Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 

United States President Donald Trump signs an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico. (NBC News) 

In Canada, British Columbia Premier David Eby announces a ban on imports of alcoholic beverages from “red U.S. states“. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announces that the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation will remove all U.S. alcohol from its stores starting Tuesday. (CBC) (CBC 2) 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announces 25% tariffs on American imports in retaliation of Trump’s tariffs on the country. (Reuters) 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces a retaliatory 25% tariff on all U.S. goods following Trump’s recent executive order. (NBC News) 

U.S. President Donald Trump announces 10% tariffs on goods imported from China. China vows to take the matter to the World Trade Organization. (NBC News)

Venezuela frees six American hostages after U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell meets with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (The Hill) 

U.S. President Donald Trump orders the military to carry out airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Somalia. The strikes targeted a series of cave systems used by the group, and follow an earlier military operation by the Puntland Security Force which began in December 2024. (BBC) 

At least 50 combatants are killed after fighting between Al-Shabaab and the Somali National Army along with Ma’awisley militias. The clashes happened in the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions of Hirshabelle state, Somalia. (Idil News)

One person is killed and thousands are forced to evacuate their homes in over 1,000 millimetres (39 in) of flooding in North Queensland, Australia. (BBC News) 

A United Airlines Airbus A319 catches fire shortly before takeoff at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, United States, with all passengers evacuated safely. (FOX5) 

Saturday, February 1st, 2025 

Hamas frees three Israeli hostages, Keith Siegel, Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas. At the same time, Israel releases 183 Palestinian prisoners, seven of which were transferred to Egypt prior to their deportation. (AP) 

The Rafah Border Crossing is reopened for the first time since Israel captured it nearly nine months ago during the Rafah offensive. (AP) 

Two people are killed and ten others are injured during Israeli airstrikes in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon. (Al Jazeera) 

Gunmen kill ten people in the Alawite village of Arzah in Hama Governorate, Syria. (Al Arabiya) 

At least 56 people are killed and 158 others are injured by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelling on the Sabrein Market in Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan. (LBC Group) 

The RSF are accused of stealing ambulances, food supplies, and other civilian equipment in Khartoum. (Middle East Monitor) 

A Russian missile strike on a residential building in Poltava, Ukraine, reportedly kills at least fourteen people and injures at least 17 others. A separate strike kills three police officers in Sumy Oblast. (Reuters) 

Eighteen paramilitary troops are killed in clashes with Baloch separatists in Balochistan, Pakistan. At least 24 militants are also killed during the clashes. (Reuters) 

Multinational telecoms company BT Group announces that it will layoff 55,000 employees across its global workforce citing a significant drop in revenue in 2024 and “challenges in international markets”. (Business Plus) 

A fire at a retirement home in Bouffémont, Val-d’Oise, France, kills three people and leaves nine others injured. (AP) 

In Kyrgyzstan, the ban on the Islamic niqāb takes effect, with women facing a fine of 20,000 som ($230) if they wear it in public places. (RFE/RL) 

Friday,  January 31st, 2025 

Five people are killed and two more injured in Aghjabadi, Azerbaijan, after a child accidentally detonates a discovered hand grenade in their house. (Xinhua) 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre escape after security guards shoot down one of two drones hovering over Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, Somalia. The drones are believed to be used by ISIS and Al-Shabaab. This comes after previous Somali Civil Aviation Authority warnings. (Idil News)

A Learjet 55 air ambulance crashes in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, killing all six people onboard and damaging multiple homes and businesses. One person on the ground is also killed and 19 more injured. (AP) 

The Sudanese Armed Forces announce that they have nearly captured all of Bahri, Khartoum State, Sudan. (Sudan Tribune) 

The Congolese military launches a counterattack against M23 rebels in South Kivu province with the assistance of the Burundian military. (Reuters) 

Russian forces launch ballistic missiles at the centre of Odesa and its port, severely damaging numerous civilian buildings, including the historic Bristol Hotel. At least two people are reportedly injured. (Reuters) 

Following boycotts in Croatia on January 24, and in conjunction with a follow-up boycott in the country, residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia start a boycott of retail stores in response to rising prices. (Intellinews) 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that the Palisades and Eaton fires are contained. (NBC News) 

Myanmar’s ruling military junta extends the country’s state of emergency for another six months. (Reuters) 

Philippine National Bureau of Investigation agents arrest 100 people in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, for allegedly running an online scam operation as offshore gaming operators are banned in the country. (Arab News) 

An agreement is reached among five Belgian political parties to form a new coalition government to be headed by future prime minister Bart De Wever. (Belga) 

Above posted 02.02.2025 5:30pm 

Friday,  January 31st, 2025 

Apollo-type asteroid 2024 YR4 triggers global planetary defence procedures for the first time and rises to the top of the Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale after recent observations confirmed it has a 1-in-77 (1.3%) chance of impacting Earth on 22 December 2032. Follow up observations in 2028 will provide a more refined estimation of the likelihood of impact in 2032. (The Guardian) 

Encouraged by similar boycotts in Croatia on January 24, and in conjunction with a follow-up boycott in the country, residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia embark on a boycott of retail stores in response to skyrocketing prices. (Intellinews) 

President Bongbong Marcos issues a statement that he is deeply disturbed by possible surveillance of the country’s air and naval bases as well as movement of vessels supplying Philippine garrisons in the South China Sea following a series of arrests of suspected Chinese spies in the Philippines. (CNA) 

The Hellenic Parliament fails to elect the new President of Greece in the second round. A third round is called for 6 February. (Greek City Times) 

The United States Federal Drug Administration approves Vertex Pharmaceuticals‘ new Journavx drug, a non-opioid analgesic used to treat acute pain and potentially eliminate the risks of opioid addiction and overdose. (AP) (FDA) 

The Nicaraguan National Assembly votes unanimously to pass several constitutional reforms that grants the government influence over the media, extend the presidential term to 6 years, and makes President Daniel Ortega‘s wife Rosario Murillo co-President. (Al Jazeera) 

Following weeks of unsuccessful negotiations, the Centre Party withdraws from the Norwegian government over disagreements over the implementation of three directives in the European Union’s fourth energy package, with the Labour Party continuing as a single party minority government. (NRK) 

Thousands of people gather in Berlin, Germany, to protest against Chancellor-candidate Friedrich Merz and the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union parties after they collaborated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on a non-binding motion to restrict immigration. Members of the Bundestag debate on motions to ban the AfD, alleging that its beliefs and legal practices are unconstitutional. (DW) 

Uganda confirms an outbreak of Ebola, with the first death, a nurse at Mulago National Specialised Hospital in Kampala, being confirmed yesterday. (Reuters) 

The French Armed Forces returns their last military base in Chad to the Chad National Army, bringing an end to French military presence in the country. (AP) 

After establishing a new administration in Goma, Congo River Alliance leader Corneille Nangaa confirms his forces now plan on overthrowing president Félix Tshisekedi. He also says services in the city will return to normal soon as the United Nations warns of a humanitarian crisis. (BBC News) 

Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey is sentenced to 11 years in prison, following his conviction on bribery and corruption charges. (BBC) 

The End