ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday, including deadly explosions in Iran near the tomb of a top general killed in a 2020 US airstrike, a stern warning by the US and allies to Yemen's Houthis over Red Sea attacks, and the largest-ever prisoner snap between Russia and Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• Over 100 feared dead in explosions near tomb of slain Iranian general

At least 103 people were killed on Wednesday when multiple explosions ripped through an area where a ceremony was being held to commemorate a top Iranian general who was assassinated four years ago by the US, said local authorities.

The explosions took place on a route leading to the cemetery in the southeastern city of Kerman where Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, was laid to rest, according to state media.

The cause of the explosions remains unknown.

• US, allies warn Houthis of consequences for Red Sea attacks

The US and its allies warned Wednesday Yemen's Houthi group of the consequences of their "unacceptable" attacks in the Red Sea.

In a joint statement, the US, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the UK called for the immediate end of the "illegal attacks" and the release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews.

"The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways," the statement said.

• Russia, Ukraine announce largest prisoner swap since February 2022

Russia and Ukraine separately announced Wednesday a swap involving hundreds of prisoners from both sides, including soldiers and officers.

Mediated by the United Arab Emirates, it has been the first since August 2023 and the largest since the war began in February 2022.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that Ukraine returned 248 military personnel.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Telegram that Russia has returned 230 of its people, 213 of whom are soldiers and sergeants, while 11 and six others are officers and civilians, respectively.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday that the assassination of Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri "will not go unpunished."
  
  
• The UN is "completely" against forced displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, said a spokesperson on Wednesday.
  
  
• Britain "firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza," a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said on Wednesday.
  
  
• An imam was shot early Wednesday morning outside of a mosque in Newark, New Jersey, authorities confirmed to Anadolu.
  
  
• Claiming a plurality of nearly 47% of the vote, Serbia's ruling party on Wednesday declared victory in last month's snap elections based on fresh official results.
  
  
• Türkiye on Wednesday welcomed South Africa's move to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice over its alleged genocidal violations against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
  
  
• The Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday the death of a hostage, Sahar Baruch, held by Hamas during a rescue attempt in the Gaza Strip on Dec. 8.
  
  
• EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell slammed Israeli ministers' remarks calling for displacement of Gazans, and said that forced displacements are a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
  
  
• Dozens of suspected members of the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS were arrested in Türkiye, accused of plotting attacks on churches and synagogues in the country, said judicial and security sources on Wednesday.
  
  
• The Gaza media office said Wednesday that the Israeli army has bombarded the Gaza Strip with more than 45,000 missiles and bombs that weighed more than 65,000 tons.
  
  
• The number of Palestinians detained from the West Bank in Israeli prisons reached 5,600 since Oct. 7, with the recent arrest of 40 civilians in various locations, two nongovernmental organizations said Wednesday.
  
  
• The US on Wednesday said it is working "as diligently as possible" regarding the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara, while it looks forward to Sweden's NATO accession ratified at the Turkish parliament.

SPORTS

• Barcelona beat EuroLeague leaders Real Madrid, hand archrivals 2nd loss of season

Barcelona beat their archrivals and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague leaders Real Madrid 83-78 in Wednesday's basketball El Clasico.

Barcelona's Czech center Jan Vesely scored 27 points to be the game's top scorer and played an important role in the home victory at Palau Blaugrana.

Nicolas Laprovittola had 14 points, Nikola Kalinic scored 13, and Jabari Parker added 10 for Barcelona.

• Algerian footballer convicted in France for post on Gaza

Algerian footballer Youcef Atal on Wednesday was handed a suspended eight months jail sentence for his social media post in support of people in the Gaza Strip, a local daily said.

French daily Nice-Matin reported that Atal, a Nice right-back, was handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence and fined €45,000 (approximately $49,000) by a French criminal court for "provoking hatred on grounds of religion."

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye's annual inflation increases to 64.77% in December, lower than estimates

Türkiye's annual inflation increased to a 13-month high of 64.77% in December 2023, below market forecast, according to data released on Wednesday.

The figure accelerated from 61.98% in November 2023, data by the Turkish Statistical Institute showed.

An Anadolu survey had estimated that consumer prices would rise 65.19% year-on-year and 3.19% month-on-month.

• Fed minutes show interest rates near 'peak' level

US Federal Reserve members believe interest rates are near their "peak," according to minutes of a central bank meeting released on Wednesday.

"In discussing the policy outlook, participants viewed the policy rate as likely at or near its peak for this tightening cycle, though they noted that the actual policy path will depend on how the economy evolves," according to the minutes from the Fed's latest meeting on Dec. 12-13.