ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including the US imposing sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro on drug trafficking claims; the US is deploying an aircraft carrier to South America amid strikes on alleged drug vessels; and the Israeli army killing 2 Palestinians in central Gaza despite a ceasefire.

TOP STORIES

• US sanctions Colombian President Petro over drug trafficking claims

The US announced that it imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his administration's alleged failure to combat the illicit drug trade.

“Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

In addition to Petro, the US blacklisted Petro’s eldest son, Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos, his wife, Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti.

• US deploys aircraft carrier to South America amid strikes on alleged drug vessels

The US announced it was deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean, escalating President Donald Trump’s campaign against "narco-terrorism" amid a spate of attacks on alleged drug-running boats in the region.

"In support of the President’s directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR)," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on US social media company X.

• Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in central Gaza despite ceasefire

The Israeli army killed two Palestinian brothers in an artillery strike east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to medical sources.

Sources told Anadolu that Saeed and Masoud al-Ghawash were killed when they were targeted by an Israeli artillery shell near al-Qastal Towers.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Colombian President Petro rejected US sanctions, said he has been ‘effectively’ combating the flow of narcotics for decades and will launch a legal appeal.
• Noting that rebuilding Gaza will not be an easy task, Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara will "take this step together with the Gulf countries."
• Beijing said Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to South Korea next week, his first in 11 years.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Türkiye next Thursday for talks on ties and international issues, officials announced.
• At least 14 people died when a boat carrying irregular migrants sank in the Aegean Sea off the Turkish city of Bodrum.
• Türkiye will host a second round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have not ruled out a future summit.
• The US is exploring ways to deploy international forces to Gaza, possibly under a UN mandate, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
• Former US envoy to Yemen named civilian lead for Gaza ceasefire coordination center.
• Britain and Germany are deepening their defense cooperation with new joint patrols targeting Russian submarines and expanded collaboration in cybersecurity and defense technology.
• Six people were killed after the US military struck an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced.
• An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the town of Toul in the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon killed two people and wounded two others despite a ceasefire, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said.
• Leaders of the so-called Coalition of the Willing have vowed to intensify sanctions against Russia and step up military support for Ukraine.
• Türkiye and Gulf countries set a trade target of $15 billion after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.
• Queen Sirikit, the mother of Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn, died at the age of 93.
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he is ready to restart trade talks after US President Donald Trump abruptly canceled negotiations after Ontario ran an anti-tariff advertisement.
• South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique and Burkina Faso were removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list.”
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is not seeking ways to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin or end the war without the US.
• The US and China kicked off their economic and trade talks in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Istanbul Airport again tops Europe in number of flights

Istanbul Airport was again the busiest airport in Europe last week with an average of 1,556 daily flights, said the Türkiye’s transport minister.

The airport surpassed the Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow airports from Oct. 13 - 19, Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a statement.

On the same list, the Turkish Riviera hub of Antalya Airport ranked ninth with an average of 957 flights per day, he added.

• US annual inflation ticks up to 3% in September, below estimates

The annual inflation rate in the US was at 3% in September, below forecasts but up from 2.9% in August, according to official data.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the monthly inflation rate was at 0.3%, down from 0.4% in August and below expectations.

Food prices rose by 3.1% in September on a yearly basis, while energy prices were up 2.8%.

• Rosneft, Lukoil lose $5.2B in market value after new US sanctions

The market value of Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, dropped $5.2 billion after the US imposed new sanctions targeting the companies and their subsidiaries.

Rosneft shares declined 3% to 389.85 rubles ($4.19), after falling to 383.15 rubles ($4.12) -- their lowest since May 2023 -- wiping out 127 billion rubles from its market capitalization.

Lukoil’s stock plunged 7.2% in two days, erasing 297 billion rubles ($3.66 billion).

Lukoil’s main shareholder, billionaire Vagit Alekperov, who holds a 28% stake, lost 83 billion rubles in two days, according to market data.