Morning Briefing: March 14, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday, including Israel’s attack on a humanitarian aid center in Gaza, Türkiye setting up a security corridor against terrorist violence, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks on Moscow’s readiness for a nuclear war from a ‘military-technical’ point of view.

TOP STORIES

At least five people were killed and several others injured on Wednesday in Israeli shelling of a humanitarian aid distribution center in the southern Gaza Strip, according to medical sources.

The attack targeted a distribution center run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in central Rafah, witnesses said.

Medical sources noted that some of the injured were in serious condition. There was no comment from the Israeli army on the report.

By setting up a “security corridor” along its southern borders, Türkiye is successfully walling itself off from spreading terrorism and violence, said the Turkish president on Wednesday.

“We are completely preventing the spread of the fire around us to Türkiye by establishing a security corridor along our southern borders,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told an election rally in southeastern province of Sirnak, ahead of local elections on March 31.

He also stressed that Türkiye is erecting barriers between itself and terrorist groups.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that his country is ready for a nuclear war from a “military-technical” point of view.

“From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready. They (Russian forces) are constantly in a state of combat readiness,” Putin said during an interview with the Rossiya-1 state TV channel.

Putin noted that it is a “generally accepted thing” that Russia’s nuclear triad — land, sea, and air — is more modern than any other, expressing that only Moscow and Washington have such a triad.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Top officials from the US, four other countries, and the European Union agreed Wednesday that Israel must open additional crossings to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

• European Council President Charles Michel warned Wednesday of a regional spillover of the war in Gaza, saying a two-state solution is the “only solution.”

• The embassies of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and US in Yemen issued a joint statement Wednesday reiterating their condemnation of the Red Sea attacks by the Houthis.

• Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders said Wednesday that he does not have enough support to become the country’s prime minister.

• South African citizens fighting alongside or serving in Israel’s army will face arrest when they return home, Israeli media reported Wednesday, citing the country’s foreign minister.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war in the Gaza Strip to stay in power, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Wednesday.

• Thousands of people protested in Greece against the country’s deployment of the frigate Hydra to the Red Sea as part of the EU’s Aspides mission to protect shipping in the vital waterway.

• Hezbollah said Wednesday that its fighters targeted sites near the Lebanese border belonging to the Israeli army and a drone as Israel continued to shell several areas of southern Lebanon.

• Poland has decided to recall dozens of its ambassadors appointed by the previous administration, its Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday.

• EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Wednesday that the “very survival of the population in” the Gaza Strip hangs in the balance.

• YouTube blocked an investigative TV program Wednesday focusing on the deadly shooting of a Canadian Sikh separatist after being ordered to do so by the Indian government.

SPORTS

• Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid reach Champions League quarterfinals

German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Dortmund beat Dutch side PSV Eindhoven 2-0 at home to secure a last-eight place with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid eliminated Italian Serie A powerhouse Inter Milan 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 on aggregate.

• Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri resigns

Maurizio Sarri resigned from his role as Lazio head coach, the Italian Serie A club confirmed in a statement.

Sarri, 65, left the Rome club after Lazio took five defeats in the last six games in all competitions.

His assistant Giovanni Martusciello was placed in interim charge.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Global gas demand expected to exceed 5,360 billion cubic meters in 2050

Global natural gas demand is projected to increase by 34% in 2050 compared to 2022, reaching approximately 5,360 billion cubic meters.

According to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum’s (GECF) 2050 Outlook report, global natural gas consumption reached around 4,015 billion cubic meters in 2022.

Accordingly, 52% of global demand growth is estimated to originate in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Russia fines Google for failing to restrict access to prohibited content

A Russian court has fined Google 4 million rubles ($43,680) for failing to block access to certain content banned in Russia.

The court found Google guilty of failing to comply with the law by not restricting access to some prohibited content on YouTube. Google had been fined for similar reasons before.​​​​​​​

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