Morning Briefing: Oct. 23, 2026

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including US President Donald Trump suggesting that Washington may carry out further strikes on Iran, 7.0-magnitude earthquake killing several in Tibet’s Nagqu City, Turkish foreign minister hosting top diplomats in R4, R4+E3 meetings in Istanbul, and France on 'maximum level of vigilance' ahead of Oct. 24 demonstrations.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says US ‘may do it a little bit further’ in Iran

US President Donald Trump suggested that Washington may carry out further strikes on Iran, saying the US had “knocked the hell out of them.”

“This should have been done a long time ago by other presidents, the Iran war, and we’ve knocked the hell out of them, and we may do it a little bit further,” Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a campaign rally in Iowa.

Asked about public reaction to the war, he said: “Well, in one way they love it because I’m doing what should have been done by other presidents. In another way, maybe they don’t.”

“There’s a price to pay, which I knew immediately when I did it. But we can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

• 7.0-magnitude earthquake kills 16 in Tibet’s Nagqu City

At least 16 people were killed and 54 others injured late Thursday after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, commonly known as Tibet, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue efforts for missing people and prompt medical treatment for the injured following the quake.

China upgraded its national earthquake emergency response from Level IV to Level III on Friday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

A work team was dispatched to the affected area to guide and assist rescue and relief efforts.

• Turkish foreign minister to host top diplomats in R4, R4+E3 meetings in Istanbul on Friday

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host meetings of top diplomats of the R4 mechanism (Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia) and the European E3 mechanism (UK, Germany, and France), including in an unprecedented combined format, in Istanbul on Friday.

The meetings will be attended by German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Saudi Minister Faisal bin Farhan, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

The meeting of the seven countries in the combined R4+E3 format for the first time comes at Türkiye’s own initiative.

The meetings are set to address regional issues, particularly the Palestinian question, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments related to Yemen, and efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war.

• France on 'maximum level of vigilance' ahead of Oct. 24 demonstrations

France’s minister delegate to the Interior Ministry warned Thursday that authorities were remaining on high alert ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for Oct. 24.

“We are at a maximum level of vigilance,” Jean-Didier Berger told broadcaster BFMTV.

He said the government “absolutely rules nothing out in the coming days and weeks” if it deems it necessary to ban gatherings or cultural and sporting events.

Berger also said the deployment of security forces on Saturday would be “20% higher” than on Oct. 17.

“We have canceled leave. We have recalled people who were supposed to be on leave and who will no longer be,” he said. Operation Sentinelle, GIGN and RAID elite forces will also be deployed.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye and Canada have agreed to deepen defense industry cooperation by signing a new partnership agreement and exploring opportunities to expand collaboration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, as the two countries lauched a strategic partnership
• Two people were killed when a French Air Force Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training flight in northeastern France, prosecutors confirmed Thursday, broadcaster BFMTV reported.
• he Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi group said Thursday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 11 drones and a ballistic missile.
• Italy and Spain agreed not to extend temporary border controls introduced nearly three months ago amid tensions over mass migrant arrivals in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.
• France reported its first human case of Shamonda virus after a patient with severe immunodeficiency died in early October, the Health Ministry said. The patient had been receiving treatment for a serious illness at the Hospices Civils de Lyon.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said “violence must never be an option” in the EU or the Western Balkans as he joined regional leaders at a summit in Montenegro. He reiterated Germany’s support for Western Balkan countries’ EU membership bids while calling for political will and reforms.
• The European Parliament awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought jointly to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its senior officials, recognizing their work on international law and justice amid US sanctions targeting the court, its judges and staff.
• The European Parliament backed a three-year postponement of methane emission monitoring and reporting requirements for oil, gas and coal importers, citing concerns over energy supply security. Lawmakers approved the position by 341 votes to 225, with six abstentions.
• German authorities detained a Ukrainian national suspected of spying for a Russian intelligence service and gathering military information, prosecutors said. The information allegedly included details on armored vehicle, ammunition and explosives production as well as military personnel and facilities securing NATO’s eastern flank.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the situation in the occupied West Bank was “simply out of control,” warning that Palestinians continued to face daily attacks by Israeli settlers. He also said humanitarian assistance to Gaza remained “severely restricted” ahead of winter.
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet autonomous region, the US Geological Survey said, warning of potentially widespread damage.
• US President Donald Trump accused Iran of trying to drive up global oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections, alleging in a Truth Social post that Tehran was making up reports of attacks and mines. He also claimed that 75,000 protesters had died in Iran in less than seven months.
• Two people were killed when a French Air Force Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training flight in northeastern France, prosecutors confirmed, according to BFMTV. Authorities said DNA analysis was underway to identify the victims.
• The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums in Paris will remain closed Saturday amid planned nationwide demonstrations, the French government said. Authorities are increasing security deployments, with forces set to be 20% higher than during the Oct. 17 demonstrations, a government minister told BFMTV.
• US Vice President JD Vance said questions surrounding Elon Musk’s Starshield military-grade satellite service and the war in Ukraine should be viewed in the context of the Trump administration’s broader policy toward Russia and Ukraine, rather than as an issue centered on Musk.

