Morning Briefing: Aug. 30, 2025

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including an Israeli soldier killed near Gaza City following intense clashes with Hamas; US blocking Palestinian officials from attending the UN General Assembly; and the Turkish parliament passing a motion condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli soldier killed, 11 wounded in intense fighting near Gaza City as 4 remain missing

One Israeli soldier was killed and 11 wounded in intense fighting in Gaza City's Al-Zeitoun neighborhood, with four soldiers missing, Roya News reported.

Fierce battles, accompanied by airstrikes and heavy artillery fire, are taking place in Gaza City's outer neighborhoods as Israel attempts to occupy the city, Israeli media reported.

The Israeli military has imposed a publication ban until further notice

• US blocks Palestinian officials from attending UNGA as countries prepare to recognize Palestine

The US has revoked visas for Palestinian officials, barring them from attending next month's United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, a move that comes as several Western countries prepare to recognize a Palestinian state.

"In accordance with U.S. law, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the  Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly," the State Department said in a statement.

• Turkish parliament passes motion condemning Israel’s Gaza actions as genocide

Türkiye’s parliament adopted a parliamentary motion condemning Israel’s expanded occupation in Gaza and its genocide against the Palestinians.

The motion said Israel’s decades-long policies of occupation, destruction and annexation against the Palestinian people have turned into genocide in Gaza over the past two years.

“We urge that Israel’s membership in the UN and other international bodies be suspended until it halts its genocidal policies,” it said in its memorandum, adding that all national parliaments should cut military and commercial ties with Israel and work to lift the embargo imposed on Palestine.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The mass displacement of Palestinians from northeastern Gaza City began as Israeli forces escalated attacks from the north and south, bombarding entire neighborhoods.
• US President Donald Trump vowed that tariffs would remain in effect despite a federal appeals court ruling that rejected his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping trade tariffs.
• The US State Department approved the potential $179.1 million foreign military sale to Ukraine for Patriot air defense system sustainment and related equipment.
• The British government has barred Israeli officials from attending a leading defense conference in London next month.
• Twenty-six EU member states, except Hungary, condemned recent Russian strikes on Kyiv and vowed to speed up a 19th sanctions package against Moscow.
• The foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain condemned Israel’s latest offensive in the Gaza Strip and its announcement to establish a permanent presence in Gaza City.
• France and Germany condemned "all attempts" to annex and reoccupy parts of Palestinian territory to increase settlement construction, and expressed "shock" over the insufferable human toll in the Gaza Strip.
• The UK, speaking on behalf of France, Germany and the UK (the E3), said their extension offer to Iran on snapback measures "remains on the table," while urging Tehran to address international concerns about its nuclear program.
• Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed from office suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after finding her guilty of an ethics violation.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Direct road transport between Türkiye, Syria resumes after 13 years

The direct road transport between Türkiye and Syria restarted after a 13-year pause, Türkiye's transport minister announced.

"After a 13-year hiatus, direct international road transport between Türkiye and Syria has resumed. Yesterday, four trucks passed through the Cilvegozu Border Gate, traveling from Mersin to Aleppo, and three trucks from Idlib to Mersin," Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a statement.

• World’s largest 7 firms post $143B profit in Q2

The world’s seven largest companies --Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Nvidia and Tesla -- collectively reported a net profit of $143 billion in the second quarter, according to financial statements.

The firms, often referred to as the "Magnificent 7," saw a 27.6% increase in net profits year-on-year and a 3.5% increase from the previous quarter.

The combined revenues reached $551.4 billion, marking a 15.4% increase compared to the same quarter last year, and a 6.6% increase from the previous quarter.