Morning Briefing: Feb. 1, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including Syrian authorities arresting the cousin of Bashar Assad; Israel withdrawing from the Rafah crossing and a small plane crash in the US city of Philadelphia

TOP STORIES

• Syrian authorities arrest Atef Najib, cousin of Assad, over crimes against civilians

Syrian security forces arrested Atef Najib, a cousin of Bashar Assad and former political security chief in Syria’s Daraa city, for crimes against civilians, including children.

“In a targeted operation, the Public Security Directorate in Latakia, in coordination with military forces, successfully apprehended General Atef Najib, former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa,” said the director of the Public Security Directorate in Latakia in northwest Syria.

“This move is part of ongoing efforts by authorities to hold perpetrators accountable for violations against the Syrian people and strengthen security and stability in the region,” he added.

• Israeli army withdraws from Rafah crossing, hands over control to EU forces ahead of its reopening

The Israeli army withdrew from the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in accordance with the terms of a cease-fire agreement, which took effect Jan. 19.

The Palestinian Health Ministry also confirmed that the crossing would open for the first batch of wounded Palestinians to leave Gaza.

The North Sinai Governor said the Egyptian Health Ministry is “ready to receive wounded” Palestinians from Gaza through the Rafah crossing. He did not, however, say how many will travel on the first day of its opening.

• Casualties reported as small plane crashes in US city of Philadelphia

Multiple casualties have been reported after a small plane crashed in a residential area in the US city of Philadelphia.

The aircraft, an air ambulance, took off from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport when went down immediately around 6.30 p.m. local time (2330GMT), igniting multiple fires.

Six people, including four crew, a pediatric patient, her mom were in the aircraft. Officials have yet to release the number of casualties.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye urged the UN Security Council to acknowledge the realities on the ground on the island of Cyprus and "reaffirm the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, namely their sovereign equality and equal international status."
• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) criticized the extension of a UN Security Council's decision to extend the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another year.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the reinstatement of the Cuba Restricted List, prohibiting transactions with companies linked to Cuban military and intelligence services.
• Six American citizens who were detained in Venezuela have been released.
• US President Donald Trump said he will speak with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
• The black box of a military helicopter involved in a deadly US mid-air collision earlier this week was recovered.
• President Donald Trump said the US will "absolutely" impose tariffs on the European Union.
• President Donald Trump said Panama violated its agreement with the US on the Panama Canal and declared that the US would take back control of the canal.
• Belize has filed a declaration that it will join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
• BRICS countries are not discussing the creation of a common currency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

SPORTS

• Matches unveiled in UEFA Europa League playoff preliminary round

The knockout phase playoff draw of the UEFA Europa League took place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland

Turkish team Fenerbahce, which finished 24th in the league standings, will face Anderlecht in the playoff round. Fellow Istanbul club Galatasaray, in 14th place, will take on AZ Alkmaar.

If Galatasaray progresses to the playoffs, they will meet either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16. If Fenerbahce manages to beat Anderlecht, they will face Olympiakos or Rangers in the same round.

First-leg matches will take place Feb. 13, while second legs are scheduled for Feb. 20

BUSINNES & ECONOMY

• Fitch affirms Türkiye’s credit rating at 'BB-' with stable outlook

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Türkiye’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at "BB-" with a "Stable" outlook, reflecting cautious optimism about the country’s economic policies and external buffers.

Noting Türkiye's central bank has begun its monetary easing cycle with two consecutive 250-basis-point cuts to 45%, the international credit rating agency projected a further reduction to 28% by the end of 2025 while maintaining a tight stance to support disinflation.

• Türkiye sees record $61B tourism revenue in 2024 as arrivals hit 52.6M

Türkiye hosted 52.6 million international tourists in 2024, marking a 7% rise from the previous year, as the country's booming tourism industry set a new income record of $61.1 billion, official data showed.

Istanbul, Türkiye’s most populous city, remained the top destination for international tourists, drawing 18.6 million visitors last year.

The famed resort city of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera ranked second, welcoming 15.9 million foreign visitors in 2024.