ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Trump saying a 'larger number of ships' are headed to Iran and signaling a hope for a deal; the US Justice Department releasing more than 3 million pages in the Epstein investigation; and new Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon

TOP STORIES

• Trump says 'larger number of ships' heading toward Iran, signals hope for deal

US President Donald Trump said a sizable American naval force is headed to Iran, signaling hope for a deal with Tehran but also leaving options open.

"We have a large Armada, flotilla ... heading toward Iran right now, even larger than what we had in Venezuela," Trump said at the White House.

He reiterated that the US is sending "actually, a larger number of ships" to Iran.

"Hopefully, we'll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that's good. If we don't make a deal. We'll see what happens," he added.

• US Justice Department releases over 3M pages in Epstein investigation

The US Justice Department released more than 3 million pages of records related to its investigation into disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday.

Blanche said the release includes more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, adding that the Trump administration has produced roughly 3.5 million pages to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The law, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last year, required the Justice Department to disclose all unclassified material tied to its investigation into Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell by Dec. 19.

• Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon

Fresh Israeli airstrikes targeted several locations in southern Lebanon, hitting areas near Zahrani and other rural sites despite a ceasefire, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.

The National News Agency (NNA) reported that a series of Israeli strikes targeted villages in the Zahrani district, with explosions heard as far away as the coastal city of Sidon.

Separately, the agency said other airstrikes targeted a valley between al-Mseilih, Tuffahata and al-Najjariyah in southern Lebanon.

No casualties were reported.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The UN said winter conditions in the Gaza Strip are turning deadly as 11 children have died from hypothermia; it renewed calls to lift Israeli restrictions on humanitarian operations.
• The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure against Slovakia, accusing it of breaching EU rules designed to protect whistleblowers.
• Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles, his attorney said.
• The US could face its first population decline as early as 2026, decades sooner than previously projected, largely due to a sharp drop in immigration under President Donald Trump’s policies.
• Extreme heat, severe cold and intense rainfall hit countries across all regions in January, highlighting the growing risks posed by climate-driven weather extremes and the need for stronger early warning systems, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.
• India and Venezuela agreed to “further deepen and expand bilateral partnership,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he spoke to Delcy Rodriguez, acting president of the South American country.
• The US Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials and financial networks.
• French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu invoked Article 49.3 of the Constitution for the third and last time to push through the 2026 state budget.
• The Syrian government and the YPG terror organization reached a new comprehensive agreement that includes a ceasefire and a framework for the group’s gradual integration into military and administrative structures, Syrian state television reported.
• South Korea and Japan agreed to resume naval search and rescue drills after a nine-year break, officials said.
• Russia claimed its forces have taken control of three settlements across two regions of Ukraine, according to a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry.
• Iraq has intensified diplomatic efforts to help defuse rising tensions between the US and Iran, positioning itself as a mediator to avert a potential military confrontation and prevent wider regional instability, Iraqi media reported.
• The British prime minister said China has lifted "all restrictions" on six current members of the UK Parliament after talks with President Xi Jinping.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Gold prices down over 10%, following Trump’s Fed statement

Gold prices, after continuously increasing for around 10 weeks, posted a sharp decline.

As of 1830GMT, the ounce price of gold hit $4,775, down around 11% day on day.

But gold has surged roughly 88% over the past 12 months and about 19% since the start of the year, supported by heightened trade and geopolitical tensions as well as interest rate cuts by major central banks.

Silver prices also plummeted by over 33% to $76.1 per ounce. Its 12-month surge was at 255.6%.

• Poverty grips nearly 2 million in Israel, report finds

Nearly 2 million people in Israel are living below the poverty line, including around 880,000 children, according to official data, highlighting a deepening social crisis amid war, rising living costs and slowing economic growth.

The figures were published in Israel’s 2024 Poverty Report by the National Insurance Institute, which said the country’s population exceeds 10 million, with Palestinians accounting for about 21%.

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