Morning Briefing: April 30, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday with, including US stating to step back as mediators in Russia, Ukraine war in case of no progress, Pakistan warning of a possible Indian strike, Türkiye becoming strategic partner in Three Seas Initiative, and UN slamming Israel's Gaza blockade of humanitarian aid.

TOP STORIES

• US to step back as mediators in Russia, Ukraine war if there is no progress: State Department

The US will step back as mediators between Russia and Ukraine if there is no progress to end the war, the State Department said Tuesday.

"I do have something I can tell you that the Secretary (of State Marco Rubio) said to me about the situation just a short time ago.

"We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict. How we proceed from here is a decision that belongs now to the President (Donald Trump). If there is no progress, we will step back as mediators in this process," spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.

• Pakistan warns of possible Indian strike within next 24-36 hours, citing 'credible intelligence'

Pakistan warned Wednesday that India may launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours as tensions between the two nations surged following a deadly attack last week in Indian-administered Kashmir.

In a statement posted on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad has “credible intelligence” that New Delhi is planning to take military action under the “pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement” in the April 22 attack by gunmen in the tourist resort of Pahalgam which killed 26 people.

"Pakistan reiterates that any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively. The international community must remain alive to the reality that the onus of escalatory spiral and its ensuing consequences shall squarely lie with India," he said.

• Türkiye becomes strategic partner in Three Seas Initiative

Türkiye has become the strategic partner of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

The Three Seas Initiative brings together the presidents of countries located between the Adriatic, Baltic, and Black Seas to promote cooperation. The aim is to strengthen the European Union's cohesion by improving infrastructure, energy, and economic cooperation among Central European countries.

Member states approved Türkiye's application for strategic partnership at the 10th summit, which was held in Warsaw, Poland's capital, on Monday and Tuesday.

• UN chief slams Israel's Gaza blockade, warns humanitarian relief 'non-negotiable'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday criticized Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip for more than two months.

Speaking at the Security Council's open debate on Palestine, Guterres said he was "alarmed" by statements from Israeli officials suggesting humanitarian aid could be leveraged as a military tactic.

"Aid is non-negotiable," he said, adding that "Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them."

Guterres said the situation remains dire, with "no end in sight to the killing and misery."

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NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday expressed his belief that Italy, which he said has supported the country's EU membership bid "from the very beginning," will continue to do so.
  
  
• 3 Chinese astronauts return to Earth as Shenzhou-19 spaceship capsule lands at Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: State media.
  
  
• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Mexico announced Tuesday the closure of four of its offices in the country, citing US President Donald Trump’s cuts to overseas aid as the cause.
  
  
• A British representative to the UN on Tuesday expressed concern over resumed Israeli attacks and blockade of aid delivery to Gaza, warning Palestinians, including 1 million children, are facing starvation, disease, and death.
  
  
• Palestine warned on Tuesday that Gaza is enduring relentless bombardment coupled with a deprivation of basic necessities, accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against civilians.
  
  
• The French foreign minister on Tuesday expressed concern over the continued Israeli attacks, saying the resumption of strikes "must shock us."
  
  
• United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for the world leaders to prevent a looming “total humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
  
  
• A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit near the southwestern New Zealand town of Bluff, the US Geological Survey said.
  
  
• At least 22 people were killed while three others were injured due to a fire at a restaurant in China, state media reported.
  
  
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday urged Italian companies to see Türkiye as a gateway to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, just like Turkish firms see Italy as a gateway to Europe.
  
  
• Police confirmed that three victims are dead Tuesday after a shooting in Uppsala, Sweden's fourth-largest city, with the perpetrator still at large, according to media reports.

SPORTS

• Lev Gonov wins stage 3 of 60th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye

Lev Gonov of the XDS Astana Development Team sealed the win Tuesday in the third stage of 60th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye.

The 25-year-old rider completed the 175.9 kilometer (108-mile) Fethiye-Marmaris track in 4 hours, 22 minutes and 44 seconds ahead of 160 cyclists.

Gonov said winning the stage was a big surprise that made him very happy.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye, Italy sign joint declaration at 4th intergovernmental summit

Türkiye and Italy signed a joint declaration Tuesday following the 4th Italy-Türkiye Intergovernmental Summit held in Rome.

“Italy and Türkiye, as NATO Allies and partners in the G20, will continue their close cooperation and coordination on regional and international matters,” the declaration said, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Noting that the two countries make important contributions to global peace and stability in Europe and beyond, the declaration said they aim at enhancing their cooperation via “regular consultations at all levels.”

• World Bank expects global commodity prices to fall to 6-year low in 2026

The World Bank said Tuesday that global commodity prices are expected to fall to six-year low figures next year on weakening economic growth combined with abundant oil supplies.

"Commodity prices are set to fall sharply this year, by about 12% overall, as weakening global economic growth weighs on demand," it said in its Commodity Markets Outlook report.

In 2026, commodity prices are projected to decline by another 5%, reaching a six-year low.