Morning Briefing: July 13, 2023
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including the latest on a F-16 deal between US and Türkiye, Russian criticism of NATO, a resolution against Quran burning, and the G-7’s joint declaration on Ukraine.
TOP STORIES
Speaking to journalists after attending a NATO summit in Lithuania, US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he is “confident” that the United States will be able to sell F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye.
Asked whether New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, who opposes the sale, would drop his objections, Biden said: "I'm confident that Türkiye will continue to support Sweden getting into NATO, and I'm confident that we'll be able to sell F-16s."
Russia said Wednesday that NATO’s summit this week in Vilnius, Lithuania marked the alliance's return to the "schemes" of the Cold War era.
"The outcome of NATO's actions is well known – the proliferation of hotbeds of instability, the destruction of states, rampant terrorism, unpunished war crimes, blood of civilians, including children, endless flows of refugees," said Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
The ministry also accused NATO of hypocrisy, saying that the alliance accuses Russia of being a threat while boosting its military presence and building military storage facilities along Russia’s borders.
The UN Human Rights Council condemned recent desecrations of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in a resolution despite Western countries' votes against lt.
The resolution condemning attacks targeting the Quran, describing them as "acts of religious hatred," was presented by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The resolution was adopted with 28 countries voting in favor, 12 countries voting against – including the US, UK, France and Germany – and seven countries abstaining.
The Group of Seven countries on Wednesday announced the signing of a joint declaration in support of Ukraine in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, where NATO held a two-day summit.
The treaty, which was signed by the UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, involves promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees.
US President Joe Biden said that the Ukraine declaration will "make clear that our support will last long into the future" and create a path to NATO membership for Ukraine.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting Thursday following North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into waters landing near northern Japan, according to a statement.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that representatives of the Wagner Group are completing the transfer of weapons, military equipment, and ammunition to the armed forces.
- On a visit to Uganda, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday accused the West for being selfish and arrogant towards developing countries.
- Brazilian federal police questioned former President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday regarding an alleged conspiracy to topple his successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
- The death toll from a militant attack on a garrison in Pakistan near the Afghan border rose to 15, including nine soldiers, the military's media wing said in a statement.
- Protests across Kenya as citizens took to the streets over tax hikes have claimed six lives, as demonstrations turned violent, with people looting and causing damage to infrastructure.
- Hong Kong warned Wednesday that if Japan discharges treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, it will ban food imports from 10 Japanese territories.
- Bangladesh urged a visiting US delegation on Wednesday to come up with fresh financial assistance for Rohingya refugees in the Cox’s Bazar district who have been badly affected by a recent UN cut in food rations.
SPORTS
South African 800-meter runner Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has won an appeal against track and field’s testosterone rules at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Semenya had complained about International Association of Athletics Federations regulations requiring her to take hormone treatment to reduce her naturally high levels of testosterone in order to be able to take part in international competitions in the female category.
Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has moved from Lazio to Al-Hilal, the Saudi club announced on Wednesday. "Coming from Italy’s eagles, Savic represents Asia’s Lead," Al Hilal tweeted.
Milinkovic-Savic formerly made appearances for Vojvodina, Genk, and Lazio. The 28-year-old scored 69 goals and 59 assists in 341 matches for Lazio.
The Saudi club did not give financial details of the contract.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday hiked interest rates 25 basis points, as the central bank continues its policy of quantitative tightening.
The target for the overnight rate has been increased to 5%, with the bank rate now at 5.25% and the deposit rate climbing to 5%.
The Bank of Canada last raised interest rates by 25 basis points on June 7.
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday said Pakistan will get $1.2 billion in "immediate disbursal" as it granted approval for an agreed loan of $3 billion to the South Asian nation.
The loan “aims to support immediate efforts to stabilize the economy and guard against shocks while creating the space for social and development spending to help the people of Pakistan,” the IMF said in a statement.
Islamabad and the IMF had reached a staff-level agreement on the loan last month.
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