Morning Briefing: Feb. 4, 2025

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including US President Donald Trump casting doubt over Gaza ceasefire before meeting with Israeli premier, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of US tariffs on hold for a month, and Trump admin seeking congressional approval for $1B in new arms sales to Israel.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says he has 'no assurances' Gaza ceasefire will hold as he prepares to host Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he cannot guarantee the tenuous ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip will hold, just one day before he hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he has "no assurances" that the truce will remain in force.

"I've seen people brutalized. Nobody's ever seen anything like it. No, I have no guarantees that the peace is going to hold," he said.

Trump will host Netanyahu on Tuesday in what will mark the first official visit of a foreign leader since he assumed office last month.

• Canada’s Trudeau says US tariffs have been put on hold for 30 days

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that US President Donald Trump has agreed to put on hold planned tariffs on Canadian imports for 30 days.

"I just had a good call with President Trump," Trudeau wrote on his X account, adding that Canada is "implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl."

As part of Canada's commitments, Trudeau said that "nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting" the US-Canada border.

• Trump admin seeks congressional approval for $1B in new arms sales to Israel: Report

The Trump administration has requested congressional approval for the transfer of roughly $1 billion in bombs and other military equipment to Israel, even as Washington seeks to uphold a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, said a report Monday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials familiar with the sale, reported that the proposed arms transfers include 4,700 1,000-pound bombs valued at over $700 million, along with Caterpillar-built armored bulldozers worth more than $300 million.

The report added that the request would be paid from the annual US military aid allocated to Israel, which totals $3.3 billion in foreign military financing.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will pay an official visit to the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that the 25% tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Feb. 1 will be put on hold for a month.
• Despite ongoing provocations from Israel, the exchange of prisoners and detainees between Israel and Hamas continues, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
• At least 44 civilians were killed and 28 wounded in an attack by a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu on Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state in southern Sudan, authorities announced Monday.
• A person on the staff of interim Taliban administration was killed in a shooting incident inside the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) compound in the capital Kabul, an official confirmed on Monday.
• South Africa on Monday rejected claims by US President Donald Trump, saying Pretoria did “not confiscate” any land.
• The Philippines has declared a food security emergency to bring down rice prices in the country, which have remained high, local media reported Tuesday.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified Congress on Monday about the "potential reorganization" of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

SPORTS

• Santiago Gimenez moves to AC Milan from Feyenoord

AC Milan Monday announced the signing of striker Santiago Gimenez on a permanent deal from Feyenoord.

"AC Milan is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Santiago Tomas Gimenez from Feyenoord Rotterdam. The Mexican striker has signed a contract that lasts until 30 June 2029," AC Milan said in a statement.

Gimenez, 23, scored 21 goals in 105 appearances for CD Cruz Azul, winning one Copa MX and one Supercopa MX in Mexico.

• Brighton confirms signing of Stefanos Tzimas from Bundesliga 2 club Nuremburg

Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday announced the signing of Stefanos Tzimas from Bundesliga 2 side FC Nuremberg for undisclosed terms and subject to international clearance.

"Stefanos is an exceptional young talent, an out-and-out center-forward with a natural ability to score goals, and we are absolutely delighted to have signed him," Fabian Hurzeler, the club’s head coach, said after the signing ceremony.

"He will join up with us in the summer, ahead of next season, but we are really looking forward to working with him, and feel he has a very exciting future ahead," Hurzeler added.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Unions sue US Treasury Department for sharing confidential data with Musk agency

Federal employee unions sued the US Treasury Department on Monday for sharing confidential data with the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) filed the lawsuit in a Washington, DC federal court.

• Canadian dollar sees lowest levels since 2003 after new Trump tariffs

The Canadian dollar on Monday saw its lowest level since March 2003 after the US imposed 25% new tariffs on imports from Canada on Saturday.

The exchange rate for the US dollar/Canadian dollar is at 1.4682 Canadian dollars as of 1300GMT and the Canadian dollar index stands at 68.84.

The EUR/CAD exchange rate stands at 1.5042 Canadian dollars and the GBP/CAD exchange rate is at 1.8102 Canadian dollars.