By Rabia Ali
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including US plans to build a temporary pier in Gaza to facilitate aid deliveries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's official visit to Türkiye, the Gaza Heath Ministry’s announcement that thousands of Palestinian women have been killed by Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict, and Sweden formally joining NATO after years of neutrality.
TOP STORIES
- US to establish an aid port along Gaza's coastline, says Biden
US President Joe Biden formally announced that he is directing the US military to set up a temporary pier along Gaza's coastline which will be capable of receiving "large shipments" of food, water, medicine and temporary shelters for Gaza's beleaguered population.
He also acknowledged the unprecedented nature of Israel's ongoing war on the besieged Gaza Strip during his State of the Union address Thursday evening.
Biden accepted that the conflict has led to over 30,000 Palestinian deaths in the coastal enclave, saying the war has "taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined."
- Turkish President Erdogan, Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy to meet in Istanbul today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will pay an official visit to Türkiye on Friday to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a statement on Thursday. The meeting is expected to take place in Istanbul.
"The visit will encompass a detailed discussion of the course of the Ukraine-Russia war, the recent situation of contacts regarding the continuation of the Grain Corridor Agreement, and the efforts for lasting peace in the region," the statement said. The talks will also address bilateral relations.
- Israel has killed nearly 9,000 women in Gaza: Health Ministry
On the occasion of the International Women's Day, the Health Ministry in Gaza said the Israeli army has killed nearly 9,000 Palestinian women in the course of its devastating onslaught on the enclave.
"The silence of the international community has contributed to the genocide of Palestinian women," Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Thursday in a statement.
He added that "60,000 pregnant women in Gaza suffer from malnutrition, dehydration and a lack of proper health care.”
- Sweden officially becomes NATO member after decades of neutrality
Sweden officially became NATO's 32nd member as the US received accession instruments Thursday.
It came almost two years after Sweden applied to join the military alliance following the start of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022.
“Good things come to those who wait,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the State Department after receiving the accession instruments. He was joined by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- An urgent cease-fire should be declared and humanitarian aid must be increased in Gaza, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington on Thursday, diplomatic sources said.
- England’s top cleric, the archbishop of Canterbury, said Thursday that he is "deeply horrified" by Israel’s bombardments and siege of Gaza and condemns the killing of Palestinian civilians
- Germany and the UK emphasized on Thursday the urgent need for a humanitarian cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as the humanitarian situation in the enclave continues to worsen.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned US Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy for supporting three non-governmental organizations recognized as "undesirable" in Russia.
- Joining a growing international chorus, Slovenia’s president on Thursday called for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is set to start next week.
- Around 60,000 pregnant women in the Gaza Strip are suffering from malnutrition and dehydration due to Israel’s war against the enclave, the Health Ministry said Thursday.
- The head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday that the Middle East is facing a “convergence of crises” for various reasons.
- The UN emphasized Thursday the “alarming situation” in Haiti, which has been hit by gang violence, and warned that the health care system is nearing collapse.
SPORTS
- US point guard Mike James becomes EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer
AS Monaco point guard Mike James became the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer Thursday with 4,464 points.
"With a post-game total of 4,464 points after scoring 20 in a 98-80 win over Crvena Zvezda, the AS Monaco star is now in first place overall, having surpassed (Vassilis) Spanoulis’s total of 4,455," the EuroLeague said in a statement.
- Fenerbahce seal comfortable win over Union Saint-Gilloise
Fenerbahce secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday in the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 first leg.
Fenerbahce's Michy Batshuayi broke the deadlock with a close-range finish in the 20th minute at RSC Anderlecht Stadium in Belgium.
Jayden Oosterwolde doubled the lead for Fenerbahce, while Dusan Tadic scored a penalty.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- European Central Bank keeps interest rates constant
The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday decided to keep its three key policy interest rates unchanged in line with market expectations.
The interest rate on the main refinancing operations and on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 4.5%, 4.75% and 4% respectively, said a bank statement.
- Trade volume through Suez, Panama canals down sharply in early 2024: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that in the first two months of 2024, the transit trade volume through the Suez Canal dropped by 50% from a year earlier, while trade volume through the Panama Canal fell by 32% due to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and drought, respectively.
Recent disruptions in key shipping routes have hindered global trade, the IMF said in a blog post.