Morning Briefing: April 27, 2024

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including the Israeli killing of 51 more Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the International Court of Justice announcement related to a case accusing Germany of facilitating genocide in Gaza and the US announcing $6B additional military aid package for Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• 51 more Palestinians killed in Gaza as Israeli onslaught continues: Health Ministry

At least 51 more Palestinians were killed and 75 injured in the last 24 hours as Israel continues its onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the territory's Health Ministry.

“The Israeli occupation (forces) committed five massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, leaving 51 martyrs and 75 injured during the past 24 hours,” said a statement.

“Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

• World court to rule Tuesday on case accusing Germany of facilitating Gaza genocide

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced it will rule Tuesday on a case accusing Germany of facilitating genocide in Israel’s months-long offensive against the Gaza Strip.

"On Tuesday 30 April 2024, the International Court of Justice will deliver its Order on the Request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Nicaragua in the case concerning Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the Court said in a statement.

It said a public sitting will take place at 3 p.m. (1300GMT) at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which Judge Nawaf Salam, the Court’s head, will read the ruling.

Nicaragua initiated proceedings against Germany at the world court accusing Berlin of facilitating genocide in Gaza by providing political and military support to Israel.

• US announces $6B additional military aid package for Ukraine

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday announced a military aid package for Ukraine valued up to $6 billion.

"I'm also pleased to announce today an additional commitment of $6 billion through our Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative that will allow us to procure new capabilities for Ukraine from US industry," Austin said at a news conference after a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

"This is the largest security assistance package that we've committed to date," he added.

The Pentagon announced a new arms package Wednesday for Ukraine, minutes after Biden signed $95 billion spending bill into law that funds his top-line national security priorities, including more than $60.8 billion for Ukraine.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's planned visit to the US on May 9 has been postponed, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman.
• At least one Israeli national was killed in an attack by Hezbollah that targeted northern Israel, according to media reports.
• The Israeli army has destroyed 70% of water wells in the northern Gaza Strip amid its ongoing onslaught against the enclave.
• A drone attack on an Emirati-owned gas complex in northern Iraq killed at least four Yemeni workers Friday, according to authorities.
• A top Egyptian security delegation arrived in Tel Aviv to discuss a possible Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian group, Hamas, according to Egyptian and Israeli media.
• The British Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador in London on allegations of what it called a "Russian orchestrated malign activity on UK soil.”
• Pro-Palestine students continued an encampment at George Washington University campus in the heart of the US capital, despite widespread crackdowns on university protests across the country.
• Yemenis organized vigils and demonstrations to condemn the discovery of mass graves in the Gaza Strip and to show solidarity with Palestinians facing an Israeli onslaught since October.
• An American military ship anchored off the Gazan coast will participate in building a floating pier.
• Belgium will send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine before year's-end, said the nation’s prime minister on Friday.
• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) urged swift action against the scourge of sexual violence in the war-torn Sudan.

SPORTS

• Warriors guard Stephen Curry named NBA Clutch Player of the Year

Golden State Warriors' All-Star guard Stephen Curry was named the 2023-24 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, said the NBA.

Curry, 36, scored an NBA-high 189 points in clutch situations, which are defined as possessions in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points. He also led the league in clutch field goals made (59) and clutch three-pointers made (32).

He shot 49.6% from the field, 45.7% from three-point range and 95.1% from the free throw line in clutch time.

• Van den Broek wins stage 6 of Tour of Türkiye

Van den Broek of the Dsm-Firmenich PostNL team won stage 6 of the Tour of Türkiye.

The Dutch cyclist completed the 160.1-kilometer (99-mile) track in 4 hours and 10 minutes between the Aegean resort town of Kusadasi and Manisa.

Merhawi Kudus of Terengganu came second while Paul Double of Polti Kometa finished third.

With this win, the 23-year-old rider led the general classification with a time of 23 hours, 2 minutes and 11 seconds.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Loan agreement signed between Türkiye, Japan International Cooperation Agency

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Türkiye signed a 60 billion Japanese yen ($380 million) loan agreement for the reconstruction of areas of Türkiye hit by earthquakes in February 2023, according to a statement.

The loan will help pay for "reconstruction and construction of municipal infrastructures, procurement of ambulances and reconstruction and construction of ambulance stations, reconstruction and construction of rural housing and village infrastructure,” said the Japanese agency.

"Japan, an earthquake country like Turkey, has a strong sympathy for those affected by the earthquakes that occurred in February 2023. Following the earthquake, JICA provided a range of support, from sending search and rescue and medical teams to sharing information based on Japan's past earthquake experiences,” it added.

• Oil prices up following strong demand, Middle East strife

Oil prices increased due to strong US demand and rising tensions in the Middle East.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $89.66 per barrel at 10.36 a.m. EDT, a 0.7% increase from the closing price of $89.01 in the previous session.

The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $84.05, a 0.6% increase from the previous session that closed at $83.57.​​​​​​​