World
Three Israeli hostages freed after dispute threatened Gaza ceasefire
Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Alexandre Troufanov are escorted by militants as they are handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis on Saturday.
Three Israeli hostages have been freed from Gaza under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas after a dispute this week threatened to derail the deal.
American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexandre Troufanov and Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn were released in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, around 10 a.m. local time (3 a.m. ET) in the sixth such exchange under the truce. They were seen exiting vehicles surrounded by militants, who ushered the hostages on stage, where the captives addressed the crowd.
The men appeared to be in better health than the three hostages released the previous week, whose condition drew condemnation from Israeli officials.
The three were given what appeared to be bags carrying memorabilia. Horn was seen carrying what appeared to be small hourglasses and Troufanov appeared to face some difficulty climbing down the stairs.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, the atmosphere was expectant and calm as people holding posters watched the releases live. In Kibbutz Nir Oz, where all the three hostages were taken, families gathered to watch the release. Sagui-Dekel Hen’s family crowded around the television to watch the moment.
Israel has begun freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return. A group of 11 Palestinian prisoners were released in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said. Four prisoners were transported to the hospital upon release, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
The Israeli Prison Service ordered that the quote “We will not forget, and we will not forgive” to be inscribed on the clothing worn by the released prisoners.
Israel is expected to free 369 Palestinian prisoners in total, the Palestinian Prisoner Society said Friday, 333 of whom were arrested in Gaza following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. It will be the largest number of Palestinian prisoners released during the exchanges so far.
A crowd of armed militants gathered in Gaza ahead of the hostage release, which took place close to the house of slain former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, killed by Israel in October. Images showed masked fighters carrying weapons and gathering around a stage with flags and images depicting Sinwar and other militant leaders.
“No migration except to Jerusalem,” read a banner festooning the stage, in an apparent rebuke to US President Donald Trump and his plans for a mass displacement of Palestinians from the enclave.
Earlier this week, Hamas said was postponing today’s releases after accusing Israel of violating its commitments to the ceasefire agreement. Amid the dispute, Trump urged Israel to cancel its deal with Hamas and “let all hell break out”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office thanked Trump for his “clear and unequivocal” statement, following the hostages’ release Saturday, saying it helped push Hamas to back down and free the hostages.
In a statement following the latest releases, Hamas said that the only way those still held captive would be freed was “through negotiations and by adhering to the requirements of the ceasefire agreement.”
All three men released on Saturday were kidnapped from the kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack, and had been held captive for almost 500 days.
They are now back on Israeli soil, the Israeli military said. They are currently undergoing an initial medical assessment at a reception center in southern Israel, according to the military.
Troufanov was 27 years old when he was kidnapped by Palestinian Al-Quds Brigades, a militant group allied with Islamic Jihad, along with his grandmother, Irena Tati, his mother Lena Troufanov and girlfriend Sapir Cohen, who were all released in a previous deal. His father Vitaly was killed during the attack.
Dekel-Chen was 35 years old when he was kidnapped by Hamas while trying to defend the kibbutz from attackers. His wife Avital was pregnant with their third child during the attack, and gave birth to Dekel-Chen’s daughter while he was in captivity. She turned one in December.
Horn, now 46, was also captured by Hamas with his brother Eitan, who remains in captivity.
The Gazan militants have now released a total of 19 Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, of a total of 33 promised at staggered intervals during this stage. Eight of those 33 are dead, according to the Israeli government.
Despite Saturday’s releases, uncertainty looms over the future of the wider agreement. Negotiations on extending the ceasefire – which expires on March 1 – are in doubt.
As well as taking hostages, Palestinian militants killed more than 1,200 people during the October 7 attack. Israeli bombardment of Gaza since has killed more than 48,000 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, reduced much of the enclave to rubble, and led to a humanitarian catastrophe for surviving residents.
The war has spilled over into the wider region, putting Israel in conflict with key Hamas backer Iran, as well as Tehran proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
President Donald Trump of the United States has enacted a 15 percent import tariff on goods from Nigeria as part of a wider executive order that targets numerous countries within a revised global trade framework. The updated tariff list was revealed by the White House on Thursday, concluding a 90-day extension granted in April to negotiate specific trade agreements. Initially, Nigeria faced a 14 percent tariff, but its implementation was postponed to allow for further discussions.
The updated order raises Nigeria’s tariff to 15 percent, affecting several African and non-African nations. According to the White House, this action aligns with Trump’s policy of “reciprocal tariffs,” which is designed to counter what the administration views as unfair trade practices by US partners. Efforts to negotiate customized trade agreements with African states reportedly did not yield positive outcomes. As the new deadline arrived, the US had failed to establish any trade pacts with any African nation.
In the aftermath of the initial announcement, several countries sought alternative arrangements or exemptions. However, US officials pointed to a lack of progress to justify the execution of the new tariff schedule.
Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, recognized the region’s initiatives to strengthen trade with the US, but noted that travel restrictions imposed during the negotiation period complicated diplomatic efforts. “Nigeria and West African nations worked towards enhancing trade relations with the United States,” Tuggar stated. “However, the travel bans and wider restrictions impeded the process.”
