Morning Briefing: Nov. 18, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday with, including the US authorizing Ukrainian forces to use long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, South Korea accusing North Korea of jamming its GPS system for a 10th straight day, and US President Joe Biden meeting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the Peruvian capital Lima on the margins of the APEC summit.

TOP STORIES

• US approves Ukraine's use of long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia: US media

Outgoing US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the US for "limited strikes" within Russian territory in a major policy shift, US media reported.

The decision follows reports of North Korea sending troops to support Moscow’s war effort, The Washington Post said, citing two US officials.

A senior US official said the move also aims to deter further North Korean involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022.

Previously, Washington opposed Ukraine using the long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian targets, citing concerns over potential retaliation from Russia.

• South Korea accuses North of jamming its GPS system for 10th consecutive day

South Korea claimed that North Korea has been jamming its Global Positioning System (GPS) across the border for the 10th consecutive day.

The South Korean military detected GPS jamming in the northern part of Gangwon Province, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Last week, Seoul’s military said it had identified over 300 cases of GPS disruptions allegedly caused by longtime rival North Korea this month.

• Biden, Xi meet in Peru for final talks as US prepares for Trump presidency

Outgoing US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in the Peruvian capital of Lima as Washington braces for the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

The meeting took place on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which brought together leaders from 21 nations this week.

It is the third in-person meeting between the two leaders since Biden took office in January 2021 and will be the final such meeting for the US president.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Rejecting the ruling Georgian Dream Party's victory in Oct. 26 parliamentary elections, opposition protesters in the Caucasus country blocked a major street in the capital Tbilisi and set up tents.
• Bangladesh reported eight new fatalities from the viral dengue fever infection, pushing the total death count to 415 amid a rising number of hospitalizations.
• Spain’s foreign minister called for an end to the destruction and death in the Middle East, demanding compliance with international law as Israel stepped up bombings in both Lebanon and Gaza.
• Pope Francis is calling for an investigation to determine whether a genocide is taking place in the Gaza Strip, the Vatican News agency reported.
• Two Lebanese soldiers were killed by an Israeli airstrike that targeted a military post in the town of al-Mari in southern Lebanon, the army said.
• The Kremlin said that US President-elect Donald Trump may not share the view of figures nominated in recent days for key Cabinet posts in his new administration.
• Japan will deploy soldiers to northern Australia to train with their American and Australian counterparts on a regular basis, a top defense official said.
• Israel reported the launch of rockets from Lebanon and a drone from Iraq as regional tension continues to escalate over Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
• Israeli warplanes carried out at least 27 airstrikes targeting civilian and religious sites in Lebanon.
• South Korean and Japanese leaders expressed "serious concern" over North Korea’s missile development and deepening military ties with Russia.
• At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a five-story residential building in the Beit Lahia Project area of northern Gaza.
• The transition team of US President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly compiling a list of former and current senior US military officers directly involved in the "disrespectful" withdrawal from Afghanistan to determine whether they could face court martial.
• At least two people were injured and over 110,000 evacuated as Super Typhoon Man-yi made landfall in the Philippines, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that disrupted flight operations and transport service in various parts of the country.
• US President-elect Donald Trump announced that Chris Wright will join his administration as energy secretary and become a member of the newly-formed Council of National Energy.
• Human rights activists placed 733 empty plates on Copacabana Beach to represent the 733 million people suffering from hunger worldwide ahead of a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

SPORTS

• Ajax to restore iconic logo to mark football team's 125th anniversary

Marking the Dutch team’s 125th anniversary, Ajax confirmed that its classic logo would officially replace its current logo starting with the 2025-26 season.

"Ajax will celebrate its 125th anniversary on March 18. The celebrations will include the announcement of the return of the classic logo," said club CEO Menno Geelen.

"We know that the majority of our fans have cherished this wish for years, and we felt that our 125th anniversary was the perfect moment to give back the classic logo to our fans and ourselves," he added.

• Jorge Martin wins 2024 MotoGP championship

Jorge Martin of Spain clinched his maiden MotoGP World Championship by securing third place in the Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona.

The 26-year-old Prima Pramac Racing driver crossed the finish line third on the 4.6-kilometer (2.8-mile) Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit.

Italy's Francesco Bagnaia, representing the Ducati Lenovo team, triumphed in Sunday’s race with a time of 40 minutes and 24.740 seconds.