Morning Briefing: Dec. 24, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday with, including UN seeking ICJ advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations in occupied Palestinian territory, France unveiling its new government, and Turkish President Erdogan's remarks on Israel's growing aggression aims to undermine Syrian revolution.

TOP STORIES

• UN seeks ICJ advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations in occupied Palestinian territory

The UN General Assembly formally requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations as an occupying power in relation to the presence and activities of the UN, other international organizations, and third states in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The decision request amid heightened tensions in the region and increased international focus on the humanitarian and developmental needs of Palestinians.

Israel’s decision to ban the operations of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, in the country, along with challenges faced by other UN agencies in delivering aid to Gaza over the past year, prompted the move.

Under international humanitarian law, occupying powers are obligated to consent to relief efforts for those in need, facilitate such programs "by all means at their disposal," and ensure adequate food, medical care, hygiene, and public health standards.

• Seeking to end political deadlock, France unveils new government

France unveiled its new government, bringing an end to weeks of political uncertainty following the ouster of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet earlier this month.

The new 39-member Cabinet, announced by President Emmanuel Macron's Chief of Staff Alexis Kohler from the Elysee Palace, features a blend of seasoned politicians and unexpected appointments in key roles.

Bruno Retailleau kept his post as interior minister, maintaining oversight over national security. Gerald Darmanin, a onetime interior minister, was reassigned to lead the Justice Ministry.

Jean-Noel Barrot continues as foreign minister, steering France’s diplomatic engagements on the global stage.

Benjamin Haddad assumed the role of minister for European affairs, focusing on France's relations within the EU. Eric Lombard was named economy minister, taking charge of the country’s economic strategy amid challenging times.

• Israel's growing aggression aims to undermine Syrian revolution, suppress people's hopes: Turkish President Erdogan

Behind Israel's growing aggression is an apparent attempt to overshadow the revolution in Syria and suppress Syrians' hopes, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Even if Israel is acting opportunistically, sooner or later it will have to withdraw from the lands it occupies,” Erdogan said in an address to the nation after the last Cabinet meeting of the year in the capital Ankara, speaking of Israel's recent illegal incursion into Syria.

Türkiye has stood on right side of history since the very beginning of Syrian crisis in 2011, Erdogan said.​​​​​​​

The Syrian revolution has refocused global attention on the country, said Erdogan, adding that as its “neighbor and brother” Türkiye is best suited to grasp its new phase.

Stressing Türkiye’s unwavering support for protecting Syria’s territorial integrity and unitary structure, Erdogan said that Ankara will provide all necessary support to the Syrian people to “make their achievements permanent” after they triumphed over the “oppressive regime."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Mozambique’s Constitutional Council confirmed that Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) had won the October 9 presidential election.
  
  
• Mike Waltz, named as national security adviser by US President-elect Donald Trump, said that US troops should not remain in Syria, citing a need to avoid prolonged involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.
  
  
• Bangladesh asked India to facilitate the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka, state media reported.
  
  
• The US said that its forces killed two Daesh/ISIS operatives in Syria during an airstrike.
  
  
• Denmark backed Greenland's response to a suggestion by US President-elect Donald Trump that Washington should purchase the Arctic territory, saying it is "not for sale" but "open for cooperation."
  
  
• Kosovo's Central Election Commission (CEC) decided to bar the main ethnic Serb party from competing in parliamentary elections set for Feb. 9.
  
  
• Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed developments in Syria with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in a phone call, said Turkish diplomatic sources.
  
  
• Romania’s pro-Western coalition government led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu won a confidence vote in parliament, setting the stage for bold reforms and investments.
  
  
• A group of independent UN human rights experts called for the immediate and thorough documentation of gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Syria.
  
  
• The Israeli military admitted that it targeted a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, claiming the strike was aimed at eliminating a senior Hamas security official.
  
  
• Two people were killed and another injured in an Israeli airstrike near a school in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon.

SPORTS

• Inter Milan beat Como 2-0 in Serie A

Inter Milan secured a 2-0 win over Como in the 17th week of the Italian Serie A.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the first half at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, but Carlos Augusto scored the opener with a header in the 48th minute.

The Nerazzurri doubled the lead after Marcus Thuram made a close-range finish in stoppage time. Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, are third with 37 points and Como are 16th with 15 points.

• Atletico Madrid win their 7th match in a row to top LaLiga

Europe's four top football leagues are led by Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga, Liverpool in the English Premier League, Atletico Madrid in the Spanish LaLiga, and Atalanta in the Italian Serie A.

No league matches were played in French Ligue 1 this week due to the cup competition.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Iran struggling to tackle energy crisis despite vast oil reserves

Iran is grappling with an energy crisis amid the cold winter weather, with many factories and government offices in some cities closed or operating with reduced hours while schools are switching to distance learning.

The oil-rich country is suffering from an energy crisis due to sanctions, which have led to a lack of sufficient investments in its energy infrastructure. Power outages in industrial and residential areas and shortages of energy supply, especially in the winter, have caused economic and social issues. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently appealed to the public to turn their thermostats down by 2C (3.6F).

• New Yandex search engine delivers AI tailored for Turkish users

Yandex has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated search service developed specifically for Turkish users.

Designed specifically for the Turkish language structure, the service, called Yazeka with Yandex Search, aims to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering a multi-source and transparent search experience, allowing users to directly see the sources of search results.

The service aims to deliver the most accurate answers by supporting all online information sources with citations and is expected to transform users' search habits.