By Muhammed Enes Calli
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including G7 leaders reaffirming their commitment to Syria’s political transition, Russia’s Kremlin saying that US President-elect Donald Trump did not send President Vladimir Putin an invitation to attend his inauguration, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss bilateral relations and the latest developments in Syria as well as global and regional issues.
TOP STORIES
- G7 leaders reaffirm commitment to Syrian political transition, accountability
G7 leaders issued a strong reaffirmation of their commitment to the people of Syria days after the fall of the Assad regime, pledging full support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition in line with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
In a joint statement, the leaders underscored their determination to uphold Syria’s territorial integrity, national unity, independence and sovereignty.
"We stand ready to support a transition process...that leads to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance that ensures respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, including women’s rights, the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, transparency and accountability," it said.
- Kremlin says Trump did not send Putin an invitation to attend his inauguration
The Kremlin said that US President-elect Donald Trump did not send Russian President Vladimir Putin an invitation to attend his inauguration in January.
Speaking to journalists in the Russian capital Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they have not received an invitation extended by Trump.
Peskov’s remarks came as CBS News reported late Wednesday that Trump invited his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to participate in his presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, citing “multiple sources.”
- Türkiye has stood for preservation of Syria's territorial integrity from very beginning: Turkish president
Türkiye has stood for the preservation of Syria's territorial integrity, unity and unitary structure from the very beginning, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ankara.
President Erdogan and Blinken discussed bilateral relations, the latest developments in Syria and global and regional issues during their meeting, the Turkish Communications Directorate said.
Erdogan told Blinken that Türkiye will take "preventive measures" for its national security against "all terrorist organizations such as the PKK/PYD/YPG and Daesh/ISIS operating in Syria," the directorate's statement said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recent developments in Syria show that Ankara's foreign policy is effective, stressing the need for EU cooperation on counterterrorism and Syria's reconstruction.
- Anadolu captured images of a large tunnel network in Manbij that was discovered during Operation Dawn of Freedom by the Syrian National Army (SNA).
- Israeli army forces have entered 2-10 kilometers deep within the demilitarized buffer zone along the border with Syria, an Israeli source said.
- Anadolu captured footage of Travis Pete Timmerman, a US citizen who had been missing for months, after his release from a detention center in the Syrian capital Damascus.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly denounced "recent and extensive violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and urged Israel to end attacks.
- Germany has urged households to maintain at least three days' worth of emergency supplies, citing increasing threats to critical infrastructure and the possibility of prolonged power outages.
- The Australian government is set to introduce new rules requiring big tech companies to pay media organizations for news content, according to local reports.
BUSINNESS & ECONOMY
- Ukraine central bank hikes interest rates by 50 basis points
The National Bank of Ukraine increased its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 13.5% in its December meeting.
After keeping the rate constant at 13% for three consecutive meetings, the central bank hiked the rate for the first time since June 2022.
- US producer prices rise most in 5 months
The Producer Price Index (PPI) in the US rose at the fastest pace in five months in November, according to data released by the US Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Monthly producer inflation accelerated to 0.4% in November from an upwardly revised 0.3% in October and exceeded the market forecast of 0.2%.
This was mainly led by a 0.7% monthly hike in the cost of goods -- the largest increase since February.
SPORTS
- Saudi crown prince creates higher commission for hosting 2034 World Cup
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman formed a higher commission to supervise the kingdom’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed by world football’s governing body FIFA as the host of the global tournament in 2034.
According to Saudi state news agency SPA, a supreme commission for hosting the event was created and will be chaired by bin Salman.