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USPS Halts China Parcel Shipments Following Trump’s Tariff Hike 

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The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced an indefinite suspension of parcel shipments from mainland China and Hong Kong, a move that comes just as new tariff rules take effect under former President Donald Trump’s latest trade policies. 

While USPS has not officially stated the reason for the suspension, the decision follows new regulations that closed a long-standing tax loophole allowing small packages valued under $800 (£641) to enter the U.S. duty-free. 

The change, part of Trump’s broader strategy to curb Chinese imports, has particularly impacted e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu, which have leveraged the exemption to sell directly to millions of American consumers. 

Trump’s latest trade measures, announced over the weekend, impose an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, including fashion, electronics, and toys. 

China has responded with its own set of tariffs, effective February 10, which include a 15% levy on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles. 

Trade expert Deborah Elms noted that Trump’s policy shift is expected to have an immediate impact on global supply chains. 

“Trump’s tariff changes are especially sharp if goods were previously shipped via e-commerce directly from China to the U.S.,” Elms explained. 

Nick Stowe, CEO of Monsoon & Accessorize, welcomed the U.S. crackdown on the de minimis exemption, arguing that it had given Chinese retailers an unfair advantage over competitors in the U.S., UK, and Europe. 

“It has long been a complaint of UK, European, and U.S. retailers that Shein is exploiting this loophole, not paying customs duty, and has built a business at an industrial scale,” Stowe told BBC’s *Today* programme. 

A 2023 U.S. Congressional report found that nearly half of all parcels entering the U.S. under de minimis exemptions originated from China. U.S. officials have also raised concerns that the sheer volume of shipments made it difficult to screen for counterfeit or illegal goods. 

Trump is expected to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days as tensions over trade policy continue to escalate. 

The BBC has reached out to USPS for further details on the parcel suspension.

Ukrainian Airstrike Hits Russian Command Post in Kursk, Causing ‘Significant Damage’ 

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A Ukrainian Air Force strike on Monday inflicted “significant damage” on a Russian command post in Kursk Oblast, according to Ukraine’s military. The attack underscores ongoing Ukrainian efforts to weaken Russian military infrastructure on Russian territory. 

On August 6, Ukraine launched a military operation into Russia’s Kursk region, taking Russian President Vladimir Putin and even Kyiv’s allies by surprise. Ukrainian forces initially seized 500 square miles of lightly defended territory along the border. 

While Ukraine has retained positions in the region, Russia has since regained control of roughly half of the area originally captured by Kyiv’s forces, reports indicate. 

Ukraine’s recent airstrikes on Russian soil have exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defenses, highlighting Kyiv’s expanding military reach.   

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed a high-precision strike on a Russian command post near Novoivanovka, a village in Kursk Oblast. 

According to the General Staff, the command post was housed in an abandoned building and used by Russian forces to coordinate military operations in the region. 

“As a result of the operation, the facility sustained significant damage, leading to substantial casualties among enemy personnel,” the statement said, adding that efforts were made to minimize civilian risk. 

This latest strike follows another Ukrainian attack on a command post in the Kursk city of Rylsk just days earlier. 

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Associated Press that the Rylsk strike resulted in the deaths of dozens of Russian and North Korean officers. 

“There was a strong operation by our military—they hit their central command post in the Kursk direction. And they lost key officers of Russia and North Korea,” Zelensky said. 

Ukraine’s General Staff reaffirmed its commitment to targeting Russian military infrastructure, stating on Facebook: 

“Our goal is to destroy all key command posts and other military infrastructure of the enemy until the complete stop of Russian aggression.” 

Despite Ukrainian advances and airstrikes, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russia’s military has not made any recent confirmed progress in Kursk. However, the conflict in the region is expected to persist as both sides continue their operations.

AP

Hamas, Saudi Arabia, and Australia Reject Trump’s Proposal for U.S. Control Over Gaza 

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Palestinian militant group Hamas has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip, calling it a “recipe for chaos.” Saudi Arabia and Australia have also rejected Trump’s comments, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution. 

