Morning Briefing: Oct. 26, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including the US deploying F-16 jets to the Mideast amid rising tensions after Israeli strikes to Iranian military targets, UN peacekeepers calling the security situation in southern Lebanon "extremely challenging," and Ukraine saying North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region.

TOP STORIES

- Israel announces start of attacks on ‘military targets’ in Iran

Israel announced early Saturday that its military carried out "precise strikes" on “military targets” in Iran, as explosions were heard in the capital Tehran.

Israeli army radio said dozens of Israeli aircraft had launched attacks on Tehran, Meshed, and a power station in Karaj.

Later, the military announced that it had completed targeted airstrikes on Iranian military facilities.

The strikes were in response to recent missile attacks by Tehran on Israel.

- Iran reportedly to respond to any Israeli 'aggression'

Iran is ready to retaliate against the Israeli "aggression," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said Saturday, citing sources.

"There is no doubt that Israel will receive the appropriate response to any action it takes," they were quoted as saying.

Iranian media reported the sound of five explosions in Tehran as Israel began a second wave of attacks on the country.

Tasnim confirmed that air defense systems in central Tehran were activated in response to the escalating attacks.

• US deploys F-16 jets to Middle East amid rising tensions over potential Israeli strike on Iran

The US deployed a squadron of F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East ahead of Israeli strikes on Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced.

"U.S. Air Force F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron based at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany arrive in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," CENTCOM said in a statement.

It did not specify the intended operational role of the F-16s but emphasized the mission to reinforce US presence in the region.

• UNIFIL says security situation in south Lebanon 'extremely challenging'

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the security situation in the southern part of the country, next to Israel, is "extremely challenging" despite extensive measures taken to protect the safety and security of peacekeepers.

A statement by the mission said two medevac teams meeting at Yarin to transfer a patient came under fire of unknown origin early Wednesday.

"One vehicle was immobilized and had to be left at the scene," it said.

• Ukraine says North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said North Korean military units have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region.

In a written statement, it said the units, trained in Russia, have joined the war against Ukraine.

It said 12,000 soldiers from North Korea were sent to Russia, including 500 officers and three generals.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli army reported that six soldiers were injured in a rocket attack from southern Lebanon that targeted settlements in northern Israel.

• A NASA astronaut was hospitalized following the return of the Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station.

• North Korea said any dispatch of its soldiers to Russia would conform to international law, marking its first official response to claims by South Korea that Pyongyang sent 3,000 troops to support Moscow. The White House has also backed the assertions.

• Chinese hackers targeted the phone communications of former US President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance.

• The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worsening, leaving millions in urgent need of aid, the UN said, warning that 3.7 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition.

• A United Arab Emirates ship carrying 2,000 tons of urgent humanitarian aid arrived at Beirut to support the Lebanese people who are facing an Israeli onslaught.

• US President Joe Biden formally apologized to Native Americans for the government's role in Indian boarding schools that forcibly removed Native children from their families and subjected them to severe abuse.

• The UN called for the protection of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza amid Israel's relentless attacks.

• President Cyril Ramaphosa said many countries have welcomed the position South Africa took on the Palestinian issue, including its genocide case against Israel at the top UN court.

• African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) demanded the unconditional lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

• The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said it killed an Israeli soldier and targeted advancing military vehicles in northern Gaza, an area impacted by Israeli military actions for 21 days straight.

• The European Commission chief pledged support for flood-affected regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• At least nine Palestinians were killed and several injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of civilians west of Gaza City.

• The UN human rights chief said Israel's practices in northern Gaza could amount to "atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity."

• UN experts warned that Palestinians with disabilities face "unbearable protection risks," including inescapable death and injuries, amid attacks by Israel.

• Turkish defense industry companies exported products to a record-breaking 178 different countries in 2024, according to the country’s president.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Ukraine has twice approached Russia with peace proposals, mediated by Türkiye, only to soon abandon the initiatives.

• Turkish Armed Forces "neutralized" 11 terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said.

• The Israeli army announced that five more soldiers have been killed in battles in southern Lebanon.

• France “stands up for a reform of the UN” to allow countries from all over the world to be better represented, the French foreign minister said.

• At least 11 security personnel and 19 militants were killed in attacks and clashes in Pakistan, officials said.

• The UN refugee agency warned that the displacement crisis in Lebanon is growing as tens of thousands are fleeing amid the conflict.

• An Egyptian security and military delegation met Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea and a team from the security service Shin Bet in Cairo to discuss ways to achieve a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

• Russian authorities arrested Deputy Energy Minister Sergey Mochalnikov on charges of abuse his power as an investigation into a coal mine contract awards expands, according to the Interior Ministry.

SPORTS

• French football league upholds decision over Kylian Mbappe’s pay

The French football league's appeals commission upheld its earlier decision that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) must pay €55 million ($59.5 million) to their former star Kylian Mbappe, the French media reported.

The LFP's legal commission ruled in favor of Mbappe in September but PSG insisted it did not owe him money and appealed the ruling. The two parties were heard again on Oct. 15.

The 25-year-old French forward had rejected a mediation offer and said the Paris club owed him three months’ salary and bonuses.

• Olympique Marseille to take on leaders Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1's Le Classique derby

Olympique Marseille will take on leaders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the French Ligue 1's Le Classique derby at Stade Velodrome on Sunday.

Marseille's young Argentine midfielder Valentin Carboni, who suffers from a cruciate ligament tear, along with Cameroonian forward Faris Moumbagna, who has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, will be unable to play. French full-back Quentin Merlin, who suffers from a dead leg, is also doubtful.

Portuguese forward Goncalo Ramos, who has an ankle injury and French defender Lucas Hernandez, who suffers from a cruciate ligament tear, are the major absentees in the Parisians.

• Real Madrid to host Barcelona in La Liga's 1st El Clasico

Real Madrid, La Liga's defending champions, will take on Barcelona on Saturday in the first El Clasico of the Spanish league season.

The Week 11 clash will take place at 1900GMT at Real Madrid's home ground, the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez assigned as match referee.

Real Madrid will look to capitalize on the home advantage, aiming to leverage the energy of their supporters, while Barca will rely on their impressive form in La Liga, using their recent momentum.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Global e-commerce trade hits $5.8 trillion, Türkiye eyes larger share in exports: Minister

Global e-commerce trade reached a record of $5.8 trillion in 2023, and Türkiye is eyeing to grab more of the global market share, with expectations that the figure will climb to $6.3 trillion by the end of 2024, the Turkish trade minister said at an e-commerce summit in Istanbul.

Omer Bolat stressed the vast potential of e-commerce, noting its critical role in digital transformation and its rapid expansion since the coronavirus pandemic, becoming an essential component of modern business practices.

He highlighted that 49.5% of Türkiye’s population ordered goods and services online in 2023, with the country's e-commerce trade volume surging from $3.9 billion in 2019 to $53.9 billion last year. The number of e-commerce businesses grew 717% during that period, rising from around 68,000 to 559,400.