ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including the UN Security Council adopting a resolution to remove Syria’s president and interior minister from a sanctions list, US President Donald Trump announcing that Kazakhstan has agreed to join the Abraham Accords, and Israel rejecting more than 100 aid requests for Gaza since an Oct. 10 ceasefire.

TOP STORIES

• UN Security Council adopts resolution to remove Syrian president, interior minister from sanctions list

The UN Security Council adopted a draft resolution to remove Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the ISIS (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda sanctions list.

The US-drafted resolution received 14 votes, with an abstention from China.

US envoy to the UN Mike Waltz welcomed the adoption.

"With the adoption of this text, the Council is sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era," he said. "The delisting of President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Khattab should help give the Syrian people the greatest chance.”

• Trump says Kazakhstan has agreed to join Abraham Accords

US President Donald Trump said that Kazakhstan has agreed to formally enter into the series of normalization deals he has brokered between Israel and Muslim-majority nations.

"Kazakhstan is the first Country of my Second Term to join the Abraham Accords, the first of many. This is a major step forward in building bridges across the World," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"Today, more Nations are lining up to embrace Peace and Prosperity through my Abraham Accords. We will soon announce a Signing Ceremony to make it official, and there are many more Countries trying to join this club of strength. So much more to come in uniting Countries for Stability and Growth — Real progress, real results," he added.

• Israel rejects over 100 aid requests for Gaza since ceasefire: UN

The UN said that Israel rejected 107 requests for the entry of relief materials into the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 10 ceasefire, blocking essential humanitarian supplies.

"Our partners report that since the ceasefire, the Israeli authorities have rejected 107 requests for the entry of relief materials, including blankets, winter clothes and tools and materials to maintain and operate water, sanitation and hygiene services," spokesperson Farhan Haq said during a news conference.

"Almost 90% of these rejected requests were from over 330 local and international NGOs, of which more than half of the requests were denied on the grounds that the organizations were not authorized to bring relief items into Gaza."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli army began a mass demobilization of reserve forces across all fronts -- the first such movement since October 2023, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
• The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) called on Israel to end its airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
• US President Donald Trump said his administration would need a backup plan in case the Supreme Court strikes down tariffs he unilaterally imposed on dozens of countries.
• Air traffic has been suspended at Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport on Sweden's west coast after reports of a suspicious drone flying in the area.
• Israeli army launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, shortly after warning residents to evacuate, despite a ceasefire agreement in place since November 2024.
• The UN Development Program (UNDP) said that nearly 5 million metric tons of debris were generated across western Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa struck the island on Oct. 28.
• Egypt signed a major real estate deal with Qatar to inject investments worth $29.7 billion into an urban development project on the country’s Mediterranean coast.
• Two women kidnapped by the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist organization were rescued after 11 years, bringing the total number of rescued Yazidis, an endogamous religious group in Iraq, to 3,593.
• Argentine President Javier Milei has officially authorized civilians to purchase and possess semi-automatic rifles, lifting a ban imposed in 1990.
• Polish Defense Minister Wladysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that up to 400,000 people are expected to take part in a new voluntary military training program next year.
• Kyrgyzstan has sent more than 150 tons of humanitarian aid to Syria, with logistical support from Türkiye, state media reported.
• Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua will visit China next week, marking the first trip by a Thai monarch to the country since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1975.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bank of England holds policy rate constant at 4%, matching forecasts

The Bank of England kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4%, in line with market forecasts.

The move marked the second one in a row after the bank ended a five-rate-cut run in September.

The decision was taken by the bank's Monetary Policy Committee by a narrow 5-4 vote. Five members voted for no change for the bank rate, while four others voted for a 25 basis point cut.

• Kazakhstan, US sign memorandum on cooperation in critical minerals

Kazakhstan and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in critical minerals.

A statement by Kazakhstan’s presidential press service Akorda said the memorandum was signed by Industry and Construction Minister Yersain Nagaspayev and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik.

The signing took place in the ​​presence of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who arrived in the US on Wednesday.