ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including the IPC declaring famine in Gaza Governorate, the first in the Middle East, with the UN humanitarian chief accusing Israel of “openly promoting” the crisis; Israel’s Cabinet approving a full plan for the occupation of Gaza City; and US President Donald Trump warning of “massive sanctions or tariffs” on Russia within two weeks.

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TOP STORIES​​​​​​​

• IPC formally declares famine in Gaza Governorate; 1st in Middle East

Famine has been confirmed in Gaza Governorate, with projections that it will spread to the cities of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis within weeks, according to a new analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), marking the first in the Middle East.

"As of 15 August 2025, Famine (IPC Phase 5)—with reasonable evidence—is confirmed in Gaza Governorate," said the UN-backed hunger monitoring system IPC.

Meanwhile, Jean-Marten Bauer, the director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis of the World Food Program, and Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, noted that "for the first time, we have a famine in the Middle East."

• UN humanitarian chief says Gaza famine 'openly promoted' by Israel

The UN's top humanitarian official described the famine declared in the Gaza Governorate of the Gaza Strip as a "predictable and preventable" catastrophe deliberately fueled by the obstruction of aid by Israel.

"It is a famine that we could have prevented if we had been allowed. Yet, food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel. It is a famine within a few hundred meters of food in a fertile land," Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said in a news conference in Geneva.

• Israeli Cabinet fully approves Gaza City occupation plan: Defense minister

‘Gates of hell will open upon Hamas,’ if they do not agree to Israel’s conditions to end war, Israel Katz says

“We approved the IDF's (Israeli army) plans to defeat Hamas in Gaza, with intensive fire, evacuation of civilians, and maneuvers,” Katz said on the US social media company X.

“The gates of hell will open upon Hamas,” said Katz, if it does not agree to “Israel’s conditions to end the war, primarily the release of all hostages and disarmament."

• Gaza famine 'direct result' of Israeli actions: UN rights chief

The UN human rights chief said Israel's restrictions and military actions have directly caused the famine now declared in the Gaza Governorate, warning that using starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime.

Volker Turk underscored the legal consequences for Israel. "It is a war crime to use starvation as a method of warfare, and the resulting deaths may also amount to the war crime of willful killing,” he said.

• Gaza genocide: Nearly 62,300 Palestinians killed, famine deepens

At least 62,263 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

A statement said 71 victims were killed and 251 injured in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of injuries to 157,365.

The ministry also reported two new deaths from starvation and malnutrition, including a child, raising famine-related deaths to 273, among them 112 children.

• Trump warns of ‘massive sanctions or tariffs’ on Russia in 2 weeks

US President Donald Trump said he would know in two weeks if progress can be made on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, while hinting at possible sanctions against Moscow.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed frustration with recent Russian strikes that damaged a US factory in Ukraine.

“I’m not happy about it, and I’m not happy about anything having to do with that war,” he said. “Over the next two weeks, we’re going to find out which way it’s going to go. And I better be very happy.”​​​​​​​

NEWS IN BRIEF

• China's death toll from heavy rain, floods climbs to 12
• Magnitude 5.6 earthquake strikes Myanmar-India border
• 7 dead, 9 missing in northwestern China bridge incident
• At least 56 killed, dozens injured in new Israeli strikes, as another baby dies from starvation in Gaza
• Senior ISIS member killed in northern Syria, US CENTCOM says
• WHO, WMO warn extreme heat poses growing threat to workers' health
• China's top diplomat reiterates support for Pakistan's sovereignty, development
• Swedish pension fund invests in Israeli firm linked to white phosphorus production: Report
• US judge blocks any new detainees from being sent to “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility
• Barcelona mayor barred from Israel after decision to cut ties with Tel Aviv
• WHO warns mild diseases turning “fatal” with widespread malnutrition in famine-declared Gaza
• Israel deliberately depriving Gaza of clean water, international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said.
• EU foreign policy chief warns of Russian “trap” over pushing Kyiv for land concessions
• EU commissioner urges “unimpeded” humanitarian access as famine becomes “reality” in Gaza
• “No doubt” there is famine in Gaza, says Germany, urging Israel to let in enough aid
• UN chief asks occupying Israel to allow in supplies of food to Gaza amid famine
• At least 5 policemen killed in attacks on patrol units in southeastern Iran
• Switzerland “firmly rejects” Israeli settlement plans near East Jerusalem
• FBI raids home of former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton
• Türkiye begins laying groundwork for Zangezur Corridor
• Hungary accuses Ukraine of being behind Druzhba pipeline attacks, demands EU act immediately
• NATO chief visits Kyiv, promises “security guarantees” to Ukraine
• UK condemns “man-made catastrophe” as Gaza famine confirmed
• Trump says he will fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook if she refuses to resign
• UN says DR Congo “facing one of the most acute humanitarian emergencies in the world”
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit China, marking his first trip to northern neighbor in seven years.
• Syrian forces foil suicide attack in eastern province of Deir ez-Zor: Report
• US defense secretary authorizes National Guard troops to carry weapons in DC
• Iran warns EU, E3 against sanctions, citing potential snapback
• Malta, Poland join international condemnation of Israeli E1 settlement plans in East Jerusalem
• Dutch foreign minister resigns after measures against Israel blocked
• Turkish, UK defense chiefs discuss bilateral, regional defense and security issues
• Multiple explosions heard near Chernobyl power plant amid drone activity: IAEA
• Putin says Trump's leadership qualities “good basis” for restoration of bilateral ties
• Israeli army says missile launched from Yemen toward central Israel

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil rises on Ukraine tensions, US crude stock draw

Oil prices rose as escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions and a larger-than-expected draw in US crude inventories bolstered market sentiment.

International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $67.22 per barrel, up 0.1% from $67.13.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.2% to $63.51.

• Türkiye's competition watchdog probes Google regarding payment systems

-Investigation to assess if Google urged application developers who want to distribute applications in Google’s Play store to use its own payment system, Google Play Billing, preventing developers from informing users about alternative payment channels

• Japan, African nations vow to cooperate on critical minerals, economic security

Japan and African nations agreed to work together to ensure a “stable supply and responsible development” of critical minerals amid growing global moves to ensure economic security, following the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, local media reported.

• Turkish firm ALP24 expanding energy, mining projects across Africa

Turkish energy company ALP24 is expanding its footprint in Africa with new partnerships and projects aimed at boosting its market share across the continent, the company said in a statement.

The strategy mirrors Türkiye’s wider energy policy, which balances domestic supply security with efforts to expand international energy and mining partnerships.

• Fed chair signals rate cut at Jackson Hole

Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a possible rate cut, saying: "With policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance."

Speaking at the Jackson Hole symposium, he stressed that risks to inflation are tilted to the upside and risks to employment to the downside in the near term, creating a difficult situation.

• Canada to lift tariffs on US goods under CUSMA trade deal

Canada announced it would eliminate all counter tariffs on US products covered by the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) beginning next month.

"The Canadian government will now match the United States by removing all of Canada's tariffs on US goods specifically covered under CUSMA," Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

Carney said the decision will take effect Sept. 1 and will exclude tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles.