Morning Briefing: Sept. 19, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including Iran's permanent mission to the UN saying Iran reserves the right to respond to an attack on its ambassador in Lebanon, the death toll in Lebanon from explosions of wireless communication devices rising to 20 and Israel’s defense minister announcing the start of a "new phase" of the war in Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• Iran reserves right to respond to attack on ambassador in Lebanon: Mission tells UN Security Council

Iran’s permanent mission to the UN condemned Israel for a deadly attack in Beirut that killed at least 11 civilians and injured thousands, including Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, who sustained injuries.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will duly follow up on the attack against its ambassador in Lebanon, which resulted in his injury, and reserves its rights under international law to take required measures deemed necessary to respond to such a heinous crime and violation," the mission said in a letter to the UN Security Council.

The mission described it as a "cowardly and vicious terrorist attack" by Israel which violated Lebanon’s sovereignty.

• Death toll in Lebanon from explosions of wireless communication devices rises to 20

The death toll in Lebanon from the explosions of ICOM wireless communication devices has risen to 20, with more than 450 injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

The latest toll comes after 12 people were killed Tuesday and around 2,800 others injured, 300 of them critically, in a similar attack involving pagers primarily used by the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

The combined death toll from the explosions Tuesday and Wednesday has reached 32, with more than 3,250 injured.

• Israeli defense chief announces start of 'new phase' of war

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said a "new phase" of the war in the Gaza Strip has begun.

“We are at the start of a new phase in the war -- it requires courage, determination and perseverance,” Gallant told troops in the northern city of Haifa.

"The center of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces," he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli military issued notices for the seizure of Palestinian land in the northern West Bank and the Jordan Valley.
• The White House denied any role in a spate of explosive attacks in Lebanon that targeted thousands of communication devices for two straight days, killing at least 26 people and maiming 3,250.
• US President Joe Biden will host his Emirati counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, next week for a historic first official visit of a UAE leader to the White House, the executive mansion announced.
• Turkish security forces destroyed more than 20 safe havens of the PKK terror group in an air operation in northern Iraq, according to the National Defense Ministry.
• Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli military positions in northern Israel, marking its first attack following the explosions of wireless communication devices in Lebanon.
• The Israeli army decided to transfer the 98th elite brigade from the Gaza Strip to the northern border with Lebanon.
• The UN Security Council was scheduled to meet to discuss the recent mass explosion of pagers – small communication devices – across Lebanon, with the government in Beirut and Hezbollah blaming Israel.
• Britain urged calm following pager explosions that killed at least 12 people and injured nearly 2,800 others in Lebanon.
• The Hungarian government said the pager devices that exploded in Lebanon "have never been in Hungary."
• Switzerland called on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid a "major regional escalation," voicing concern over deadly pager explosions in Lebanon.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply alarmed over the deadly explosions of wireless communication devices in Lebanon and Syria, his spokesman said.
• Several fires broke out in the northern Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona after rockets were launched from Lebanon.
• Two young children have tragically lost their lives from the mass explosion of wireless pager devices in various areas in Lebanon.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a "serious risk of dramatic escalation" in Lebanon after pager blasts.
• Laos and Russia began a military exercise in the far east region of Primorsky, according to a statement.
• Egypt affirmed its rejection of any Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with Gaza amid ongoing mediation efforts to reach a cease-fire deal in the Palestinian enclave.
• Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk was released after being detained at Krakow airport in southern Poland.
• The Netherlands has informed the EU that it is opting out of the union’s migration rules, the country’s migration minister announced.
• A Chinese aircraft carrier along with two warships sailed between two Japanese islands in a first such event, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
• China imposed sanctions on at least nine US firms for weapons and arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing considers its own “breakaway province.”

SPORTS

• 1990 World Cup top scorer Salvatore Schillaci dies at 59

Former Italy forward Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci, the 1990 FIFA World Cup top scorer, died aged 59.

"Lega Serie A and all of its Clubs would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family of Salvatore 'Totò' Schillaci, the entire football community and Italian football fans upon his passing," the Italian football league Serie A's chief Lorenzo Casini said.

"He was a great player, who lit up those 'Notti Magiche' at Italia '90, the tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and best player. His desire to make it at the top level in football was constant and he will continue to be an inspiration for the many children who dream of playing in Serie A," Casini added.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Federal Reserve signals two more 25 bps rate cuts by the end of 2024

The US Federal Reserve indicated that it plans to cut interest rates by an additional 50 basis points by the end of this year, according to projection materials released following its latest meeting.

The Fed on Wednesday lowered the interest rate by 50 basis points to the range of 4.75% - 5.0%, starting its monetary easing in an aggressive way.

The median projection for the federal funds rate showed 4.4% for 2024, which means the central bank may lower interest rates two more times by 25 basis points each this year.