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Gaza ceasefire: What our priority must be— UN chief

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Our priority must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

He said this in a statement following the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza by Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

Guterres commended Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. for their dedicated efforts as mediators in brokering the deal, adding that their unwavering commitment to finding a diplomatic solution was critical in achieving the breakthrough.

He said the UN stood ready to support the implementation of the deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.

According to him, the deal is a critical first step, but all efforts must be mobilised to also advance broader goals, including the preservation of the unity, contiguity, and integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support a major increase in urgent lifesaving humanitarian support.

“The humanitarian situation is at catastrophic levels. I call on all parties to facilitate the rapid, unhindered, and safe humanitarian relief for all civilians in need.

“From our side, we will do whatever is humanly possible, aware of the serious challenges and constraints that we will be facing. We expect our efforts to be matched by other humanitarian actors, the private sector and bilateral initiatives.”

The UN chief said Palestinian unity was essential for achieving lasting peace and stability.

On his part, ending the occupation and achieving a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and previous agreements remain an urgent priority.

According to him, only through a viable two-state solution can the aspirations of both peoples be fulfilled.

Guterres paid tribute to civilians who lost their lives in the 15-month war, including UN personnel and humanitarian workers.

“The United Nations is steadfast in its commitment to supporting all efforts that promote peace, stability, and a more hopeful future for the people of Palestine and Israel, and across the region,” he said.

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Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline plans to be revived

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Trump’s historic New York hush money trial begins with jury selection

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry oil from Canada to the U.S.

Trump took to his online platform Truth Social to urge the company building the pipeline to come back to America.

“The Trump administration is very different, easy approvals, almost immediate start.

“If not them, perhaps another pipeline company. We want the Keystone XL pipeline built,’’ he said.

The pipeline, first proposed in 2008, has been controversial from the start.

It would carry crude oil from oil sands in Alberta, Canada to Nebraska in the Midwestern U.S., where it would link up existing pipelines that connect to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River.

It was opposed by environmental groups and Native American tribes.

A long-standing battle between the oil industry and environmentalists trickled into politics and U.S. and Canadian courts.

Then U.S. president, Barack Obama, rejected the project in 2015 due to environmental concerns before Trump revived it during his first term in office.

Then, in one of his first actions as U.S. president in 2021, Joe Biden revoked Trump’s permit for the pipeline, stating that its construction was not consistent with his administration’s economic and climate goals.

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Trump plans 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium imports

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U.S. President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminium imports into the United States, he said on Sunday.

“Any steel coming to the United States is going to have them, 25 per cent tariff,” Trump said, according to journalists travelling with the president. When questioned about tariffs on aluminium imports, Trump replied, “25 Per cent for both.”

Trump also confirmed his plan to announce further reciprocal tariffs in the coming week.

He spoke of an announcement on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“Very simply, if they charge us, we charge them, Trump told reporters, adding that the tariffs would go into effect almost immediately.”

U.S. tariffs of 10 per cent on Chinese goods took effect from Feb. 4.

The planned tariffs of 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada were suspended for an initial period of 30 days following promises from the two countries to increase border security measures.

Trump won November’s presidential election promising to slap high tariffs on foreign goods to reduce U.S. trade deficits.

He implemented a number of duties during his first term from 2017 to 2021.

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U.S. president considering 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico starting in February

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Trump’s historic New York hush money trial begins with jury selection

Donald Trump said tariffs of 25 per cent on products from Canada and Mexico could be introduced as early as February, hours after taking office as US president on Monday.

Speaking at the White House while signing various orders shortly after his inauguration, Trump said, “We’re thinking in terms of 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada, because they’re allowing vast number of people … to come in.”

“I think we’ll do it Feb. 1,” Trump added, referring to the potential start date for the tariffs.

Earlier on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump did not intend to impose tariffs on trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China.

Instead, he planned to instruct the authorities to assess trade relations with China and its neighbours on the North American continent, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a summary of a planned memorandum and Trump’s advisers.

Shortly after winning the election in November, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China.

There are also fears in the EU that Trump could impose new tariffs.

Tariffs are a type of surcharge on imported goods. They are paid as goods enter the country.

Trump imposed a range of tariffs on imported goods during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021.

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