Morning Briefing: Sept. 27, 2025

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including US President Donald Trump saying "intense" talks are underway regarding a deal in Gaza; Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, Peter Thiel being named in new Epstein documents; and US, UK, and France vetoing UN Security Council resolution to delay "snapback" sanctions on Iran.

TOP STORIES

• 'Intense' talks underway on Gaza, says Trump

US President Donald Trump said Friday: "We are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza."

"Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

All countries in the region are participating, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas is aware of the discussions, and Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been informed at every level, he said.

• Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, Peter Thiel named in new Epstein documents

A new trove of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released Friday, mentions several high-profile Americans, including tech billionaires and advisors to US President Trump.

The documents from Epstein's estate published by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee name the one-time head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk, advisor Steven Bannon, tech mogul Peter Thiel, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, and British Prince Andrew.

• US, UK, France veto UN Security Council resolution to delay 'snapback' sanctions on Iran

The UN Security Council on Friday vetoed a draft resolution to extend the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program until April 18, 2026.

The draft resolution, submitted by Russia and China, aimed to also delay the "snapback" mechanism of sanctions against Iran, which is set to take effect on Sept 28, that France and the UK had triggered.

The draft resolution received only four votes in favor, as it received nine votes against with two abstentions.

Nine members of the council, namely the UK, France, Denmark, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Panama, the US, Greece, and Somalia, voted against.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US will revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro for making “reckless and incendiary” remarks during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York, the State Department announced.

• The president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said it is time for a new approach that takes into account the realities on the ground for a solution to the Cyprus issue.

• The US administration requested that the Supreme Court issue a ruling on the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order seeking to end automatic birthright citizenship.

• Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said his country is no longer isolated and the international community supports its unity and stability while rejecting calls for partition.

• Russia and China expressed regret after the UN Security Council rejected their draft resolution to delay the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, as the US and UK defended the move as necessary.

• A 12-day joint counterterrorism exercise between the Pakistani Army and the Russian Armed Forces, dubbed "Druzhba-VIII," will conclude on Saturday, according to the military's media wing.

• Iraq rejected remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu threatening to target what he called “militias” in Iraq, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said.

• US President Donald Trump’s response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal on extending compliance with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is expected this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

• Hamas announced Friday that it is willing to step aside from ruling the Gaza Strip but stressed that it is an inseparable part of the Palestinian people.

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues, in a phone call on Friday.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

• German airline Lufthansa plans to lay off thousands of administrative staff

The German airline Lufthansa Group is reportedly preparing to lay off a significant portion of its administrative staff as part of a major cost-cutting initiative.

According to German media reports, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr announced the need to reduce administrative costs by 20% at an internal company meeting today.

The company's cost-cutting plan is expected to affect 20% of its approximately 15,000 administrative staff.

Lufthansa has not made a statement regarding the layoffs, but is expected to announce the cost-cutting plan at its capital markets day on Sept. 29.