Palestinians carry defaced pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump while protesting against his latest statements regarding the transfer of Palestinians from Gaza, in the West Bank- wnct.com

During a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the U.S. should “own” Gaza and take responsibility for clearing unexploded bombs and weapons from the territory. “We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” Trump stated. 

Netanyahu appeared supportive of the idea, saying the U.S. taking “long-term ownership” of Gaza could “change history.” 

Hamas, which governs Gaza, quickly dismissed Trump’s remarks. “We reject Trump’s statements,” Hamas senior official Sami Abu Zuhri told Newsweek. “We consider them a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in the Gaza Strip will not allow these plans to pass.” 

The militant group’s rejection comes amid an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on January 19. The agreement, meant to pause hostilities, is in its first phase and is set to last until March 1. The conflict escalated following Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023. 

Saudi Arabia has also rejected Trump’s proposal, reaffirming its stance on the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated that diplomatic ties with Israel would depend on the establishment of a Palestinian state. 

“Saudi support for a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering,” the ministry said in a statement reported by The New York Times. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on Trump’s proposal, reiterating his country’s longstanding support for a two-state solution. 

“Australia’s position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year,” Albanese said in a press briefing on Wednesday. “The Australian government supports, on a bipartisan basis, a two-state solution.” 

Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza and turn the territory into a U.S.-controlled area has drawn widespread criticism from international leaders, further complicating an already volatile situation in the Middle East.

newsweek.com

Iranian Woman’s Naked Protest on Police Car Sparks Outrage Defying Morality Laws

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A woman staged a bold protest against Iran’s strict morality laws by stripping naked and climbing onto a police vehicle in Mashhad, the nation’s second-largest city.

Video footage shows the unidentified woman confronting armed officers while standing atop their squad car on a busy street, as passing vehicles honked their horns. Officers surrounded the vehicle with weapons drawn, including one carrying an assault rifle.

Local media reports the woman has been taken into care, according to someone claiming to be her husband. The incident occurs amid intensifying restrictions on women’s dress and behavior in Iran.

A new bill proposes stricter penalties for “improper” clothing, including potential travel bans and social media restrictions. The protest follows nationwide demonstrations sparked by Mahsa Amini’s 2022 death in morality police custody.

This incident emerges as Iran faces international scrutiny over increased executions and crackdowns on dissent.

Former Nanny Files Lawsuit Against Author Neil Gaiman, Alleging Repeated Rape 

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Best-selling fantasy author Neil Gaiman is facing a lawsuit from his former nanny, Scarlett Pavlovich, who alleges he repeatedly raped her and demanded she call him “master.” The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Massachusetts, New York, and Wisconsin, also accuses Gaiman’s estranged wife, musician Amanda Palmer, of “procuring” Pavlovich for abuse. 

Pavlovich is seeking over $7 million in damages, citing violations of federal human trafficking laws. 

The lawsuit follows a wave of accusations against Gaiman. In July, Pavlovich and four other women spoke out on a podcast titled *Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman*, accusing him of unwanted sexual contact. Last month, *New York Magazine* published further allegations from eight women, including Pavlovich, who revealed her full identity and detailed her claims. 

According to court documents, Pavlovich met Gaiman and Palmer in 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. Initially hired for errands and childcare, she alleges that Gaiman began sexually assaulting her in February 2022 while she was at his home. She claims the abuse continued until she threatened suicide and was hospitalized. 

Pavlovich’s lawsuit describes her as the couple’s “economic hostage,” alleging that she had “nowhere to go” and feared losing her job, housing, and career prospects if she resisted. 

The court filing also states that Palmer knew about Gaiman’s past behavior, claiming that “more than a dozen women, including several former employees, had previously come to Palmer about abusive sexual encounters with Gaiman.” Pavlovich alleges that Palmer referred to her husband as “Weinstein” and predicted he would be “MeTooed” but ultimately refused to support Pavlovich’s claims when she reported the alleged rapes to the police. 

Gaiman, 63, has denied all allegations. In a statement posted to his website last month, he said, “I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.” He acknowledged having been “careless with people’s hearts and feelings” but called some of the accusations “distorted” and “bearing no relationship to reality.” 

