Morning Briefing: July 23, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including the death of dozens of Palestinians by Israeli forces in Gaza's Khan Younis, US Vice President Kamala Harris winning Democratic presidential nomination, and Israeli parliament passing bills to declare the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) as a "terrorist organization."

TOP STORIES

• Dozens killed in Israeli attacks in Khan Younis after evacuation orders

At least 70 people were killed and over 200 others injured in Israeli attacks in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

The Israeli army ordered Palestinians living in the eastern neighborhoods in Khan Younis early Tuesday to evacuate immediately, with residents seen fleeing their areas on foot and by carts amid Israeli bombing, Wafa reported.

The Nasser Medical Complex in the city called on residents “to urgently donate blood” for the injured amid shortage of blood units.

• Harris secures enough delegate endorsements to win Democratic presidential nomination

US Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough delegate endorsements Monday to win the Democratic presidential nomination.

"Tonight, I am proud to have earned the support needed to become our party’s nominee, and as a daughter of California ... ,” Harris said on X.

After President Joe Biden’s decision on Sunday not to seek reelection on Nov. 5 and his offer of "full support and endorsement" for Harris to be the nominee of the Democratic Party, she officially launched her presidential campaign.

More than 2,200 delegates from over 30 states have endorsed Harris as the nominee, according to reports.

• Israeli Knesset passes bills to close offices of UN agency for Palestinian refugees, deem it ‘terrorist organization’

The Knesset (Israel's parliament) passed three bills in the first reading on Monday to close the UNRWA offices and designate it a "terrorist organization."

The first bill prohibits UNRWA from operating any mission, providing any service or conducting any activity on Israeli territory, The daily Times of Israel reported.

The second bill approved calls for stripping the UNRWA personnel of their legal immunities and privileges offered to UN staff in Israel. The final calls for designating the UN agency as a “terrorist organization” and requires Israel to cut ties with it.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was "the most significant operational failure" of Secret Service, said its Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for the US on Monday, where he is set to meet President Joe Biden on Tuesday and address the US Congress the following day.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during a speech in parliament on Monday, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and the return of hostages.
• A Canadian citizen was shot dead in a stabbing attempt in the southern Israeli town of Netiv HaAsara near the border with the Gaza Strip on Monday, according to Israeli media.
• Israeli forces targeted a UN convoy heading to Gaza City, the head of the UNRWA said on Monday.
• The Kremlin on Monday said incumbent US President Biden’s withdrawal from the ongoing US presidential race was “not surprising.”
• Germany said on Monday it is "not supporting the Israeli occupation policy" after the UN court last week affirmed Palestinians' right to self-determination and ruled that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories must be evacuated.
• ICJ's ruling against Israel: Gap between law and reality has never been wider, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
• The death toll from a landslide in southern Ethiopia's Gofa district has risen to 55, local authorities said Monday.

SPORTS

• UEFA Europa League, Conference League 3rd qualifying round draws held

The UEFA Europa League and Europa Conference League 3rd qualifying round draws were made in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday.

Turkish club Trabzonspor will face the winners of the Hajduk Split (Croatia)-Torshavn (Faroe Islands) match in the UEFA Conference League 3rd qualifying round if they are eliminated by Slovakia's Ruzomberok in the UEFA Europa League 2nd qualifying round.

• Adidas apologizes to Bella Hadid over Olympic campaign controversy amid backlash

Global sportswear brand Adidas has apologized to its partners, including Palestinian-American supermodel Bella Hadid, after she threatened legal action over an ad campaign inspired by the 1972 Munich Olympics.

"Connections continue to be made to the terrible tragedy that occurred at the Munich Olympics due to our recent SL72 campaign. These connections are not meant and we apologise for any upset or distress caused to communities around the world," an Adidas representative told TMZ in a statement on Sunday.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Environmental Protection Agency announces $4.3B in grants to cut climate pollution

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced $4.3 billion in grants on Monday to reduce climate pollution across the country with community-driven solutions.

The independent agency said it selected 25 applications through the competitive Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice.

• Tesla to begin using humanoid robots in 2025, says Elon Musk

US-based global electric carmaker Tesla will start using humanoid robots next year, CEO Elon Musk said Monday.

"Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for Tesla internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026," he wrote on his personal X account.

Tesla's humanoid robot named Optimus was first unveiled in September 2022.