Morning Briefing: Dec. 2, 2023

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday with, including Israeli army resuming attacks on Gaza Strip, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks on Israeli attacks and the United Arab Emirates leader's announcement of $30B fund for global climate solutions at COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli army resumes attacks on Gaza Strip

The Israeli army announced Friday morning that it resumed attacks in the Gaza Strip as a humanitarian pause that had been in place for a week came to an end.

The pause had begun on Nov. 24 as part of an agreement between Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas to temporarily halt the fighting and strikes in Gaza for the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides, as well as the delivery of aid into the besieged enclave.

At least 178 Palestinians have been killed and 589 more injured since Israel resumed bombing the Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The death toll of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli army since Oct. 7 has risen to 73, authorities in Gaza said Friday.

One of the journalists killed on Friday was Montaser Al-Sawaf, an Anadolu freelance cameraman who was reporting in Gaza. His brother and other relatives were also killed in the attacks.

• Turkish president labels Israel's attacks on Gaza 'war crime,' 'crime against humanity'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday labeled Israel's attacks on Gaza a "war crime" and "crime against humanity."

"What is happening in Gaza is a war crime, a crime against humanity. Those who commit such crimes must be tried under international law," President Erdogan said in his speech at the 2023 edition of the UN climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Israeli attacks killing over 16,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, can in no way be justified, he added.

• UAE president establishes $30B fund for global climate solutions

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday announced the establishment of a $30 billion fund for global climate solutions.

The fund aims to bridge the financial gap regarding climate issues and would attract $250 billion investment by 2030, Al Nahyan said in his opening remarks at the UN climate change conference, or commonly known as COP28 this year, in Dubai.

He stressed that the UAE has invested $100 billion in financing climate action, and renewable and clean energy, and is committed to investing an additional $130 billion over the next seven years.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Russian President Vladimir Putin increased the number of troops in the army by approximately 170,000, bringing the military personnel count to more than 2.2 million.

• The UN highlighted that climate change is increasingly threatening the agrifood sector.

• Gaza’s government Media Office on ealry Saturday denied the closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

• France’s president encouraged G-7 countries on Friday to stop using coal by 2030.

• The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously voted to lift the final restrictions on weapons deliveries to Somalia's government and its security forces.

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro compared the “genocide of the Palestinian people” to the future of countries in the Global South in the face of the climate crisis.

• In a historic move, the US House of Representatives on Friday expelled New York Congressman George Santos, who is currently facing indictments for lying about his background during his 2022 campaign for his seat.

• The trial of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, will take place on Saturday in the presence of media and family members in a case in which he is accused of "revealing official secrets."

• A latest public opinion poll showed that 54% of Israelis support the continuation of the humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip and the hostages swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

• Two Chinese community centers in Montreal said that they are launching a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after the national police force said they hosted “alleged Chinese police stations.”

• Sources said Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel will establish a buffer zone inside Gaza.

• Israeli warplanes struck targets near the Syrian capital early Saturday, according to state news agency, SANA.

• Hezbollah announced on Friday that it targeted several Israeli military gatherings near the Lebanon-Israel border.

• South Korea sent a spy satellite to space on Friday, 10 days after North launched one of its own.

• Egypt said it is making "utmost efforts" to restore a humanitarian pause in Gaza following the resumption of fighting in the enclave.

• The Gaza Strip is the "most dangerous place" in the world to be a child, a UN official said on Friday.

SPORTS

• Barcelona get vital 101 - 92 win against ASVEL in EuroLeague

Barcelona fought to a vital 101 - 92 win Friday against ASVEL Villeurbanne in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Italian guard Nicolas Laprovittola's amazing performance with 28 points and nine assists, led Barca to victory at Palau Blaugrana.

• Tennis legend Rafael Nadal announces 2024 comeback

Rafael Nadal announced he will return to court in 2024 from his official Instagram account on Friday.

"After one year outside of the tour, I think it's the right moment to be back," the Spaniard said, "So I feel ready to announce that I will be back in Brisbane the first week of the season."

Brisbane International, which was established in 2009, is a professional tennis tournament played on hard outdoor courts in Brisbane, Australia.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Fed chair calls lowering interest rates premature, and that more hikes may happen

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday indicated that lowering interest rates would be "premature" and that more rate hikes may happen in the coming months.

"It would be premature to conclude with confidence that we have achieved a sufficiently restrictive stance, or to speculate on when policy might ease," he said in a speech at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. "We are prepared to tighten policy further if it becomes appropriate to do so."

• Soaring olive oil prices in Greece make a staple into a luxury

  Olive oil, an essential staple of Greek cuisine and other Mediterranean diets, has become a luxury for many in Greece, due to skyrocketing prices.

  According to the Greek Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), olive oil prices surged by nearly 70% between January 2021 and September 2023, the third-steepest rise in the EU following Spain’s 138% and Portugal’s 90% in the same period.

  A bleak picture for those who cannot imagine meals without the distinct aroma and health benefits of olive oil, this increase is closely related to poor olive harvests in major EU producers.