Morning Briefing: May 6, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday, including Israel's plan of expanding Gaza war and occupying the strip, Israel's airstrikes in Yemen, Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance sealing coalition deal with Social Democrats, and Turkish President Erdogan and US counterpart Donald Trump discussing regional issues on a phone call.

TOP STORIES

• Israel approves plan to expand Gaza onslaught, occupy territories

Israel’s Security Cabinet unanimously approved a plan early Monday to expand its ongoing military onslaught on the Gaza Strip and occupy territories inside the enclave.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Cabinet approved "the operational plan" submitted by army chief Eyal Zamir to "defeat Hamas" and return Israeli captives held in Gaza.

According to the statement, the plan requires the army “to conquer Gaza and hold the territory under its control.”

Israeli Channel 12 said the plan also includes the forcible relocation of Palestinians from northern Gaza to the south.

• Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen

Israel carried out airstrikes in Yemen a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened retaliation over a missile fired by Yemeni Houthis that landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, an Israeli official said Monday evening.

Israel’s Channel 12 quoted an unnamed Israeli official as saying: “Israel is now conducting an attack in Yemen.” The network cited reports saying that about 30 Israeli warplanes took part in bombing the western port city of Al Hudaydah.

The channel reported that the Israeli Air Force launched 48 strikes on targets in Yemen, including what an Israeli official described as a “massive blow” to the city’s port.

• Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance seals coalition deal with Social Democrats

German Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) officially signed a coalition deal with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) on Monday, paving the way for a new government after weeks of negotiations.

Conservative leader and Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz said the new coalition government would take on historic responsibility for Germany’s future amid growing challenges in national security and economic stability.

After Monday's signing ceremony, the German parliament will convene Tuesday to elect Merz as the country's new chancellor, replacing Social Democrat Olaf Scholz. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance and the SPD finalized their coalition agreement last month, with party governing bodies and members officially approving the deal last week.

• Turkish President Erdogan, US' Trump discuss regional, global issues, including Gaza crisis

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump on Monday discussed regional and global issues, as well as bilateral ties, said the country's Communications Directorate.

In a phone call, Erdogan invited Trump to visit Türkiye.

The Turkish leader told Trump that Ankara will continue to take steps to advance cooperation with Washington, especially in the defense industry area.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a "grave level,” Erdogan told Trump, voicing Ankara's readiness to provide support for the delivery of aid and forging a lasting peace.

NEWS IN BRIEF​​​​​​​

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday conveyed his concern over reports of a planned expansion of Israel's occupation in Gaza, warning of more deaths of civilians and more destruction.
  
  
• Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu resigned Monday after far-right candidate George Simion won the first round of a re-run presidential election over the weekend while his own candidate crashed out of the race.
  
  
• Pakistan’s UN envoy said Monday that sustainable peace in South Asia hinges on the UN Security Council implementing its own resolutions.
  
  
• Israel aims to fully occupy the Gaza Strip through its renewed onslaught on the enclave, Culture Minister Miki Zohar said Monday.
  
  
• The premier of Alberta said Monday that a referendum could be held next year on the province separating from Canada if residents can gather the required number of signatures in a citizen-led petition.
  
  
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed deep concern over rising tensions between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to avoid escalation.
  
  
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jordan’s King Abdullah II met Monday in Washington, DC to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the situation in the Gaza Strip.
  
  
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Sudan accusing the United Arab Emirates of involvement in genocide in western Darfur province.
  
  
• The US on Monday voiced support for an Israeli plan to take charge of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza.

SPORTS

• Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave club after 20 years

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will depart the club at the end of the season when his contract expires on June 30, ending a 20-year association with the Premier League giants.

The 26-year-old, who joined Liverpool’s academy at age 6, has made 352 senior appearances and scored 23 goals since debuting for the first team in 2016.

“After giving my all every day for 20 years, I’ve come to a point where I feel I need a change -- a new challenge as a footballer and as a human being,” Alexander-Arnold said in a statement released by the club.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Ford halts 2025 guidance due to expected $1.5B impact from tariffs

US auto giant Ford Motor Company suspended its financial guidance in its 2025 full-year forecasts Monday due to an anticipated $1.5 billion impact from President Donald Trump's tariffs this year, despite beating first-quarter expectations in revenue and profit.

The company said in a statement that it expects "a tariff-related net adverse adjusted EBIT impact of about $1.5 billion for full year 2025, subject to ongoing tariff-related policy developments."

"Due to tariff-related uncertainty, company suspends financial guidance, including full year adjusted EBIT and adjusted free cash flow," the statement said.

• US media companies' shares fall after Trump threatens tariffs on foreign movies

Shares of US media companies fell Monday after US President Donald Trump announced his plans to impose a 100% import tariff on all films produced in countries outside the US.

Shares of Netflix, the US-based streamer with a global production network that produces content for a global audience, fell 1.66% as of 1615GMT.

Broadcasting platform Paramount's shares lost over 1%, while Warner Bros Discovery's shares dropped 1.52%.