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February 05, 2026 February 05, 2026 - Current affairs for all the Exams: <b>U.S. Proposes Gaza "Ownership" Amid Escalating Trade War with China</b>

In a 24-hour period marked by major geopolitical shifts, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a direct American takeover of the Gaza Strip to transform it into a "Riviera," sparking widespread international condemnation. Simultaneously, China retaliated against U.S. trade policies by imposing new tariffs on American energy and launching an investigation into Google, while Argentina and Israel moved to withdraw from major United Nations bodies.

The global landscape has witnessed significant volatility over the last 24 hours, driven by bold U.S. foreign policy shifts and retaliatory measures from major world powers. Below are the most critical developments for competitive exam preparation:

1. U.S. Proposal for Gaza Takeover

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced a plan for the United States to take "ownership" of the Gaza Strip. During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that the U.S. would be responsible for dismantling unexploded ordnance and rebuilding the war-torn territory into what he termed the "Riviera of the Middle East."

  • Global Reaction: The proposal was immediately rejected by Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, who reiterated their stance against the forced relocation of Palestinians.

  • Legal Concerns: France and other European allies warned that any forced removal of the population would constitute a "grave violation of international law."

  • White House Clarification: Following the backlash, the White House Press Secretary stated that any relocation of Palestinians would be "temporary" for the duration of the rebuilding effort.

2. U.S.-China Trade War Escalation

Economic tensions between the world's two largest economies reached a new peak as China imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products starting February 5, 2025. This follows the U.S. decision to hike tariffs on Chinese goods earlier in the week.

  • New Levies: China has imposed a 15% tax on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles.

  • Google Investigation: Beijing also announced an official investigation into Google, citing concerns over market practices, shortly after the U.S. Postal Service stopped accepting packages from China to curb duty-free e-commerce flows.

3. Shifts in International Organizations

Two major nations have announced departures from international bodies, signaling a trend toward unilateralism:

  • Argentina: President Javier Milei’s government announced Argentina’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing "deep differences" with the organization's leadership and ideological direction.

  • Israel: Israel has officially withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), accusing the body of "obsessive demonization" and systemic discrimination against the state.

4. Other Key Global Briefs

  • Belgium: Bart De Wever has been sworn in as the new Prime Minister, leading a five-party coalition that marks the first time a Flemish nationalist has headed the federal government.

  • United Kingdom: The U.K. is set to become the first country to criminalize AI-generated tools used for child abuse, introducing strict prison sentences for the creation or possession of such software.

  • Sweden: Authorities are investigating a motive behind a mass shooting at an adult education college in Örebro that left 11 people dead; the attacker is believed to have acted alone.

  • Technology: Alphabet (Google) has reportedly removed its pledge not to use artificial intelligence for the development of weapons and surveillance, sparking ethical debates in the tech industry.

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