Morning Briefing: Nov. 23, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Prime Minster Keir Starmer saying the UK is not "at war" with Russia amid rising tensions; the ICC decision paving the way for an arms embargo against Israel, according to a military analyst and as Trump prepares a return to the White House, North Korean leader noted he wants to "every length in negotiations with the US.”

TOP STORIES

• UK not 'at war' with Russia, says Premier Starmer amid rising tensions

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer answered questions during a series of BBC radio interviews across England, covering topics from the war in Ukraine to domestic issues such as immigration, energy prices and funding for hospices.

On Ukraine, Starmer rejected any suggestion that the UK is "at war" with Russia, saying, "No, we’re not at war, but Ukraine certainly is, because Ukraine has been invaded by Russia."

He underscored the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, adding, "That’s 1,000 days of aggression from Russia and 1,000 days of sacrifice for Ukraine, and that is why we’ve said consistently that we stand by Ukraine. We cannot allow Putin to win this war."

• ICC decision paves way for arms embargo on Israel: Military analyst

Israeli military analyst Amos Harel, writing for the daily Haaretz, argued that the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have paved the way for a global arms embargo against Israel.

The ICC issued the international arrest warrants, accusing the two officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023.

Harel noted that the ICC decision “could give a tail wind to many criminal complaints and investigations against IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) soldiers and commanders that are being conducted in numerous countries.”

• As Trump returns, North Korean leader recalls ‘every length' in negotiations with US

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un noted talks with the US in an apparent first reaction to the Nov. 5 US presidential race victory by Donald Trump.

Kim and Trump held two summits and met three times in Singapore, Vietnam and at the Demilitarized Zone, which divides the Korean Peninsula, during the former American president now President-elect’s first term.

“We have already gone to every length in negotiations with the US, and what was certain from the outcome was ... the unchanging invasive and hostile policy toward North Korea,” Kim said at the opening ceremony of an arms exhibition in Pyongyang.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine and the deployment of North Korean troops fighting for Russia with NATO Secretary0General Mark Rutte during a telephone call, according to a statement.
• World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the mpox virus continues to constitute an international public health emergency.
• WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed "deep concern" about a drone attack on the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza
• At least 59 more people were killed in Israeli attacks across Lebanon, bringing the death toll since October 2023 to 3,642, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco to strengthen ties with the North African country, state media of both countries reported.
• Northern California was being pummeled by heavy rains and snow as a bomb cyclone storm made its way through state areas amid growing floods and rising risks of potentially devastating mudslides.
• EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned a recent attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that injured four Italian soldiers.
• A New York state Supreme Court judge postponed President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing after he was criminally convicted earlier this year of falsifying business records to cover up a "hush money" payment to an adult film star.
• The US announced sanctions against former Colombian Gen. Mario Montoya Uribe, citing his alleged involvement in gross human rights violations during the country's internal armed conflict.
• The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) asked for $16.9 billion to address global food insecurity, which affects 343 million people in 74 countries.
• A senior figure of the PKK terror group– a group that has plagued Türkiye for decades -- has been arrested in Berlin, authorities announced.
• China announced an expansion of its visa-free entry program, doubling the stay period for citizens from 38 countries from 15 days to 30 days, effective Nov. 30.
• At least five medics were killed in two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
• A bomb disposal team was deployed to London Gatwick Airport after a large part of its South Terminal was evacuated following the discovery of a "suspected prohibited item in luggage," police said.
• SpaceX, a US private space company, launched 24 Starlink satellites into orbit.
• Iran announced the activation of new and advanced centrifuges in response to the latest resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog's board.

SPORTS

• Formula 1 set to visit Las Vegas; Max Verstappen may clinch world title this weekend

Formula 1 will visit Nevada for Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix as the season’s leader, Max Verstappen, is on the brink of his fourth consecutive world title.

The 2024 F1 season is near its end with three races remaining, including the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and races in Qatar on Dec. 1 and Abu Dhabi the following week on Dec. 8.

Verstappen, the Red Bull's Dutch driver, will be able to win the title in Round 22 in Las Vegas if he finishes ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, his nearest opponent in the driver standings.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Amazon to invest $4B in AI firm Anthropic

Amazon announced a $4 billion investment in artificial intelligence (AI) company, Anthropic, marking a strategic collaboration.

Anthropic will use the American e-commerce firm’s cloud solution, Amazon Web Services (AWS), as its primary provider and will leverage AWS’s Trainium and Inferentia chips to train its AI models.

“We’ll keep pushing the boundaries of what customers can achieve with generative AI technologies,” said AWS CEO Matt Garman in a statement.

• International business expo in Istanbul to aim for $1B trade volume

Next week’s international Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) Trade Expo 2024 in Istanbul will target $1 billion in trade volume through business-to-business (B2B) meetings, according to the Turkish group.

The MUSIAD Expo 2024 will bring together businesspeople and investors from 88 countries, with attendees from over 300 participating firms operating in 24 sectors forging new collaborations on Nov. 26-29.

The event will include a G20 panel, a diplomatic missions session, the Türkiye-Iraq Business Forum, MUSIAD’s own networking program and closing programs.

• Japanese minority government approves $252B economic package

Japan’s minority government approved an economic stimulus package of 39 trillion yen ($252 billion) amid inflation and compromises with resurgent opposition.

The coalition government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), "pledged to boost disposable incomes by raising the tax-free salary threshold," Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

The LDP-Komeito minority government, however, is short of numbers in the lower house of parliament where it requires the support of 12 additional lawmakers to surpass the 233 threshold to pass the bill.