Morning Briefing: April 26, 2025

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including the World Food Programme saying the agency food stocks have run out; a car explosion that killed a senior Russian military chief and Jeffrey Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre dies by suicide.

TOP STORIES

• World Food Programme runs out of food stocks in Gaza as Israeli aid blockade nears 2 months

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it has "depleted all food stocks" for families in Gaza as border crossings remain closed since March 2.

"Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in the Gaza Strip," the agency said in a statement.

It noted that the kitchens, a vital lifeline providing only half the population with 25% of daily food needs, are expected to fully run out of supplies within days.

• Russian senior military chief killed in Moscow car explosion

The Russian Investigative Committee reported that a senior military officer was killed in a car explosion in the Moscow region.

Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for the committee, confirmed that Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, was in the vehicle when an explosive device detonated.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that officials have "reason to believe" that Ukraine's special services were involved in the killing, citing Moskalik's participation in talks earlier on the conflict in the Donbas region.

• Jeffrey Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre dies by suicide at age 41

Virginia Giuffre, who became a leading voice against sexual trafficking after surviving abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, died by suicide at the age of 41, her family confirmed.

Giuffre died at her farm in Neergabby in Western Australia, according to a statement provided to NBC News.

Giuffre was among the earliest accusers to publicly challenge Epstein and his associates, including British financier Ghislaine Maxwell and Britain's Prince Andrew.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US President Donald Trump said he is open to meeting leaders from longtime US rival Iran, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian.
• Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula "will stay with Russia" as part of any agreement to end the Kremlin's war on its eastern European neighbor, US President Donald Trump said.
• An updated travel advice urged Canadians to exercise "a high degree of caution" when visiting India, citing security concerns including terrorism and civil unrest.
• The suspect accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court.
• Russia said the latest round of talks between President Vladimir Putin and US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff were “constructive and useful.”
• Ukraine said it detained a ship that it claimed exported grain stolen from its territories under Russian control late last year.
• Pakistani paramilitary rangers held an Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) trooper who allegedly crossed into Pakistani territory earlier this week.
• Pakistan's Senate adopted a resolution rejecting India's accusation that Islamabad was linked to a deadly attack Tuesday and vowed a tough response to any "provocation."
• Syria's new flag was raised alongside the flags of member states at UN headquarters in New York.
• Türkiye and Russia held consultations on the Middle East at the deputy foreign minister level in Istanbul.
• Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, said its armed wing killed and wounded four Israeli soldiers in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.
• Taiwan ordered the detention of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party Taipei branch head on charges of alleged election forgery.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Amazon fined in Japan for counterfeit product sales

A Japanese court fined the Japanese unit of Amazon 35 million yen ($244,000) for enabling the sale of counterfeit products on its platform, in a landmark ruling that reinforces the responsibilities of online marketplaces to protect sellers and consumers.

The Tokyo District Court found Amazon Japan liable for not taking sufficient action to prevent the sale of fake pulse oximeters, medical devices used to measure blood oxygen levels, even after being notified about the issue. The court said Amazon failed to remove counterfeit listings in 2021 despite being aware they were fake, a decision that ultimately affected the sales of genuine items.

• Japan unveils emergency economic package after Trump tariffs

Japanese unveiled emergency economic measures to counter the effect of US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

The relief package consists of five pillars, including support for corporate financing and steps to stimulate consumption, meant to alleviate concern that the US levies could weigh on Japan's exports and take a heavy toll on the broader economy.