UNITED STATES

Canada threatened with 35% tariff rate

Canada will face a 35 percent tariff on exports to the United States starting Aug 1, President Donald Trump said on Thursday in a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. It was the latest of more than 20 such letters issued by Trump since Monday, as he continues to pursue his threats against dozens of countries. Canada and the US have been locked in trade negotiations in hopes of reaching a deal by July 21, but the latest threat appeared to have shifted that deadline. Carney said his country will continue trade talks with the US toward the revised deadline. He affirmed Canada's commitment to continuing to work with the United States to save lives and protect communities in both countries.

MIDDLE EAST

798 killed as they get aid in Gaza, UN says

At least 798 people have been killed while trying to receive food aid in Gaza since the end of May, the United Nations Human Rights Office said on Friday. Among those killed while receiving food assistance since May 27, 615 were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's sites, a spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights told reporters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he hoped to reach a deal in a few days for the release of more Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Friday that a combat commanding officer was killed in an incident in the southern Gaza Strip. The officer, Reei Biran, aged 21, was a squad commander in the IDF's Golani Reconnaissance Unit.