Esra Tekin
17 January 2025•Update: 17 January 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including Hamas denying a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the group had reneged on a cease-fire deal announced by mediators, Qatar’s prime minister arriving in the Syrian capital Damascus for meetings with the country’s new administration, and Türkiye slamming the US over its decision to designate the Greek Cypriot Administration eligible for arms sales, calling it a "grave mistake."
TOP STORIES
- Hamas denies Netanyahu’s claims, says committed to Gaza cease-fire deal
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas denied Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claims about reneging on a cease-fire deal announced by mediators, stressing its commitment to the agreement.
"Hamas is committed to the cease-fire agreement announced by the mediators," senior group leader Izzat al-Rishq said in a statement.
Netanyahu's office said early Thursday that the Cabinet would not convene to ratify the cease-fire deal until Hamas approved the agreement announced by mediators.
Israel’s Security Cabinet was scheduled to meet on Thursday to ratify the deal.
- Qatar’s prime minister arrives in Damascus for talks with new Syrian leadership
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Damascus, marking his first visit to Syria since last month’s fall of the Bashar Assad regime.
Live footage showed Al Thani’s arrival at Damascus International Airport, confirming the landmark visit.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari said the prime minister will hold talks with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the new Syrian administration.
The spokesman added that the visit confirms Qatar’s commitment to supporting Syria during its transitional period.
- Türkiye says US move to designate Greek Cypriot Administration eligible for arms sales is 'a grave mistake'
Türkiye said a US move to designate the Greek Cypriot Administration eligible for arms sales and military training is "a grave mistake."
Condemning the decision, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Türkiye shares the same views expressed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the issue.
"We consider this decision, which will increase armament activities on the Island, a grave mistake," it added.
"Given that our region is going through an extremely critical period, all relevant parties should refrain from provocative steps and act with common sense," the ministry said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The first round of the Romanian presidential elections will take place on May 4, 2025, local media reported.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the international community to uphold its obligations to the people of Gaza.
- The Israeli army struck a place where a female captive included in the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire deal was located, said the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
- Ukraine and the UK signed a "100 Year Partnership" agreement to deepen defense cooperation and address long-term threats and challenges to maritime security after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in the capital Kyiv for his first visit since taking office last year.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova welcomed the cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel, expressing optimism that it will pave the way for broader normalization.
- China welcomed news of a cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement in Palestine’s besieged enclave of Gaza, calling for the effective implementation of the deal between Israel and Hamas, state media reported.
- The newly formed French government survived a first no-confidence vote.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister of Israel, said his party will quit the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal reached a day earlier is passed by the Cabinet.
SPORTS
- Diallo brings Manchester United 3-1 Premier League win against Southampton
Amad Diallo brought Manchester United a 3-1 English Premier League week 21 win against Southampton.
The Ivorian forward made a hat-trick in 12 minutes by scoring in the 82nd, 90th and 94th minutes to complete the Red Devils’ comeback at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte netted an own goal in the 43rd minute, which initially gave Southampton the lead.
- Olympiacos cement top spot in EuroLeague with 96-86 win over Real Madrid
Greek side Olympiacos Piraeus cemented their top spot in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by beating Spanish team Real Madrid 96-86.
French forward Evan Fournier led Olympiacos to victory with 28 points at Movistar Arena.
Real Madrid's Croatian forward Mario Hezonja scored 17 points.
Olympiacos are in first place with 16 wins and six losses while Real Madrid are in ninth spot with 12 wins and 10 losses.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
US stock markets ended lower due to negative macroeconomic figures after rallying the previous day over slowing core inflation and strong bank balance sheets.
On the macroeconomic data side, retail sales in the US increased by 0.4% month-on-month in December, below market expectations.
During the period, retail sales recorded the slowest increase in four months.
In addition, the number of first-time jobless claims in the US rose to 217,000 in the week ending Jan. 11, more than expected.
- Global economy to expand by 2.7% in 2025, 2026: World Bank
The World Bank forecast that the global economy will expand by 2.7% in both 2025 and 2026, the same pace as in 2024.
However, developing economies are expected to complete the first quarter of the 21st century with the weakest long-term growth outlook since 2000, it said in its latest Global Economic Prospects report.
"Even as the global economy stabilizes in the next two years, developing economies are expected to make slower progress in catching up with the income levels of advanced economies," it noted.
