World

Morning Briefing, Oct. 8, 2023

Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe

Necva Tastan  | 08.10.2023 - Update : 08.10.2023
Morning Briefing, Oct. 8, 2023

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday with, including new Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the earthquake in Afghanistan, and an operation by Turkish forces against terrorists in Syria.


TOP STORIES

Israeli warplanes launched new airstrikes in the Gaza Strip early Sunday amid rising tensions following a surprise Hamas attack into Israeli towns.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the security cabinet took a “series of operation decisions” to destroy the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, “in a way that will negate their ability and desire to threaten and harm the citizens of Israel for many years."

A military statement said fighter jets struck two Hamas control rooms in Gaza. Two operational infrastructures inside mosques were also attacked by planes. Another strike targeted a house in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.


At least 1,000 people were killed and injured in a series of earthquakes that hit the northwestern part of Afghanistan on Saturday.

Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority’s spokesman Mullah Janan Saiq said the death toll could further rise, adding that the tremors caused heavy damage in northwestern Herat and Badghis provinces.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), strong earthquakes of magnitude 5.5, 5.9, and 6.2 jolted the Afghan provinces. It said the epicenter was 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city.

The World Health Organization's Afghanistan office said its teams were in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded and assessing additional needs.

Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least 58 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said.

Terror targets in the Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring regions were strongly hit by Turkish fire support vehicles on Friday night in accordance with the principle of self-defense, the ministry said on X.


NEWS IN BRIEF


SPORTS

Red Bull Racing's driver Max Verstappen won his third Formula 1 title on Saturday.

Verstappen, who won the world title in 2021 and 2022, came second in the sprint race at the Lusail International Circuit, which is enough to be the victor in the 2023 season with six races remaining.

The Dutch racer only needed to finish sixth on Saturday to celebrate.


Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay scored double in injury time as Manchester United beat Brentford 2-1 in Saturday's English Premier League match at the Old Trafford.

Brentford took the lead in the 26th minute when Mathias Jensen scored after Man Utd defense failed to clear the ball.

McTominay came to rescue in the stoppage time as he first scored the equalizer in the 93rd minute, and netted four minutes later via a header.


BUSINESS & ECONOMY

In a milestone for Europe, Spanish company PLD Space successfully launched the continent’s first private and reusable rocket early Saturday morning.

The Miura 1 rocket took off from the southern province of Huelva and reached an altitude of 46 kilometers (28 miles). After reaching its peak, it turned back to earth and splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean.


The US Federal Reserve announced Friday it finalized a rule establishing capital requirements for insurers supervised by its board.

"The final rule includes a framework, known as the Building Block Approach, that builds on existing state-based insurance requirements, accounts for risks that are specific to the business of insurance, and is different from the calculations used for bank capital requirements," it said in a statement.

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