Morning Briefing: May 8, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday, with, including calls for the reopening of Gaza’s border crossings, Kuwaiti Emir's visit to Türkiye, commencement of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential tenure, and Scotland's new first minister.

TOP STORIES

• UN demands reopening of Gaza’s border crossings

Emphasizing the critical importance of reopening the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, which are vital lifelines for humanitarian aid into Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged that they be "re-opened immediately."

On Tuesday, Guterres expressed deep concern over Israel's escalating military activities in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, calling it "a strategic mistake, a political calamity, and a humanitarian nightmare."

"Rafah is the epicenter of humanitarian operations in Gaza," he said, warning that any assault on Rafah would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation, potentially leading to famine and widespread suffering.

• Turkish president, Kuwaiti emir discuss Israel’s attacks on Gaza, bilateral relations

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah discussed on Tuesday Israel’s attacks on Gaza and bilateral relations during a meeting in the capital Ankara.

The Kuwaiti ruler's visit, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, marks the first visit at the level of emir from the Gulf country in seven years.

In the meeting held at the presidential complex, “President Erdogan said Kuwait's stance against Israeli oppression is significant, emphasizing that this stance strengthens the Palestinian cause,” according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

• Russia’s Putin sworn in as president for 5th term

Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a fifth presidential term in an inauguration ceremony held in the capital Moscow on Tuesday.

The ceremony that took place in the Kremlin marks the start of another six-year term in office for Putin, who won 87.28% of the vote during the presidential election held in March.

In a speech after taking the oath to office, Putin thanked the citizens of his country and Russian troops fighting for it, expressing that the interests and security of his people will be above all.

• John Swinney becomes new Scottish first minister

John Swinney was voted in on Tuesday as Scotland's next first minister in the regional government, replacing Humza Yousaf.

"I hope we can all recognize that despite our political differences, we’re all here because we want the best for Scotland, whatever our specific role happens to be," Swinney said in a speech at the Scottish Parliament.

The voting came hours after Yousaf officially resigned as the first minister.

Swinney received the backing of 64 MSPs, while Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross was supported by 31.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israel’s capture of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing disrupts efforts to reach a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, Hamas warned on Tuesday.

• Türkiye on Tuesday said an attack on Rafah would not only affect the region but the whole world, urging Israel to “immediately withdraw” from the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing.

• The World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday expressed concern over the closure of Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, crucial routes for getting humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.

• Palestinian group Hamas said Tuesday that an Israeli hostage had died of injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike a month ago.

• An Israeli negotiating team will head to Egypt in the coming hours for talks on a cease-fire and hostage swap deal with Hamas, an Israeli official said on Tuesday.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday opposed Israel's military operation in Rafah city in the Palestinian besieged enclave of Gaza.

• The Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned the Israeli military control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, describing the move as "a dangerous escalation."

• Israel is seeking to aggravate the humanitarian situation in the war-torn Gaza Strip by closing the Rafah border crossing, a local authority in the Palestinian enclave said Tuesday.

• Spain’s youth minister called for sanctions on the Israeli government on Tuesday after the Israeli army seized control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

• Türkiye's second astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever said Tuesday that he will have a chance to carry out seven experiments during his suborbital research flight.

SPORTS

• Panathinaikos reach EuroLeague Final Four for 1st time since 2012

Greek club Panathinaikos AKTOR has reached the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four for the first time since 2012.

The Greek team won the playoff series 3-2 after beating Israel's Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 81-72 on Tuesday.

US Guard Kendrick Nunn led his team to victory with 26 points at Oaka Altion Arena.

The Final Four will be held in the German capital Berlin on May 24-26.

• Borussia Dortmund reach Champions League final

German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund eliminated French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the semifinal round by winning 2-0 on aggregate Tuesday to advance to the UEFA Champions League final.

The Black and Yellows won the second leg match with a header by German defender Mats Hummels in the 50th minute at Parc Des Princes.

Borussia Dortmund will face the winner of the Real Madrid-Bayern Munich semifinal round, the second leg of which will be played on Wednesday.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US consumer credit rises $6.3B in March: Fed

US consumer credit rose around $6.3 billion in March, compared to the previous month to reach almost $5.06 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve on Tuesday.

The figure, however, came lower than the market expectation of $14.8 billion increase.

Total consumer credit showed an approximately $15 billion increase in December.

• Saudi oil giant Aramco reports 14.4% drop in net profit in 1Q24

Saudi Arabia's national oil company, Aramco, posted a 14.4% drop in net profit during the first quarter of 2024 in line with analyst expectations, according to its financial results statement released on Tuesday.

The company earned around $27.3 billion in the first quarter of this year, compared to $31.9 billion in the same quarter last year.​​​​​​​