Morning Briefing: June 12, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday with, including the UN adding Israel to its blacklist for violations against children, Hamas responding to a Gaza cease-fire proposal, the UK approving dozens of arms export licenses to Israel, and the Russian president’s meeting with Türkiye’s foreign minister.

TOP STORIES

• UN adds Israeli army to blacklist for 'grave violations' against children

The UN has added the Israeli armed and security forces to a list of "parties that commit grave violations affecting children in situations of armed conflict," according to a report.

Seen by Anadolu, the yet-to-be released report, which contains data for the year 2023, says grave violations against children in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories increased by 155%.

The report says there were 7,837 violations against 4,247 Palestinian children in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. It noted that these violations were perpetrated by the Israeli army and illegal Israeli settlers.

• Egypt, Qatar receive response from Hamas on Gaza cease-fire proposal

Egypt and Qatar received a response from Hamas and other Palestinian groups regarding a recent cease-fire and hostage swap proposal, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said late Tuesday.

A ministry statement said mediators will study the response and coordinate with the relevant parties regarding the next steps.

“Egypt and Qatar confirm that their joint mediation efforts with the US will continue until an agreement is reached,” it added.

On Monday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution supporting a Gaza cease-fire proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden.

• UK approves over 100 arms export licenses to Israel

The UK has approved more than 100 export licenses for the sale of weapons, military equipment and other controlled items to Israel since the war in Gaza, according to new data released by the Department for Business and Trade on Tuesday.

The revelation comes amid ongoing scrutiny and calls for greater transparency in the government's arms export decisions.

The data indicates that over 300 licenses were still active as of the end of May this year and that it facilitated manufacturers to export various types of UK-made military and non-military equipment to Israel.

• Russia’s Putin welcomes Türkiye’s interest in work of BRICS bloc

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday welcomed Türkiye’s interest in the work of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies.

“We welcome Türkiye’s interest in the work of BRICS. Of course, we will strongly support this desire to be together with the countries of this association, to be together, closer, to solve common problems,” Putin said during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Moscow.

Putin also praised Ankara’s desire to help resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, was found guilty by a jury in the state of Delaware of all three felony counts related to his purchase of a handgun in 2018 while he was addicted to crack cocaine.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday stressed the dire situation in the Gaza Strip and called for immediate and bold actions to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians

• European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday called for urgent humanitarian action in the Gaza Strip at an international conference held in Jordan.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both Israel and Hamas on Tuesday to reach an agreement on a cease-fire plan backed by US President Joe Biden.

• Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others on board a military aircraft that went missing on Monday morning have all died, the country’s president announced.

• Six Palestinians were killed and several others injured by Israeli army fire during a military raid near the West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday, according to the Health Ministry.

• Israel on Tuesday said 15 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards the country's north, with some being intercepted and others falling in open areas without causing any injuries.

• Rwanda accused the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday of presenting fabricated allegations to UK courts about the country’s treatment of asylum seekers.

• Israel released dozens of Palestinian detainees from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to a local source, with some of the detainees showing signs of torture.

SPORTS

• Palestine secures spot in soccer Asia Cup amid visa controversy in Australia

Palestine booked their place at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup on Tuesday after finishing second following a match against Australia amid a visa controversy.

Palestine faced Australia at Perth Rectangular Stadium as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

The match took place amid tensions between the two nations after Palestine accused Canberra of refusing to grant a visa to Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association.

• Injured Lewandowski to miss Poland's EURO 2024 opener

Robert Lewandowski tore his hamstring to miss Poland's UEFA EURO 2024 opener against the Netherlands this weekend, the country's football body confirmed Tuesday.

In a statement, the Polish Football Association said Lewandowski, 35, suffered a "torn biceps femoris muscle" and would be ineligible to play in Poland's first match on Sunday, while national team doctor Jacek Jaroszewski said medical staff "are doing everything" so he could play in the second fixture against Austria on June 21.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US imposes sanctions over illicit transport of oil

The US Treasury Department announced Tuesday that it imposed sanctions on 10 individuals, entities and vessels, including tanker captains, that have engaged in the illicit transport of oil and other commodities.

The sanctions target maritime shipping and financial facilitators, several vessel managers and owners, and a company involved in forging shipping documents.

They also include the network of Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal.

• Apple shares hit record-high after OpenAI partnership

Apple shares climbed to a record-high level on Tuesday, a day after the tech company announced Apple Intelligence generative models and unveiled a partnership with OpenAI.

Apple's market cap stood at $3.14 trillion at that time, as the tech firm holds on to its title of the second-most-valuable company in the US, which it surrendered to Nvidia briefly last Wednesday as the competition for artificial intelligence (AI) heats up worldwide.