Morning Briefing: Oct. 20, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here’s a rundown of the news you need to start your Sunday, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowing to strengthen defense cooperation with NATO ally Türkiye, Ankara warning that the risk of Israel's attacks spreading across the region "must never be underestimated," and Iran's supreme leader pledging support for Palestinian resistance following Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's death.

TOP STORIES

• Germany’s Scholz vows closer defense ties with NATO ally Türkiye

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to strengthen defense cooperation with NATO ally Türkiye during a key visit to Istanbul.

Addressing a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following a meeting between the two leaders, Scholz confirmed that his government recently approved the delivery of certain arms and military equipment to Türkiye.

“Türkiye is a NATO ally, and on that account, we are taking decisions that lead to concrete deliveries -- that goes without saying. We have also made such decisions recently, and there will be more in the future,” he said.

• Türkiye warns about risk of Israel's war spreading across region 'must never be underestimated'

Türkiye warned that the risk of Israel's attacks spreading across the region "must never be underestimated."

"We are in the midst of tension that could have serious repercussions globally," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Istanbul. Araghci is on a two-day visit to Türkiye that began Friday.

Fidan said a meeting with Hamas delegates discussed efforts to provide more humanitarian aid to Gazans and create international mobilization. "We consider Palestinian internal reconciliation as very important, strategic," he added.

• Iran's supreme leader pledges support for Palestinian resistance following Sinwar's death

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reaffirmed his commitment to support the Palestinian resistance in the wake of the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas political bureau.

“The loss of Yahya Sinwar is painful for the Resistance Front,” Khamenei wrote on X.

The “front didn’t halt its progress in wake of the martyrdoms of eminent figures … Similarly, it won’t falter with Sinwar’s martyrdom either,” he added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hospitals in northern Gaza have been struck directly amid escalating hostilities, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis, a senior UN official said.
• French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has expressed doubts that a recent migrant deal between Italy and Albania would work for his country.
• G7 defense ministers met in Italy as tensions rise in the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.
• Türkiye's president reaffirmed the country's strong support for Palestine as Israel continues to conduct deadly attacks across the occupied territories and the Gaza Strip.
• Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi told his British counterpart, David Lammy, that Beijing and London should respect each other's concerns, strengthen dialogue and enhance understanding on the basis of equality.
• Iran, Russia and Oman have launched naval exercises in the Indian Ocean with Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Pakistan, Qatar and Bangladesh participating as observers.
• Two Israeli soldiers were killed in ground battles in northern Gaza, the army announced.
• At least eight people were killed and several injured in Israeli attacks on northern Gaza.
• A man threw several firebombs at the headquarters of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Tokyo, local media reported.
• North Korea said it discovered the remains of a South Korean drone that violated its airspace, state news agency KCNA reported.
• A drone launched from Lebanon struck the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in northern Israel, his office said.
• Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly put the last of India’s diplomats in the country “on notice” that Canada will not tolerate any more criminal activity on its territory.
• At least seven people were killed and two others went missing after a house in east China caught fire, state news agency Xinhua reported.

SPORTS

• The Oceans Seven challenge: Turkish swimmer Bengisu Avci conquers Molokai Channel in Hawaii

Turkish ultra-marathon swimmer Bengisu Avci crossed the Molokai Channel, an Oceans Seven challenge, the athlete's media office announced.

In her second attempt, Avci traversed the 26-mile-wide (42-kilometer) stretch between the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu and Molokai in 12 hours and 10 minutes.

Her previous attempt to cross the Molokai Channel had been cut short due to jellyfish stings.

• Turkish motorcycle racer Toprak Razgatlioglu wins 2024 World Superbike title

ROKiT BMW's Turkish motorcycle racer Toprak Razgatlioglu secured the 2024 World Superbike Championship in Spain.

Razgatlioglu came second in the 20-lap Race 1 at the Jerez circuit, which was enough to claim his second world title.

The Prometeon Spanish Round's first race lasted 33 minutes and 32.738 seconds as Aruba Ducati's Nicolo Bulega, second in the championship standings, won the Jerez race.