Yasin Gungor
02 February 2025•Update: 02 February 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Sunday, including the US imposing tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China; the first batch of wounded Palestinians passing to Egypt for medical treatment and Arab nations rejecting Trump's Gaza displacement plan.
TOP STORIES
- Trump imposes tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China to combat fentanyl crisis: White House
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China to address the fentanyl crisis, according to the White House.
The measures include a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports until those countries "cooperate fully" with the US in combating drug trafficking, it said.
The new rates will take effect Feb. 4, according to the order.
- 1st batch of wounded Palestinians, patients leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt
The first batch of wounded Palestinians and patients left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing to undergo medical treatment in Egypt.
Their exit marks the first day of the Rafah crossing opening in accordance with a ceasefire agreement that took effect Jan. 19.
“Approximately 6,000 individuals are ready to travel, and around 12,000 more urgently require medical attention,” said Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza's Health Ministry.
- Arab nations reject Trump's Gaza displacement plan
A six-nation Arab ministerial meeting in Cairo firmly rejected the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and reiterated a demand for the implementation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The meeting, held at Egypt's invitation and attended by representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Palestine and the Arab League, issued a statement stressing the importance of working toward a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The participating countries voiced strong opposition to any attempt to infringe on the inalienable rights of Palestinians, including settlement activities, forced expulsions, house demolitions, land annexations or any measures encouraging the displacement or uprooting of Palestinians from their land.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Mexico rejected US allegations of government collusion with criminal organizations and announced plans to impose counter-tariffs in response to recent trade measures by Washington.
- Canada has struck back US tariffs with CAN$155 billion ($106 billion) in tariffs on American products entering Canada.
- China opposed US tariff increase and said it is a serious violation of WTO rules, vowing to take corresponding countermeasures.
- One person in a car was among those killed when an air ambulance carrying six people crashed near a mall in the US city of Philadelphia, raising the total death toll to seven.
- The deadly Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Southern California, which burned thousands of acres and caused widespread destruction, have been fully contained after 24 days.
- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, handed over three Israeli hostages in two locations in the Gaza Strip to the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange deal.
- Israel released Palestinians from its jails in the fourth prisoner-hostage swap under the ceasefire deal with Hamas.
- The Sudanese army regained control of Al-Hasaheisa and Al-Rufaa in Al-Jazira State from the grip of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir as the new army chief, after top general Herzi Halevi's resignation.
- A South African peacekeeper died in a hospital, bringing the number of peacekeepers who have lost their lives during recent clashes with the M23 rebels in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, to 18.
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a call from Donald Trump, during which he invited the US leader to visit Egypt to discuss crises in the Middle East.
- At least 18 Pakistani soldiers and 12 terrorists were killed in a clash in southwestern Pakistan.
SPORTS
- 2 fans unfurled Palestinian flag during basketball match in France banned from matches for 1 year
The Court of Nanterre sentenced the two fans in question to a fine of €500 ($518) and a 1-year ban from matches for entering the competition area in a way that could influence the course of a sporting event.
On Dec. 18, 2024, in France, during the competition between Nanterre and Israel's Hapoel Holon basketball teams, two young fans unfurled the Palestinian flag.
- Norwegian football club donate revenue of match against Maccabi Tel Aviv to Gaza
Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt have announced donating ticket revenues from the Jan. 23 UEFA Europa League game against Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"Glimt cannot, and will not, be unaffected by the suffering and violations of international law that are taking place in other parts of the world," the club said.
