ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including US President Donald Trump saying Israel has agreed to “necessary conditions” to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, Israel threatening Iran-style airstrikes on Yemen after a Houthi missile launch, and the Russian and French leaders discussing the Ukraine war in their first phone call since 2022.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says Israel agreed to 'necessary conditions' to finalize 60-day Gaza ceasefire

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

On social media, Trump said his representatives held a “long and productive meeting” with Israeli officials earlier in the day.

“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” he wrote.

He added that Qatar and Egypt, the mediators in the ceasefire talks, would deliver the "final proposal" to the Palestinian group Hamas.

• Israel threatens Iran-style airstrikes on Yemen after Houthi missile launch

Israel’s defense minister threatened Tuesday night to launch airstrikes on the Houthi group in Yemen, similar to a recent assault on Iran.

“Yemen will be treated like Tehran. After striking the head of the snake in Tehran, we will also strike the Houthis in Yemen,” Israel Katz wrote on X.

“Whoever raises a hand against Israel – that hand will be cut off,” he added.

The threat came shortly after Israel said its air force had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

• Putin, Macron discuss Ukraine war in 1st phone call since 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine war with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, the Kremlin said in a statement Tuesday, the first phone call between the two since 2022.

The statement said Putin argued the ongoing conflict was a direct consequence of the policies of Western states, which for many years "ignored Russia's security interests" and are now "pursuing a policy of prolonging hostilities."

He confirmed the fundamental approaches to possible peace agreements on Ukraine, the statement said, further arguing that it “should be comprehensive and long-term, provide for the elimination of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and be based on new territorial realities.”

​​​​​​​

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 79 more Palestinians were killed and scores injured as the Israeli army escalated its attacks in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Tuesday, medics said.
• The UN on Tuesday welcomed a US decision to rescind economic sanctions on Syria.
• France formally returned a military base in Rufisque, western Senegal after withdrawing troops, said the French embassy in the West African country.
• US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Tuesday night suggested there could be airstrikes by US stealth bombers on Yemen after a missile was launched from the Arab country.
• Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) head Ibrahim Kalin visited northern Iraq on Tuesday for high-level talks with Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) officials.
• Former South Korean Premier Han Duck-soo was summoned Wednesday along with Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun by a special prosecutor investigating ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed bid to impose martial law last year, according to local media reports.
• The recently signed peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda fails to address justice for the victims of serious crimes by not including any provisions aimed at holding their perpetrators to account, Amnesty International said.
• Illegal Israeli settlers have established a new outpost northwest of Jericho in the eastern West Bank, the fifth in the same area, according to a Palestinian rights group.
• The US Mission to the UN denounced a new report by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, accusing her of waging “economic warfare” against American and global firms by naming them as complicit in Israel's occupation and military actions in the Palestinian territories.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Senate passes controversial Republican tax cut, spending bill

The US Senate passed a controversial Republican tax cut and spending bill in a 51-50 vote on Tuesday.

Vice President JD Vance broke the 50-50 tie on the measure, which polls show a clear majority of Americans oppose.

Senators Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis – all members of Trump’s Republican Party – voted No.

After more than 24 hours of debate, the measure moves to the House of Representatives for a final vote before it can head to President Donald Trump's desk.

• Quad foreign ministers launch critical minerals initiative

Foreign ministers of the Quad countries – the US, Australia, India, and Japan – announced the launch of a new initiative Tuesday to secure and diversify global supply chains for critical minerals.

The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, unveiled following a meeting hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, aims to "strengthen economic security and collective resilience by securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains," the State Department said.

During the gathering, Rubio met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.