Other countries subjected to the 15 percent tariff include Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Israel, South Korea, and Norway. More substantial tariffs were introduced for countries like India (25%), South Africa (30%), and Switzerland (39%), while some countries, such as Syria, faced tariffs exceeding 40%.
This latest trade order by Trump also impacts the US’s North American neighbors. Canada now faces a 35 percent tariff, while Mexico is subject to a range of tariffs from 25 to 50 percent on various goods, including automobiles, metals, and fentanyl-related products. Brazil, which was initially assigned a 10 percent tariff, now faces a dramatic increase to a 50 percent rate following a separate announcement made on Thursday.
Negotiations with China are still in progress, with no new tariff rate declared for Beijing under the current order.
Complete List of Countries and Corresponding US Import Tariffs Under President Donald Trump’s Revised Trade Order, Announced on August 1, 2025:
10% Tariff
- Falkland Islands
- United Kingdom
- All other countries not specified in the executive order
15% Tariff
Africa:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ghana
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Americas:
- Bolivia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Venezuela
Asia & Pacific:
- Afghanistan
- Fiji
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Papua New Guinea
- South Korea
- Turkey
- Vanuatu
Europe:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
18% Tariff
- Nicaragua
19% Tariff
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Pakistan
- Philippines
20% Tariff
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
25% Tariff
- Brunei
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Moldova
- Tunisia
30% Tariff
- Algeria
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Libya
- South Africa
35% Tariff
- Iraq
- Serbia
- Canada
39% Tariff
- Switzerland
40% Tariff
- Laos
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Brazil (an additional 40% tariff added on August 1, raising Brazil’s total to 50%)
41% Tariff
- Syria
Special Tariffs (Mexico)
- 25% on fentanyl-related products
- 25% on automobiles
- 50% on steel, aluminium, and copper (effective in 90 days)
China
- No rate announced yet
- Currently engaged in ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration
The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerians about the repercussions of engaging in visa fraud and illegal immigration, stating that such actions could lead to a permanent ban on obtaining a visa. This warning was shared in a post on the official X page of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
“Individuals who commit visa fraud will face a lifetime ban from entering the United States,” the statement highlighted. It also emphasized, “A nation without borders is not a nation,” illustrating the U.S. government’s ongoing dedication to securing its borders and enforcing strict immigration regulations.
Furthermore, the U.S. has indicated that it will actively seek criminal charges against those involved in visa-related offenses, including individuals who assist or shelter undocumented migrants. This involves sponsors, agents, and smugglers who contribute to the rise of illegal immigration, a practice that has become increasingly prevalent in parts of West Africa.
This warning comes as concerns grow over the increasing number of Nigerians attempting to enter the United States through fraudulent means.
In recent years, U.S. immigration officials have reported numerous incidents involving fake documents, marriage fraud, and misrepresentation during visa interviews. These actions not only threaten the integrity of the U.S. immigration system but also put individuals at risk of detention, deportation, or prosecution.
Several African nations have recently encountered visa restrictions or travel bans from the United States. Initially, countries like Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan were subject to a travel ban. More recently, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo faced partial restrictions.
Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ethiopia have also seen a reduction in the validity of certain visas, often attributed to security issues, insufficient cooperation on deportation matters, and inadequate identity verification processes.
Additionally, the U.S. has mandated that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas will be examined for any signs of hostility towards the country’s citizens, culture, government, institutions, or foundational principles.
Nigerians are encouraged to refer to official resources, such as the U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites, for reliable information regarding visa applications.
At least 60 people have lost their lives in a devastating fire at a shopping center in Kut, Iraq, according to officials. The incident occurred at the Corniche Hypermarket on Wednesday night and has since been contained. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage captured firefighters rescuing individuals from the roof, while many others remain unaccounted for.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that legal action would be initiated against the mall’s owner. Videos broadcasted on INA’s news channel depicted intense flames engulfing multiple floors of the shopping center as firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze. Other clips circulating online showed some people on the roof during the incident and the charred remains of the mall’s interior.
Firefighters managed to rescue several individuals from the burning building, al-Miyahi reported to local media. Emergency services were still transporting victims to hospitals in the city, which is located approximately 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, as late as 4:00 AM local time.
The interior ministry’s statement quoted by AFP confirmed the tragic toll of the fire, revealing that 61 innocent people had perished, most succumbing to smoke inhalation in bathrooms, with 14 of the deceased yet to be identified. Nasir al-Quraishi, a local doctor in his 50s, mournfully shared that he lost five family members in the fire. “We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home. An air conditioner exploded on the second floor, and then the fire erupted, leaving us with no means of escape,” he recounted.
A medical source added, “We have more than 50 martyrs, and many bodies remain unidentified.” An investigation is currently in progress to determine the cause of the blaze, with preliminary results expected in the next two days. Al-Miyahi stated the incident should serve as a wake-up call, leading to a thorough review of safety protocols.
The shopping had opened just five days ago, AFP reported.
source: BBC
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