Morning Briefing: June 27, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including Bolivia thwarting a coup attempt by a former army commander, a report by the International Rescue Committee warning that up to three million people in Sudan could die from hunger amid a conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese military, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expecting the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for him and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by July 24.

TOP STORIES

• Coup attempt in Bolivia fails after new military chief orders troops to return to bases

A coup attempt in Bolivia appears to have failed after a newly appointed military chief ordered military units to return to their bases.

Troops were seen withdrawing from the government headquarters after Bolivian President Luis Arce swore in new military leaders in the country.

The military uprising began earlier in the day after a tank that carried former Army Commander Juan Jose Zuniga was seen forcibly entering the government palace in the city of La Paz.

• 3 million at risk of famine amid Sudan conflict: Aid group

Up to three million people in Sudan could die from hunger amid a protracted conflict between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, the International Rescue Committee warned.

“Almost half of the country is in a form of humanitarian need,” Country Director Eatizaz Yousif told Washington-based National Public Radio.

“Three million are on the brink of famine,” she warned. “That is the initial numbers. And the number of people underreported that is being really silently dying is unbelievable because there's a failure in the health system.”

• Netanyahu fears potential ICC arrest warrants for Gaza crimes by July 24

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expects the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for him and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by July 24, according to Israeli media.

On May 20, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

“Netanyahu convened a high-stakes discussion on Tuesday evening about the looming possibility that the ICC might heed the request of its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, and soon issue arrest warrants against him and Gallant,” the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 70 people suffered from injuries of varying degrees after a train derailed in Russia's Komi region, authorities said.
• Five countries have called on their nationals to leave Lebanon amid growing fears of a full-blown war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
• Türkiye stands by Lebanon against Israel’s “aggressive policies,” said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
• Sanctions by one NATO ally on another violate the essence of the military alliance, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in Warsaw.
• Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said his country is open to initiatives on Syrian-Turkish relations.
• The US State Department likened Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to a drunk driver, saying he put innocent people "in danger" with his disclosures of sensitive US documents, hours after he was set free in a plea deal with the Justice Department.
• China accused the US envoy to Beijing of "not reflecting facts" on ties between the two countries.
• Authorities in the Gaza Strip warned Palestinians about "suspicious" Israeli phone calls asking them to return to their homes in northern areas.
• Emphasizing that government leaders are "servants of the people," Kenya's deputy president blamed the country's intelligence agency for deaths during violent protests against a contentious finance bill that has now been withdrawn by the president.
• A Tunisian soldier was killed in a shooting attack near the border with Libya, said the country’s defense ministry.
• At least 435 people have been killed and 1,801 others injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since Oct. 8, the Health Ministry said.
• UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, voiced concern about "grave violations" against children.
• The outgoing UN relief chief expressed concern about the spillage of the Israeli war in Gaza to Lebanon, saying it could be "potentially apocalyptic."
• Israel said that four anti-tank missiles were launched from Lebanon towards the town of Metula near the Lebanese border.
• Kenyan President William Ruto said he would not sign into law a controversial finance bill that led to nationwide protests with several people shot dead.
• China is investigating a former party chief of the southwestern Tibet region, Wu Yingjie, for suspected violations of ruling party discipline and the law -- a common reference to corruption.
• The EU agreed on new sanctions against Belarus in a bid to curb evasion of penalties imposed on Russia for its war on Ukraine.
• Europe’s major political parties have clinched a deal on who should fill the EU's top jobs, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced.
• NATO allies have selected outgoing Dutch premier Mark Rutte as the military alliance’s next secretary general.

SPORTS

• Romania, Belgium, Slovakia advance to EURO 2024 Round of 16

Romania, Belgium and Slovakia advanced to the Round of 16 of the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament.

Despite Ukraine, Belgium, Romania and Slovakia completing their group matches with four points each, the goal difference sent Ukraine packing.

Slovakia broke the deadlock against Romania when Ondrej Duda scored on a header in the 24th minute that was assisted by Juraj Kucka.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Volkswagen recalling more than 271,000 SUVs in US due to airbag issue

Volkswagen is recalling more than 270,000 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the US because of an airbag issue, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied," the German automaker said in a filing with the NHTSA. "A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash."

A total of 271,330 SUVs include the 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.