Morning Briefing: Sept. 12, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including US Vice President Kamala Harris calling the Israeli killing of a Turkish American activist a "horrific tragedy,” Qatar urging the international community to show "courage and political will" to end the Israeli war on Gaza, and an Israeli attack on a UN-run school sheltering displaced Gazans killing at least 18 people.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli killing of Turkish American activist 'horrific tragedy': US vice president

US Vice President Kamala Harris called Israel’s killing of a Turkish American activist in the occupied West Bank a "horrific tragedy."

"The killing of Aysenur Eygi is a horrific tragedy that never should have happened,” she said in a statement on the incident, which took place last Friday.

"Aysenur was peacefully protesting in the West Bank – standing up against the expansion of settlements – when her young life was senselessly cut short,” said Harris.

• Qatar urges international community to show ‘courage, political will’ to end Israeli war on Gaza

Qatar called on the international community to show “courage and political will” to end Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

“Establishing a reliable international system for protecting human rights requires the international community to demonstrate courage and full political will to move beyond silence and take on its legal and ethical responsibilities,” Qatari delegate Jawhara bint Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi said during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

This involves “actively intervening to halt aggression against the Gaza Strip, ending the Israeli occupation, and providing necessary protection to the Palestinian people, who are facing genocide under everyone's watch,” she added.

• At least 18 killed in new Israeli attack on UN-run school sheltering displaced Gazans

The death toll rose to 18 in an Israeli bombing Wednesday of a UN-run school housing displaced civilians in the central Gaza Strip, with several injured, according to Gaza’s Media Office.

Some staff members from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) were among the fatalities, the office added in a statement, without specifying the number killed.

The Civil Defense said several women and children were among the victims in the attack, which targeted al-Jaouni School in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks in Kyiv with the top diplomats from the US and the UK.
• An Israeli drone strike killed three Palestinians near Tulkarm in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to build a barrier along the border with Jordan to prevent what he said are attempts to smuggle weapons and fighters into the West Bank and Israel.
• Belgium said it is sending more than 500 tents to Gaza, which has been reeling under an Israeli offensive since last October.
• The UN said that Israel has struck a school in the central Gaza Strip for the fifth time in 11 months that is run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and shelters displaced civilians.
• The Dutch foreign minister said he summoned the Iranian ambassador over Tehran's alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.
• Ukraine’s chief rabbi said his son died while fighting for the country's military on the front line with Russia.
• Israel intensified its military operations in Syria throughout 2024, launching at least 43 airstrikes against Iran-backed groups aligned with the Bashar al-Assad regime, according to sources within the region.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the latest round of sanctions imposed on Tehran by the US and its European allies, denying reports that Iran supplied ballistic missiles to Russia.
• Iraq rejects any use of its territory to launch threats against Iran, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said.
• US President Joe Biden said he is "outraged and deeply saddened" by the killing of a Turkish American activist by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, saying the shooting "is totally unacceptable."
• Norway has decided to lift defense industry restrictions imposed on Türkiye, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.
• Preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Türkiye are progressing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a message to the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit emphasizing Türkiye’s commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• Facebook has confirmed that it collects public data from Australian adult users, including photos and posts, to train its AI models, without offering an opt-out option, unlike in the EU, according to ABC News.
• Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm’s mpox vaccine has been cleared for clinical trials, state media reported.

SPORTS

• Traditional Turkish archery garners significant attention at current World Nomad Games

Archery is getting a great deal of interest at the current 5th World Nomad Games held in Kazakhstan, said the head of the Turkish Traditional Archery Federation.

Cengiz Toksoz told Anadolu that traditional Turkish archery events, which are listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, are followed with great interest in Kazakhstan, including during the weeklong games, which are set to wrap up on Saturday.

"Athletes competing in traditional archery have helped promote Türkiye by wearing outfits that reflect Turkish motifs and traditions," Toksoz said.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Blinken announces $700 million in humanitarian for Ukraine during Kyiv visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Kyiv, unveiled more than $700 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

“This assistance will support Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, provide vital humanitarian assistance for Ukrainian internally displaced persons and refugees and support demining operations that are preventing civilian casualties, restoring civilian infrastructure, and facilitating the safe delivery of humanitarian aid,” the State Department said in a statement.

The package includes $325 million in energy sector assistance for Ukraine to repair its power grid, which has been damaged by Russian attacks.

• UK announces nearly $800M worth of support for Ukraine

The British foreign secretary announced a new support package for Ukraine, including fiscal support and military equipment deliveries.

David Lammy announced at least £242 million ($315 million) of funding to support Ukraine in the face of Russian attacks and the deployment of £484 million of fiscal support as well as military equipment deliveries.

The foreign secretary's announcement came amid his joint visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with his US counterpart Antony Blinken to show continued support.

• UK imposes sanctions on 10 vessels for transporting Russian oil

The British government announced sanctions on a group of vessels for using practices to avoid sanctions on Russian oil.

The UK has taken new steps to clamp down on Russia’s shadow fleet exporting oil in an attempt to undermine UK and G7 sanctions, with the Foreign Office announcing sanctions on 10 ships.

Wednesday's sanctions mark the third time the UK has used its measures to sanction individual vessels, targeting those who undermine sanctions and facilitate Russia’s oil trade.