ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including Slovenia becoming the first European country to ban arms trade with Israel, Trump saying Canada's decision to soon recognize the state of Palestine is ‘not a deal-breaker’ in trade talks, and Myanmar’s junta effectively ending a state of emergency.

TOP STORIES​​​​​​​

• Slovenia becomes 1st European country to ban arms trade with Israel

Slovenia became the first European country to ban the import, export and transit of weapons and military equipment to and from Israel, the government announced.

The decision, initiated by Prime Minister Robert Golob, was confirmed during a government session earlier in the day, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

Under the new policy, all military weapons and equipment sent from Slovenia to Israel, brought in from Israel or transported through Slovenian territory are prohibited.

• Trump says Canada's recognition of Palestine 'not a deal-breaker' as trade deadline looms

US President Donald Trump said that Canada's decision to soon recognize the state of Palestine is "not a deal-breaker" as his critical self-imposed deadline for trade talks to conclude rapidly approaches.

Trump earlier Thursday said on social media that Ottawa's decision "will make it very hard for us to make a trade deal" with the country, sparking speculation about how major of a stumbling block it would be.

The president later appeared to downplay its significance, saying that while he "didn't like" the announcement, it would not fell negotiations.

• Junta lifts emergency in Myanmar, forms new body for elections

The military junta in Myanmar announced a new body to hold general elections later this year, effectively ending the state of emergency, state media reported.

Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing also appointed himself as acting president while issuing a decree to dissolve the National Defense and Security Council in the Southeast Asian country, which has been under military rule since February 2021.

The council was formed in the aftermath of the coup, which overthrew the government of the National League for Democracy, and the nation has been under a state of emergency for the past four years.

It effectively ends the state of emergency in the Buddhist-majority nation as the junta formed a National Security and Peace Commission which will be led by Min Aung.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 13 people have been killed and several others injured in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, medical sources told Anadolu.
• The Ukrainian president said the main task of Europe today is "to stop Russia," suggesting that Russian assets should be confiscated, not just frozen.
• The UN secretary-general warned of a "dangerous drift" away from commitments, as human rights are "under assault" and democratic space is "shrinking."
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for Syria’s sovereignty, stressing Moscow's opposition to "exploitation" of Syrian territory as a platform for geopolitical confrontation.
• The UN human rights chief expressed concern over Israel's "unlawful presence" in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, calling for accountability for all violations.
• Israel is exploiting the "minorities card" to justify interference in Syria’s internal affairs, said Syria's foreign minister.
• The Ukrainian parliament passed a bill to reinstate the independence of the anti-corruption agencies.
• The US imposed sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA), accusing both groups of failing to comply with their commitments and undermining peace prospects in the Middle East.
• Portugal plans to recognize the state of Palestine "as early as September," local media reported, citing sources in the prime minister's office.
• Israeli warplanes launched a series of heavy airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, hitting areas in the Bekaa Valley and the districts of Baalbek and Jezzine, in a sharp escalation and new breaches of a ceasefire agreement.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• White House says countries without trade deal, letter to hear from US 'tonight'

The White House confirmed that reciprocal trade tariffs will take effect at midnight Aug. 1.

"We've sent out 17 letters to countries around the world and the rest of those countries that either do not have a deal or have a letter, they will be hearing from this administration by the midnight deadline tonight," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

"So yes, tomorrow, Aug. 1, the reciprocal rates will be going into effect," she added.

Asked about considering extending the Aug. 12 deadline for China, Leavitt said the US is moving in the right direction with China.

"The current policy, the current trade program that we have going with China right now as it stands will decrease our deficit by $5 billion this year, so we are moving in the right direction," she said.

• Trump says trade deal with Mexico extended 90 days as talks continue

US President Donald Trump said he and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to extend a trade arrangement for 90 days.

"I have just concluded a telephone conversation with the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, which was very successful in that, more and more, we are getting to know and understand each other," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Mexico will continue to pay a 25% fentanyl tariff, 25% on cars, and 50% on steel, aluminum and copper, he said.

"Additionally, Mexico has agreed to immediately terminate its Non-Tariff Trade Barriers, of which there were many.

"We will be talking to Mexico over the next 90 Days with the goal of signing a Trade Deal somewhere within the 90 Day period of time, or longer," he added.