SPORTS

• Salah scores, assists as Trabzonspor beat Hearts 2-0 in Conference League

Mohamed Salah scored once and provided an assist as Trabzonspor defeated Scottish side Hearts 2-0 at home on Thursday in the second matchday of the UEFA Conference League's league phase, extending their winning streak to five matches under head coach Thomas Reis.

Trabzonspor gradually gained control and were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute after Hearts lost possession on the right flank, allowing Franculino to break into the box, where he was fouled by Tomas Magnusson.

Salah converted from the spot two minutes later, sending goalkeeper Beau Reus the wrong way to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Benjamin Bouchouari came close to doubling the advantage before halftime, first volleying over the crossbar before seeing another effort saved by Reus in stoppage time.

Trabzonspor doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Franculino exchanged passes with Salah before firing a first-time left-footed shot into the upper corner.

• Trump accuses NBA star LeBron James of disrespecting US national anthem

US President Donald Trump accused Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James of disrespecting the United States after a video showed him continuing his warm-up routine during the national anthem before the season opener against the New York Knicks.

“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he's no good, a total disgrace,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!” he added.

• US to host inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup in 2028

The US will host the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup from Jan. 5 to 30, 2028, featuring 19 teams from six continental confederations, FIFA announced on Thursday.

FIFA said the US was selected for its experience hosting major tournaments, sporting infrastructure and strong interest in women's football.

"Ultimately, the United States' recent excellence in staging top FIFA tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women's football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option," FIFA Chief Women's Football Officer Sarai Bareman said.

FIFA also confirmed the first seven qualified clubs: Arsenal (England), Barcelona (Spain), Club America (Mexico), Gotham FC (US), Naegohyang (North Korea), Corinthians (Brazil) and Wuhan Jiangda (China).

CULTURE AND LIFE

• Country music legend John Anderson dies at 71

American country music singer and songwriter John Anderson died at the age of 71, his family announced.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend,” his family said in a statement posted on Instagram.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

• US influencer Clavicular pleads not guilty to teen rape charges

US social media influencer Braden Peters, known online as Clavicular, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl in Massachusetts, according to US media reports.

Peters, 20, appeared before Orleans District Court over an alleged assault at his family’s home in Cape Cod on May 23, 2025. He faces three charges, including rape, administering a substance for sexual intercourse and procuring alcohol for a person under 21.

He was released on $10,000 bail after surrendering his passport and agreeing not to contact or post about the accuser.

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Zuckerberg weighed leaving California over proposed wealth tax: Meta

Meta disclosed in a regulatory filing that Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg considered moving his primary residence out of California because of a proposed state wealth tax.

“Zuckerberg informed the Special Committee that he was evaluating relocating his primary residence outside California,” the company said in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company said it reached an agreement with Zuckerberg following what it described as “robust” and “at several points, contentious” negotiations. The agreement would allow him to sell up to half of his economic holdings over eight years to meet potential tax liabilities without relinquishing voting control.

• ​​​​​​​Türkiye, Canada to launch free trade talks before year-end: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye and Canada aim to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement before the end of the year.

“We hope to increase our trade volume, which currently stands at around $3 billion, to $5 billion initially and then to $10 billion through the steps we will take,” Erdogan told a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara.

He said the two countries had also agreed to pursue new projects in energy, trade, transportation and the defense industry.

• Britain’s defense chief urges public to prepare for cyberattack-driven supply chain disruptions

Britain’s Defense Secretary Wes Streeting urged the public to prepare for supply chain disruptions caused by cyberattacks or emergency situations.

Streeting warned that people needed to be more aware of emerging risks facing the UK and make plans to deal with them, the BBC reported.

Speaking at the UK Gun Hall Plant in Telford, where he announced the resumption of domestic production of tank gun barrels for the first time in two decades, he said the public should be prepared for cyberattacks on businesses and supply chain disruptions caused by “hostile state actors or terrorists.”

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç