ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including the UN chief urging a "critical look" at the path forward on the Cyprus issue; the new Syrian administration taking control of border crossings in the northern Aleppo countryside in coordination with Turkish authorities, and the head of Hezbollah warning that his group’s patience “might run out” because of Israeli violations of a cease-fire deal.
TOP STORIES
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it is important to take "a critical look at the way forward" in addressing the Cyprus issue.
"It is also important, at this stage and after the findings of my Personal Envoy, to have a critical look at the way forward through an informal broader meeting with the two sides and the guarantor powers," Guterres said in a report on his mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, obtained by Anadolu.
"I call upon all relevant stakeholders to earnestly consider how to ensure that this next engagement, which has raised hope among Cypriots that a mutually acceptable way forward is still possible, is open and constructive," he said.
The new Syrian administration has taken control of border crossings in the northern Aleppo countryside, in coordination with Turkish authorities, according to the Syrian General Authority for Land and Sea Ports.
“A meeting was held between the leadership of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and a delegation from several entities affiliated with the Turkish government,” said Mazen Alloush, director of public relations at the authority, state-run news agency, SANA, reported.
Alloush said coordination was carried out for the handover of all border crossings in the countryside, including Jarablus, Al-Rai, Bab Al-Salama and Al-Hamam.
Alloush said that "as of this morning (Saturday), these crossings are now fully managed by the new Syrian government."
The move is part of a broader series of measures undertaken by the new administration to restructure and reorganize official institutions following the ouster of the Bashar Assad regime.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned that his group’s patience “might run out” because of Israeli violations of a cease-fire agreement.
Addressing critics of Hezbollah’s silence on Israel’s violations of the agreement, Qassem said in a televised speech that the group's leadership "is the one that decides when to resist, how to resist, the method of resistance, and the weapons to use."
He said: "Our patience (regarding these violations) might run out … and when we decide to act, you will see it immediately."
In this context, Qassem said the cease-fire deal "exclusively applies to the area south of the Litani River, and the (Lebanese) state is responsible, along with the sponsors, for restraining Israel and ensuring the agreement’s implementation."
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country has taken significant strides in shaping developments in Syria and the "sun is rising" again in that nation.
- Qatar’s minister of state at the Foreign Ministry held discussions with the new Syrian administration’s foreign minister on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, according to a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement.
- The Egyptian foreign minister held discussions with his Lebanese and French counterparts on developments in Syria and Lebanon, ahead of a parliamentary session that hopes to end the two-year presidential vacuum in Beirut, according to a statement.
- Lebanese authorities reported 12 more Israeli violations of a cease-fire agreement that was meant to end hostilities between the Israeli army and Hezbollah on Nov. 27.
- Lebanese Army Comdr. Gen. Joseph Aoun held discussions with French Army Chief of Staff General Thierry Burkhard to enhance military cooperation.
- Sudanese Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim affirmed his government’s commitment to enhancing relations with Türkiye at all levels, particularly in the economic sector.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha discussed the situation in Ukraine and Syria.
- Russia claimed its forces have taken control of another settlement in Ukraine’s Luhansk region.
- Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip in December killed 10 Palestinian journalists, according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate.
- The Israeli army killed 184 Palestinians and injured dozens in the past three days, said the Gaza Media Office.
- Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, the suspect in an attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany, was already known to German authorities through various investigations, the DPA media outlet reported. Al-Abdulmohsen appeared in seven investigations between April 2023 and October 2024, where he was the complainant in five and the accused in two.
- The families of Israeli captives in Gaza called on their government to immediately finalize a hostage swap deal after Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, released a video showing one of the captives alive.
- Benfica was shocked 2-1 by Braga at home in a Portuguese Primeira Liga week 17 match.
- Toyota Gazoo Racing's US off-road racing driver Seth Quintero has been declared the winner of the 2025 Dakar Rally Stage 1.
- Billionaire Elon Musk confirmed that Starlink applied to launch internet services in Pakistan but was "waiting for approval from the government."
- Myanmar’s military government announced mass amnesty to release more than 6,000 prisoners, marking the 77th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain.
- At least four people were killed and 32 injured in an explosion on a passenger bus in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, local media reported.
- Georgia decided to deport 25 foreign nationals arrested during protests that began Nov. 28, following the suspension of the country’s EU membership negotiations.
- London experienced its first snowfall of the year as authorities issued a weather warning for snow and ice in Britain over the weekend.
- Eight people lost their lives and 15 were injured as a market in China’s northern Hebei province caught fire.
- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, broke basketball legend Michael Jordan's record for the most 30-point games in league history.
SPORTS
- Arsenal's pursuit of Premier League’s top spot suffers blow with 1-1 draw against Brighton
Arsenal's pursuit of the English Premier League top spot suffered a blow with a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in a week 20 clash.
Arsenal wasted a chance to close within three points of the leaders, Liverpool.
The Gunners are in the second spot with 40 points behind Liverpool who have 45 with two more matches to play.
Brighton are in the 10th spot with 28 points.
- Chicago Bulls to retire Derrick Rose's jersey in honor of former guard
The Chicago Bulls will retire Derrick Rose's jersey next season in honor of the 36-year-old, the team said.
"The Chicago Bulls announced today that Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey will be officially retired, making him the fifth Bulls player to receive this franchise honor. The Rose jersey retirement ceremony will be held during the next NBA season (2025-26), and details will be announced at a later date," the Bulls said in a statement.
Rose, a Chicago native, played for the team between 2008 and 2016. After his final season with the Bulls, Rose had two stints with the New York Knicks, and also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.
Rose will join Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23) and Scottie Pippen (No. 33), whose Bulls' jerseys have been retired by the team.
- Erling Haaland scores double as Man City beat West Ham 4-1 in English Premier League
Erling Haaland scored twice to help sixth-place Manchester City hammer West Ham United 4-1 in an English Premier League match.
The large win saw Manchester City remain in the sixth position in the Premier League table with 34 points in 20 matches.
London's West Ham have 23 points in the 13th spot.
- Tottenham handed home loss
Tottenham Hotspur lost to Newcastle United 2-1 in a home match in London.
Newcastle are now fifth with 35 points.
Tottenham have 24 points and moved down to the 12th spot in the league table.
