Morning Briefing: Jan. 25, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday, including US President Joe Biden urging Congress to proceed with F-16 sale to Türkiye, Israeli bombardment at UN center in Gaza, ICJ to deliver order on South Africa genocide case against Israel on Friday, and a joint presser of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi.

TOP STORIES

• Biden urges Congress to 'proceed with' F-16 sale to Türkiye

US President Joe Biden has sent a letter to the top lawmakers on the House and Senate foreign relations committees, urging Congress to proceed with a pending F-16 sale to Türkiye "without delay," a US official told Anadolu on Wednesday.

The letter welcomed "the Turkish parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession protocols."

It also informed members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee that the Biden administration "intends to formally notify Congress of the sale of F-16s to Türkiye as soon as this process is complete."

• Israeli shelling kills 9, injures dozen at UN center in Gaza

At least nine people were killed and 75 others injured in an Israeli artillery shelling of a UN-run training center sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip, the UN refugee agency said Wednesday.

“Two tank rounds hit a building that shelters 800 people,” Thomas White, Director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, said on X.

He added that UNRWA and WHO teams were trying to reach the center.

• ICJ to deliver order on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel on Friday

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday announced that it will deliver its order on Friday “on the Request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa” in a genocide case against Israel.

In a statement, the court said that a public sitting will take place at the Peace Palace, The Hague, where the president of the court will read the order.

South Africa is requesting that the ICJ grant nine interim injunctions, including that Israel immediately cease its military operations in Gaza.

• President Erdogan stresses Türkiye-Iran cooperation to promote development, stability in region

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara and Tehran should strengthen their cooperation in order to promote development and stability in the region.

“We have not terminated and will not terminate our economic and trade relations with our neighbor Iran due to sanctions,” Erdogan said at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi shortly after their meeting and the signing of 10 agreements.

Erdogan stressed that improving bilateral relations would not only benefit the two countries, but the entire region.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Gaza’s Health Ministry accused the Israeli army Wednesday of shelling two medical facilities , Nasser Medical Complex and al-Amal Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that Moscow has asked for an emergency UN Security Council meeting concerning a Russian plane crash, as downing of the plane is a Ukrainian 'criminal act,' he said.

• Ukraine’s military intelligence on Wednesday claimed that the reports on a Russian military plane crash could be a “planned and deliberate” action by Moscow to “destabilize” the situation in Ukraine.

• The PKK terror group attacked Peshmerga soldiers of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

• Qatar denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he was heard in a leaked recording criticizing Doha’s mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing the release of hostages held in Gaza.

• Thousands of Israeli protesters closed two main streets in Tel Aviv late Wednesday, demanding an immediate deal for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday said on X that his government supports Sweden's NATO membership and will urge the parliament to vote in favor of its accession.

• At least 25 people were killed when a fire broke out in a building in the city of Xinyu in eastern China's Jiangxi Province on Wednesday, state-run broadcaster China Global Television Network reported.

• The Pentagon is estimating that its buildup of American forces in the Middle East is racking up a $1.6 billion bill that it cannot pay for because Congress has not approved a budget, according to a report published Wednesday.

• The first execution in the US of Kenneth Smith, 58, using nitrogen gas will be carried out in the state of Alabama after the Supreme Court decided Wednesday not to intervene.

• Thousands of workers in Argentina staged a general strike Wednesday in the capital Buenos Aires and other regions of the country to protest the tough economic reforms introduced by President Javier Milei.

SPORTS

• Morocco beat Zambia 1-0 in Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco beat Zambia 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F match Wednesday.

Galatasaray's Moroccan player Hakim Ziyech netted the winning goal in the 37th minute at Laurent Pokou Stadium.

With this result, Morocco finished Group F in the top spot with 7 points.

• Zverev eliminates world’s no. 2 Alcaraz in 2024 Australian Open

Alexander Zverev eliminated the world’s no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Australian Open men's singles quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The sixth-seeded German beat the 20-year-old Spaniard, 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2-7) and (6-4) at Rod Laver Arena.

Zverev will take on third-seeded Daniil Medvedev from Russia in the semifinal.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bank of Canada keeps interest rates unchanged

The Bank of Canada on Wednesday kept interest rates unchanged, and said it continues its policy of quantitative tightening.

The target for the overnight rate was maintained at 5%, with the bank rate at 5.25% and the deposit rate at 5%.

"Global economic growth continues to slow, with inflation easing gradually across most economies," the central bank said in a statement.

• Ford recalling 1.9M vehicles in US due to safety issue

Ford is recalling almost 1.9 million vehicles in the US due to a safety issue, according to a letter released by a US regulator.

The recall covers Ford Explorer SUVs between model years 2011 - 2019, which may have loose clips that could detach and cause the windshield panels to fly off while vehicles are traveling at high speeds.

Ford dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge, it said.