Morning Briefing: Jan. 27, 2024

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including an ICJ ruling against Israel, a warning from the WHO chief about the danger of a food shortage at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, and the deal between the US and Türkiye on F-16 sales.

TOP STORIES

• ICJ orders Israel to take 'all measures' to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, but falls short of ordering cease-fire

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to take "all measures within its power" to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.

South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel with the International Court of Justice late last month, requesting emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7.

By a vote of 15 to two, the ICJ, in its interim ruling, stated: “The State of Israel shall, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of this Convention.”

• Nasser Hospital in Gaza running out of fuel, food, supplies: WHO chief

The World Health Organization (WHO) head said on Friday that 350 patients and 5,000 displaced people remain at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, which is running out of fuel, food and supplies.

As fighting intensifies around the hospital in Khan Younis, hundreds of patients and health workers have fled, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Currently 350 patients and 5000 displaced people remain at the hospital. The hospital is running out of fuel, food and supplies," he wrote on X, along with a video from the hospital.

• US State Department approves sale of F-16s to Türkiye, formally notifies Congress

The US State Department approved Friday the $23 billion sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Türkiye, sending formal notification to Congress.

The approval came after Türkiye submitted documents related to Sweden’s NATO membership protocol, which was ratified by the Turkish parliament on Tuesday.

Türkiye formally requested the US in Oct. 2021 to purchase the latest model F-16 Block 70 aircraft, as well as 79 modernization kits to upgrade its remaining F-16s to Block 70 level.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 183 Palestinians have been killed and 377 others injured over the past 24 hours as the Israeli army continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave said on Friday.
  
• Pakistan on Friday sent back its ambassador to Iran to resume his duties in Tehran following a diplomatic row triggered by an exchange of missile attacks on each other’s territories last week.
  
• A recent Israeli public opinion poll found that only 32% of Israelis view Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the most suitable figure for the premiership.
  
• Britain's King Charles III has been admitted to hospital for prostate treatment, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.
  
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday met with UK’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron and emphasized the urgent need for a "full cease-fire" in Gaza to attain a lasting peace in the Middle East.
  
• Israeli airline El Al announced on Friday its suspension of flights to South Africa, the country that filed a genocide case against it at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
  
• Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki on Friday welcomed provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.
  
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and senior government officials Friday welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling ordering Israel not to commit genocide in its “military operation” in Gaza.
  
• Following the "landmark decision" by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, countries must use their influence to ensure the ruling is enforced, Human Rights Watch said.
  
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday asked his ministers not to comment on the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling, local media reported.
  
• Responding to an interim International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on South Africa's genocide case against Israel on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the "sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people."
  
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday vowed that his country will not waiver in its commitment to Palestinians to secure their right to self-determination.
  
• Palestinian group Hamas on Friday welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional order on the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
  
• The US maintained its longstanding position Friday that charges of genocide against Israel are "unfounded" after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down an interim ruling that allowed the case to proceed.
  
• The Houthi group said Friday that eight Yemeni fishermen were killed "deliberately" by international forces in the Red Sea while fishing in territorial waters.
  
• After the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a provisional ruling on Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said that the court's decisions are "binding."
  
• The UNRWA on Friday said that it terminated contracts with several of its staff amid their alleged involvement in an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
  
• Italy’s right-wing coalition government approved a bill to increase transparency in charity and aid activities of social media influencers, who have become a phenomenon on social platforms.

SPORTS

• Australian Open men's defending champion Novak Djokovic eliminated in semis

Australian Open men's defending champion Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 tennis player, was eliminated in the semifinals on Friday after losing to Italy's Jannik Sinner.

Fourth seed Sinner, 22, won over Serbian superstar and 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic with sets of 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena to reach his first Grand Slam final.

Sinner also became the first Italian player to reach an Australian Open singles final.

• German manager Jurgen Klopp to leave Liverpool at end of season

German football manager Jurgen Klopp on Friday announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season.

"I will leave the club at the end of the season. I can understand that that’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment," Klopp, who has been coaching the English club since 2015, said in an interview.

"I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything.”

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Tesla recalling around 200,000 vehicles in US due to camera issue

American carmaker Tesla is recalling around 200,000 vehicles in US due to a rearview camera issue.

The issue regards a "software instability" that prevents displaying the rearview camera image, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Friday.

The vehicles include Tesla's certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with a full self-driving Autopilot system.

• Apple to allow third-party app stores in Europe for 1st time

US-based global tech major Apple has said it will allow third-party app stores in Europe for the first time in the company's history.

The move will open up the firm's iPhone and iPad App Store in Europe to competitors, a major shift away from the company's long policy of controlling application distribution on its devices.

"For developers, the changes include new options for app distribution and payment processing," Apple said Thursday in a statement. "For users, the changes include new controls and disclosures, and expanded protections to reduce privacy and security risks the DMA creates."