Morning Briefing: Dec. 8, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA)- Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday, including Gaza nearing a humanitarian collapse, a landmark agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan for release of detainees, Türkiye-Greece joint declaration on friendly relations, and approval of a legislation banning Quran burning in Denmark.

TOP STORIES

• Gaza near humanitarian 'collapse,' says UN migration agency

The UN migration agency has called for a "lasting and immediate" cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, as the humanitarian situation is "near collapse" due to intense fighting and lack of access.

"The scale of displacement in Gaza is massive; the humanitarian conditions are deeply alarming and at the brink of collapse," said a statement by Amy Pope, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

It also called for an immediate cease-fire to deliver adequate food, water, and other essentials to save lives.

• Azerbaijan, Armenia agree on release of detainees in landmark agreement

Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to the mutual release of detainees, according to a joint statement from the two countries, in a step toward peace.

The two countries agree that "there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region," while reconfirming their intention to normalize relations and reach the peace treaty respecting ‘the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ says a statement by news agency AZERTAC.

As part of the agreement, Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian soldiers in exchange for two Azerbaijani soldiers.

• Türkiye, Greece announce declaration on friendly relations, good neighborliness

Türkiye and Greece announced the "Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourliness" during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to the Greek capital.

“Recognizing the renewed will for cooperation between the Governments of the two countries and underlining that the bonds between the two neighbouring nations harbour the potential to markedly increase the region’s prosperity and dynamism,” the declaration emphasized the need to continue jointly working for the benefit of both societies in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust.

• Denmark passes law prohibiting Quran burning

Denmark passed legislation on Thursday banning the burning of the Quran in public places on the grounds of "inappropriate treatment of writings with significant importance for a recognized religious community."

Following a heated debate among lawmakers, the bill was passed with 94 votes in favor and 77 votes against in the 179-member Danish parliament.

The bill makes it illegal to burn, tear, or defile holy texts in public or online to widely disseminate them.

Offenders can risk a fine or jail term for as many as two years.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Several Palestinians were injured Thursday in an Israeli military airstrike targeting the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital in central Gaza Strip, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

• The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) voiced concern Thursday about thousands of patients and health care staff in the Gaza Strip, saying the only way to protect them is with an immediate cease-fire.

• There is no issue between Türkiye and Greece that cannot be resolved, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens.

• The Israeli army said on Thursday that two more soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip, including the son of a war-time Cabinet member, taking the death toll of soldiers to 416 soldiers since Oct. 7.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that there remains a gap between Israel’s intent to protect civilians and results on the ground in Gaza, adding it is imperative that Israel put a premium on civilian protection.

• British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the emergency Rwanda Bill as the "toughest anti-illegal immigration law ever” and pledged to "not allow a foreign court to block" Rwandan flights.

• US President Joe Biden emphasized the "critical need" for Israel to protect civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and ‘separate the civilian population from Hamas’ during a telephone call with Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said Thursday.

• Gunmen abducted about 10 students from the Federal University Lafia in Nasarawa state in north-central Nigeria, university spokesperson Abubakar Ibrahim confirmed to Anadolu.

• Türkiye aims to increase its bilateral trade volume with Greece from $5.5 billion to $10 billion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

• A federal grand jury indicted US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter on nine separate counts of tax crimes Thursday in the US state of California. If convicted, he faces up to 17 years in prison.

SPORTS

• Paris Saint-Germain sell minority stake to US investment firm

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Thursday that Qatar Sports Investments and Arctos Partners agreed to a landmark strategic partnership and investment deal in the French football club.

Arctos will “acquire a minority common equity stake in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the most successful football club in France and one of the leading football and multi-sports brands in the world," Paris Saint-Germain said in a statement.

• West Ham United beat Tottenham Hotspur with comeback win in Premier League

West Ham United notched a 2-1 comeback win Thursday against Tottenham Hotspur in the 15th week of the English Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero scored on a header in the 11th minute. Jarrod Bowen leveled the match in the 52nd minute while James Ward-Prowse scored the winner in the 74th minute.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Turkish Central Bank reserves rise to all-time high of $140.1B

Türkiye's Central Bank on Thursday announced record-high gross reserves of $140.1 billion as of the end of last week.

According to the bank's weekly figures, gross reserves surged $3.65 billion on a weekly basis as of Dec. 1.

Foreign currency reserves amounted to $93.23 billion after an increase of $2.24 billion over the same period, while gold reserves totaled $46.92 billion, up $1.4 billion.

• US consumer credit rises $5.2B in October: Fed

Consumer credit in the US rose around $5.2 billion in October from the previous month to reach almost $4.99 trillion, according to Federal Reserve data released Thursday.

The increase came in much less than the market expectation of a $9 billion gain.

"In October, consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.2 percent," the Fed said in a statement.