Rabia Ali
26 August 2025•Update: 26 August 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, with Israeli strikes killing 52 Palestinians in Gaza, including journalists, Australia expelling Iranian ambassador over antisemitic allegations, and worldwide condemnation of a deadly Israeli attack on journalists in Gaza.
TOP STORIES
- Israeli strikes kill 52 Palestinians in Gaza, including 6 journalists
At least 52 Palestinians, including six journalists, were killed Monday and dozens were injured in fresh Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to medics.
The Health Ministry said 20 people were killed, including six journalists and a firefighter, in an Israeli attack on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The ministry said the Israeli army hit the fourth floor of one of the complex’s buildings with two airstrikes, noting that the second strike occurred as rescue teams arrived to evacuate the wounded and recover the dead.
Official Palestine TV reported that among the deceased was its cameraman Hussam al-Masri, while Qatari channel Al Jazeera confirmed that its photographer Mohammad Salama was also killed.
A medical source cited by Anadolu also confirmed the death of photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga, while another photojournalist, Moaz Abu Taha, was also killed in the Israeli strike.
- Australia expels Iranian envoy, accuses Tehran of antisemitic attacks
Australia on Tuesday expelled the Iranian ambassador and suspended diplomatic operations in Tehran after intelligence concluded that Iran directed a series of antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, according to the Australian prime minister.
Announcing the decision, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) had gathered “credible intelligence” linking the Iranian government to attacks on Sydney’s Lewis Continental Kitchen and Melbourne’s Adas Israel Synagogue last year.
"ASIO has now gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion that the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. Iran has sought to disguise its involvement," he said in a video message.
Albanese also announced to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
- Deadly Israeli strike sparks global condemnation over journalists' death in Gaza
Israel's attack on Palestinians that killed six journalists on Monday has triggered international outcry with several countries and human rights organizations condemning the brutal attack.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday slammed the Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital, stating that the ruthless Benjamin Netanyahu government is "relentlessly" continuing its brutal assaults to destroy everything that belongs to humanity.
Sweden on Monday said the recent Israeli strikes on Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex are "unacceptable." Canada's Foreign Ministry on Monday denounced the latest Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, describing it as "unacceptable."
"Canada is horrified by the Israeli military strike at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed 5 journalists and many civilians, including rescuers and health officials," it said through the US social media company X. The Swiss Foreign Ministry on Monday "strongly condemned" the recent Israeli strikes on Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the latest Israeli attacks on Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip.
- US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he wants to revitalize American shipbuilding for both economic and national security reasons, saying Washington will start building shipyards and ships again, and that South Korea is considering coming to the country with “some shipyards” to start the process.
- Trump expressed displeasure Monday at a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex, and told reporters in the Oval Office: "I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it. ... At the same time, we have to end that nightmare. I'm the one that got the hostages out."
- At least 63 people have died since mid-July in a cholera outbreak in eastern Chad's Ouaddai province, the Central African country’s Health Ministry said Monday.
- Trump said Monday that he would sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "at some point" again following their historic meetings during his first term.
- Venezuela's interior minister announced Monday that 15,000 troops would be deployed to the western states of Zulia and Tachira, which border Colombia.
- Israel announced late Monday that it is downgrading diplomatic relations with Brazil and declaring President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva persona non grata following Brasilia's refusal to approve the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador.
- A member of Libya’s Presidency Council held talks on Monday in Tripoli with EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando to discuss ways to support a UN roadmap for the country’s elections and irregular migration.
- Six Yemenis died Monday after being swept away by flash floods in the southeastern Shabwah province, pushing the death toll from floods to 14 since last week.
- Indonesia on Monday launched the largest multinational combat military drills, including participants from the US.
- French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced Monday that he will ask for a confidence vote from the parliament in September as he aims to make savings of nearly €44 billion ($51 billion) in the 2026 budget.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said his country expects the key foundations of Ukraine's security to be defined “shortly,” as he held talks with US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
- The UN on Monday warned that humanitarian aid convoys in the Gaza Strip continue to face restrictions and obstructions imposed by Israeli authorities, hampering life-saving operations.
- The European commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management called on Israel to stop killing journalists over its airstrikes on Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex that killed 20 people, including six journalists and a firefighter.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Trump removes Fed Governor Lisa Cook 'effective immediately'
US President Trump announced Monday that he has removed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position, citing allegations of mortgage fraud.
In a letter shared on the US social media company Truth Social, which he owns, Trump told Cook, “You are hereby removed from your position on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, effective immediately.”
He said there was “sufficient cause” for her dismissal, pointing to a criminal referral that alleged Cook signed conflicting mortgage documents for properties in the states of Michigan and Georgia.
- Russia extends gasoline export ban
Russia announced on Monday that the gasoline export ban will be extended due to the continued rise in prices.
A written statement from the Russian Ministry of Energy stated that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and several officials met in Moscow to discuss gasoline prices in the country.
The statement noted increased summer demand for gasoline and increased use in the agricultural sector, and that the ban on gasoline exports will be extended.
