This is NewsCard Daily for Wednesday February 4, 2026 ... your briefing on the stories shaping our world.

We begin in Washington where President Trump pauses his tariff threats on Mexico and Canada ... but ignites a fresh trade clash with China. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agrees to deploy 10,000 troops along their shared border to fight drug trafficking ... securing a one-month delay on 25 percent U.S. tariffs. Canada pledges tougher fentanyl controls too. Yet China fires back ... slapping new tariffs on U.S. products from February 10 and restricting exports of rare earth minerals vital for tech and defense. Families and factories feel the squeeze as global supply chains wobble ... and economists warn of higher prices worldwide.

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Shifting to the Middle East ... tensions simmer despite a fragile Gaza ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Trump at the White House today ... amid reports Israel blocks aid into Gaza and refuses troop withdrawals for phase two of the deal. Trump offers no guarantees the truce holds ... even as he pushes to clear Gaza and relocate its people. In the West Bank ... a Palestinian gunman wounds seven Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint before troops kill him ... while UNRWA decries shocking violence that risks all-out escalation. Palestinian families endure daily peril ... with prisoners deported to Turkey and Qatar ... and aid trickling in via new air bridges.

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Now to Central Africa ... where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels declare a humanitarian ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after seizing Goma and killing at least 900. The pause starts today ... but food insecurity ravages millions ... as southern African leaders plan an emergency summit on the chaos. Displaced Congolese moms and kids face starvation ... with global calls mounting for sanctions on Rwanda despite its denials of troop involvement.

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In Europe ... leaders ramp up defense at their first-ever EU military summit ... eyeing bigger budgets and alliances amid Russian moves. Moscow confirms deploying Oreshnik missiles to Belarus ... as Minsk kicks off army drills. Germany's border police turn back nearly 14,000 undocumented migrants since last fall. Ordinary Europeans grapple with security fears ... from hybrid threats to migration pressures reshaping communities.

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Over to Belgium ... where a new government finally takes oath after months of deadlock ... led by Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever. The coalition vows stability ... but deep divides linger on language and spending. Workers and families there hope for economic relief ... as the EU watches closely.

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