Morning Briefing: May 4, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including 10,000 missing in Gaza from Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, pro-Palestinian students in Princeton University beginning a hunger strike and the US condemning Russia's alleged cyberattacks against European countries.

TOP STORIES

• 10,000 people missing in Gaza since Israeli attacks began more than 210 days ago

Nearly 10,000 people are missing or trapped under the rubble from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, according to authorities in the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli army has "committed 3,070 massacres in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7," the government Media Office in Gaza said in a statement.

A total of 14,944 children and 9,849 women have been killed in attacks by the army, it said.

• Pro-Palestinian students in Princeton University begin hunger strike

A group of pro-Palestinian Princeton University students began a hunger strike Friday at the Ivy League school, New Jersey, to pressure administrators to meet their demands.

"This strike is a response to the administration's refusal to engage with our demands for dissociation and divestment from Israel," one of the students participating in the protest said in a video posted on X as five students each read out parts of a joint statement.

"We refuse to be silenced by the university administration's intimidation and repression tactics. We struggle together in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We commit our bodies to their liberation," she added.

It is unclear how long the students are planning to stage the hunger strike, but a sign-up sheet for newcomers to join says people can join for the "Full 7-Day Hunger Strike." The students who made the announcement said they would carry out the protest "until the following demands are met."

• US condemns Russia's alleged 'malicious' cyberattacks against European countries

The US on Friday condemned Russia for its alleged "malicious" cyberattacks against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden.

"The United States strongly condemns the malicious cyber activity by Russia’s General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), also known as APT28, against Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"We join Germany in attributing specific malign activity carried out by APT28 that targeted a German political party," he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed concern about French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks about the potential deployment of French troops to Ukraine.
• Israel has detained 53 journalists in its prisons, including 43 who were arrested after the outbreak of onslaught against the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, said Palestinian prisoners affairs groups.
• Israel has not shown the Biden administration a "comprehensive plan" for its invasion of the city where roughly 1.5 million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, the White House said as reports mount that Tel Aviv is gearing up for a full-blown military operation in the southern Gaza city.
• The US "temporarily" paused construction of a temporary pier off Gaza’s coast to deliver humanitarian aid because of bad weather.
• The Yemeni group Houthi said Friday it started the fourth round against Israel as Tel Aviv announced serious preparations for a military offensive against the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
• Saudi Arabia conducted a military exercise with the US to enhance readiness against threats of weapons of mass destruction.
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell expressed grave concern about escalating violence in Sudan's North Darfur, particularly in and around the city of El Fasher.
• A total of 56 people were taken into custody after the New York Police Department cleared student-led pro-Palestinian encampments at the New School and New York University.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the pivotal role of journalists and media workers on World Press Freedom Day.
• President William Ruto said the death toll from floods in Kenya has risen to 210
• Russia said two Tu-95ms strategic bombers of the Aerospace Forces carried out a training flight about the neutral waters of the Bering Sea.
• France and Japan reached an agreement to initiate talks on a new bilateral security pact
• The Colombian government has officially notified Israel of the breaking of diplomatic relations and said that it will begin to coordinate the departure of that country's diplomats in Colombia.
• Thousands of refugees are among those affected by heavy rains and severe flooding sweeping across the East Africa region, the UN Refugee Agency reported on Friday.

SPORTS

• Formula 1 round 6 to be held in Miami

Round 6 of the 2024 Formula One World Championship will be held Sunday in Miami.

Driver standings leader, Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen, is going after his fifth Grand Prix victory in the 2024 season at Miami International Autodrome.

The reigning world champion had to retire in the Australian Grand Prix in round 3, which marked the only race he did not finish first this season.

• Anadolu Efes skipper Larkin extends contract with Turkish club

Turkish basketball giants Anadolu Efes announced that team skipper Shane Larkin has extended his contract with the club.

Larkin, who had been rumored to leave, will stay with the Istanbul team until 2028, according to a club statement.

The 31-year-old joined Anadolu Efes in 2018, helping them win back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• S&P upgrades Türkiye's credit rating from B to B+

Standard & Poor's (S&P) upgraded Türkiye's credit rating from B to B+ on economic rebalancing, keeping its outlook positive.

The US-based credit rating agency said Türkiye is expected to improve coordination between monetary, fiscal and income policies amid external rebalancing.

"We forecast rising portfolio inflows and narrowing current account deficits over the next two years, alongside declining inflation and dollarization, although progress will be slow and reserve accumulation modest as the central bank limits depreciation of the Turkish lira," it said.

• US initial jobless claims steady at 208,000

The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims was unchanged last week at 208,000, according to data from the Labor Department.

The figure was lower than estimates of 212,000.

The previous week's reading was revised up from 207,000 to 208,000.