By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including opposition forces in Syria advancing within one kilometer of Aleppo's outer neighborhoods, President Vladimir Putin warning that Russia will use "all kinds of weapons" if Ukraine gets nuclear arms from the West, and Australia’s Senate passing a law banning children from using social media in a world first.
TOP STORIES
- Opposition forces in Syria advance within 1 km of Aleppo's outer neighborhoods
Opposition armed groups fighting against forces of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria reached within one kilometer of the outer neighborhoods of Aleppo city, local sources said.
The clashes began early Wednesday in the western countryside of Aleppo province.
Over the past two days of fighting in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, the opposition groups are said to have taken control of 400 square kilometers of territory.
- Russia to use 'all kinds of weapons' if Ukraine gets nuclear arms from West, Putin warns
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if the West transfers nuclear weapons to Ukraine, Russia will respond with all available weapons.
Speaking at a news conference in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana, Putin vowed to prevent the appearance of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
"In this case, (Ukraine gets nuclear arms from the West), we will use everything, I want to emphasize this, all means of destruction at Russia's disposal. That's it…we will not allow this," he told reporters.
- In world first, Australian Senate passes law banning children from social media
In a milestone decision, Australia’s Senate passed laws to ban children and teenagers from using social media in the first such decision by any government across the globe.
The laws, passed on the last day of the ongoing Senate session, are set to come into force at the end of next year, after which anyone aged 16 or below will be blocked from using platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit and X.
The government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the move, saying it was “necessary to protect their mental health and well-being.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The EU welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, commending mediation efforts by France and the US.
- Clashes between Bashar al-Assad's regime forces and the opposition group Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) continued in Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces, with HTS claiming control of 34 villages and continuing its advances, sources said.
- The Bangladesh government described the recent arrest warrant for Myanmar’s army chief Min Aung Hlaing as a "significant" step toward securing justice for the atrocities committed against persecuted minorities in the Southeast Asian nation.
- The Lebanese army accused Israel of repeatedly violating a cease-fire agreement between the two sides.
- US and British warplanes launched two airstrikes on Yemen’s coastal province of Al Hudaydah, the Houthi group said.
- Jordan’s flag carrier will resume flights to the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday after a cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel.
- On a landmark visit to Türkiye, Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al Said hailed the nation’s stance on international issues facing the region.
- Sudan reported more than 43,000 cholera cases and 1,800 deaths in the war-torn country.
- Indian airlines have received nearly 1,000 fake bomb threats this year, local media reported.
- Russia said it had destroyed the latest Western-supplied weaponry to Ukraine, including launchers for US-made ATACMS missiles, during four days of intensified strikes that began on Monday with 100 missiles of various types and nearly 500 drones.
- Russian fighter jets targeted Darat Izza and Etarib in Syria's western Aleppo countryside, killing 12 civilians and injuring 30 more.
- Germany summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the expulsion of two German journalists, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.
- The UK, France and Germany urged Israel to renew vital banking ties with Palestinian financial institutions for at least 12 months, warning that failure to do so could lead to the collapse of the Palestinian economy and destabilize the region.
- US President-elect Donald Trump hosted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago Club resort in Florida, CBS News reported.
- Azerbaijan said it summoned Poland’s charge d'affaires in the capital Baku over Polish President Andrzej Duda’s visit to Armenia's border region a day earlier.
- Ukraine said a "massive" Russian missile attack targeted the country's energy infrastructure.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- European bank invests $2.3B in Türkiye this year so far
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested €2.2 billion ($2.3 billion) in Türkiye so far this year, bringing the total investments in the country to over $22 billion.
During her visit to Türkiye, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso spoke with Anadolu and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss future investment opportunities and how the bank can support Türkiye's projects and strategic priorities.
Renaud-Basso emphasized that the EBRD has been investing in Türkiye since 2009, making it the bank's largest investment destination to date.