Morning Briefing: April 23, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Iraq in 13 years, more mass graves unearthed at Gaza hospital, and Israel’s allegations against UN agency for Palestinian refugees lacking substance.

TOP STORIES

• Türkiye's President Erdogan, Iraqi counterpart discuss Gaza, counterterrorism

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid discussed counter-terrorism and Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive during a meeting in Baghdad on Monday, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

"The meeting addressed bilateral relations between Türkiye and Iraq, Israel's attacks on Gaza, regional and global issues, and the fight against terror," the Communications Directorate said. This was Erdogan's first official visit to Iraq in 13 years.

Erdogan conveyed Ankara's expectations from Iraq "regarding the fight against the terrorist organization PKK" and that the country must be cleared of "all forms of terror."

• Over 280 bodies found in mass grave at hospital in Gaza’s Khan Younis

Health workers have uncovered at least 283 bodies of people from a mass grave at the Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, Gaza’s civil defense agency said Monday.

“Civil defense crews retrieved 73 more bodies from the mass grave, bringing the total figure to 283 bodies since Saturday,” the agency said in a statement.

According to the statement, civil defense crews are still searching for more bodies in the grave.

A mass grave was found in the hospital’s courtyard on Saturday after the Israeli army withdrew from the city on April 7.

• Israel's allegations against UNRWA lack substantiation

"Israel has yet to provide evidence" for its terror-link allegations against personnel of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), an independent review group revealed Monday.

A report, conducted by the Independent Investigative Group, involved extensive field visits and engagement with various stakeholders across regions of operation.

The group led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna commenced its work on Feb. 13, and shed light on the investigation into the agency's adherence to the principle of neutrality.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The UN on Monday described the reports of mass grave in Gaza as "extremely troubling" and called for a "credible" investigation into the sites where the grave is located.

• The chief of the Israeli army's Central Command plans to resign in August, in the second such resignation by military commanders on Monday, according to Israeli media.

• Opening arguments began Monday in Donald Trump's hush money trial in a historic case of the first-ever criminal charges being levied against a former US president.

• A strategic framework agreement signed between Türkiye and Iraq constitutes a “Solid roadmap,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

• Israel is preparing to expand a “humanitarian zone” for Palestinian civilians ahead of a planned ground offensive in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli media said on Monday.

• Pakistan and Iran on Monday reiterated their support for Palestinians' "resistance," and called on the Muslim world to come up with a joint strategy to bring an end to the ongoing "genocide" in Gaza.

• Dozens of people were arrested at New York University in Manhattan on Monday as pro-Palestinian campus protests escalated across the US.

• British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday said his government is pressing ahead with plans to deport individuals to Rwanda, with the first flights expected to depart in 10 to 12 weeks.

• Russia on Monday said it will take necessary steps if US nuclear weapons appear in neighboring Poland.

• At least 2,500 people have been killed, injured, or kidnapped in Haiti due to gang violence so far this year, the UNICEF executive director said Monday.

• Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated support on Monday for an army battalion accused of abuses and human rights violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

SPORTS

• Inter Milan win Italian Serie A title

Inter Milan became the Serie A champions for the 2023/2024 season after defeating their arch-rivals AC Milan on Monday with five games to spare.

Francesco Acerbi scored a header in the 18th minute. Marcus Thuram made a finish in the 49th minute, but AC Milan narrowed the gap to one with a header from Fikayo Tomori in the 80th minute.

The game ended 2-1 in favor of Inter Milan.

• German cyclist Max Kanter wins 2nd stage of Tour of Türkiye

German cyclist Max Kanter claimed victory on the second stage of the Tour of Türkiye on Monday.

Kanter, 26, of the Astana Qazaqstan Team, completed the 190.6-kilometer (118-mile) track in four hours, 43 minutes, and 16 seconds.

Henri Uhlig of Alpecin-Deceuninck came second, while Tobias Andresen from Dsm-Firmenich PostNL finished third.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye, Iraq sign 26 agreements

Türkiye and Iraq signed 26 agreements in various fields during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the capital Baghdad on Monday.​​​​​​​

A memorandum of understanding on the Development Road project was signed between Türkiye, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

• Saudi oil giant Aramco to buy 10% stake in Chinese company

Saudi Arabia's national oil company Aramco is in talks to secure a 10% stake in the Chinese company Hengli Petrochemical, the oil major announced on Monday.

Aramco signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hengli Group, the parent company of the Hengli Petrochemical, on Monday, which aligns with the Saudi oil giant’s strategy to expand its downstream presence in key high-value markets, the oil major said in a statement.