Morning Briefing: Dec. 27, 2023

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) – Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday, including approval by the Turkish parliamentary committee of Sweden's NATO bid, dozens of Palestinians' bodies arriving in Gaza following release by Israel, and Israel killing its own soldiers mistakenly.

TOP STORIES

• Turkish parliamentary committee approves Sweden's NATO bid

Legislation greenlighting Sweden's accession to NATO was approved on Tuesday by the Turkish parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, leaving only a vote in the general assembly to grant or deny Türkiye's full approval.

Before the pivotal vote, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar briefed the committee on Sweden's NATO membership process, and lawmakers weighed in on the proposal.

In October, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and submitted it to parliament.

• Dozens of Palestinians' bodies arrive in Gaza following release by Israel

The bodies of dozens of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army who were detained during its ground operation, arrived Tuesday in the Gaza Strip after being released by Tel Aviv, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza received the bodies through the Kerem Shalom border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, an Anadolu correspondent reported.

''The UN had informed us in advance of the arrival of a number of martyrs to the Gaza Strip, estimated to be around 80 bodies,'' Marwan Al-Hams, the director of Mohammed Yousef El-Najar Hospital in Rafah city, told Anadolu.

• Israeli army says mistakenly killed 2 soldiers in Gaza last month

The Israeli army on Tuesday said it mistakenly killed two of its soldiers during a military operation in the Gaza Strip last month.

According to Army Radio, an Israeli tank spotted suspicious movements in a building and decided to shell its second floor, resulting in the death of the troops.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Turkish intelligence teams destroyed nearly 50 facilities belonging to the PKK terror group in several Syrian cities, with senior terrorists targeted as well, security sources said.
  

• The Iraqi government condemned the US targeting of its military sites, labelling it a "clear hostile act."

• Phone and internet services cut off across Gaza Strip due to Israeli attacks, said the Palestinian telecom company.

• Kuwait said that the bodies of two missing Kuwaiti and Saudi nationals had been found in Iraq's western Anbar province.

• Indian police said they are investigating reports of a blast near the Israeli Embassy in the capital New Delhi.

• Ukraine's commander-in-chief confirmed that the Marinka town in the country's eastern Donetsk region is under the control of Russian forces.

• France expressed "grave concern" after Israel vowed to intensify and deepen operations in the Gaza Strip.

SPORTS

• Cristiano Ronaldo becomes leading goal scorer of 2023 with 53 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice Tuesday in the Saudi Super League to become the leading scorer in 2023 with 53 goals.

"Al Nassr Captain, Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the world's top scorer in 2023 after reaching his 53rd goal against Ittihad today," the team wrote on X. "He surpassed Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, who scored 52 goals each."

The 38-year-old Portuguese successfully converted two penalty kicks in the 5-2 win.

• Panathinaikos announces Fatih Terim as new manager

Panathinaikos confirmed Fatih Terim as their new manager after sacking Ivan Jovanovic.

"As a coach he had a great journey, and is by far the second-best coach in Turkey, having won eight championships and a UEFA Cup with Galatasaray. He also led the Turkish National Team to the semi-finals of the EURO," Panathinaikos said in a statement.

"We welcome Fatih Terim to the Panathinaikos family!" the Greek club added.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Russian adviser says economies of Global North losing role, importance

The economies of the Global North are losing their role and importance while others in Asia are rising, said an adviser to the Russian president.

Maxim Oreshkin said Europe's well-being was based on "comfortable access" to Russian energy resources and "cheap production" in China.

• Festive atmosphere continues in global markets

Trading volume is expected to remain low during the week due to the Christmas holiday, and possible price fluctuations may be in wider ranges because of shallow market conditions, analysts reported.

While there were no transactions on many stock exchanges on Monday, trading will continue on some, particularly the New York Stock Exchange, on Tuesday.