submarine.
Middle East
Netanyahu unveiled a Gaza takeover plan opposed by military leaders and condemned internationally. Polls show ~70% of Israelis want the war to end.
Hamas released a video of an emaciated hostage; protests intensified.
Lebanon ordered the army to plan for disarming Hezbollah.
Asia-Pacific
India and the Philippines held their first joint South China Sea naval drills, shadowed by China.
China and Russia began drills in the Sea of Japan.
China faces a chikungunya outbreak; South Korea reopened visa-free travel for Chinese tourists.
Taiwan detained TSMC employees over trade secret theft.
Europe
Spain dropped the F-35 in favor of a European fighter jet.
Norway ordered review of Israeli-linked investments.
EU delayed retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. for six months.
Latin America
Brazil rejected U.S. tariff pressure; China expanded coffee imports from Brazil after Trump’s 50% levy.
Bolsonaro placed under house arrest in Brazil.
BP announced its largest oil find in 25 years off Brazil’s coast.
Other Global Developments
Moldova jailed a Putin ally for election crimes.
Rwanda to accept U.S.-deported migrants.
Bangladesh set February elections after last year’s protests.
Climate-linked floods worsened Pakistan’s monsoon disaster; France battled its largest wildfire in 75 years.
This Week’s Quick Hits
Cybersecurity Breach: Massive hack of U.S. federal judiciary systems exposed sealed indictments and warrants.
Natural Disasters: California’s Canyon Fire forced thousands to evacuate; France’s massive wildfire contained.
Protests & Crackdowns: Hong Kong authorities targeted activists abroad; Russia listed abducted Ukrainian children online.
Trade & Alliances: Canada and Mexico pledged deeper AI and trade cooperation despite U.S. tariffs.
This Week in History — and Why It Still Matters
August 4 — Britain Captures Gibraltar (1704)
Amid the War of Spanish Succession, British forces seized “the Rock,” marking a lasting symbol of naval dominance.
Three centuries later, strategic chokepoints like Gibraltar still shape global power plays — think the South China Sea or Black Sea today. Who holds the “rocks” now?
August 4 — Anne Frank Captured (1944)
The Gestapo discovered Anne Frank and her family in hiding in Amsterdam, ending two years of concealment.
In today’s conflicts, from Gaza and Ukraine to Sudan, civilians still live hidden and afraid — but unlike in Anne’s time, modern technology and instant global communication mean their voices can reach the world in real time, rallying awareness, solidarity, and action before it’s too late. Make sure to amplify them.
August 6 — Hiroshima Bombing (1945)
The U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands instantly.
Eighty years later, nuclear rhetoric resurfaces in world politics — but the weapons are faster, deadlier, and in more hands.
August 7 — Creation of the Purple Heart (1782)
George Washington introduced the Badge of Military Merit, which evolved into the Purple Heart to honor wounded U.S. service members.
In modern wars from Ukraine to Gaza, we have an urgent need to find ways to prevent more from needing one.
August 10 — Louvre Opens to the Public (1793)
France transformed a royal palace into the world’s most visited museum, sharing art once reserved for the elite.
It proved that culture belongs to everyone — and even in times of conflict, the human drive to create, protect, and share beauty endures.
August 10 — Smithsonian Institution Founded (1846)
Established in Washington, D.C., to “increase and diffuse knowledge” for the benefit of all.
Still a radical mission in an age where truth itself is contested territory.
Life is more than politics.
That’s why the Sunday Edition arrives tomorrow — a pause from the headlines, filled with stories that inspire, delight, and remind us of the good still out there.
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