Friday’s Headlines Unveil Global Tensions

By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

Get briefed on the crucial news shaping your Friday.

Top Stories:

1. Tragedy Unfolds in Gaza: The death toll of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army while awaiting aid in Gaza surged to 112. The enclave’s Health Ministry warned the numbers might rise further. The incident dubbed the “flour massacre” by Gaza’s Government Media Office, saw many victims shot in the upper body.

2. International Condemnation: Countries worldwide, including Turkey, condemned Israel’s attack on civilians in Gaza. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry accused Israel of intending to “destroy the entire Palestinian population.” Jordan, Egypt, and Portugal expressed shock, while Russia called for Palestinian unity for an independent state.

3. Colombia Halts Arms Trade: Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of “all arms purchases from Israel” in response to the Israeli forces’ attack on Palestinians in Gaza. Petro condemned the incident as genocide, drawing parallels to the Holocaust.

4. US Senate Rejects Resolution: US senators voted against a resolution blocking the sale of F-16 fighter jets and defense equipment to Turkey. The resolution, introduced by Senator Rand Paul, was defeated by 79 votes to 13. The $23 billion sale was approved by the US State Department on January 26.

In Brief:

• The White House called for an investigation into Israel’s attack on malnourished Palestinians in Gaza.
• UN Chief condemned Israeli forces for opening fire on Palestinians, calling it a “serious incident.”
• Hamas accused Israel of spreading deception about the attack in northern Gaza.
• European Union’s Josep Borrell expressed horror over the Israeli attack, advocating for an international peace conference.
• Egypt and the UAE airdropped humanitarian aid to Palestinians in northern Gaza.
• Chad’s opposition leader Yaya Dillo was killed in clashes with security forces.
• Russia’s President Putin accused the West of dragging his country into an arms race.

Sports:

• Juventus’ Paul Pogba receives a four-year doping ban.
• Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended for one match over an obscene gesture in a Saudi League match.

Business & Economy:

• Russia imposes a six-month ban on gasoline exports starting March 1 to maintain stability in the country’s fuel market. The ban excludes shipments through intergovernmental agreements, including to Eurasian Economic Union member states.