Morning Briefing: April 4, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including Israel’s continuous attacks on Gaza, a war cabinet minister pressing for early elections, multiple attacks reported in southeast Iran, and drought in Zimbabwe.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli attacks continue in Gaza despite UN cease-fire resolution

Israel continued to pound targets in Gaza on Wednesday in defiance of a UN cease-fire resolution, with the latest attacks leaving three people dead.

Israeli warplanes killed one person and injured several others in an airstrike in the central Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Another airstrike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip left one dead and several injured.

One person was also killed in the Zeitoun neighborhood of eastern Gaza when Israeli soldiers opened fire.

• Israeli war cabinet minister calls for early elections

Israeli war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, called for early elections in the country.

“We must agree on a date for elections in September, about a year from the war,” Gantz said in a televised briefing. “Setting such a date will allow us to continue the military effort while signaling to the citizens of Israel that we will soon renew their trust in us.”

The Likud Party, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the demand.

But according to Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, a September election is too far away as he advocated for a swifter replacement of the current government.

• Multiple attacks reported on police and army bases in southeast Iran

At least three simultaneous attacks reported on military bases and police stations in southeastern Iran’s restive Sistan and Baluchistan province.

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA, citing sources, said three “terrorist operations” were carried out simultaneously late Wednesday targeting a police station and two army headquarters in the cities of Chabahar and Rask.

At least three armed assailants had been wounded and one other killed in the operation carried out by the police.

• Zimbabwe declares state of emergency as drought ravages country

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of emergency as the current drought ravages the country.

It becomes the third African country to declare the current drought a national disaster, following Zambia and Malawi.

Mnangagwa told reporters at State House in Harare that the southern African country has a grain deficit of 680,000 metric tons, with more than 2.7 million people in need of food aid. He said the country is now banking on importing grain from other nations.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his determination to eliminate the threat of terrorism not only in Türkiye but throughout the region in future.

• NATO secretary general condemned this week's killing of seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip, but welcomed Israel's initiative to launch investigation into the incident.

• The World Health Organization's director-general stressed that members of the US-based charity World Central Kitchen in Gaza should "never have been" targeted by Israel as their cars were "clearly marked."

• South Africa’s National Assembly speaker announced her resignation, as corruption investigations against her continue.

• Another two journalists were killed in the Gaza Strip, taking the death toll from Israeli attacks to 140 since last October, media office in the enclave said.

• Legislative and regional elections originally scheduled this month in Togo will be delayed, the president’s office announced, hours before the start of campaign.

• US opposed Palestine's bid to become a full UN member state, saying a Palestinian state should be established through negotiations rather than at the UN.

• A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Mangya City in northwestern China's Qinghai province early Thursday.

• Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara promised continuous support to deal with irregular migrants heading to Italian shores during a discussion with his counterpart Sergio Mattarella.

SPORTS

• Foden carries Manchester City to 4-1 Premier League win against Aston Villa

Phil Foden carried Manchester City to a 4-1 English Premier League week 31 win against Aston Villa.

After Rodri's opener in the 11th minute, the 23-year-old English attacker's hat-trick in the 46th, 62nd and 69th minutes brought the Sky Blues victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Aston Villa's Colombian forward Jhon Duran netted the only goal of the visitors in the 20th minute.

• Spanish football club Getafe handed 3-match partial stadium ban for racist abuse

The Spanish football body imposed on Getafe a three-match partial stadium closure after fans racially abused a Sevilla player and head coach during a league match.

The RFEF disciplinary committee said Getafe were also fined €27,000 ($29,100) after a group of fans voiced racist slurs against Sevilla's Argentine left-back Marcos Acuna and Spanish head coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US private payrolls rise by 184,000, more than estimates

US private payrolls rose by 184,000 in March, more than market estimates, according to a report by a research institute.

The market expectation for the figure was to show an increase of 148,000 jobs.

The figure for February was an increase of 155,000.

• More than 26% of Greek population face risk of poverty, social exclusion, says statistical body

A little more than 26% of the Greek population faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023, the country’s Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said.

The percentage at risk of poverty or social exclusion is 26.1%, or more than 2.65 million, it said in its annual survey on living and income conditions.

ELSTAT said the risk of poverty or social exclusion is higher among children aged 17 and younger and more than 28%.