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Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including the rising death toll in Gaza Strip from Israeli airstrikes; US President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on the EU and Mexico; and French President Emmanuel Macron's opposition to the tariffs on EU and his call for 'countermeasures.'

TOP STORIES

• Over 100 Palestinians, including nearly 30 aid seekers, killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza Strip

At least 102 Palestinians, including 27 aid seekers, were killed in Israeli airstrikes that hit multiple locations across the Gaza Strip, according to medical sources..

An airstrike on Jamal Abdel Nasser Street, opposite the Islamic University in western Gaza City, killed a mother and her three children.

In the city’s eastern Al-Tuffah neighborhood, four women were killed and 10 other civilians were wounded when an Israeli missile hit a house near Yaffa School.

• Trump announces 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico starting Aug. 1​​​​​​​

President Donald Trump announced the US will impose 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico starting Aug. 1

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared separate letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, announcing the tariff rate on goods bound for the US from Europe and Mexico.

Trump warned in the letters that if the EU or Mexico retaliates with higher tariffs, “then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added on to the 30% that we charge,” he said.

• French president voices 'strong disapproval' of 30% US tariffs for EU, calls for 'countermeasures'

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced "strong disapproval" of 30% US tariffs for the EU and urged accelerating the preparation of "credible countermeasures."

"Along with the President of the European Commission, France shares the same very strong disapproval at the announcement of horizontal 30% tariffs on EU exports to the United States from August 1st," Macron wrote on X.

He reiterated the need for the Commission to "assert" the bloc's "determination" to uphold European interests "resolutely."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• North Korea and China agreed to resume passenger train services between Pyongyang and Beijing for the first time in more than five years, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed regret about North Korea’s absence at recent ASEAN events in Kuala Lumpur, saying Pyongyang’s presence “was missed” and affirming that Russia had defended its interests in its stead.
• At least 67 children have died of hunger in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 as Israel’s total blockade of the territory enters its 103rd consecutive day, the Gaza Media Office said in a statement.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the ministry announced.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow “respects” Pyongyang’s development of a nuclear weapons program and understands the rationale behind it, calling the move a deterrent against regional military threats.
• A 17-year-old Palestinian boy, once known as the world’s youngest freed prisoner, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on central Gaza, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office.
• At least 57,882 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry said.
• Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not stop but will “take a new form to ensure the security of its nuclear facilities,” according to the Tasnim News Agency.
• An Israeli airstrike killed one person in southern Lebanon, in a new violation of a ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for international intervention to stop illegal Israeli settler crimes in the occupied West Bank.
• Nearly 60 British Labour MPs have urged the UK government to immediately recognize Palestine as a state and act urgently to stop the “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza, The Guardian reported.
• Political leaders in New Caledonia signed a deal with the French government to establish a new political entity known as the “State of New Caledonia,” which will be enshrined in the French Constitution, French media reported.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced readiness to work toward an agreement with the US by Aug. 1, after US President Donald Trump announced 30% tariffs on the bloc starting next month.
• Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Finnish troops would not engage in combat activities during potential post-war peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, according to media reports.
• The death toll from monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan has risen to 104, as six more people lost their lives in the past 24 hours, officials said.
• China strongly rejected the Philippines’ renewed reference to the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling, calling it “illegal, null and void,” and said it would never accept claims.
• The Israeli government plans to build 2,339 illegal settlement units in the occupied West Bank, a new report revealed.
• The ancient city of Sardis and Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe in Türkiye’s western Manisa province have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Turkish culture and tourism minister said.
• South Korean medical students announced they will end a months-long boycott and return to medical school, according to the Yonhap news agency.
• An Israeli reserve soldier warned that the government’s war strategy in Gaza will “crush” army soldiers amid the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service.
• Iranian authorities raided a site in Tehran, which they said was used by "Israeli agents" to manufacture drones.
• Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in central Tel Aviv to demand a prisoner exchange agreement with Palestinians.
• Wildfires have ravaged Alawenat Oasis in southwestern Libya with flames spreading to residential neighborhoods, according to media reports.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Azerbaijan’s state oil company signs gas supply MoU with Syria

Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Syrian government for natural gas supply to Syria, according to the Azerbaijani state news agency, AZERTAC.

The MoU was signed by Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister and SOCAR’s Supervisory Board Chairman Mikayil Jabbarov and Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.

“Today, I accompanied (Syrian) President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in an official visit to Azerbaijan ,where we discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the field of natural gas to secure the future of energy in Syria,” Bashir wrote on X.