Palmer has not directly responded to the lawsuit but previously stated on Instagram that she could not comment due to “ongoing custody and divorce proceedings.” 

Since the allegations surfaced, Gaiman has faced professional repercussions. Dark Horse Comics announced it would no longer publish his works, and a planned film adaptation of one of his books has reportedly been put on hold. 

Gaiman and Palmer, who married in 2011, announced their divorce in 2022. They have one child together.

Spiritual Leader and Billionaire Philanthropist Aga Khan Dies at 88 

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The Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims and a global philanthropist who channeled his vast wealth into humanitarian efforts, passed away Tuesday at the age of 88. His family and the Ismaili religious community confirmed his death in Portugal. 

His successor has been designated in his will, which will be read in Lisbon in the presence of family and religious leaders before being publicly announced. No date has been set for the announcement. 

Born Prince Karim Al-Hussaini on December 13, 1936, near Geneva, Switzerland, the Aga Khan IV inherited leadership of the Ismaili Muslim community at the age of 20 while studying at Harvard University. His grandfather, Aga Khan III, bypassed his own son—Karim’s father—believing the community needed a young leader “brought up in the midst of the new age.” 

For more than six decades, he transformed his role into one that combined spiritual guidance with global philanthropy, spearheading projects in health care, education, housing, and economic development through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The organization operates in over 30 countries with an estimated annual budget of one billion dollars dedicated to nonprofit development. 

Hospitals bearing his name have provided crucial medical care in underprivileged regions, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan. He also established architectural programs at Harvard and MIT and funded the restoration of Islamic cultural landmarks. 

The extent of the Aga Khan’s financial empire remains difficult to quantify, though estimates suggest his wealth reached billions. The Ismaili community, originally based in India and now spread across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, traditionally tithes up to 12.5 percent of their income to support his initiatives. 

“We have no notion of the accumulation of wealth being evil,” he told Vanity Fair in 2012. “The Islamic ethic is that if God has given you the capacity or good fortune to be a privileged individual in society, you have a moral responsibility to society.” 

A lover of equestrian sports, the Aga Khan was an esteemed horse breeder and even represented Iran as a skier in the 1964 Winter Olympics. 

His passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from global leaders and organizations. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called him “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader” and “a very good friend.” 

Granted the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, the Aga Khan was regarded as a bridge between Muslim societies and the West, often remaining apolitical despite his influence. 

The Aga Khan will be buried in Lisbon, though funeral details have yet to be announced. He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.

Trump Warns Iran of ‘Obliteration’ if Assassination Attempt Succeeds 

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President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that Iran would face total destruction if it attempted to assassinate him, stating that he has left instructions for an immediate retaliatory strike in such an event. 

“If they did that, they would be obliterated. That would be the end,” Trump said from the Oval Office while signing an order to reimpose “maximum pressure” on Tehran. The directive instructs Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to tighten sanctions on Iran’s oil sales and enforce existing restrictions to reduce its exports to zero. 

“I’ve left instructions. If they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left,” Trump said. “And Biden should have said that, but he never did. I don’t know why. Lack of intelligence, perhaps.”   

Trump said he reluctantly reinstated the sanctions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “With me, it’s very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said, claiming the country is “too close” to developing weapons-grade uranium. 

Iran has allegedly sought to assassinate Trump and former officials from his first administration as retaliation for the U.S.-ordered killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Despite this, Trump ordered the removal of security details for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton. 

Iranian cyber groups have also reportedly attempted to hack individuals linked to Trump in an effort to disrupt his 2024 candidacy. 

Trump criticized former President Joe Biden for resisting bipartisan efforts to tighten economic sanctions on Iran. A group of 62 House members, including Democrats Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, urged Biden to enforce sanctions after Iranian oil exports surged, generating an estimated $88 billion from illicit sales between 2021 and 2023. 

Republican lawmakers also pressed Biden to revoke a sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, which they estimated would provide Tehran with $10 billion. 

