Anadolu Agency’s Morning Briefing - April 5, 2023

ANKARA 

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

In his first remarks following his arraignment Tuesday in a Manhattan courtroom, former US President Donald Trump said the only crime he has ever committed is "fearlessly" defending the US and a "fake case" was brought against him to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election.

Former President Donald Trump repeatedly made false statements on business records in New York and "caused others to make false statements” to hide hush money paid during his 2016 presidential campaign, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday.

Israeli police again raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem early Wednesday, injuring seven people.

Finland officially joined NATO on Tuesday as Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto handed the signed accession treaty to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Tuesday that northern Europe's security will weaken after Finland's accession to NATO.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed support Tuesday for Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Türkiye, Russia, Iran and Syria agreed to continue "consultations" in a two-day meeting in Moscow that concluded Tuesday, diplomatic sources said.

The order that confines the fate of humanity to the say of five countries "is not sustainable,” said the Turkish president Tuesday, calling for "inclusive and encompassing" reform to the UN Security Council.

The Australian government on Tuesday banned its officials from using the Chinese video-sharing application TikTok on their devices.