Morning Briefing: Oct. 25, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including the killing and injuring of over 150 Palestinians in Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza, Russian President Vladimir Putin saying that Türkiye recently conveyed new proposals from Ukraine for negotiations, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying that Gaza cease-fire talks are expected to resume soon.

TOP STORIES

• Over 150 Palestinians killed and injured in Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia, northern Gaza

More than 150 Palestinians were killed and injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting around 10 homes in Jabalia in northern Gaza, where a siege began 20 days ago.

“A horrific massacre is unfolding in Jabalia, with over 150 martyrs and injured people due to Israeli attacks. No one is moving to rescue them,” the Gaza civil defense said in a statement.

The statement added that the Israeli military targeted homes belonging to the Najjar, Abu Al-Ouf, Salman, Hijazi, Abu Al-Qumsan, Aqel Abu Rashid, Abu Al-Tarabish, Zaqoul and Shaalan families.

• Putin says Türkiye recently conveyed new Ukrainian proposals for negotiations

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Türkiye conveyed new proposals from Kyiv for negotiations, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues.

“Recently, the Turkish side…called straight from New York and said there are new proposals (from Ukraine) that they ask to consider for negotiations,” Putin said at a press conference following the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

He said he had expressed his willingness to engage in talks but claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the idea of negotiations the following day.

Putin added that before moving forward with any proposal, Moscow must determine whether Ukraine genuinely wants negotiations.

• Gaza cease-fire talks to resume soon, US Secretary of State Blinken says

Gaza cease-fire talks are expected to resume in the coming days, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Blinken said Gaza negotiators will convene “soon.”

"We talked about options to capitalize on this moment and next steps to move the process forward, and I anticipate that our negotiators will be getting together in the coming days," he added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A cease-fire should be declared in Gaza without delay, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart Antony Blinken, who is on a fresh Middle East tour aimed at ending the war in the Palestinian enclave.
• The Israeli army confirmed that five of its officers were killed and six soldiers were seriously wounded during battles in southern Lebanon.
• A Hamas delegation met senior Egyptian security officials in Cairo to discuss overcoming obstacles to achieving a cease-fire in Gaza and negotiating a prisoner-hostage exchange deal with Israel, Al Qahera News reported.
• Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze commended Türkiye’s mediation efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
• Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended two regional routes.
• Israel has used Palestinians as human shields in the besieged Gaza Strip, forcing detainees into potentially booby-trapped buildings and tunnels to avoid casualties among its ranks, according to a report.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is setting up a $119 million fund dedicated to the development of the space sector.
• Two Indian army soldiers and two civilian porters working for them were killed and four other soldiers injured in an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
• Turkish forces carried out airstrikes against 47 terror targets in northern Iraq and Syria, "neutralizing" 59 PKK and PKK/YPG terrorists, including two ringleaders, the National Defense Ministry said.
• Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Doha will host a new round of Gaza cease-fire talks.
• The international community raised over $800 million (€740 million) to fund humanitarian aid in Lebanon, the French foreign minister said.
• Africa has recorded 134 new polio cases in at least seven countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced.
• US tech giant Microsoft warned of the influence efforts of Russia, Iran and China on the upcoming US presidential elections on Nov. 5.
• Boeing workers on strike have rejected the company’s latest offer of a 35% wage increase spread over four years as over 30,000 employees continue their strike, which began on Sept. 13.
• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said his country could consider providing arms to Ukraine, “depending on the extent of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea,” Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.
• French President Emmanuel Macron said he regrets Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon, expressing disappointment that the call for a 21-day pause in hostilities, made jointly with US President Joe Biden, has not been considered yet.

SPORTS

• Chelsea hammer Panathinaikos 4-1 in Conference League

English Premier League club Chelsea hammered Greece's Panathinaikos 4-1 in a UEFA Europa Conference League matchday 2 game.

Portuguese attacker Joao Felix led the Blues to victory with two goals in the 22nd and 55th minutes at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens.

The other goals from the visitors were scored by Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk in the 49th minute and French midfielder Christopher Nkunku on a penalty kick in the 59th minute. The hosts' only goal came from Uruguayan midfielder Facundo Pellistri in the 69th minute.

• Real Madrid's Rodrygo suffers right thigh injury

Real Madrid could be without Rodrygo for some time as the club confirmed that the Brazilian right-winger suffers from a right thigh injury.

"Following tests carried out on our player Rodrygo Goes by the Real Madrid medical services today, he's been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh," the Spanish powerhouse said in a statement. "His recovery will be assessed."

The 23-year-old Brazilian was forced to leave the pitch in the 85th minute of Real Madrid's 5-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League this week.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Selling prices in US rise at slowest rate since May 2020: Report

Selling prices in the US increased in October at their slowest rate since May 2020, indicating a further slowdown in inflation, according to a report.

The US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector, rose just 0.5 points to 47.8 in October from 47.3 in September, according to initial figures by global data provider S&P Global.

"October’s flash US PMI survey signaled a further solid rise in business activity to mark a robust start to the fourth quarter," said the report. "Growth was driven solely by the service sector, however, as manufacturing output contracted for a third month running."