Morning Briefing: Sept. 22, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start Sunday, including fires erupting in southern Lebanon after intense Israeli airstrikes; Kamala Harris accepting CNN's invitation to a second presidential debate in October and Hezbollah’s top military commander saying14 fighters killed in Israeli strike on Beirut suburbs.

TOP STORIES

Fires erupt in southern Lebanon towns after intensive Israeli airstrikes

Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, causing fires in several towns.

An Israeli military statement said fighter jets conducted a new wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets.

Social media accounts circulated images of fires in southern towns following the strikes.

Harris accepts CNN invitation to second presidential debate in October

US Vice President Kamala Harris accepted an invitation from CNN to debate her Republican rival and former President Donald Trump on Oct. 23.

"I will gladly accept a second presidential debate on October 23. I hope @realDonaldTrump will join me," Harris wrote on X.

Harris is ready for another opportunity to share the stage with Trump, campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.

Hezbollah’s top military commander, 14 fighters killed in Israel's strike on Beirut suburbs

Hezbollah’s top military commander Ahmed Wahbi as well as 14 of the group’s fighters were killed in an Israeli raid that targeted Beirut's southern suburb, according to the Lebanese group.

An Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb killed at least 14 people Friday and injured 66, with nine in critical condition, said Lebanon's Health Ministry.

The Israeli army said it assassinated Hezbollah’s top military commander Ibrahim Aqil, along with senior commanders from the group's elite Radwan Force.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• About 4,000 demonstrators marched through central Rome, demanding an end to the "genocide" against Palestinians.
• A barrage of rockets was launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, triggering fires amid rising border escalation with the Lebanese group, Hezbollah, according to Israeli media.
• One person has died and at least six are missing following unprecedented rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture, according to media reports.
• Jordan condemned a deadly Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza City.
• The Israeli army has bombed 21 schools sheltering displaced people in the Gaza Strip since August, killing 267 Palestinians and injuring hundreds, said the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor.
• Police imposed a nationwide curfew in Sri Lanka after voting ended in the presidential election, with millions going to the polls throughout the day.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "gravely alarmed" by reports of a full-scale assault on the city of El Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur State, by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to his spokesman.
• At least 22 Palestinians, including 13 children, were killed and several injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, according to the government media office in the enclave.
• The Israeli army conducted a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
• Iran condemned Israel's airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs that left 31 dead and urged the international community to take "decisive action" to stop Israeli attacks.
• Israel has closed its airspace in the northern region due to security concerns, local media reported.
• Russia and China began a naval military exercise in the Sea of Japan.
• China launched four new satellites for the Tianqi constellation into space, state media reported.
• A California firefighter was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a series of small fires in wine country, according to officials.

SPORTS

Galatasaray stun Fenerbahce 3-1 in Istanbul derby to extend gap on top

Visiting Galatasaray stunned archrivals Fenerbahce 3-1 in a Turkish Super Lig match to go five points clear at the top of the division.

In minute 20, Galatasaray midfielder Lucas Torreira fired a volley outside the box that hit the bar, then Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, before going inside the net.

After Livakovic's own goal, Galatasaray took the lead at Fenerbahce's Ulker Stadium