ISTANBUL 

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday with, including Israeli police blocking entry of Palestinians to Al-Aqsa mosque, the commencement of Ramadan in Arab countries and Türkiye, and Oppenheimer dominating the 96th Academy Awards.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli police block entry of Palestinians to Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli police on Sunday prevented hundreds of Palestinians who wanted to perform the first Tarawih (night) prayer of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, beating several of them.

The police only allowed women and men of over age 40 to enter, according to witnesses.

• Most Arab countries set to begin Ramadan on Monday

Most Arab countries are set to mark the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday.

After the new moon was sighted on Sunday, religious authorities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced that observation of the fasting month will begin on Monday.

Muslims in Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq as well as in Sudan will do the same.

In Türkiye as well, Ramadan will commence from Monday.

• Oppenheimer dominates 96th Academy Awards

Oppenheimer blew up the 2024 Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday night, taking home seven Oscars, including the grand prize for Best Picture.

The film's star, Cillian Murphy, won the golden statuette for Best Actor and Robert Downey Jr. claimed the award for Best Supporting Actor. Christopher Nolan won the Oscar for Best Director and the movie also took home the award for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing.

The film follows physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his team of scientists who spent years developing and designing the atomic bomb.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Portuguese voters swung significantly to the right in national elections on Sunday, but with the two leading parties close to a tie with 99% of the votes counted, what happens next remains in the air.

• The head of Hamas political bureau said they have “shown positivity and responsibility” during indirect negotiations with Israel, insisting on a comprehensive agreement with international guarantees.

• Thirty rockets launched from Lebanon towards the town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to putting the Palestinian Authority in charge of Gaza after the war ends.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces have not allowed the Russian army to advance towards Europe.

• US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden marked the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying "the sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal.”

• Libyan leaders agreed on the necessity to form a unified government that would supervise the country’s long-delayed elections.

• Saudi King Salman called for halting “heinous crimes” in the Gaza Strip as Israel's five-month Israeli offensive on the Palestinian enclave continues.

• Over 4.5 million people remain displaced in Yemen amid a years-long conflict in the Arab country, the UN humanitarian office said.

• Denmark called on Israel to reverse its approval of new housing units in settlements in the occupied West Bank.

• Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari took the oath of office on Sunday, becoming the first-ever civilian to serve a second term in the country's highest yet symbolic office.

SPORTS

• Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo as Turkish phenom Arda Guler opens account for La Liga leaders

Real Madrid hammered Celta Vigo 4-0 in a Sunday match as Turkish phenom Arda Guler scored his first goal for the Spanish La Liga leaders in stoppage time.

"I was convinced that he could do something, and he produced a move of great talent. He is a great talent and those of us who watch him every day can see that he's improved a lot in recent times," Real Madrid’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Guler after the match.

• Fenerbahce win at home to cling to Turkish league title race

Fenerbahce beat a nine-man Siltas Yapi Pendikspor 4-1 at home with late goals in a Sunday Super Lig match to keep its grip on the league's thrilling title race.

Fenerbahce will visit Trabzonspor on Sunday, while Galatasaray will play an away game against fifth-place Kasimpasa.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• India signs free trade agreement with EFTA bloc

India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a trade agreement, which will “pave the path for mutual growth and prosperity."

“The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement marks a historic milestone in our growing partnership with European Free Trade Association nations,” Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on X, terming it as a “watershed agreement.”

• Türkiye records 2023's highest increase in export of petroleum products in December

Türkiye's export of petroleum products increased by 66.4% last December, compared to the same month of 2022, marking the biggest growth year-on-year.

Total exports of petroleum products totaled 1.3 million tons in December 2023 in Türkiye, which has an annual crude oil processing capacity of 42 million tons, according to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority's petroleum market sector report.