Morning Briefing: March 27, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday with, including the death of Palestinians due to aid airdrop malfunction, Qatar claiming indirect talks on Gaza cease-fire continuing, and UK High Court granting WikiLeaks founder Assange right to appeal his extradition to US.

TOP STORIES

• More than a dozen Palestinians killed in Gaza by aid airdrop malfunction

At least 18 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after an aid airdrop malfunctioned, Gaza’s government media office said.

The fatalities included 12 people who drowned in the sea in the northern Gaza Strip and six in a stampede while gathering to obtain aid, the office said in a statement.

“The aid airdrops pose a real threat to the lives of hungry Palestinians,” the statement warned.

It said some aid fell into the sea, inside Israel or in war zones.

• Indirect talks between Israel, Hamas for Gaza cease-fire ongoing: Qatar

Qatar said Tuesday that indirect talks between Hamas and Israel are still ongoing at the level of technical teams.

“We are continuing our mediation efforts with our partners,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told reporters.

He cited “difficulties” on the ground related to the cease-fire negotiations, and said that there is no set timeline for the indirect negotiations.

The Israeli government on Tuesday pulled its negotiating team out of indirect talks with Hamas in the Qatari capital, accusing the Palestinian group of being “not interested in continuing talks" after allegedly rejecting a US-brokered compromise.

• UK High Court grants WikiLeaks founder Assange right to appeal his extradition to US

A UK High Court ruling on Tuesday granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange the right to appeal his extradition to the US and set a new hearing date for the case in May before adjourning it.

In a partial victory for Assange, the UK High Court has decided against his immediate extradition to the US, where he is wanted on espionage charges.

The judges said Assange could file a new appeal unless US authorities provide additional assurances about his treatment.

The trial has been adjourned until May 20.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland state of the US collapsed early Tuesday after a collision with a cargo ship

• The Pentagon rejected the reports Tuesday that said the US conducted airstrikes in Syria.

• The head of Russia's Federal Security Service said on Tuesday that Ukraine's Security Service should be declared a "terrorist organization."

• At least five Chinese nationals and their local driver were killed in a suicide bombing in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, police said.

• A cease-fire in the Gaza Strip must be “substantive, not symbolic” to end the “darkest chapters” of humanity, a UNICEF official said on Tuesday.

• In recent years the world has been seeing "the bitterest examples" showing how so-called great powers and global organizations benefit no one, said Türkiye’s President Erdogan.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday dismissed Oleksii Danilov from his post as the head of country's National Security and Defense Council.

• Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza blocked a highway in central Tel Aviv late Tuesday before police forcefully intervened and dispersed them, according to Israeli media.

• Russia presented an award Tuesday to a 15-year-old Muslim boy who saved over 100 people during last week’s shooting at a concert hall in the Moscow region.

• Two ministers submitted their resignations Tuesday in a blow to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, forcing him to appoint new names in a mini-reshuffle.

• Hamas cast doubt Tuesday on Israel's narrative regarding the alleged assassination of Marwan Issa, the deputy general commander of its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.

SPORTS

• Austria stun Türkiye 6-1 in international friendly

Austria hammered Türkiye 6-1 in an international football friendly Tuesday held in Vienna.

Host Xaver Schlager scored an early opener, soon equaled by Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

Forward Michael Gregoritsch completed a hat-trick in the 59th minute. Christoph Baumgartner made it 5-1. Header by the home team's Maximilian Entrup beat Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

• Poland, Ukraine bag EURO 2024 tickets

Poland and Ukraine qualified Tuesday for the UEFA EURO 2024 finals, becoming the last two teams to secure their spots.

The Polish side shocked Wales, winning 5-4 on penalties in Cardiff.

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Wales' fifth penalty taken by Daniel James to take his nation to this summer's EURO in Germany.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Japanese yen slides to nearly 34-year low

The Japanese yen sank to a nearly 34-year low against the US dollar in early trading Wednesday, briefly hitting 151.97.

It marks the first time since July 1990 that the currency of the world’s fourth largest economy has slid to this level, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The loss in the yen comes after Tokyo ended its negative interest rate policy early this month.

• Ethiopian bank recovered 78% of funds caught in system glitch

The state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has recovered 78% of its funds affected by a recent system glitch, the bank’s president told reporters.

The March 16 glitch involved 25,761 customers in unauthorized transactions, putting 801.4 million Ethiopian birr (around $14 million) at risk of theft.

The bank has recovered 662.9 million birr (about $12 million) of the total amount at risk.