Morning Briefing: Nov. 25, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Russia saying Ukraine's use of South Korean weapons will "destroy" bilateral ties with Seoul, US President-elect Donald Trump's new attorney general nominee facing scrutiny over potential Justice Department shakeups and over 1,000 doctors, nurses killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to local authorities.

TOP STORIES

Russia says Ukraine's use of South Korean weapons will 'destroy' bilateral ties with Seoul

Russia said the potential use of South Korean weapons by Ukraine on the battlefield would “destroy” bilateral relations between Moscow and Seoul.

“Seoul must be aware that the possible use of South Korean weapons to kill Russian citizens will finally destroy relations between our countries,” Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told the state news agency Tass.

Rudenko argued that South Korea linking its future arms supplies to Ukraine to bilateral cooperation between Russia and North Korea is an approach that could lead to “very negative consequences.”

Trump's new attorney general nominee faces scrutiny over potential Justice Department shakeups

US President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Pam Bondi for the position of attorney general has raised concerns among legal experts and Justice Department officials on potential shifts in the agency’s priorities under her leadership.

Broadcaster NBC News suggested that the career trajectory of the former Florida attorney general highlights her staunch support for Trump, who tapped her after the federal role pending Senate confirmation after the withdrawal of his previous choice, ex-Congressman Matt Gaetz.

Bondi had defended Trump, who was reelected earlier this month for a second term in the Oval Office, during his first impeachment trial and publicly supported his claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election.

Over 1,000 doctors, nurses killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, local authorities say

More than 1,000 doctors and nurses have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since last year.

“Over 310 other medical personnel were arrested, tortured, and executed in prisons,” Gaza’s government media office said in a statement.

“The Israeli army also prevented the entry of medical supplies, health delegations, and hundreds of surgeons into Gaza,” it added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli authorities said the body of a missing rabbi in the United Arab Emirates has been found.
  
  
• Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again requested to postpone his testimony in his corruption trial, citing the arrest warrants recently issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  
  
• Iran is set to hold talks on nuclear matters with the European troika -- France, Germany, and the UK (E3) -- on Nov. 29 amid escalating tensions over a resolution initiated by these three countries and adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog.
  
  
• Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said his country is preparing measures to show a “proper response” to the recent Israeli attack, the Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
  
  
• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France would implement international law in relation to the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  
  
• A protest in the Southern Cypriot city of Larnaca called for an end to US military presence.
  
  
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the phone that his country will continue to contribute to peace processes, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.
  
  
• EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for pressure on Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah to reach a cease-fire deal amid an exchange of cross-border attacks between the two sides.
  
  
• Russia claimed that it downed more than 30 Ukrainian drones in an overnight attack over four regions.
  
  
• Ukraine claimed that its air defenses downed 50 Russian drones launched over the country in an overnight attack.
  
  
• ICC arrest warrants on Israeli Premier Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant appeared as “a glimmer of hope,” according to a French Muslim body.
  
  
• At least six Palestinians, including two children, were killed on Sunday in fresh Israeli airstrikes in the central Gaza Strip, a medical source said.
  
  
• At least three Jordanian officers were injured early on Sunday, when a gunman opened fire near the Israeli Embassy in the capital Amman.
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• Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is set to visit China in late December for talks with his counterpart Wang Yi, aiming to revive high-level bilateral exchanges, media reports said Saturday.

SPORTS

Liverpool win at Southampton 3-2, move 8 points clear at top of English Premier League

Mohamed Salah-led Liverpool won at Southampton 3-2 to go eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League on Sunday.

Liverpool's Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored the opening goal in the 30th minute at the St. Mary's Stadium after hosts Southampton made careless passing in their own penalty area. Szoboszlai had the ball to score.

Before the break, Southampton were awarded a penalty. Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Adam Armstrong's penalty but the Southampton forward scored after the rebound by Kelleher.