Morning Briefing: Dec. 29, 2023

By Emre Basaran

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday, including the Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks topping 21,300, the maiden flight of Türkiye's next-gen air combat fighter ANKA III, and the UN human rights office warning of the "rapidly deteriorating human rights situation" in West Bank.

TOP STORIES

- Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks tops 21,300

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks surged to 21,320 since Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the enclave said.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said that 55,603 other people had been injured in the Israeli onslaught.

“At least 210 people were killed and 360 others injured in the last 24 hours,” he added.

- Türkiye's next-gen combat drone makes maiden flight

Türkiye's next-generation air combat fighter ANKA III made its maiden flight, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.

ANKA III is a system that is faster thanks to its special engine, has a high payload capacity, and is less visible on radar with its tailless structure, according to the producer, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

The uncrewed combat aerial vehicle can carry out missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence, with air-ground munitions, air-to-air ammunition, and radar systems.

- UN rights office warns of 'rapidly deteriorating human rights situation' in West Bank

The UN human rights office warned of the "rapidly deteriorating human rights situation" in the West Bank.

In a report, the UN also called on Israel to "end unlawful killings and settler violence" against the Palestinian population.

"The report calls for an immediate end to the use of military weapons and means during law enforcement operations, an end to arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of Palestinians, and the lifting of discriminatory movement restrictions," according to the UN.

NEWS IN BRIEF

- US Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley acknowledged Thursday that slavery was the root cause of the US Civil War amid a growing backlash when she hours earlier failed to mention slavery as a cause.

- The US, France, Germany, and the UK condemned Iran's increased production of highly enriched uranium.

- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that a series of agreements to ensure orderly and legal migration in the region was reached in a meeting with US officials.

- Turkish authorities apprehended an Iraqi national suspected of being a member of the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS, police confirmed.

- South Korea’s top court ruled in favor of Korean victims of Japan's forced labor and ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation, according to media reports.

- The UN human rights chief urged Nigeria to thoroughly investigate a series of armed gang attacks that killed at least 200 people last weekend.

- Blaming Washington for the current tension on the Korean peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un asked his armed forces to prepare for war with the US, state-run media said.

- A devastating explosion resulting from the crash of a gas tanker in Liberia claimed the lives of at least 40 people, with many more sustaining severe injuries.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

- Türkiye's economic confidence improves in December

Türkiye's economic confidence index rose 1.1% to 96.4 in December on a monthly basis, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkState) showed.

During the month, retail trade sector confidence jumped 4.5%, consumer confidence 2.6%, and services sector confidence 1.2%, while the real sector and construction sectors' confidence indexes dropped 0.5% and 3.3%, respectively.

- US initial jobless claims rise by 12,000

The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims rose by 12,000 last week to 218,000, according to Labor Department data.

The figure was higher than market estimates of 210,000, while the previous week's reading was revised upwards from 205,000 to 206,000.

SPORTS

- Fenerbahce Beko win EuroLeague Istanbul derby 89-84 against Anadolu Efes

Turkish basketball club Fenerbahce Beko won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague round 17 Istanbul derby 89-84 against Anadolu Efes.

Fenerbahce Beko climbed to the number four spot with 10 wins and seven losses, while Anadolu Efes placed 13th with seven wins and 10 losses.

- Isco renews contract with Real Betis

Isco Alarcon renewed his contract with the Spanish La Liga side, Real Betis announced.

The Spaniard will stay with Betis until June 2027, according to a statement.

- Brazilian defender Bremer renews Juventus contract through 2028

Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer has extended his contract with Juventus until 2028, the Italian club announced.

In a statement on Juventus’ website, Bremer said he is very excited about his renewal for five more years and is happy to continue with the Turin side.