OTTAWA: A first group of 20 to 25 Canadians was evacuated out of Gaza through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt on Tuesday and another 80 people are expected to leave later in the day, Canada’s foreign ministry said.
“Canadian officials are on the Egyptian side of the border welcoming them and ready to bring them to safety to Cairo,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that “the situation is quite fluid and unpredictable.”
Canada said Israel told it last week that more than 400 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members would be able to leave Gaza in the coming days. The Rafah crossing though was closed on Nov. 4 and 5 and reopened late on Monday.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen earlier told reporters that the first group was “now safe and sound in Egypt and we’re very, very happy.”
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First group of 20-25 Canadians evacuated from Gaza into Egypt — Ottawa
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First group of 20-25 Canadians evacuated from Gaza into Egypt — Ottawa
- “Canadian officials are on the Egyptian side of the border welcoming them and ready to bring them to safety to Cairo,” the ministry said
’No. 1 fan’: Rapper Minaj backs Trump
- Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared Wednesday she was Donald Trump’s “number one fan,” adding that “hate” directed at the US president made her support him more
WASHINGTON: Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared Wednesday she was Donald Trump’s “number one fan,” adding that “hate” directed at the US president made her support him more.
Republican Trump called the provocative singer-songwriter up on stage after she announced her support for so-called “Trump Accounts,” which provide trust funds for children.
“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” said Minaj, who wore a furry white coat as she embraced Trump and took the podium.
“And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”
The Trinidadian star, 43, added that she would not let the billionaire president’s opponents “get away with bullying him and you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work.”
“He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen.”
Trump, who had earlier joked that he would grow out his nails to emulate the “Starships” and “Super Bass” rapper, then held her hand while another speaker took the podium.
The self-proclaimed “Queen of Rap” is known for her shape-shifting musical and fashion styles — but she has also radically modified her politics in recent years.
Previously a critic of Trump’s hard-line immigation policies, Minaj has moved in recent years to praising his leadership.
In November she made a surprise appearance at the United Nations to call for an end to faith-based persecution in Nigeria, an allegation by the Trump administration which the government there denies.
Republican Trump called the provocative singer-songwriter up on stage after she announced her support for so-called “Trump Accounts,” which provide trust funds for children.
“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” said Minaj, who wore a furry white coat as she embraced Trump and took the podium.
“And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”
The Trinidadian star, 43, added that she would not let the billionaire president’s opponents “get away with bullying him and you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work.”
“He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen.”
Trump, who had earlier joked that he would grow out his nails to emulate the “Starships” and “Super Bass” rapper, then held her hand while another speaker took the podium.
The self-proclaimed “Queen of Rap” is known for her shape-shifting musical and fashion styles — but she has also radically modified her politics in recent years.
Previously a critic of Trump’s hard-line immigation policies, Minaj has moved in recent years to praising his leadership.
In November she made a surprise appearance at the United Nations to call for an end to faith-based persecution in Nigeria, an allegation by the Trump administration which the government there denies.
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