Gizem Nisa Demir
18 July 2025•Update: 18 July 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including the US warning of steep tariffs on Russia without a Ukraine ceasefire, Slovenia’s move to ban two Israeli ministers over Gaza, and an Israeli airstrike that injured civilians at a Catholic church in Gaza City.
TOP STORIES
- Russia to face ‘very steep’ tariffs if it does not agree to ceasefire within 50 days: White House
Russia will face "very steep" tariffs if it does not agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine within 50 days, the White House said.
"Well, in 50 days, as clearly laid out, if there is not a ceasefire agreement or a peace deal within that time frame, if Russia refuses to legitimately agree to a ceasefire, then they will face very steep tariffs, and they will also face secondary sanctions.
"So countries that are purchasing oil from Russia will be sanctioned as well, and of course, that will do deep damage to Russia's economy," spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
- Slovenia to ban Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich over 'unbearable situation' in Gaza
Slovenia will become the first EU member state to formally declare two Israeli ministers persona non grata, citing their role in what it called the "unbearable situation" in Gaza, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon announced.
"After today's government session, we have adopted the decision to declare the Israeli Minister of National Security (Itamar Ben-Gvir) and the Finance Minister (Bezalel Smotrich) as persona non grata in the Republic of Slovenia," Fajon said, according to a post shared by the Slovenian Foreign Ministry on X.
"This is pressure on the Israeli government to improve the unbearable situation in Gaza and end the suffering of civilians," she said.
- Several injured as Israeli warplanes strike Catholic church in Gaza City
The Israeli army struck a Catholic church in the northern Gaza Strip, causing injuries among civilians, according to an Anadolu reporter.
Fighter jets hit the Catholic Holy Family Church in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, injuring several displaced civilians sheltering at the church, including the parish priest, Gabriel Romanelli, he said.
Romanelli was transferred to the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital to receive medical treatment for his leg injury, witnesses said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Israeli warplanes launched a new airstrike in southern Syria’s Suwayda city, Syrian media said.
- US President Donald Trump said he asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to release Grand Jury testimony related to the government investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar stressed that formal negotiations on the Cyprus issue will not resume unless the sovereign equality and international status of Turkish Cypriots are recognized.
- The US said it is "actively working" with Türkiye and other international allies to support "a peaceful and inclusive resolution" in Syria.
- US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a recent strike on a Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, the White House said.
- Armed Druze groups in southern Syria’s Suwayda province have reportedly forced dozens of Bedouin families to flee their homes, despite a cease-fire agreement between local factions and the Syrian government.
- The Hikmat al-Hajri group, which is fighting against the Syrian government in the southern province of Suwayda, has demanded the opening of a corridor into the territory occupied by the PKK/YPG terror group.
- The UK and Germany signed a landmark "Friendship and Cooperation Treaty" aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across defense, foreign policy, economic cooperation and migration.
- Pakistan has deployed army helicopters and declared a state of emergency in several districts of eastern Punjab province following heavy rains and widespread flooding that claimed more than 60 lives in the past 24 hours, authorities said.
- Two people were killed and two others injured in fresh Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement, the Health Ministry said.
- Ukraine’s parliament voted to approve Yulia Svyrydenko’s nomination as the country’s new prime minister.
- Nearly 50 people were killed and injured in a shopping center fire in eastern Iraq, according to local media.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo summoned Uganda’s ambassador over Kampala’s recent decision to reopen its land borders with eastern Congo in positions controlled by the M23 rebels.
- US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a chronic vein disorder, the White House said, after pictures of his swollen legs circulated on social media.
- A former Canadian pilot was charged with hijacking a small aircraft earlier this week in what authorities said was driven by ideological motives related to climate change, according to a report.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Germany's Merz speaks positively about potential Eurofighter sale to Türkiye
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled that progress is being made toward a potential sale of Eurofighter jets to NATO ally Türkiye.
Speaking at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Merz emphasized that the UK-Germany "friendship treaty" signed on Thursday will strengthen defense ties and enhance cooperation in the defense industry.
Asked if the treaty would facilitate the export of jointly produced defense products like Eurofighter jets and whether Berlin would approve the potential sale to Türkiye, Merz indicated progress.
- Baghdad, Erbil reach oil deal to resume exports after halting shipments in 2023
Iraq announced that it reached an agreement with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to resolve a long-running dispute over crude oil exports from the northern region.
The deal could potentially end a suspension that has cost more than $25 billion in lost revenue.
The KRG will immediately begin delivering its full oil output to Iraq’s state oil marketing company SOMO, according to a statement from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office.
