ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including US President Donald Trump blasting Republican senators keeping his “One Big, Beautiful Bill” from moving forward, a report saying that Israel is holding secret talks with Russia on Iran and Syria, and Trump also saying Fed Chair Jerome Powell "should resign immediately."

TOP STORIES

• Trump blasts House Republican holdouts keeping bill from moving forward

US President Donald Trump pushed House Republican holdouts early Thursday to advance a controversial tax cut and spending megabill.

"Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy. What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove???" he wrote on social media.

His remarks came as the House of Representatives is voting on the Senate-passed tax and spending cuts bill, also known as “One Big, Beautiful Bill," with the goal of getting it to Trump's desk for his signature by Friday.

• Israel holding secret talks with Russia on Iran, Syria: Report

Israel began secret negotiations with Russia on Iran and Syria during its ceasefire with Tehran, a report said Wednesday.

Israeli state broadcaster KAN said that Tel Aviv has maintained high-level contacts with Moscow in an effort to find a diplomatic solution concerning both Iran and Syria.

Following Russia’s offer to mediate between Israel and Iran, Israeli authorities reportedly initiated talks with Moscow about a week after the ceasefire began.

No specific details about the content of the talks were provided.

• Trump says Fed Chair Jerome Powell ‘should resign immediately’

US President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell “should resign immediately.”

On social media, Trump also shared a news article about a call from William Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, urging Congress to investigate Powell.

“‘Too Late’ should resign immediately!!!” he said, using his nickname for Powell, going after the Fed chair’s cautious approach to cutting interest rates.

In a statement, Pulte called on Congress to launch a probe into Powell over what he described as “political bias” and “misleading statements during a Senate hearing.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Iran's nuclear program was "degraded" by one to two years by recent US airstrikes, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, adding that the US assessment of the damage done to three key Iranian nuclear facilities remains "unchanged."
• A special counsel team in South Korea has imposed a fresh exit ban on former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and two ex-military commanders as part of its probe into the military's response to the 2023 death of a Marine, local media reported.
• South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he will push for a "mutually beneficial" trade deal with the US and dialogue with North Korea to pave the way for "peace and coexistence" on the Korean Peninsula, according to local media.
• At least four people are dead and 38 missing after a ferry sank on its way to the Indonesian island of Bali, a rescue agency said.
• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Argentina's Defense Minister Luis Petri to discuss ways to deepen their countries’ defense ties.
• In their first official meeting, Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war.
• A pair of US lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti.
• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reaffirmed his country's “total commitment” to ending Israel’s military operations in Gaza as soon as possible, saying the "first 60-day ceasefire cannot be missed," said an Italian Foreign Ministry statement following Tajani’s phone calls with his Qatari, Egyptian, and Canadian counterparts.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret over Venezuela's decision to declare UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and his staff "persona non grata."
• Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick urged President Donald Trump to address his "serious concern" over reports that the US is withholding critical defense materials pledged to Ukraine.
• Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called for fighting “authoritarianism" during a primary victory celebration in Manhattan.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss regional issues, including the conflict in the Gaza Strip as well as Syria, according to statements from both governments.
• India and Ghana signed four memorandums of understanding during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first-ever visit to the West African country.
• Saudi Arabia and Indonesia signed several agreements valued at roughly $27 billion during an official visit to the kingdom by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, according to a joint statement released by the Saudi Press Agency.​​​​​​​