ISTANBUL

Here's a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including Canada removing Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, an RSF drone attack killing 79 people in Sudan, and the EU fining US social media company X to the tune of €120 million (nearly $140 million).

TOP STORIES

• Canada removes Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list

Canada has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.

It said the measures follow efforts by Syria’s post-Assad government to advance stability, build an inclusive future, and work with global partners to counter terrorism.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the country welcomes "positive steps" taken by the Syrian government "towards a peaceful Syrian-led political transition" since the end of the Assad regime a year ago.

• 43 children among 79 civilians killed in RSF drone attack in South Kordofan, Sudanese authorities say

At least 79 civilians, including 43 children, were killed and 38 others injured in a drone strike by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in South Kordofan, Sudanese authorities said.

In a statement, the South Kordofan state government said four women were also among the victims in the Thursday attack that targeted the city of Kalogi in western Sudan.

UNICEF condemned the attack as “a horrific violation of children’s rights.”

• EU fines Elon Musk's X $140M for breaching transparency obligations

The European Commission has issued a $140 million fine to US social media company X for multiple breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), marking the first non-compliance decision under the landmark regulation.

The commission said X misled users through the “deceptive design” of its blue checkmark feature, failed to meet transparency requirements for its advertising repository, and blocked researchers from accessing public data.

X now has 60 working days to outline how it will fix the deceptive checkmark system, and 90 days to submit an action plan addressing ad transparency and researcher data access.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, an unofficial advisor to his father-in-law President Donald Trump, held their sixth meeting in two weeks with Ukrainian officials, discussing steps toward ending the war.

• Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize for what federation President Gianni Infantino said were his “extraordinary” contributions to global harmony.

• The UN warned of a surge in illegal Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, highlighting ongoing humanitarian disruptions in northern communities.

• Israel carried out a new ground incursion in the southern Syrian village of Saida al-Hanout in rural Quneitra in another violation of the country’s sovereignty.

• Russia and India voiced concern over the situation in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and called on all parties to remain committed to the "cessation of conflict."

• The UN General Assembly passed a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

• France and China called for the creation of "favorable conditions" for the "effective implementation" of a two-state solution in Gaza.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $100 million in aid to Palestine to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Netflix acquires Warner Bros filming, streaming assets in $82.7B deal

Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery entered into an agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, streamer HBO Max, and HBO.

The acquisition would give Netflix full ownership of a century-old Hollywood studio and iconic franchises such as Harry Potter, Batman, Game of Thrones, Friends, and The Sopranos, as well as HBO's prestige brand, instantly merging Netflix's 300 million global subscribers with Max's 128 million.

• Syrian Central Bank inks agreement with Visa for digital payment system

The Central Bank of Syria signed a cooperation agreement with Visa to develop a roadmap for establishing a modern and secure digital payment system in the country.

Syrian Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh emphasized that the collaboration with Visa is critical for increasing transparency, accelerating modernization efforts, and creating a new beginning for the economy.

SPORTS

• FIFA World Cup 2026 draw held

The draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

The men's football tournament will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico next June 11 to July 19.

If the Turkish national football team qualify for the 2026 World Cup, they will be placed in Group D alongside the USA, Paraguay, and Australia.