Morning Briefing: March 4, 2024

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including US vice president calling for Gaza cease-fire, Israeli jets striking in northern Gaza, the reelection of Shehbaz Sharif as Pakistan’s prime minister and remarks by Türkiye’s foreign minister on the double standards of some major powers.

TOP STORIES

• US vice president calls for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

During remarks in Alabama to mark the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the day state law officers attacked civil rights demonstrators on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Harris said the threat posed by the Palestinian group Hamas to Israel must be eliminated.

“And given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate cease-fire for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table,” she added.

• 20 Palestinians killed as Israeli jets strike 2 houses in northern Gaza

At least 20 people were killed when Israeli fighter jets bombed two houses in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to local media.

The airstrikes targeted two houses in the Jabalia refugee camp and Saftawi area north of Gaza City, the official news agency Wafa reported.

Wafa, citing medical sources, said the bodies of 20 people were transferred to Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza following the attack.

At least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed and 71,700 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

• Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan’s prime minister for 2nd term

Pakistan's parliament on Sunday elected Shehbaz Sharif as the country’s 24th prime minister for a second term, three weeks after the Feb. 8 national vote.

Shehbaz, the younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and president of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), grabbed 201 votes in the lower house or the National Assembly, 32 more than the number required for a simple majority.

He defeated his rival Omer Ayub Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who secured 92 votes.

• Double standards of some major powers revealed at Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Turkish foreign minister

The double standards of some international major powers on different issues as well as their disregard for international law were exposed by panelists at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), the Turkish foreign minister said Sunday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ADF, which was held in southern Türkiye this weekend, Hakan Fidan said there are serious efforts underway to reach a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Türkiye supports views that established practices of the international community regarding Gaza should now be set aside in favor of taking unilateral action, Fidan noted.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his reelection as Pakistan's prime minister, the Turkish Communications Directorate said in a statement.
• The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF warned Sunday of rising child deaths in the Gaza Strip as an Israeli offensive and siege on the territory continues.
• At least 15 children died from dehydration and malnutrition at Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said Sunday.
• Vote counting continued Sunday, two days after elections for Iran’s parliament and the top clerical assembly.
• The number of people killed in Saturday's Russian drone strike on residential buildings in Ukraine's southwestern Odesa region has risen to 10, including three children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday.
• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Saturday that Western countries are increasing pressure on Serbia to recognize the independence of Kosovo.
• German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Sunday accused Russia of carrying out a “hybrid attack” against the country after senior military officers’ discussions were wiretapped and leaked to the media.

SPORTS

• Galatasaray take back Super Lig top spot by beating Besiktas 1-0

Galatasaray took back the Turkish Super Lig's top spot by beating Besiktas 1-0 in a tightly contested Sunday derby.

Besiktas midfielder Al-Musrati's own goal in the second minute brought a vital victory to the Lions at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul.

The club's Gambian defender Omar Colley was shown a red card after a VAR inspection in the 90th minute.

Galatasaray now have 75 points, while Fenerbahce are just two points behind with 73. Besiktas remain fourth with 46 points.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye-Iraq Development Road will connect Gulf countries with Europe: Iraqi foreign minister

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Friday that the planned Türkiye-Iraq Development Road will be a "massive project" that will connect the Gulf countries with Europe.

Speaking to Anadolu at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Hussein said Iraq and Türkiye are "in good discussions" on the realization of the project.

Hussein confirmed that the Iraqi side is in the process of developing the Port of Faw in southern Iraq in the first phase of the project, but it would require further investments.