In 2023, Biden agreed to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil proceeds held by South Korea in exchange for the release of five Iranian-American prisoners. While the funds were meant for humanitarian aid, reports indicate that a “quiet agreement” was reached to pause distribution following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

Trump Proposes U.S. Takeover of Gaza Strip for Reconstruction 

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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will take over the Gaza Strip, oversee its reconstruction, and assume responsibility for clearing unexploded ordnance and rebuilding infrastructure. 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump outlined his vision for Gaza’s future, stating, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and do a job with it too.” 

Trump said the U.S. would manage efforts to clear dangerous explosives, demolish damaged structures, and create new economic opportunities. 

“We will own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, and create economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for people of the area,” Trump said. 

He asserted that returning Gaza to its previous state would lead to continued conflict. “You just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years,” he added. 

Trump indicated that the 2 million residents of Gaza would be relocated to neighboring countries, though he did not provide details on the logistics or international cooperation required for such a plan. 

He also stated that U.S. troops could be deployed to the territory “if it’s necessary.” 

Trump expressed hope that the ongoing ceasefire would mark the beginning of a lasting peace. “This will be the beginning of a larger and more enduring peace that will end the bloodshed and killing once and for all,” he said. 

The proposal marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward Gaza, raising questions about the feasibility of such a plan and its potential impact on the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

U.S. Military Begins Migrant Transfers to Guantanamo Bay 

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The first U.S. military aircraft carrying detained migrants to Guantanamo Bay departed Tuesday, marking the beginning of a policy shift under President Donald Trump’s administration to use the naval base in Cuba for large-scale migrant detention. 

Trump has directed the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand the migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, aiming to house more than 30,000 migrants. 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that the initial flight carried between nine and ten individuals. 

McLaughlin described them as “highly dangerous criminal aliens” but did not provide further details. The use of military aircraft for deportations has already been implemented for removals to Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, and India. 

The Pentagon has outlined plans to deport over 5,000 migrants currently in U.S. custody in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. However, military deportation flights remain costly. A recent flight to Guatemala was estimated to cost at least $4,675 per migrant, according to Reuters. 

Trump has increasingly involved the military in immigration enforcement, deploying additional troops to the border, using military aircraft for deportations, and repurposing military bases to house detainees. 

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has not confirmed whether families, women, or children will be housed at Guantanamo Bay but stated that detentions there would comply with U.S. law. 

Guantanamo Bay already has a migrant facility separate from its high-security prison for terrorism suspects. The site has previously been used to hold Haitian and Cuban migrants intercepted at sea. 

The administration has not disclosed the cost of expanding Guantanamo’s migrant housing. The high-security prison, originally established in 2002 to detain foreign militants after the Sept. 11 attacks, has been widely criticized for human rights concerns. In 2023, a United Nations expert condemned conditions at the facility as cruel and inhumane under international law. 

Fifteen detainees remain in the prison, which Trump has vowed to keep open, reversing efforts by previous administrations to close the site.

Arab Nations Oppose Palestinian Displacement from Gaza in Letter to U.S. 

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Five Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official have formally opposed proposals to remove Palestinians from Gaza, stating their concerns in a joint letter sent Monday to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

Signed by the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, along with Palestinian presidential adviser Hussein al-Sheikh, the letter was first reported by Axios. The top diplomats had convened in Cairo over the weekend to coordinate their response. 

The letter comes in reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion on Jan. 25 that Jordan and Egypt could take in displaced Palestinians from Gaza. When asked whether such resettlement would be temporary or permanent, Trump responded, “Could be either.” 

The proposal reignited Palestinian concerns about forced displacement and was condemned by critics as a form of ethnic cleansing. Arab leaders have firmly rejected the idea, maintaining that Palestinians should remain in Gaza and participate in its reconstruction. 

“Reconstruction in Gaza should be through direct engagement with and participation of the people of Gaza,” the letter stated. “Palestinians will live in their land and help rebuild it. They should not be stripped of their agency during reconstruction as they must take ownership of the process with the support of the international community.” 

Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, with accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel has denied. The conflict began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. 

While a fragile ceasefire remains in place, regional leaders are focused on diplomatic solutions to prevent further displacement and ensure post-war reconstruction efforts remain centered on Palestinian leadership.

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