ISTANBUL 

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Hamas accusing Israel of stalling the implementation of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange; Israel threatening to bar displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza after 4 soldiers were released and Putin saying if Donald Trump was reelected in 2020, the Ukrainian crisis might not have occurred.

TOP STORIES

• Hamas accuses Israel of stalling ceasefire, prisoner exchange implementation

Hamas accused Israel of "procrastinating" in implementing a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

In a statement, Hamas said: “The (Israeli) occupation continues to procrastinate in implementing the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement by keeping (coastal) Al-Rashid Street closed and preventing displaced pedestrians from returning from the south to the north (Gaza Strip).”

"We hold the occupation responsible for any delays in implementing the agreement and the repercussions this may have on subsequent phases,” added Hamas.

• Israel threatens to bar displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza after soldiers’ release

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to prevent displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement.

Netanyahu’s office claimed that Hamas violated the deal by failing to free Israeli captive Arbel Yehud.

“Israel has received four female hostage soldiers” from Hamas, “and in return will release security prisoners,” the office said.

• Putin says if Trump was reelected in 2020, Ukrainian crisis might not have occurred

If Donald Trump had been reelected as US president in 2020, the Ukraine crisis that erupted in 2022 might not have occurred, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

In an interview with the Russian Rossiya 1 TV channel, Putin said Russia remains open to peace talks on the Ukraine war.

He said Moscow has never rejected contact with the US but the previous administration opted not to pursue engagement.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Kenya and Guinea-Bissau reaffirmed their commitment to fostering peace and stability in Congo, Sudan and other conflict-affected regions in Africa.
• Over 1,000 demonstrators marched peacefully through Geneva in a protest demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza.
• The US Senate approved the nomination of Kristi Noem for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, also known as DHS.
• Sergey Naryshkin, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), voiced readiness to meet John Ratcliffe, the US’ new CIA director, should Washington express interest in a meeting.
• Syria’s new administration leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met in Damascus with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
• Kazakhstan reported an explosion at an oil depot in the central city of Zhezkazgan, which triggered a fire and left four people injured.
• More than 70 people were killed in a drone strike by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in El Fasher in western Sudan, a governor said.
• The Sudanese army said it gained full control of the al-Jaili oil refinery north of the national capital of Khartoum.
• India and Indonesia agreed to strengthen their cooperation in defense, trade and maritime areas, officials said.
• Philip Luther, a senior research advisor at Amnesty International, described Anadolu’s footage from the Sednaya Prison in Syria as an "important piece of evidence," reinforcing the organization’s previous claims and findings about atrocities committed under the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross received a call from Hamas to head to the designated transfer point in Gaza where four Israeli female hostages were scheduled to be released, Israeli Channel 12 reported.
• Beijing lodged a protest with Philippines authorities for the arrest of a Chinese national for alleged “espionage activities,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said.
• The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused Chinese forces of harassing its fisheries vessels in the disputed South China Sea, according to local media.
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SPORTS

• Manchester City secures 3-1 win over Chelsea in Premier League

Manchester City sealed a 3-1 comeback victory against Chelsea in week 23 of the English Premier League.

Madueke opened the scoring for Chelsea in the third minute, while Josko Gvardiol leveled for City in the 42nd minute at their Etihad Stadium.

In the second half, Haaland restored City's lead with a long-range strike in the 68th minute, and Foden sealed the win with a late goal in the 87th minute.