Morning Briefing: Oct. 17, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start Thursday, including NATO pledging nearly $43.5 billion in military aid for Ukraine; Israel killing at least 12 and injuring 78 in airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon; EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell saying the bloc invests 10 times less in military innovation and research compared to the US and Zelenskyy presenting Ukraine’s "victory plan" in a parliamentary address.

TOP STORIES

• NATO pledges nearly $43.5B in military aid for Ukraine: Mark Rutte

NATO’s new chief announced a military aid package for Ukraine of more than $40 billion, reaffirming the alliance's long-term commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense against Russia's war.

Secretary-General Mark Rutte addressed NATO defense ministers and stressed the urgent need to enhance defense industrial capacity and resilience across all domains.

He highlighted that while NATO has made significant progress in munitions production and the manufacturing of military equipment, the current output still falls short.

• Israel kills at least 12, injures 78 in airstrikes on southern, eastern Lebanon

At least 12 people were killed and 78 injured in Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese health authorities. The strikes targeted major towns, including Baalbek and Nabatieh, as well as several densely populated areas in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that a strike on the Baalbek-Riyaq highway killed two people and injured nine. In a separate strike on a residence in the eastern town of Yammouneh, two more people were killed and 15 injured, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.

The ministry also updated casualty figures from Tuesday’s airstrikes on Qana in southern Lebanon, where three people were killed and 54 injured. Rescue teams are continuing to search the rubble in affected areas.

• Borrell says EU invests 10 times less in military innovation, research compared to US

The EU foreign policy chief said Europe invests 10 times less in military innovation and research compared to the US, affecting its defense capabilities.

"The Europeans all together, we invest on military innovation, research and development 10 times less than the US, exactly 10 times less they invest," Josep Borrell said at the European Defense and Security Conference in Brussels, calling it not enough innovation and investment to cope with competitors.

For the "vicious circle" to be broken, the EU has to replenish the stocks of armies, increase defense capabilities, reduce excessive dependencies and, at the same time, provide military support to Ukraine at the right level.

• Zelenskyy presents Ukraine’s ‘victory plan’ in parliamentary address

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented to parliament his “victory plan” -- a blueprint to end the war with Russia that has continued since February 2022.

Speaking at the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv, Zelenskyy outlined five points that formulate the plan, the first of which is an invitation to join NATO.

“We understand that NATO membership is a matter of the future, not the present. But (Russian President Vladimir) Putin must see that his geopolitical calculations are losing,” said Zelenskyy.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Lebanon confirmed its first cholera case since the start of the Israeli offensive last month.
  
  
• The World Health Organization representative in Lebanon warned that the risk of cholera spread is "very high" in Lebanon due to new displacements.
  
  
• The US ambassador to the UN urged Israel to uphold its humanitarian responsibilities in Gaza, warning against any “policy of starvation.”
  
  
• At least 16 people were killed and 52 injured in Israeli airstrikes on municipal buildings in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry.
  
  
• An Israeli tank fired at the UN peacekeeping watchtower in Kafr Kila of southern Lebanon, according to UNIFIL.
  
  
• The Turkish Armed Forces are not involved in a conflict in Syria that sent a missile into a minefield, causing a fire along the Türkiye-Syria border, said the country’s Center to Combat Disinformation.
  
  
• French lawmaker Thomas Portes demanded police ban a pro-Israel gala in Paris to be attended by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
  
  
• Several members of the UN Security Council denounced Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which has caused mass starvation for already suffering civilians.
  
  
• China doubled down on its long-standing policy of "no-first-use" of nuclear arsenal, saying it stands ready to work with other parties to make the world free of nuclear weapons.
  
  
• France has reportedly banned Israeli companies from next month’s Euronaval defense trade show amid a row between the countries’ leaders, according to media outlets.
  
  
• Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Russia will focus on realizing its potential and supporting key spheres of the national economy and relevant enterprises in the conditions of mounting sanctions pressure.
  
  
• The Kremlin said Ukraine needs to “sober up” as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented details of his “victory plan” to parliament.
  
  
• The Israeli army deployed additional forces in the occupied West Bank ahead of a week-long Jewish holiday.
  
  
• Russia and Pakistan agreed to maintain "close" cooperation in trade, industry, energy, connectivity, science, technology and education.
  
  
• World Health Organization (WHO) chief said the number of children who received a second dose of the polio vaccine in central Gaza hit nearly 157,000 after the completion of day two of the current round of vaccinations.
  
  
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised continued military support for Israel, despite that country’s genocidal war in Gaza, which has so far claimed more than 42,200 lives and displaced over 2 million Palestinians.
  
  
• Russia claimed it took control of two settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions as Moscow’s offensive in eastern Ukraine continues.
  
  
• At least 14 more Israeli soldiers were injured in clashes in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon in the last 24 hours, according to the military.
  
  
• Efforts to repatriate displaced Rohingya have been delayed due to a cease-fire breakdown between the junta and rebels in Myanmar, said a top Burmese diplomat in Dhaka.
  
  
• The sun has reached its solar maximum period, which could continue for the next year, researchers from three atmospheric science institutes, including NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Solar Cycle Prediction Panel, announced in a teleconference.
  
  
• The world is rapidly transitioning to an electric energy system, driven by a growing reliance on clean sources, according to an annual report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
  
  
• The UN's special rapporteur on Palestine said Israel's use of "humanitarian camouflage" is a "deliberate doctrine."
  
  
• Kazakhstan said it will “most likely” refrain from applying for membership in the BRICS economic group “in the foreseeable future,” as neighboring Russia is set to host the organization’s 16th summit next week.

SPORTS

• Barcelona beat AS Monaco 86-71 for 2nd EuroLeague win in Round 3

Barcelona grabbed an 86-71 win over AS Monaco in Round 3 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in basketball action.

Kevin Punter, Barcelona’s guard, was the high scorer with 21 points at Palau Blaugrana.

"A good and comfortable win, credit to Monaco, but we had to do our business," Punter said after the victory.

• Lionel Messi scores hat-trick as Argentina hammer Bolivia in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The 37-year-old Miami forward struck three goals, including the opener at Buenos Aires' Mas Monumental.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar notched his 10th international hat-trick, and have scored 112 goals in 189 games for Argentina since 2005.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil prices fall on easing Middle East concerns

Oil prices fell slightly with eased concerns in the Middle East and the prospects of weak demand in China, one of the world's major crude consumers.

The international oil benchmark of Brent crude dropped 0.5% to $73.99 per barrel at 11.03 a.m. (0803GMT), down from the previous session's close of $74.37.

The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also declined 0.4% to $70.06, compared to $70.38 at the prior session's close.