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Geopolitics

Clarence Mendoza

04 AUG 2025 | 04:44:20

Hook News Brief | 04.08.25

Trump sacks Bureau of Labor Statistics chief

Trump is under fire after a bruising week of poor economic, trade and employment numbers that culminated with him firing labor statistics chief Erika McEntarfer, accusing her of faking the jobs numbers.

White House economic advisers on Sunday defended Trump’s decision, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer telling CBS that Trump had “real concerns” about the BLS data.

Israeli far-right minister prays at Al-Aqsa mosque, sparks outrage

Shifting focus to the Middle East, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked regional outcry after admitting to praying at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.

Under a delicate decades-old “status quo” arrangement with Muslim authorities, the Al-Aqsa compound is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation. Jews can visit but may not pray there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the status quo at the compound “has not changed and will not change”.

Hamas ready to coordinate with the Red Cross

Meanwhile, Hamas has said the group is ready to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions. This after a video it released showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers.

Hamas said any coordination with the Red Cross is contingent upon Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during the distribution of aid.

Top Trump aide accuses India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine

In other news, Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House and one of Trump's most influential aides, accused India of effectively financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow. India was hit with a 25% tariff on her products on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia.

Speaking of Russia, a massive oil depot fire near the Black Sea resort of Sochi has been blamed by Moscow on an overnight Ukrainian drone attack. Meanwhile, Russia again bombed a key bridge in Ukraine’s southern city of Kherson, killing one man.

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