Morning Briefing: Feb. 22, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday, including a meeting between Turkish and US diplomats on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers meeting, UK lawmakers passing a motion for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, and the US supporting Israel at hearings of the International Court of Justice.

TOP STORIES

• Top Turkish, US diplomats discuss reaching full cease-fire in Gaza 'as soon as possible'

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed bilateral ties and regional issues in Brazil on Wednesday.

Fidan and Blinken exchanged views on steps that could be taken to reach a full cease-fire in the Gaza Strip "as soon as possible," said Turkish diplomatic sources.

On the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, they also discussed the war in Ukraine, NATO's expansion process, peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and other regional issues.

• UK lawmakers pass motion calling for 'immediate humanitarian cease-fire' in Gaza

British lawmakers passed a motion calling for an "immediate humanitarian cease-fire" in the Gaza Strip after tumult in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) motion passed as amended without a vote, with a majority of MPs shouting “aye” after it was amended by a Labour motion that changed the wording from an “immediate cease-fire.”

Chaos ensued after Speaker Lindsay Hoyle accepted amendments by both the Conservative and Labour parties to the motion, in a sharp break from parliamentary tradition.

• US backs Israeli offensive, urges caution from UN court

The US delegation to the International Court of Justice on Wednesday backed Israel's military offensive in the occupied Palestinian territories and called for the court to "carefully calibrate" its advice.

During public hearings at The Hague, the US representative, Richard Visek, tried to justify Israel's military activities in the region, saying: "Any movement towards Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration of Israel's very real security needs. We were all reminded of those security needs on October 7, and they persist."

He was referring to an Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian group Hamas which killed some 1,200 people. In the four-plus months since, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have taken nearly 30,000 lives and injured nearly 70,000 others.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye scored another “critical threshold” in the production of its fifth-generation fighter jet, as the country's homegrown aircraft KAAN successfully carried out its maiden test flight, the nation’s president said Wednesday.

• Türkiye has appointed its new ambassador to the US, Sedat Onal, and Ahmet Yildiz as permanent representative to the UN in New York.

• France on Wednesday condemned Israeli officials’ statements calling for the reestablishment of illegal Jewish settlements in Gaza.

• British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak once again failed to back a call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza on Wednesday but said he supports an “immediate humanitarian pause.”

• The Palestinian death toll from Israel's deadly offensive against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 has risen to 29,313, the Health Ministry in Gaza said on Tuesday.

• About four years before the shootings, the Australian white supremacist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019 posted online that he "wanted to attack important places."

• The US on Wednesday welcomed progress made in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying it believes an agreement is within reach.

• An Israeli broadcaster reported Wednesday that there has been a disturbing increase in soldiers stealing weapons “under the guise of war amid fears that they may also reach armed groups in the West Bank.”

• Israeli War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz on Wednesday voiced optimism about the release of hostages held captive by Hamas, saying there are some initial signs of progress in a new framework.

SPORTS

• Barcelona draw with Napoli in Champions League Round of 16

Spanish La Liga powerhouse Barcelona drew 1-1 with Italian Serie A club Napoli in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match on Wednesday.

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski scored in the 50th minute. Napoli's Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen beat his marker and leveled the score with a low shot in the 70th minute.

• Postponed 2023 Turkish Super Cup to be held in Sanliurfa in April

The postponed 2023 Turkish Super Cup will take place in the Turkish southeastern city of Sanliurfa, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed Wednesday.

The match between defending Super Lig champions Galatasaray and 2022-23 Turkish Cup winners Fenerbahce, originally scheduled for last December, will be played on April 7 at 9 p.m. local time (0600GMT) at Sanliurfa’s 11 Nisan Stadium.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye's homegrown fighter jet KAAN holds maiden test flight

KAAN, a fighter jet made in Türkiye, had its maiden test flight on Wednesday, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said.

The first fifth-generation, Turkish-made fighter jet aims to replace the Turkish army's aging fleet.

The latest development makes Türkiye one of only a few countries to posssess this technology.

The aircraft, whose project began in 2016, was first rolled out in March 2023.

• US chipmaker Nvidia posts record quarterly, full-year revenues

US-based global chipmaker Nvidia posted record quarterly and full-year revenues with booming demand for artificial intelligence (AI), according to its financial results statement released late Wednesday.

The California-based company posted record revenue of $22.1 billion for the fourth quarter ending Jan. 28, up 265% from $6.05 billion in the same period of the previous year.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​