Morning briefing: January 7, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here's a roundup of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including the United States' easing of humanitarian aid restrictions to Syrians, Indonesia's formal membership in BRICS, and the promise of Turkish President Erdogan to continue peace efforts in Gaza until results are achieved.

FEATURED STORIES

• US eases restrictions on humanitarian aid to Syrians for 6 months

The Biden administration announced Monday that it would ease restrictions on humanitarian aid to Syria, imposing a six-month sanctions relief measure to allow the delivery of critical supplies.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued Syrian General License 24, allowing humanitarian groups and businesses to provide essential services such as electricity, water and sanitation without seeking approvals from the case by case.

It also authorizes transactions supporting the sale, supply, storage or donation of energy – including oil, natural gas and electricity – in Syria. Additionally, it authorizes transactions necessary to process non-commercial personal remittances to Syria, including through the Central Bank of Syria.

• Indonesia officially joins BRICS, Brazil announces

Holding the rotating presidency of BRICS, Brazil announced on Monday that Indonesia had officially joined the international bloc.

BRICS, a geopolitical alliance created in 2009, was originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

In a press release, the Brazilian ministry congratulated Indonesia on joining the bloc. Brazil will assume leadership of BRICS from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

“The Brazilian government congratulates the Indonesian government for joining BRICS. Indonesia, which has the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, shares with other members of the group its support for reform of institutions of global governance and contributes positively to the deepening of cooperation in this area the Global South, priority issues for the Brazilian presidency of the BRICS”, we can read in the press release.

• Turkey will continue efforts for peace in Gaza until results are achieved, says President Erdogan

The Turkish president reaffirmed his country's unwavering commitment to peace in Gaza, saying his country will persist in its efforts “until we achieve results.”

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked the Turkish people for their continued solidarity with the Palestinians, saying that last week, nearly half a million people protesting in Istanbul had shown that Gaza was not not alone.

“On January 1, our citizens sent a powerful message to the world, demonstrating Turkey's unwavering support for Palestine,” he said.

“After 61 years of Baath oppression and 13 years of massacres, just as faith, belief and patience have prevailed in Syria, God willing, justice will also prevail in Palestine, and the sun of justice will pierce the darkness of oppression,” Erdogan said. added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US Congress on Monday officially certified President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the November 5 election, marking the final step before the January 20 inauguration.
• Russia claimed Monday that its forces had captured the town of Kurakhove, a key Ukrainian stronghold and supply center in the Donetsk region.
• An emergency protest took place in London on Monday against Israeli attacks on Gaza's health services, demanding that the British government act to protect Palestinian health workers.
• US health authorities in Louisiana on Monday confirmed the first human death caused by avian flu, also known as H5N1.
• The UN expressed deep concern on Monday after the death of a one-month-old baby in Gaza from hypothermia, the eighth such death in less than three weeks.
• Malaysia's Court of Appeal on Monday allowed former Prime Minister Najib Razak, imprisoned for corruption, to attempt to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
• The Lebanese army entered the town of Naqoura in southern Lebanon's Tire district on Monday, the third town recovered after the Israeli withdrawal.
• Outgoing US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar held a final press conference on Monday, during which he claimed that the country produces fentanyl, contradicting the Mexican government.
• Venezuela announced Monday that it was cutting diplomatic ties with Paraguay after President Santiago Pena expressed support for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
• The United States has sent 11 Yemeni detainees from its Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba to Oman, the Pentagon announced Monday.

SPORTY

• Nottingham Forest claim 3-0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers

Nottingham Forest beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 away on Matchday 20 of the English Premier League on Monday.

Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring from close range in the seventh minute at Molineux Stadium.

Chris Wood scored his 12th goal of the season in the 44th minute, doubling Nottingham Forest's lead just before half-time.

Taiwo Awoniyi added a late goal to seal a 3-0 victory.

• AC Milan win Italian Super Cup thanks to late Tammy Abraham goal

AC Milan completed a comeback win over Inter Milan to win the Italian Super Cup on Monday, with Tammy Abraham scoring a stoppage-time goal.

Inter Milan took the lead thanks to a close range strike from Lautaro Martinez in first-half stoppage time, followed by Mehdi Taremi doubling the advantage in the 47th minute.

AC Milan responded with a free kick from Theo Hernandez in the 52nd minute and Christian Pulisic equalized in the 80th minute.

Tammy Abraham scored a late goal in the 93rd minute to put Milan 3-2 ahead at Al Awal Park at King Saud University in Riyadh.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• US expresses concern over China's 'malicious' cyber activity

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised concerns about China's “malicious” cyber activities on Monday.

Yellen “expressed serious concerns regarding malicious cyber activity by PRC state-sponsored actors and its impact on bilateral relations,” the Treasury Department said in a statement after a virtual meeting between the secretary of state and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

The two officials discussed economic developments, with Yellen raising concerns about China's non-market policies and practices and industrial overcapacity.

• France aims to reduce its budget deficit amid political and economic uncertainty

France's new government announced Monday its goal of reducing its budget deficit to between 5 and 5.5 percent of gross domestic product, an improvement on last year's estimated 6.1 percent, but still above the target. 3% of the EU.

Speaking to France Inter radio, Finance Minister Eric Lombard described the country's budgetary situation as “serious”, expressing concern over the deficit and outlining his plans to generate 50 billion euros ($52.07 billion). dollars) this year.

He pointed out that businesses were worried about the lack of a finalized budget after the previous government was ousted for trying to push through its 2025 social security spending proposal without parliamentary approval.

The Anadolu Agency website contains only part of the information offered to subscribers of the AA Information Distribution System (HAS), and in summary form. Please contact us for subscription options.