By Ilayda Cakirtekin
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Belgium's decision to impose an arms embargo on Israel; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying US President Donald Trump's remarks about NATO troops in Afghanistan were insulting; and Israeli tank firing at Lebanese army during joint field mission with UN peacekeepers in the south.
TOP STORIES
- Belgium imposes arms embargo on Israel
Belgium has banned aircraft carrying weapons and military equipment to Israel from using the country's airspace or making technical stops, the Foreign Ministry confirmed to Anadolu. According to sources from the ministry, the measure has taken effect.
The decision, initiated by Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, requires relevant parties to report to Belgian officials the transportation details of flights carrying military equipment to Israel, daily Le Soir reported.
- UK premier says Trump's remarks on NATO role in Afghanistan 'insulting'
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said US President Donald Trump's remarks about NATO troops in Afghanistan were insulting.
Starmer said Trump's remarks diminishing the troops' role were "insulting and frankly appalling," and the US president should apologize.
"If I had misspoken in that way, I would certainly apologize," he said.
- Israeli tank fires at Lebanese army during joint field mission with UN peacekeepers in south
An Israeli tank opened fire on a Lebanese army unit as it was carrying out a joint field mission with UN peacekeepers near Wadi al-Asafir, south of the town of Khiam in the Marjayoun district in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s official news agency reported.
It said the shooting originated from an Israeli tank that emerged from a newly established military position in the Hammams area, targeting the vicinity of the Lebanese army force while it was operating alongside troops from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The report did not specify casualties or damage resulting from the shooting. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The Defense Department released its 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS), laying out a sweeping shift in US defense priorities that emphasizes homeland security, deterrence through military strength and greater burden-sharing by allies.
- The US imposed sanctions on nine vessels and eight related firms tied to Iran’s so-called shadow fleet, escalating pressure on Tehran for the killing of protesters, the Treasury Department said.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will not join the US-led Board of Peace, citing concerns about its mandate and lack of Palestinian representation.
- An unsealed State Department memo revealed US officials had no evidence against a Turkish Tufts University scholar beyond an article she co-authored for a student magazine, even as officials moved to revoke her student visa.
- The US military carried out a strike on a vessel allegedly engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
- Australia's prominent justice advocates demanded that the federal police investigate Israeli President Isaac Herzog for incitement to genocide ahead of his expected visit to Canberra in February.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that countries outside the Arctic circle are paying growing attention to the region, asserting that Moscow has long been a leader in its development.
- Iran released figures detailing the scale of damage and casualties during recent nationwide protests, in remarks framed as a response to comments by US Vice President JD Vance on dealing with unrest.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the situation surrounding Greenland remained "serious," but that Denmark and Greenland had "a way" they were beginning to try out with the Americans.
- A planned parliamentary debate on UK's deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has reportedly been delayed following backlash from US President Donald Trump.
- The occupied West Bank is experiencing its most severe humanitarian crisis since 1967, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned.
- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed his government’s commitment to placing all weapons under state authority during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
- Millions of people across much of the continental US are facing states of emergency as wide swathes of the country brace for a major winter storm.
- Belgium’s Federal Prosecutor's Office told Anadolu that three supporters of the YPG/SDF terror organization were arrested in Brussels for injuring police officers during demonstrations.
- Trilateral talks between Russian, US and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi concluded their first of two days, the White House told Anadolu.
- Russia and China said they were opposed to the “actions and plans of the collective West to militarize” the Asia-Pacific region.
- A UN official said humanitarian access to the al-Hol camp in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province has resumed, following days of disruption.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and foreign ministers from Balkan countries discussed relations and regional issues in a meeting in Istanbul.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Fitch revises Türkiye outlook to positive, affirms BB- rating
Fitch Ratings upgraded its outlook on Türkiye’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating to positive from stable, while affirming the rating at “BB-.”
The international credit rating agency said its decision reflects “a further reduction in external vulnerabilities,” driven by faster-than-expected foreign exchange reserve growth, improved reserve quality, a decline in foreign-currency contingent liabilities and continued relatively tight macroeconomic policies.
It noted that gross foreign exchange reserves had risen to $205 billion in mid-January from $155 billion at the end of 2024, while net reserves, excluding swaps, recovered to $78 billion from minus $66 billion in March 2024.
- China 'prepares for purchase' of H200 AI chips as Nvidia CEO visits Shanghai
Chinese authorities have given their "in-principle approval" to the country's tech giants, including Alibaba, to prepare for the purchase of Nvidia's H200 AI chips, implying that Beijing is close to legally permitting imports of components required to run artificial intelligence, Bloomberg reported.
It comes as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was seen in the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai.
Alibaba, Tencent and ByteDance have been asked to proceed with purchase preparations, the report said.