ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including US President Donald Trump accusing the FBI of secretly planting hundreds of agents in the crowd at the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot; Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying Moscow “has never had, and does not have” intentions to attack NATO or the European Union; and the Armenian premier declaring peace with Azerbaijan at the UN General Assembly.

TOP STORIES

• Trump claims FBI planted over 250 agents at 2021 Capitol riot

US President Donald Trump accused the FBI of secretly planting hundreds of agents in the crowd at the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

“It was just revealed that the FBI had secretly placed, against all Rules, Regulations, Protocols, and Standards, 274 FBI Agents into the Crowd just prior to, and during, the January 6th Hoax,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. He said the agents were “probably acting as Agitators and Insurrectionists, but certainly not as ‘Law Enforcement Officials.’”

Trump demanded the identities and alleged actions of the "so-called 'Agents'" during the riot, which he called a "Historic" day.

• Russia has no plans to attack NATO, EU, Lavrov tells UN, warns of West’s ‘double standards’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the 80th session of the UN General Assembly that Moscow “has never had, and does not have” intentions of attacking NATO or the European Union, stressing that any aggression against Russia would be “decisively rebuffed.”

“We have repeatedly proposed to NATO capitals that they respect their commitments and agree on legally binding security guarantees. Our proposals have been ignored and continue to be ignored.

"Moreover, threats to use force against Russia, which is accused of practically planning to attack NATO and EU countries, are becoming increasingly common,” Lavrov said.

• Armenia’s Pashinyan declares peace with Azerbaijan at UN General Assembly

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the UN General Assembly in New York that peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, citing US President Donald Trump's role in reaching a historic agreement.

Pashinyan said the two countries' foreign ministers signed a peace and interstate relations agreement in Washington on Aug. 8, which was witnessed by Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Trump’s role was ‘decisive in this peace process,” he said, adding that he and Aliyev agreed to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Pashinyan also highlighted improved ties with Türkiye, pointing to “regular meetings” with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and expressing optimism about establishing diplomatic relations and opening their shared border.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said the armament of southern Cyprus raises concerns.
• North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui has left Pyongyang for China, according to a report by his country’s state media.
• Malaysia urged sanctions against Israel at the UN General Assembly.
• The world’s tallest bridge opened in southwest China’s Guizhou province after three years of construction, reducing travel time across a deep canyon from two hours to just two minutes, according to media reports.
• Saudi Arabia warned that the international community’s failure to rein in Israeli genocide in Gaza threatens to undermine regional and global stability, urging decisive action to halt the conflict and support Palestinian statehood.
• Iceland's Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir warned of a "systematic ethnic cleansing" taking place in Gaza while addressing the UN General Assembly, calling Israel's acts "cruel", "inhumane" and "illegal."
• Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza while pledging to support efforts toward peace. He warned that the UN is “in a state of crisis” and urged reforms of the world body.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Europe "must stop" imports of Russian oil and gas, stressing that "all this money is spent by Russia directly on the war."
• Egypt said it stands ready to build on US President Donald Trump’s vision for ending the Israeli war in Gaza.
• Türkiye expressed support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' protest against the Greek Cypriot administration's unilateral decision to allow the Norwegian-flagged vessel "Ramform Hyperion" to conduct unauthorized activities on the continental shelf south of the island.
• Russia and the US agreed to hold a third round of talks this fall on issues related to the functioning of embassies, visas and diplomatic property, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following his participation in the high-level week of the 80th UN General Assembly.
• German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, during his address to the UN General Assembly, reiterated an "urgent call" to Israel to allow safe humanitarian access into Gaza.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a phone call that the Israeli government has demonstrated that it has no intention of pursuing peace, stressing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must now stop sabotaging it.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the recent military escalation between Israel and Yemen's Houthi group, warning of the growing threat to regional stability and civilian lives.
• NATO's Military Committee chair vowed a "resolute" and "proportionate" response to any threat following recent drone incursions in several countries, following the Military Committee Conference in Latvia.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• South Korea's national security adviser says Seoul cannot pay $350B in cash to US

South Korea’s national security advisor Wi Sung-lac said Seoul cannot “pay” the $350 billion investment to the US in cash, pushing back against US President Donald Trump’s remark that the money was an “upfront” payment, according to media reports.

“From an objective and realistic point, South Korea cannot pay $350 billion in cash,” Wi said, according to South Korean news outlet Chosun Biz.

Trump said Thursday that South Korea’s $350 billion investment in the US was “upfront,” a comment that added pressure to trade negotiations between the two countries.

In July, Seoul and Washington reached an agreement in principle that the US would lower tariffs on South Korean imports from 25% to 15% in return for Seoul’s commitment to invest $350 billion in the American market.

But the two sides remain deadlocked on how the investment fund will be structured. Without a deal, South Korean imports could again face the 25% tariff.