Morning Briefing - Feb. 21, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday with, including the US blocking a Gaza cease-fire resolution at the UN Security Council, the suspension of food distribution by UN agency in northern Gaza, Hamas chief’s visit to Egypt, and a joint press conference by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

TOP STORIES

• US again vetoes UN Gaza cease-fire resolution

The US vetoed Tuesday the latest attempt at the UN Security Council to demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the besieged Gaza Strip as the official death toll rapidly nears 30,000.

The draft resolution put forward by Algeria received widespread support in the Council with 13 of its 15 member states voting in favor.

The US was the sole nation to vote against it, and as a permanent Council member, its opposition killed the resolution. The UK, another permanent member, abstained.

• UN agency halts food distribution in northern Gaza

The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday announced that it had halted food distribution in northern Gaza until safety conditions there improve.

“The decision to pause deliveries to the north of the Gaza Strip has not been taken lightly, as we know it means the situation there will deteriorate further and more people risk dying of hunger,” it said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to reaching people across the entire Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli attacks for months.

• Hamas chief arrives in Cairo for talks on Israeli war on Gaza

Hamas on Tuesday said its chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo to hold talks on the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Palestinian resistance group said Haniyeh and his delegation is scheduled to hold talks with Egyptian officials on the political and on field situation in Gaza.

Haniyeh's visit to Cairo comes as Qatari and Egyptian efforts continue with the aim of reaching a prisoner swap deal and a cease-fire in Gaza.

• Türkiye, Albania contributing to peace in Balkans as NATO allies, says President Erdogan

Türkiye and Albania are two members of the NATO alliance who play a role in maintaining peace and stability in the Balkans region, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.

“Türkiye and Albania are two NATO allies contributing to the preservation of peace and stability in the Balkans,” Erdogan told a joint news conference in the capital Ankara with Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, who is paying a one-day official visit.

Erdogan added that Türkiye has elevated its trade volume with Albania to the level of $1 billion, and now they seek to double this to $2 billion.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Democratic Republic of Congo's Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde resigned, said the president’s office on Tuesday, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

• The Netherlands at the ICJ on Tuesday accused Israel of annexing occupied Palestinian territories, adding that no sovereignty can be established over occupied territory.

• Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group targeted a ship linked to humanitarian aid, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conditions of refusing to halt the aggression on Gaza or withdrawing hinder efforts to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas, Palestinian sources said on Tuesday.

• WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is facing what could potentially be his last chance to contest his extradition from the UK to the US as a two-day hearing commences Tuesday amid fervent protests outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

• Britain's Prince of Wales William on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" over the "terrible human cost" of the Gaza conflict, saying in a statement that "too many have been killed.”

• Saudi Arabia at the ICJ on Tuesday called for ending the decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, deeming it “illegal.”

• The death toll from Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip has jumped to 29,195 since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday

• An official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concern Tuesday over the state of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

SPORTS

• Inter Milan secure narrow win over Atletico Madrid

Inter Milan sealed a narrow win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round 16 on Tuesday.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the first half, but Marko Arnautovic scored the winner in the 79th minute at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.

• German world champion footballer Andreas Brehme dead at age 63

German world champion footballer Andreas Brehme has passed away at age 63, his official Instagram account said Tuesday.

Former fullback Brehme's most memorable achievement was netting the winning goal for West Germany against Maradona's Argentina in the 1990 FIFA World Cup final.

He also helped Bayern Munich bag the 1986-87 German Bundesliga title,

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Canada's annual consumer inflation slows to 2.9% in January from 3.4% in December

Canada's annual consumer inflation slowed down to 2.9% in January from 3.4% in December 2023, the country’s statistical authority said Tuesday.

The consumer price index (CPI) came in lower than market expectations of 3.3%.

The rate reflects a significant slowdown since the 8.1% figure in June 2022 — its highest level in 39 years.

• Streaming firm sues Disney, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery for antitrust practices

US-based streaming television services provider FuboTV announced Tuesday that it has filed an antitrust lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company, FOX Corp., Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. and their affiliates.

The company alleges that the vertically-integrated media companies have engaged in a years-long campaign to block Fubo’s innovative sports-first streaming business, resulting in significant harm to both Fubo and consumers.​​​​​​​