ISTANBUL 

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including the US government shutting down, Israeli forces killing dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, and the latest on the Global Sumud Flotilla's journey towards Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• US government shuts down amid impasse between Trump, Democrats

The wheels of government ground to a halt early Wednesday as negotiations between US President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats to fund the government failed to reach an agreement.

Negotiators had until midnight Tuesday to reach an understanding, but the deadline came and went with major differences persisting.

Democrats have sought to include health care reforms as part of any budget bill, including a reversal of part of Trump's signature tax law that established cuts to Medicaid funding, as well as an extension of subsidies under the US' quasi-universal health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans are instead demanding a "clean" continuing resolution devoid of any changes to existing spending.

• At least 58 Palestinians killed in fresh Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip

At least 58 Palestinians, including a pregnant woman, a child and a journalist, were killed Tuesday in new Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, medics said.

In southern Gaza, one Palestinian, his pregnant wife, and his child were killed when the Israeli army shelled a tent sheltering displaced civilians in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis.

Two Palestinians waiting for aid were shot dead by the army near the Morag axis in Khan Younis in the south.

The Israeli army has killed nearly 66,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has rendered the enclave uninhabitable and led to starvation and the spread of diseases.​​

• Large warship spotted near location of Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla vessels

A large warship was spotted early Wednesday near the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla as its organizers reported a state of high alert at sea.

Contact has been restored with the Alma ship after being lost for a short time, said an Al Jazeera correspondent on board the flotilla.

According to the correspondent, an Israeli vessel came within just five feet of the Alma, the lead ship in the flotilla, and jammed all of its communication systems as well as its engine, rendering them inoperative.

He added that participants on board the Alma threw their phones into the sea in line with established security protocols.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday welcomed US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
  
  
• A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the Cebu region of the Philippines, leaving at least 61 people dead and more than 140 injured, local media reported Wednesday.
  
  
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his party delegates that his government backs US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel's war on Gaza.
  
  
• US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is giving Hamas three to four days to respond to his 20-point Gaza peace plan, warning of dire consequences if the group rejects it.
  
  
• South Africa’s ambassador to France was found dead Tuesday outside a hotel in Paris after reportedly jumping from the building’s 22nd floor, according to French media.
  
  
• Palestinian group Hamas has pledged to study US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza “responsibly,” Qatar said on Tuesday.
  
  
• The Israeli government unanimously approved on Tuesday evening the appointment of Maj. Gen. David Zini as head of the Israeli security agency Shin Bet despite opposition objections.
  
  
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday promised political and financial support for US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
  
  
• Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said Tuesday his government is ready to assume responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and is working to unify institutions with the West Bank.
  
  
• The UN Security Council on Tuesday approved a draft resolution authorizing the transition of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti to a Gang Suppression Force (GSF) for 12 months.
  
  
• At least one person was killed and 28 injured in Ukraine in a Russian drone strike on the city of Dnipro, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration said Tuesday.
  
  ​​​​​​​
  
• The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Tuesday that its fighters killed and wounded several Israeli soldiers in an attack in Gaza City.
  
  
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a range of issues Tuesday, including a planned UN resolution on Ukrainian children taken to Russia, the crisis at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace proposal.

SPORTS

• Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0 in UEFA Champions League clash

Galatasaray secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in a thrilling UEFA Champions League fixture Tuesday.

Despite both sides pressing forward, it was Galatasaray who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. Victor Osimhen converted from the penalty spot after Baris Alper Yilmaz was brought down inside the box in the 14th minute, putting the home side ahead at Rams Park in the League phase matchday 2 clash.

The second half saw both teams create dangerous opportunities, making for a fast-paced contest. In the 90th minute, the match took a dramatic turn when Wilfried Singo was judged to have fouled a Liverpool player inside the box, resulting in a penalty. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned and the spot-kick was canceled.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump announces major drug price deal with Pfizer

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Pfizer agreed to provide significant discounts on a range of prescription medications in the US.

"Pfizer has agreed to offer countless prescription medications and major discounts in the United States as a result of the most favored nation drug pricing model that we established early this year," Trump said in the Oval Office.

The pharmaceutical company will provide some of its "most popular" medications to all Americans at heavily discounted prices of 50%-100% off, said Trump.

• Russia extends gasoline export ban till end of 2025

Russia extended on Tuesday a temporary ban on gasoline exports and introduced limits on other fuels until Dec. 31.

The government in a statement said the decision is meant to “maintain a stable situation in the domestic fuel market.”

A separate resolution restricts exports of diesel, marine fuel and other gasoils, including volumes bought on exchanges, with the measures taking effect the day after official publication and remaining in force through the end of 2025.