Sunday Summary - 1st February, 2026

Dear readers, welcome back to the Sunday Summary, where this week we will be talking about everything except Trump!

If you have been feeling overwhelmed by the seemingly endless stream of Trump headlines lately, you are not alone. The news cycle has been moving at an unbearable speed, with one controversy constantly tumbling into the next. We seem to be experiencing a classic case of what Trump, himself, calls “Flooding the Zone,” where one saturates the media space with so many statements that it becomes impossible to focus on what is real and what really matters. So, this week, we are pressing mute. 

Now, kick off your shoes, grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive into the main headlines of the week.

Limited Reopening Planned for Gaza–Egypt Border

This week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has agreed to “a limited reopening” of the Gaza-Egypt Rafah crossing. The measure will only take effect after the last captive has been returned to Israel and will involve meticulous monitoring of all crossings. If implemented, it is expected to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. 

The Rafah crossing has been closed since May 2024, when Israel took control of the Gaza side, denying thousands of Palestinians access to medical treatment, education, and family reunification. Its reopening will not just allow freedom of movement but also mark a necessary turning point in the humanitarian crisis. Imports of medical aid, food, and basic goods are expected to increase, thus easing pressure on a population that has endured months of severe shortages and food insecurity. Countless humanitarian organizations have warned of collapsing healthcare infrastructure and rising malnutrition. Hence, even a limited reopening could allow medical evacuations and a more consistent delivery of essential supplies.

However, much remains uncertain. The reopening is conditional, and it is unclear how “limited” the arrangement will be in practice. We do not know how many people will be permitted to cross, how frequently the border will operate, or whether commercial goods will realistically be allowed in. Furthermore, the reopening is said to be a part of the October ceasefire agreement, implementation of which has faced repeated setbacks. Ultimately, whether this marks a genuine turning point or a temporary concession will depend on what happens in the upcoming weeks.

India and the EU Free Trade Deal

On Tuesday 27th of January, the European Union and India signed a Free Trade Agreement after decades of negotiations. This deal is one that Ursula von der Leyen calls “the Mother of all deals”. It is expected to remove duties on around 96.6 % of EU goods and is projected to double EU exports to India by 2032. Brussels estimates a 107% increase in annual goods exports, while Indian manufacturers will gain expanded access to the European market.

Beyond trade figures, this agreement signals a strategic alignment at a time when both sides are looking to reduce economic dependence on countries with increasingly rising tariffs and to adapt to an increasingly protectionist global trade environment. Ultimately, for both the EU and India, the deal was made in the hopes of “strengthening trade, investment and political ties between the world’s two largest democracies”.

The EU is ready to call Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a Terrorist Group. 

Iran has been governed by an authoritarian regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the state is structured around the principles of Ja'fari Shia Islam. This means that power is concentrated in religious institutions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plays a central role in maintaining regime stability.

In December 2025, protests broke out in Iran, beginning in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where shopkeepers shut their shops to protest rising prices and degrading economic conditions. These protests grew in scale and evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations, with many calling for the fall of the Islamic regime. The government’s response, however, was marked by severe repression. From January 8th to 10th, 2026, authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout, limiting communication and preventing information from circulating internationally. Reports indicate widespread violence, arbitrary arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances. While there has not yet been an accurate account of the number of deaths since the protests, independent monitoring groups claim that more than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces. This estimated number of deaths potentially makes it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in modern history. 

In response to the violence and human rights abuses, the European Union has decided to formally designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This places it alongside groups like al-Qaeda and Hamas. The decision marks a turning point whereby the EU will impose sanctions and asset freezes, but it is mostly a loud call to the Iranian authorities to end the terror, liberate prisoners, and give the people of Iran the right to self-determination. 

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And that is a wrap for this week’s Sunday Summary!

We hope you enjoyed this break from the usual presidential whirlwind. Now, as we step into February today, consider this your early Valentine’s reminder: book the table, buy the flowers, or just send the message you have been meaning to send. Let love take over the headlines for once.

See you next Sunday!