Morning Briefing May 12, 2024

By Faruk Zorlu

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including Palestinians fleeing Rafah amid Israel’s onslaught against the Gaza Strip, pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, and torrential rain and devastating floods in Afghanistan.

TOP STORIES

• UN agency says 150,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said around 150,000 Palestinians have left Rafah, the southern Gaza city where an Israeli invasion is underway despite international outcry.

“Everywhere you look now in west Rafah this morning, families are packing up. Streets are significantly emptier,” Louise Wateridge, a UNRWA spokeswoman, said on X.

“UNRWA estimates 150,000 people have now fled Rafah," she added.

The Israeli military intensified its ground and air offensives across all governorates of the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

• Casualties, including women, children, in Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza

Several Palestinians, including children and women, were killed and injured in airstrikes carried out Saturday by Israeli warplanes in residential areas in the northern Gaza Strip, medical sources and official media said.

The army launched airstrikes on various residential areas in the Jabalia refugee camp and its surroundings.

• Thousands march in Sweden to protest Israel’s participation in Eurovision

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through the Swedish city of Malmo to protest Israel’s participation ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 final, which was won by Switzerland.

Protesters waving Palestinian flags set off smoke flares in the colors of the Palestinian flag, chanting "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "Israel is a terror state" while calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

In March, the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the event, confirmed the participation of Israel’s act Eden Golan, despite worldwide demands for her elimination amid the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.

• Death toll from heavy rain, flash floods in Afghanistan climbs to 300

At least 300 people were killed as torrential rain and devastating floods battered north and northwestern Afghanistan, the UN Food Program said.

"Flash floods ravage #Afghanistan, killing more than 300 people in Baghlan and destroying more than 1000 houses," it wrote on X. "This has been one of many floods over the last few weeks, due to unusually heavy rainfall," it added.

Heavy downpours caused floods in four provinces, destroying 2,500 to 3,000 houses, killing hundreds of livestock, while damaging roads and other infrastructure, according to Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli military issued more evacuation orders for areas in the Gaza Strip, where it has waged a war since last October.
• More than 520 bodies were found in seven mass graves at hospitals in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
• Thousands protested in several cities of Israel, demanding a hostage swap with a Palestinian resistance group and early elections.
• Scores of Palestinians were killed and several injured in an overnight Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas’s armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, announced the death of a British national in its custody in the Gaza Strip as a result of injuries sustained during an Israeli airstrike last month.
• Israel's attacks on Gaza protested with marches in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands.
• The Russian army took under control six Ukrainian settlements, the Defense Ministry claimed.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed the new government configuration ahead of a vote in parliament on the appointment of a new cabinet.
• Baku and Yerevan agreed to continue negotiations on controversial bilateral issues after a meeting in Kazakhstan.
• Switzerland won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in the Swedish city of Malmo amid controversy about Israel’s participation and the expulsion of the Dutch entry.
• Dutch representative Joost Klein was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 hours before the final due to a violation of competition rules.
• Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by police after being removed from a pro-Palestine protest held outside the Eurovision arena during the grand finale.
• Belgium's national broadcaster interrupted the Eurovision Song Contest to condemn Israel's violations of human rights and press freedom, as well as to call for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
• Dutch public broadcaster AvroTros did not present jury vote in Eurovision after Joost Klein was kicked out of the competition.
• Death toll from floods caused by heavy rains in Brazil rose to 137.
• Tens of thousands took to the streets in Georgia's capital of Tbilisi to protest the government's reintroduction of Transparency of Foreign Influence bill in parliament.
• Wildfires in Western Canada prompted thousands to flee their homes, while 66,000 were on standby to evacuate as a fast-moving blaze threatened another community.

SPORTS

• Manchester City back atop Premier League

Reigning champions Manchester City are back on top of the English Premier League standings after beating Fulham 4 - 0.

Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol rallied Manchester with two goals in the 13th and 71st minutes, at the Craven Cottage.

The Sky Blues' English midfielder Phil Foden also netted in the 59th minute then Argentine attacker Julian Alvarez made the final score with a late goal from a penalty kick in the 96th minute.

• Al Hilal win 2023 - 24 Saudi Pro League title

Al Hilal won the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League title after hammering Al Hazm 4 - 0.

Aleksandar Mitrovic rallied his team to victory with two goals in the 15th and 48th minute at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium.

Other than Al Hazm's goal, Ahmed Al-Jaweed's own goal in the 39th minute, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic tallied another goal for the hosts in the 51st minute.

Al Hilal are atop the standings with 89 points, while Cristiano Ronaldo's team, Al Nassr, are in the second spot with 77 points.