Morning Briefing - Feb. 13, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday, including the Dutch court's ruling ordering Netherlands to stop delivering F-35 parts to Israel, Amnesty International’s report on possible war crimes in Rafah by Israel and Turkish President Erdogan's upcoming visits in UAE and Egypt.

TOP STORIES

• Dutch court rules Netherlands must stop delivery of F-35 parts to Israel

The Netherlands must stop the delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel within seven days, a Dutch appeal court ordered Monday.

The decision came as the court upheld an appeal from human rights organizations who argued that supplying the parts contributed to “violations of international law by Israel” in its war on Gaza.

"The court orders the State to cease all actual export and transit of F-35 parts with final destination Israel within seven days after service of this judgement," said the court.

• Amnesty report gives evidence on possible war crimes by Israel in Rafah

Amnesty International UK on Monday unveiled evidence of deadly "unlawful attacks" perpetrated by Israeli forces in the city of Rafah, Gaza, alleging war crimes by Israel and egregious violations of international humanitarian law during military operations in the region.

The Amnesty International investigation scrutinized four separate Israeli attacks in Rafah, where civilians, including children and the elderly, were said to bear the brunt of relentless violence.

Three of these assaults unfolded in December following the conclusion of a humanitarian pause, with another taking place in January.

• Türkiye President Erdogan to put Gaza crisis at center stage during UAE, Egypt visits

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday announced that the ongoing crisis in Gaza will be the central focus of his visits this week to both the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

President Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara that the ‘escalating Israeli attacks on Gaza will undoubtedly top the agenda in both countries.

He also accused Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu government of imitating Hitler and crossing the line in new ways every day in "its brutal policy of massacres since Oct. 7," when the recent conflict in Gaza began.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The International Criminal Court's prosecutor on Monday expressed deep concern over the reported bombardment and potential ground incursion by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza city of Rafah
  
  
• US President Joe Biden and Jordan's King Abdullah II affirmed their commitment to work together to produce an enduring end to the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
  
  
• At least 17 Tunisian nationals have been reported missing after their migrant vessel capsized off the northern coast of the North African nation, a local official said on Monday.
  
  
• EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday urged the international community to rethink providing arms to Israel, highlighting the large numbers of Palestinians killed in Gaza to date, now at 28,000.
  
  
• Israel on Monday banned the entry of UN Special Rapporteur for Palestinians Francesca Albanese and accused her of justifying the Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas.
  
  
• The US is “devastated” about the “heartbreaking” death of a 6-year-old girl in Gaza, and has called for an urgent investigation into the incident, according to a State Department spokesperson.
  
  
• Scottish leader Humza Yousaf on Monday condemned the UK government and Labour Party for failing to demand an immediate cease-fire from Israel amidst a devastating crisis in the Gaza Strip.
  
  
• A court in Dhaka ruled Monday that Bangladesh's sole Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus, must pay $4.5 million in outstanding taxes to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
  
  
• Two more Palestinian journalists were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Monday, pushing up the death toll to 126 since Oct. 7, the government media office said.
  
  
• Amid political wrangling over stitching together a coalition government, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has named Shehbaz Sharif as its prime minister candidate, a party leader announced on Monday.
  
  
• Serbia is determined to speed up its path to European Union membership, President Aleksandar Vucic said Monday.
  
  
• Yemen’s Houthi group fired two missiles toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday.
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• The Pentagon announced Monday that the number of US casualties in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan since Oct. 18 totals around 186.

SPORTS

• Juventus' title hopes fading after shocking home loss

Juventus' title bid in the Italian football division was hurt after visitors Udinese took an unexpected 1-0 win in Turin on Monday.

Udinese's Argentine defender Lautaro Giannetti scored the winner in the 25th minute at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus have 53 points in 24 matches to be still in second spot.

• UEFA Champions League Round of 16 to kick off today with 2 matches

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 will kick off with Copenhagen hosting Manchester City and Leipzig facing Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Defending champions Manchester City will travel to take on Copenhagen in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie at the Danish capital's Parken Stadium.

The game will start at 2000 GMT with Jose Maria Sanchez from Spain as referee.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Fitch affirms EU, Euratom ratings at 'AAA' with stable outlooks

Fitch Ratings said Monday it affirmed the ratings of the EU and European Atomic Energy Community, Euratom, at "AAA" with stable outlooks.

The affirmation of ratings and stable outlooks reflect member states' strong commitment to provide financial support to the EU, the rating agency said in a statement.

• Bitcoin hits $50,000 for 1st time in more than 2 years

Bitcoin saw its price hitting $50,000 on Monday for the first time in more than two years.

The price of Bitcoin rose to as high as $50,280 during the day, while it was up for a daily gain of 4.5% near $50,200 at 3.58 p.m. EDT -- its highest level since December 2021.​​​​​​​