Morning Briefing: Nov. 27, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday with, including Israel and Lebanon agreeing to a cease-fire, Pakistan’s jailed former premier's party calling off protest, and global reactions welcoming the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

TOP STORIES

• Israel, Lebanon have agreed to deal to end over year-long conflict

The Lebanese and Israeli governments have agreed to a US proposal to end "the devastating conflict" between Israel and the Hezbollah group, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday.

The agreement is slated to go into effect Wednesday at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) and will see the Lebanese Armed Forces "deploy and take control of" southern Lebanon over the course of the next 60 days, during which time, "Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces," the president said in televised remarks.

Biden said the US alongside France and other allies have "pledged to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that this arrangement is fully implemented."

Biden said that "over the coming days" the US alongside Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and other countries "will make another push" for a cease-fire in Gaza that will end the Israeli offensive there and lead to the release of the over 100 hostages who remain there.

• Pakistan ex-Premier Khan's party calls off protest amid security operation

The party of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Wednesday that it is calling off its protest after security forces launched a massive operation to dislodge Khan’s supporters who had stormed the capital Islamabad to demand his release.

"At the behest of the mandate-thief fascists, dozens of innocent (PTI) workers were shot dead by government machine guns, and so far, eight are confirmed dead," Akram said, adding the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Khan's wife Bushra Bibi are safe.

Polyclinic Hospital has confirmed that the bodies of two people and 26 injured were brought to the hospital.

Pakistani security forces launched a massive operation late Tuesday to dislodge supporters of Khan who had stormed the capital Islamabad to demand his release.

• World reacts to cease-fire deal in Lebanon

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah late Tuesday, urging Israel to fully comply with the terms of the agreement and withdraw from all Lebanese territories it occupies.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday welcomed a recently brokered cease-fire in Lebanon, describing it as a "relief in the devastating situation in the Middle East."

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Borrell commended France and the US for their mediation efforts in securing the agreement.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, calling for the deal to be turned into "a lasting political solution."

"We must see immediate progress towards a cease-fire deal in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the removal of restrictions on desperately needed humanitarian aid," he added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah brokered with US and French diplomatic efforts came into effect Wednesday at 4 a.m. local time (0200GMT).
  
  
• A group of Canadian health care workers accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government of being complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza due to its inaction.
  
  
• The US revised its position on the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye after witnessing its progress with its domestically developed KAAN fighter jet, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Tuesday.
  
  
• US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that it struck an Iranian-linked militia group's weapons storage facility in Syria.
  
  
• Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro planned and had "effective and direct" control over a plot to overturn the outcome of the October 2022 election he lost to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to a Federal Police report declassified on Tuesday.
  
  
• At least 55 people were killed Monday in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, bringing the death toll since last October to 3,823, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Tuesday.
  
  
• A heated session Tuesday in the EU Parliament (EP) saw sharp criticism directed at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her perceived silence on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli officials.
  
  
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone, requesting that the Paris government not enforce the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  
  
• At least seven Palestinians, including women and children, were killed, and others injured Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood in southern Gaza City.
  
  
• The Dutch parliament approved a motion Tuesday that urges the enforcement of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant.
  
  
• With "the significantly deteriorating security situation" in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, the UN on Tuesday stressed that it will continue operations.

SPORTS

• Manchester City settle for 3-3 draw with Feyenoord after leading 3-0

English Premier League club Manchester City settled for a 3-3 draw with Dutch side Feyenoord in a UEFA Champions League week 5 match after leading 3-0 on Tuesday.

Norwegian star Erling Haaland's two goals from a penalty kick in the 44th minute and in the 53rd minute were not enough for the Sky Blues to achieve victory at Etihad Stadium.

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan netted the other goal of the Manchester side in the 50th minute.

Feyenoord completed their comeback in 14 minutes as Anis Hadj-Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko scored in the 75th, 82nd and 89th minutes, respectively.

• Turkish national billiard players grab medals in European Seniors and Women's Pool Championship

Turkish national billiard players won five medals in the European Seniors and Women's Pool Championship in southern Antalya.

The Turkish Billiard Federation said Monday that Sinem Kokten won gold in the 9-ball competition, while Ferdi Ozdemir grabbed a silver medal.

The Men's National Team with Cetin Aslan, Rasit Saylam and Ozdemir won silver in the team competition.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• G20 merchandise exports tick up 0.4% in 3rd quarter

G20 merchandise exports edged up 0.4% in the third quarter of 2024 from the previous quarter, according to new Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) figures released on Tuesday.

The figure recovered from stagnation in the second quarter, the Paris-based organization said.

Its goods imports grew 1.5% quarter-on-quarter in July-September, up slightly from a 1.3% increase in April-June.

• Oil prices slip as Lebanon cease-fire deal nears, dollar strengthens

Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday, adding to Monday's losses, amid expectations of a potential Lebanon cease-fire deal to make a push for a similar effort in Gaza.

The international oil benchmark of Brent crude fell 0.05% to $72.58 per barrel at 10.23 a.m. local time (0723 GMT), down from the previous session's close of $72.62.

The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also declined by 0.05% to $68.93 per barrel, compared to $68.97 at the prior session's close.