Morning Briefing: Jan. 20, 2024
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including complaints filed against Israeli President Herzog in Switzerland, a UNICEF report on 20,000 babies born during the Gaza war and a phone conversation between the Pakistani and Iranian foreign ministers over a row about airstrikes.
TOP STORIES
Criminal complaints have been filed against Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Office of the Swiss Attorney General (OAG) confirmed.
"The criminal charges are now being examined in accordance with the usual procedure," OAG told Anadolu in a statement.
It added that the prosecutor’s office is in contact with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to examine the question of the immunity of the person concerned.
Nearly 20,000 babies have been born during the current war in Gaza, while 135,000 children in the Gaza Strip under 2 are at "severe risk" of malnutrition, according to UNICEF.
Noting that the number equals one baby born every 10 minutes since Oct. 7, when the conflict began, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram told a news conference in Geneva: "The situation of pregnant women and newborns in the Gaza Strip is beyond belief, and it demands intensified and immediate actions."
"The already precarious situation of infant and maternal mortality has worsened as the healthcare system collapses," said Ingram, adding that mothers face unimaginable challenges in accessing adequate medical care, nutrition and protection before, during, and after birth.
The top diplomats of Pakistan and Iran agreed to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and told him that his country is ready to work with Iran.
Jilani stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin this cooperation, while the two officials also discussed the return of their ambassadors to their respective capitals and agreed to de-escalate the situation.
"The two Foreign Ministers agreed that working level cooperation and close coordination on counter terrorism and other aspects of mutual concern should be strengthened," said the ministry in a statement.
The move came after Iran on Tuesday launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 has climbed to 24,762, the Health Ministry in the territory said.
- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have agreed to build a "Baltic Defence Line" along the eastern border for "defence nests where it is necessary," according to the Estonian defense minister.
- Those who turn a blind eye to the massacres and atrocities committed by Israel will suffer great regret, said the Turkish president.
- The German parliament approved a new citizenship law to enhance the social and political participation of immigrants.
- Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that there is a clear and growing risk of the Israel-Palestinian conflict spilling into the Middle East, which he said would be “an authentic catastrophe.”
- The Houthi group said the US and UK carried out two airstrikes on Yemen’s western city of Hodeidah.
- Telecommunications and internet services gradually returned to Gaza after an eight-day communications blackout of the besieged enclave from the outside world.
- Serbia's president claimed that while recognizing neighboring Kosovo's independence would earn him a Nobel Peace Prize, respect for the people of his country is more important.
- The UN is "very concerned" about North Korea's test of its underwater nuclear weapons system in response to this week's joint military drills by South Korea, the US and Japan, said a UN spokesman.
- The Belarusian defense minister said Minsk is open to military cooperation with any state, including NATO members.
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country “within 5-8 years.”
- The UN said more than 350,000 people in Congo need urgent humanitarian assistance due to extreme rainfall in recent weeks.
SPORTS
Reigning champions Senegal qualified for the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16.
Called the Lions of Teranga, Senegal beat five-time AFCON winners Cameroon 3-1 in a Group C match at Yamoussoukro's Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast.
In the 16th minute, Ismaila Sarr put Senegal in front. Habib Diallo doubled the gap in the 71st minute.
Cameroon's Jean-Charles Castelleto scored a header to narrow the gap with seven minutes to go.
Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star, cemented the win, scoring for Senegal in injury time.
Iraq qualified for the last 16 after beating Japan 2-1 in a 2023 Asian Cup group match.
Iraqi forward Aymen Hussein scored a double in the first half against favorites Japan to reach the knockout stage.
Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo scored near the end of the match in the Group D match in Qatar.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US firm Wayfair laying off 1,650 employees, 13% of workforce
American e-commerce firm Wayfair announced it is laying off 13% of its workforce -- around 1,650 employees.
The job cuts include approximately 19% of the firm's corporate team, and it is expected to deliver annualized cost savings of more than $280 million for the company, it said in a statement.
"The changes announced today reflect a return to our core principles on resource allocation, such as getting fit on spans and layers as well as focusing on our highest priorities," said CEO, co-founder and co-chairman Niraj Shah.
Europe should have a “real” single market, said the European Central Bank chief
"Being strong means having a strong, deep market, having a real single market," where European money is reinvested in the bloc, Christine Lagarde said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
She said investments should be moved toward renewable sources.
International tourism is expected to return to its pre-pandemic levels this year, following a strong 2023 figure, according to the World Tourism Organization.
"The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024," the UN agency said in its first World Tourism Barometer of 2024’’’.
International tourism reached 88% of its pre-pandemic level in 2023 with 1.3 billion tourist arrivals, it noted.
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