ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including China rejecting a US proposal on Gaza and backing an Arab-led peace plan; South Korea releasing impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from detention and Israel's defense minister ordering the army to stay in northern West Bank camps until the year's end.

TOP STORIES

• China rejects US proposal on Gaza, backs Arab-led peace plan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected a plan by US President Donald Trump to take control of Gaza, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"China supports the plan for restoring peace in Gaza initiated by Egypt and other Arab countries. Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory," Wang said at a news conference during China’s annual legislative session.

He also emphasized that any forced change to Gaza’s status would only create "new chaos."

• South Korean court releases impeached president from detention

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from a detention center where he was being held after a Seoul court accepted a plea to cancel his arrest for his failed Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.

Yoon filed the request with the Seoul Central District Court last month, pleading that his indictment over the short-lived martial law declaration was illegal.

Yoon, who was indicted on charges of leading an insurgency for martial law, will stand trial without being detained.

• Israeli defense minister orders army to stay in northern West Bank camps until year's-end

Israel’s defense minister instructed the military to remain in refugee camps in the northern West Bank until at least the end of the year, according to media reports.

According to the Israel Hayom daily, defense chief Israel Katz said, “More than 40,000 people have been evacuated so far from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams," referring to soldiers forcing out residents.

“I have directed security forces to remain in these refugee camps until at least the end of the year,” he added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Palestinian displacement 'absolutely unacceptable': Turkish foreign minister
• Syria regains OIC membership through initiative by Türkiye
• Trump says he may soon impose reciprocal tariffs on Canadian lumber, dairy
• Switzerland says cancelation of conference on occupied Palestinian territories not a 'failure,' positions too far apart
• Trump says 'interesting days ahead' as he seeks peace deal with Iran or 'the other' option
• Türkiye is against any actions that target Syrians' right to live in peace: Foreign Ministry
• US, Ukrainian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia next week: Trump's adviser
• Joint European security planning with Türkiye would benefit both sides: Turkish President Erdogan
• Iran denies receiving letter from Trump demanding negotiations
• 2 Palestinians killed in Israeli drone strike in eastern Gaza despite ceasefire
• Trump says he is considering banking sanctions, tariffs on Russia until final peace deal reached
• Trump sends letter to Iran’s Khamenei urging nuclear negotiations: Report

SPORTS

• Trump launches White House Task Force for 2026 World Cup

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday creating a White House Task Force to oversee preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which is expected to bring millions of visitors and billions in economic activity.

The task force, chaired by Trump with Vice President JD Vance as vice chair, will coordinate federal agencies to manage logistics for the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup, which the US is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.

"We’re going to be establishing a task force, a very important task force … and that’s on the FIFA World Cup of 2026, which, as you know, is a big event," Trump told reporters, calling it "the biggest event, I think."

• Cadillac to join Formula 1 in 2026 as 11th team

Cadillac was approved to join the Formula One World Championship in 2026 as the 11th team, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced Friday.

"As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula 1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport," said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1.

"The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans," said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump holds inaugural White House crypto summit as he establishes reserve

US President Donald Trump hosted the inaugural White House crypto summit on Friday, less than one day after he ordered the establishment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

"I promised to make America the Bitcoin superpower of the world and the crypto capital of the planet. And we're taking historic action to deliver on that promise," Trump said as he brought together executives from several crypto firms.

• Leonardo-Baykar agreement hits headlines across Europe

The partnership agreement in unmanned technologies signed between Türkiye’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, Baykar, and Italian defense giant Leonardo has received extensive coverage in European media.

Türkiye's leading drone producer and the Italian defense giant signed a partnership agreement Thursday in unmanned technologies. The agreement was signed by Leonardo's CEO Roberto Cingolani, Baykar's Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar, and CEO Haluk Bayraktar at Leonardo headquarters in Rome.