By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday with, including a fire breaking out at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with Ukraine and Russia trading blame over the incident, US President Joe Biden saying a cease-fire in Gaza is "possible" before his term ends, and a report of more than 75,000 Palestinians being displaced in southwest Gaza in the past few days.
TOP STORIES
- Fire breaks out in Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukrainian official says operating 'as normal'
A fire broke out in Europe's largest nuclear power plant, located in southern Ukraine, with Ukraine and Russia trading blame over the incident.
"Six units in the power plant are in cold shutdown, there is no explosion or other danger," the Russian-installed regional governor of Zaporizhzhia, Yevgeny Balitsky, said in a statement.
He added that the fire broke out in the plant’s cooling system due to shelling by the Ukrainian army.
- Biden says cease-fire in Gaza 'possible' before his term ends
US President Joe Biden said a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip would be "possible" before the end of his presidency.
"Yes. It's still possible," Biden said in comments broadcast Sunday, when asked if he believes a cease-fire could be secured with five months left to his term.
Biden sat on Wednesday for his first interview with CBS since announcing his decision to pull out of the presidential race late last month against Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump over concerns about the future of US democracy.
- Over 75,000 Palestinian displaced in southwest Gaza in past few days: UN official
More than 75,000 Palestinians have been displaced in southwest Gaza in the past few days, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said.
“Over the decades, Palestinian civilians have been caught up in wars and conflicts, far too many times,” Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, said on X.
“Just in the past few days, more than 75,000 people have been displaced in southwest Gaza,” he added.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Iran's Javad Zarif, recently appointed vice president for strategic affairs, resigned from his position just hours after ministerial nominees were submitted to parliament for approval.
- At least 17 bodies have been retrieved from a heap of garbage in Uganda's capital that tragically buried homes and livestock.
- One Israeli was killed and another injured in a drive-by shooting in the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank.
- Jordan’s King Abdullah II called for regional de-escalation amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran undermined the cease-fire negotiation process in Gaza.
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will travel to Russia’s capital on Monday and is expected to meet with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, the country’s ambassador to Moscow said.
- Palestine called for placing Israeli settler groups on terror lists amid violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
- At least two people were killed in an overnight Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, the country’s national emergency service said.
- Sudan said that consultations held in the Saudi city of Jeddah with the US concluded without an agreement on Khartoum’s participation in planned peace talks in Switzerland.
- The Lebanese group Hezbollah attacked several military sites in northern Israel amid a growing escalation between the two sides.
- At least four Palestinians were killed when Israeli army shelling targeted Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called any cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas a “grave mistake.”
- Australia joined the international community to condemn the deaths of dozens of civilians in an Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza.
- At least five Palestinians were injured when the Israeli army targeted areas in the southern Gaza Strip shortly after expanding evacuation orders.
- Japan's state weather agency continued to maintain a "megaquake advisory" urging citizens to keep up their guard against a possible mega-earthquake in the Nankai Trough along the Pacific coast.
- A Palestinian was injured by Israeli gunfire and 17 others were arrested during Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and state media reports.
- North Korea has sent trash-filled balloons toward South Korea, with several landing on the latter's soil, Seoul said.
- US President Joe Biden again warned Iran about a possible retaliatory attack against Israel amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
- In Brazil, 10 passengers missed a flight that later crashed, killing 57 passengers and four crew members.
SPORTS
- USA win 8th straight Olympic women's basketball gold medal
The US women's team defeated France 67-66, becoming the first basketball team in Olympic history to win eight consecutive gold medals.
A'ja Wilson was the highest scorer of the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum played with 12 points for the US at Bercy Arena.
Gabby Williams produced 19 points with seven rebounds, and Marine Johannes and Valeriane Ayayi finished with nine points for France.