Morning Briefing: May 23, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including UN chief continuing to "work towards a two-state solution" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Gaza death toll passing 35,700 amid relentless Israeli onslaught, Iranian president and foreign minister honored at Tehran funeral prayer, and UK saying this is "not the right time" to recognize the Palestinian state.

TOP STORIES

• UN chief continuing to 'work towards two-state solution' in Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Spokesman

The UN expressed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' continued support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Asked about Ireland, Norway and Spain's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters the decisions by those countries have been made as sovereign states.

"The Secretary-General (Guterres) will continue to work towards a two-state solution for two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side peace and security and to honor the right of self-determination of the Palestinian peace," he said.

• Gaza death toll passes 35,700 amid relentless Israeli onslaught

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israel’s deadly onslaught has surged to 35,709 since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the besieged territory said on Wednesday.

Nearly 80,000 people have also been injured in the assault, the ministry added in a statement.

“Israeli attacks killed 62 people and injured 138 others in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.

• Iranian president, foreign minister honored at Tehran funeral prayer

A funeral prayer was held in Tehran for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials who died on Sunday in a helicopter crash.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led a funeral prayer at Tehran University, attracting thousands of attendees who eagerly awaited entry into the limited prayer area.

Following the prayer, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Revolution Square (Enghelab Square) and surrounding roads to attend the funeral ceremony in Azadi Square.

• UK says this is 'not right time' to recognize Palestinian state

The British chancellor of the exchequer said that it is not the right time for the UK to recognize Palestine as a state, but added that they will continue to keep it under review.

"Well, we have a long-standing position on this that we will be prepared to recognize the state of Palestine at the time that it most helps the peace process," Jeremy Hunt told Sky News.

His remarks came in response to a question whether the UK will follow the decision by Ireland, Spain and Norway to recognize Palestine as a state.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Two civilians were killed and four others injured in a Ukrainian strike on the city of Lysychansk located in the Russia-controlled Luhansk region, an official said.
  
  
• Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, announced that five Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip were either killed or injured while fighting with the group.
  
  
• Armenian Prime Minister Nikola Pashinyan urged his fellow citizens to stop seeking the restoration of "historic Armenia," saying the path the country has been following has led to its present state, the Republic of Armenia.
  
  
• The Russian army took control of the Ukrainian settlement of Klishchiivka, an important strategic height, allowing Moscow to control transport routes, the Defense Ministry claimed.
  
  
• A staggering 75% of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been forcibly displaced, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said.
  
  
• High-ranking officials from at least 68 countries attended a ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday to pay respect to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions killed in a helicopter crash this weekend.
  
  
• Twenty-eight non-governmental organizations representing Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim refugees from Rakhine State urged the international community to prevent an ethnic armed militia group based in the same region on the country's western coast from committing human rights violations by forcing people to flee.
  
  
• China said it will continue to work with the international community to play a “constructive” role in ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict “as early as possible" and promoting a “comprehensive, just, and lasting” settlement of the Palestinian question.
  
  
• Chad's Prime Minister Assyongar Masra Succes announced that he had tendered his resignation in accordance with the Central African country's constitution.
  
  
• The Bank of Italy warned about fraudulent messages circulating online, which use artificial intelligence to reproduce the image and voice of members of financial authorities, including the central bank, and other top leaders or well-known people.
  
  
• Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant canceled a decision to dismantle three settlements in the northern occupied West Bank.
  
  
• Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto was rushed to the hospital Tuesday after feeling unwell during a meeting of Italy’s Supreme Defense Council.
  
  
• A former Russian army commander who previously oversaw the defense of occupied Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region has been detained on suspicion of fraud, state media reported.
  
  
• A Greek court acquitted nine Egyptians on Tuesday of causing a shipwreck last year off Greece’s coast that killed hundreds of migrants, local media reported.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

• US Treasury chief urges Europe for more clean energy against China

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged Europe for more innovative startup companies in the clean energy and green technology sectors against China's current industrial capacity that exceeds global demand.

She said the coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the mounting physical and economic costs of climate change have shown that American and European economies are "too vulnerable, including to shocks to our energy security."

"Together, we have taken decisive action to mitigate harm in the short-term, but we know that is not enough to make us less vulnerable to a future global health emergency, or geopolitical shock, or the increasing severity and frequency of climate-related events," she said Tuesday at TechQuartier, an innovation hub in Frankfurt, Germany.

SPORTS

• Istanbul to host 2026 UEFA Europa League, 2027 Conference League finals

Istanbul will host both the 2026 Europa League and 2027 Conference League finals, UEFA Executive Board Member Servet Yardimci said on Wednesday.

The UEFA Executive Board meeting, attended by Yardimci, was held in Dublin, the capital of Ireland.

The Board decided that the 2026 Europa League final will be held at Besiktas' home ground Tupras Stadium in Istanbul.

Venue for the 2027 Conference League final will be determined later.

• FIFA celebrates 120th anniversary of foundation in Paris

FIFA President Gianni Infantino led a ceremony, marking the 120th anniversary of football's global governing body.

The event was held in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The ceremony was attended by Macron, senior officials from FIFA, representatives of world football’s six confederations, the seven founding members, FIFA legends, and other dignitaries from the football and sporting world.