Morning Briefing: Dec. 13, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday, including US President Biden’s rare criticism of the Israeli government, the UN General Assembly passing a Gaza cease-fire resolution, and UK lawmakers voting in favor of a controversial asylum seeker bill.

TOP STORIES

• Biden says Israel losing support around world

US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Israel is losing support around the world and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to strengthen and change" his government.

Biden said Netanyahu has a “tough decision to make."

“This is the most conservative government in Israel’s history,” Biden said at a campaign fundraiser in Washington, adding that Netanyahu’s government “doesn’t want a two-state solution.”

He said Netanyahu "has to strengthen and change" his government to "find a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

• UN General Assembly passes cease-fire resolution in Gaza

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution Tuesday demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

The non-binding resolution, presented by Egypt with the support of nearly 100 countries, including Türkiye, passed with 153 votes in favor as the 193-member General Assembly met for an emergency special session on Palestine.

Ten countries, including the US, Israel and Austria, voted against the resolution, while 23, including the UK, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine, abstained.

• British MPs vote in favor of sending asylum-seekers to Rwanda

Following hours of heated debate, a majority of British lawmakers on Tuesday backed a controversial bill that would allow the government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The bill, which was submitted to parliament last week, aims to address the concerns of the UK Supreme Court, which ruled that the government's original plan to send asylum seekers to the East African country was unlawful.

It compels judges to regard Rwanda as a safe country and gives ministers the power to disregard parts of the Human Rights Act.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 18,412, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Tuesday.

• Australia, Canada, and New Zealand urged an international effort for a "sustainable ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip conflict and voiced concern about a lack of safe spaces for civilians in the besieged enclave.

• The Israeli army said Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of two hostages from the Gaza Strip who were taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Tuesday that there is a disagreement with US President Joe Biden regarding the “post-Hamas” Gaza strip.

• Voting in Egypt’s presidential elections concluded Tuesday, enabling the counting of ballots to begin, Egyptian news agency MENA reported.

• An Israeli interception missile fell Tuesday on the grounds of a public school in the town of Yater in southern Lebanon, damaging a car belonging to its principal.

• Israel on Tuesday threatened to use force in dealing with Houthi rebels in Yemen amid threats against ships sailing to Israeli ports.

• Niger’s army announced Tuesday that all French soldiers will have left Niger by Dec. 22, with 1,346 French personnel and 80% of their logistics equipment already disengaged from the country.

• Israel's military has begun pumping seawater into the tunnel network allegedly used by Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported.

• During a rare visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, China and Vietnam on Tuesday announced what Beijing called a “new characterization” of bilateral relations between the two countries.

SPORTS

• Al-Ittihad beat Auckland City in FIFA Club World Cup

Al-Ittihad FC claimed a 3-0 win over Auckland City FC on Tuesday in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

Romarinho broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, N'Golo Kante doubled the lead, and Karim Benzema scored his team's third goal at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

• Copenhagen advances to Champions League last 16

Copenhagen earned a narrow win over Galatasaray on Tuesday to advance to the UEFA Champions League last 16.

Neither team was able to break the deadlock in the first half, but Lukas Lerager made a close-range finish to score the winner for the Danish club in the 58th minute.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Annual US consumer inflation at 3.1% in November

Annual consumer inflation in the US came in at 3.1% in November, slowing from a 3.2% gain in October, according to figures released Tuesday.

The figure is a sharp decline from last June's 9.1% yearly gain.

On a monthly basis, CPI rose 0.1% in November, compared to the previous month, while the market expectation for the figure was to show no change.

• US announces $200M in additional military aid to Ukraine​​​​​​​

The US announced an additional $200 million military aid package for Ukraine on Tuesday for its “critical” security and defense needs.

The package includes additional air defense capabilities, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia, according to the US Defense Department.