Netanyahu vows to hold newly occupied Syrian territories

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected calls to pull back from recently occupied Syrian lands, stating his forces will remain. He expressed a desire for a demilitarization agreement with Damascus, even as Israeli troops have advanced closer to the Syrian capital.

Guterres pledges UN support for Syria's post-Assad transition

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed the organization's commitment to a "Syrian-led, Syrian-owned" political transition, one year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. He called on the international community to respect Syria's sovereignty and aid reconstruction.

Trump chides Zelenskyy for not reading US peace plan for Ukraine

US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not reviewed a new American peace proposal, which he claims Russia accepts. The remarks follow high-level talks between US envoys and both Russian and Ukrainian officials this week.

Jordan, EU discuss economic ties, urge Gaza ceasefire implementation

King Abdullah II and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas met in Amman to strengthen economic cooperation and called for implementing the Gaza ceasefire and a two-state solution.

Colombia's Petro demands probe into bodies linked to US strikes

President Gustavo Petro has called for an urgent investigation after bodies washed ashore in northern Colombia, suggesting they may be victims of US military anti-drug operations in the Caribbean. The incident highlights escalating US military deployment in Latin America.

ECOWAS to deploy regional force to Benin after coup attempt

The West African bloc has ordered a standby force from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to support Benin's constitutional order following a declared but foiled coup by a faction of soldiers.

UN rapporteur welcomes Eurovision boycott as shift toward Israel accountability

UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese said Israel's actions have been "normalized" with no suspensions from international bodies, praising the European boycott of Eurovision as a sign of changing public sentiment.

Egypt 'categorically rejects' Israeli attacks on Syrian territory

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated Egypt's firm opposition to Israeli military actions in Syria, emphasizing support for Damascus's sovereignty during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart in Doha.

UN official warns of deep family separations in Syria, urges inclusive future

A senior UN humanitarian official stated that hundreds of thousands of Syrians remain separated from their families and called for an inclusive approach to guide the country's post-conflict transition.

Turkish foreign minister demands non-Syrian militants leave SDF for Northern Syria stability

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for the immediate withdrawal of all non-Syrian elements from the SDF, a group Ankara links to the PKK. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Fidan also stated Türkiye’s readiness to join an international force in Gaza and urged urgent US diplomacy to address Israeli ceasefire violations.

Erdoğan stresses need for US-Venezuela dialogue in call with Maduro

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication channels between the United States and Venezuela during a phone call with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and key regional developments.

Türkiye, Qatar foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of Doha Forum

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during the Doha Forum on Saturday. The high-level diplomatic engagement took place as global leaders gathered for the two-day event focusing on justice and international progress.

Turkish foreign minister holds talks with Somali president in Doha

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. The discussions reinforce the ongoing strategic partnership between Ankara and Mogadishu, though specific details of the talks were not disclosed.

Turkish foreign minister lauds Qatar's evolution into a global mediation power

Speaking at the Doha Forum, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan praised Qatar's expanding diplomatic role, declaring it a "global mediator" instrumental in resolving conflicts beyond the Middle East. He also reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to regional stability, criticizing Israeli ceasefire violations and offering Turkish troops for a Gaza stabilization force.

Netanyahu to meet Trump this month to advance Gaza ceasefire plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House later this month to discuss the challenging second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Netanyahu also stated he will not leave politics even if granted a presidential pardon for his ongoing corruption trial.

Education's "healing power" key to building a better world: Turkish education minister

Turkish National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin emphasized the transformative power of education at the 5th Istanbul Education Summit. The event, bringing together international experts, focused on moving beyond academic metrics to nurture social-emotional skills and foster inclusive, community-based learning models.

Sudanese medics report 19 women raped by RSF forces in Darfur

Medical groups in Sudan have reported that 19 women, including two who were pregnant, were sexually assaulted by members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The attacks occurred as the women fled conflict in El-Fasher, highlighting ongoing atrocities in the civil war.

US envoy praises Syria's cooperation in potential deal with Israel

US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack has commended the Syrian government's cooperative stance in negotiations aimed at a potential agreement with Israel. He stated that while Damascus is complying with US requests, progress is being hampered by Israel's lack of trust in the process.

Israeli president Herzog rejects Trump's pressure to pardon Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has affirmed his country's judicial sovereignty, rebuffing pressure from US President Donald Trump to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog confirmed receiving a pardon request, which he will review based on Israel's national interest and legal requirements.

Report documents 57 Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists in November

A report by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) documented 57 violations and assaults against journalists by Israeli forces and settlers in November. The incidents, ranging from physical attacks to equipment confiscation, are described as a systematic effort to silence media coverage in the West Bank and Gaza.

Macron to join European leaders in London for Ukraine war talks

French President Emmanuel Macron announced he will attend a summit in London with the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, and the United Kingdom to coordinate support for Kyiv. The meeting comes as Macron condemned Russia's latest large-scale strikes on Ukrainian energy and rail infrastructure.

UN chief vows to keep advocating for Palestinian statehood

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pledged to persistently advocate for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, declaring he "will not shut up" on the issue. Speaking to young journalists, he also issued a stark warning on global crises, criticizing a "paralyzed" Security Council and acknowledging his generation's failure on climate action.

UN security council calls for full adherence to Lebanon ceasefire deal

Following a two-day visit to Beirut, UN Security Council President Samuel Zbogar urged all parties to fully commit to the November 2024 ceasefire agreement. He reaffirmed the Council's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, amid regional tensions and reports of Israeli preparations for potential escalation.

Egypt proposes international force to monitor Gaza ceasefire

Egypt's Foreign Minister has called for the urgent deployment of an international stabilization force along Gaza's 'yellow line' to oversee the fragile ceasefire with Israel. He accused Israel of daily violations and stressed that Egypt will not allow the Rafah crossing to be used for Palestinian displacement.

Italy's broadcaster supports Israel's Eurovision participation despite boycott calls

Italy's public broadcaster, RAI, has declared its support for Israel's inclusion in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. The announcement follows the EBU's approval of Israel's entry and comes as several other European nations withdraw from the competition in protest against Israel's military actions in Gaza. RAI emphasized its commitment to the event as a unifying cultural platform.