Morning Briefing, Oct. 8, 2023

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday with, including new Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the earthquake in Afghanistan, and an operation by Turkish forces against terrorists in Syria.

TOP STORIES

• Israel launches new airstrikes in Gaza amid Hamas attack
  

Israeli warplanes launched new airstrikes in the Gaza Strip early Sunday amid rising tensions following a surprise Hamas attack into Israeli towns.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the security cabinet took a “series of operation decisions” to destroy the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, “in a way that will negate their ability and desire to threaten and harm the citizens of Israel for many years."

A military statement said fighter jets struck two Hamas control rooms in Gaza. Two operational infrastructures inside mosques were also attacked by planes. Another strike targeted a house in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.

• At least 1,000 dead and injured in Afghanistan earthquake

At least 1,000 people were killed and injured in a series of earthquakes that hit the northwestern part of Afghanistan on Saturday.

Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority’s spokesman Mullah Janan Saiq said the death toll could further rise, adding that the tremors caused heavy damage in northwestern Herat and Badghis provinces.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), strong earthquakes of magnitude 5.5, 5.9, and 6.2 jolted the Afghan provinces. It said the epicenter was 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city.

The World Health Organization's Afghanistan office said its teams were in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded and assessing additional needs.

• Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ at least 58 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria

Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least 58 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said.

Terror targets in the Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring regions were strongly hit by Turkish fire support vehicles on Friday night in accordance with the principle of self-defense, the ministry said on X.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A US bipartisan delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer arrived Saturday in Shanghai for a trip that will start a series of meetings.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Saturday that his country began natural gas deliveries to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan.
• An event to mark “Oct. 7 Turkmen National Day” was held Saturday in Erbil province in Iraq.
• Turkish Airlines said Saturday that passengers departing and arriving in Tel Aviv will be granted additional rights such as free cancellation and postponement due to attacks launched by Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.
• NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addressed pressing issues concerning the stability of Kosovo and the ongoing Ukraine conflict in a recent interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
• Hundreds of people gathered at the iconic Palestine Square in central Tehran on Saturday evening to "celebrate" the latest operation by the Palestinian resistance groups against Israel.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke over the phone amid recent tensions between Israel and Palestine.
• The 58th edition of Tour of Türkiye will kick off in the country's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya on Sunday, with hundreds of athletes from across the world gathering for the eight-day event.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who is president of the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia, and discussed bilateral relations, as well as regional issues.
• The United Nations refugee agency and the UN migration agency on Saturday urged Pakistan to continue its protection of all vulnerable Afghans who have sought safety in the country and could be at imminent risk if forced to return.

SPORTS

• Max Verstappen wins Formula 1 title for 3rd year in row

Red Bull Racing's driver Max Verstappen won his third Formula 1 title on Saturday.

Verstappen, who won the world title in 2021 and 2022, came second in the sprint race at the Lusail International Circuit, which is enough to be the victor in the 2023 season with six races remaining.

The Dutch racer only needed to finish sixth on Saturday to celebrate.

• Manchester United beat Brentford 2-1 as Scott McTominay scores double

Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay scored double in injury time as Manchester United beat Brentford 2-1 in Saturday's English Premier League match at the Old Trafford.

Brentford took the lead in the 26th minute when Mathias Jensen scored after Man Utd defense failed to clear the ball.

McTominay came to rescue in the stoppage time as he first scored the equalizer in the 93rd minute, and netted four minutes later via a header.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Spanish company launches Europe’s 1st private reusable rocket

In a milestone for Europe, Spanish company PLD Space successfully launched the continent’s first private and reusable rocket early Saturday morning.

The Miura 1 rocket took off from the southern province of Huelva and reached an altitude of 46 kilometers (28 miles). After reaching its peak, it turned back to earth and splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean.

• Federal Reserve finalizes rule establishing capital requirements for insurers

The US Federal Reserve announced Friday it finalized a rule establishing capital requirements for insurers supervised by its board.

"The final rule includes a framework, known as the Building Block Approach, that builds on existing state-based insurance requirements, accounts for risks that are specific to the business of insurance, and is different from the calculations used for bank capital requirements," it said in a statement.