Yasin Gungor
29 August 2025•Update: 29 August 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including E3 countries triggering the snapback mechanism for UN sanctions to Iran; UK, EU summoning Russian envoys following Kyiv attacks and a US naval group arriving in the southern Caribbean amid Venezuela tensions.
TOP STORIES
- UK, France, Germany trigger mechanism for reinstating UN sanctions in dispute over Iran's nuclear program
Germany, France, and the UK on Thursday triggered the mechanism for reinstating UN sanctions in the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
“As a result of Iran’s actions…France, Germany and the United Kingdom have today decided to notify the Security Council that we believe Iran is in significant non-performance of its commitments under the JCPoA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), thereby engaging the 'snapback' mechanism,” the three countries said in a joint statement.
“This notification…opens a 30-day period before the possible reestablishment of previously terminated United Nations Security Council resolutions,” it added.
- UK, EU summon respective Russian envoys over Kyiv attacks
The UK and EU summoned the Russian envoys following the latest airstrikes on Kyiv, killing at least 21 and injuring 48 others.
"Putin’s strikes last night killed civilians, destroyed homes and damaged buildings, including the British Council and EU Delegation in Kyiv," UK Foreign Minister David Lammy said
"No diplomatic mission should ever be a target. In response, we are summoning the Russian envoy in Brussels," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
At least 14 people, including three children, were killed and 48 others injured in a Russian attack on Kyiv early Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities.
- US naval group begins arriving in southern Caribbean amid Venezuela tensions
A US naval group consisting of seven warships and a fast-attack submarine has begun to arrive in the southern Caribbean, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Anadolu on Thursday amid heightened US-Venezuela tensions.
The source, who confirmed the matter on condition of anonymity, said some of the ships have already arrived with others set to make their way to the region in the coming weeks. Additional details were not immediately available.
The White House said earlier Thursday that President Donald Trump is fully prepared to use every element of American power against Venezuela.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Security Council and participants of the Iran nuclear deal to continue negotiations.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned about the devastating consequences of Israel's military actions to take over Gaza City, while sounding an alarm about the worsening humanitarian "catastrophe" in the enclave.
- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sacked Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui.
- South Korean special prosecutors indicted former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on charges of supporting ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt and separately indicted former first lady Kim Keon Hee on corruption charges.
- Canada and India appointed new high commissioners to each other's countries as diplomatic relations begin recovering from tensions over the alleged assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
- The UN Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of its Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a "final" 16-month period, aiming for "an orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal" of UN forces.
- The US State Department has approved the potential sale of air-delivered munitions and related equipment to Ukraine, with an estimated cost of $825 million.
- Ukraine said that at least 21 people were killed in a major overnight Russian attack on Kyiv that has been condemned by European leaders, with local authorities confirming damage across all districts of the capital.
- Two army personnel were killed and two others injured after an Israeli drone exploded while being inspected in southern Lebanon on Thursday, the military said.
BUSINNESS & ECONOMY
- US economy expands by 3.3% in Q2, exceeding estimates
The US economy expanded by 3.3% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of the year, exceeding the preliminary estimate of 3%.
The increase in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected a decrease in imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, and an increase in consumer spending, the bureau said.
- Syria, Saudi Arabia sign 6 energy agreements
Syria and Saudi Arabia inked an agreement and six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) across multiple energy sectors on Thursday.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the agreements include cooperation in power projects, transmission and distribution stations, geophysical and geological surveys, oilfield services, drilling, and maintenance of wells.
SPORTS
- Musandam International Diving Festival ends with focus on eco-tourism, future expansion
The Musandam International Diving Festival wrapped up on Thursday in Khasab after four days of competitions, exhibitions, and environmental activities aimed at promoting Oman’s northern waters as a global diving destination.
The inaugural event brought together professional and amateur divers, adventure seekers and photographers from multiple countries for activities ranging from kayaking challenges to deep-water exploration at Musandam's most challenging dive sites.
