By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Sunday, including 33 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza amid ongoing escalation, Canadian prime minister's meeting with US-President Donald Trump amid tariff threat and North Korean leader vowing "invariable support" for Russia in war against Ukraine.
TOP STORIES
- 33 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza amid ongoing escalation
At least 33 Palestinians, including three World Central Kitchen employees, were killed and several others injured as Israeli forces intensified their strikes across various areas of the Gaza Strip.
Medical sources told Anadolu that seven Palestinians, including three employees of the aid group World Central Kitchen, were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle and a group of civilians in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
In a separate attack, eight more Palestinians were killed when the Israeli army bombed a vehicle in Khan Younis.
- Canadian prime minister meets Trump amid tariff threat
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Florida and met with US President-elect Donald Trump, aiming to resolve tensions over a proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
Reports said that Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc accompanied Trudeau on the trip, which followed Trump’s announcement that the tariffs would remain in place unless Canada and Mexico took stronger action against the "invasion" of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, and undocumented migrants into the US.
Following his meeting with Trudeau, Trump described the discussion as “productive” in a post on the Truth Social media platform.
- North Korean leader vows ‘invariable support’ for Russia in war against Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed his country will “invariably support” Russia in its war against Ukraine.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim met with visiting Russian Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov in Pyongyang and praised the growing ties between the two countries in all sectors including defense.
"The recent counterattack against Ukraine by the Russian government and army is a timely and effective measure to inform the U.S., the West and Ukraine, which are resorting to reckless military adventurism, of the gravity of the situation and the will of Russia to take tough counteraction," Kim said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Amid rising security concerns in the region, the Iraqi government announced the complete closure of its national borders, according to local media.
- Regime forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad opened fire on demonstrators in Syria's southern province of Deraa who were supporting the advance of anti-regime armed groups.
- China said that it carried out coast guard patrols around the Scarborough Shoal, where it has a sovereignty dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
- Armed opposition groups fighting against Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria seized Aleppo International Airport, which the regime forces had left to the PKK/YPG terrorist group.
- The Palestinian group Hamas called for the formation of an international investigation committee to investigate the Israeli military's use of internationally banned weapons in northern Gaza.
- South Africa condemned "the heinous massacres" committed by Israel across Gaza that killed about 100 Palestinians.
- One child was among three injured when an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle in the town of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported.
- Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that armament in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region is on the rise and warned that this could bring the world to the “edge of the cliff, brink of a nuclear war danger.”
- The Israeli army claimed that it carried out airstrikes targeting a "military infrastructure used by the Lebanese group Hezbollah for transferring weapons" near border crossings between Syria and Lebanon.
- The US is closely monitoring the escalating situation in Syria, according to a statement from National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett.
- US President-elect Donald Trump announced that he plans to appoint Kash Patel as new FBI director to replace Chris Wray, and nominated Charles Kushner, businessman father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France.
SPORTS
- Arsenal hammer West Ham United 5-2 in Premier League
Arsenal hammered West Ham United 5-2 in the English Premier League week 13 game.
Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes brought the lead to the Gunners in the 10th minute at London Stadium.
Arsenal's Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, then the visitors' Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard netted another one from a penalty kick in the 34th minute.
- Las Palmas shock leaders Barcelona with 2-1 in Spanish LaLiga
Las Palmas shocked leaders Barcelona with 2-1 in the Spanish LaLiga week 15 game.
After a goalless first half, Las Palmas midfielder Sandro Ramirez brought the lead to the visitors in the 49th minute.
Barca winger Raphinha equalized the score in the 61st minute but Las Palmas' Portuguese attacker Fabio Silva tallied the winning goal for his team in the 67th minute.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Vietnam approves $67B high-speed railway project
Vietnam's parliament approved the $67 billion high-speed railway project in the country, local media reported.
The National Assembly approved the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project which will be completed in 2035, according to VN Express.
The project feasibility study report to be prepared until the end of next year.