Morning Briefing: July 6, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday with, including US president saying he is staying in the presidential race, Keir Starmer taking the office as the prime minister of the United Kingdom after being appointed by King Charles III and EU voicing "deep concern" over Israel's latest evacuation orders in Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• Biden: ‘I'm staying in’ US presidential race

President Joe Biden on Friday reiterated that he will stay in the presidential race, pledging to beat former President Donald Trump amid continuing doubts over his prospects and fitness for office after a poor show in last week’s debate.

“Ever since then (the debate), there's been a lot of speculation. What's Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? What are you going to do?” Biden said during a campaign event in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin.

“Here's my answer. I am running and going to win again,” he told supporters.

• Keir Starmer gives 1st speech as premier, promises 'country first, party second'

Keir Starmer has officially taken office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after being appointed by King Charles III.

In his first national address from Downing Street, Starmer emphasized a commitment to unity, public service, and a fresh start for the nation.

Opening his speech, Starmer acknowledged his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, lauding him for his pioneering role as the first British Asian prime minister, as well as his dedication and hard work.

• EU voices 'deep concern' over Israel's latest evacuation orders in Gaza

The EU on Friday voiced "deep concern" over Israel's evacuation orders from Khan Younis in Gaza, saying it is "creating a humanitarian crisis within the crisis."

In a joint statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said that not only were 250,000 people impacted by these orders, but these also threatened the patients and staff of the European Hospital and forced them to relocate to other facilities.

"This evacuation decision is certain to worsen overcrowding and cause severe shortages in the already overwhelmed remaining hospitals at a time when access to emergency medical care is critical," Borrell and Lenarcic said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The head of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad returned home from Doha after holding talks on a potential cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, local media reported.
• Turkish intelligence apprehended suspects who made provocations against the Turkish flag in northern Syria, security sources said.
• Container traffic in the Red Sea almost came to stop as ships shifted their routes to the Cape of Good Hope due to attacks on Israeli ships by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
• The US announced that it "indefinitely" postponed a military exercise in the Caucasus nation of Georgia set to start later this month as relations between the two remain tense over a controversial "foreign influence" bill.
• Tunisian security authorities announced the arrest of two people who were convicted of being affiliated with a terrorist group.
• Following Labour's landslide electoral victory, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced several key appointments to his new Cabinet.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow supports "a complete and final end" to the Ukraine conflict rather than "some kind of truce or cease-fire."
• China and Tajikistan announced their decision to elevate their bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership."
• Armenia needs a new constitution as the current one no longer reflects the real situation, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.
• Germany has initiated an official procedure to impose EU counterterrorism sanctions on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, local media reported.
• Türkiye said that Israel's decision to "'legalize' some settlement outposts and to 'approve' new housing units in the occupied West Bank are flagrant violations of international law."
• The Turkish president signaled a new diplomatic peace initiative with Damascus, suggesting a potential invitation to Syria's Bashar al-Assad.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin said he expects to discuss prospects of the peace settlement in Ukraine at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
• Israel and its supporters have executed a strategy of “weaponization of antisemitism” to silence pro-Palestinian voices, according to Antony Lerman, a British writer who specializes in the study of antisemitism.
• Bodies of at least 14 Palestinians were retrieved from the rubble in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, medical sources told Anadolu.
• Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his intention to resign as the leader of the Conservative Party following a significant election defeat.
• Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security announced that it had thwarted a coup attempt by a group aiming to seize power violently and destabilize the socio-political situation through mass riots.
• Labour has lost several of its once-reliable strongholds to independent candidates campaigning on pro-Gaza platforms.
• At least four Palestinians were killed and one was injured during an Israeli forces’ storming of the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank.

SPORTS

• Galatasaray's Italian midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo joins Atalanta on loan

Defending Turkish champions Galatasaray announced that Italian attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo joined Italian Serie A side Atalanta on loan.

According to a statement from Galatasaray, Atalanta will pay a loan fee of €6.4 million ($6.9 million) upfront, with an option to make the deal permanent for €15.5 million ($16.8 million).

The deal also includes a potential bonus fee of up to €2 million.

• UEFA suspension of Turkish footballer shows double standards: Sports lawyer

UEFA’s ban on Turkish footballer Merih Demiral for a celebratory hand gesture after Tuesday's EURO 2024 match victory shows double standards, a sports lawyer said.

After winning 2-1 against Austria, Demiral celebrated by forming the shape of a wolf's head with his fingers, known as the grey wolf sign in Turkish culture.

Urged by German officials, the European football's governing body launched an investigation and later handed the two-match ban.

• Spain advance to EURO 2024 semifinals after beating hosts Germany in extra time

Spain moved to the UEFA EURO 2024 semifinals after beating hosts Germany 2-1 in extra time on Friday.

Neither Spain nor Germany were able to score a goal after the first half at Stuttgart Arena.

The Spaniards broke the deadlock when Dani Olmo made a close-range finish in the 51st minute, assisted by Lamine Yamal.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bitcoin dives below $54,000 to erase all gains of past 4.5 months

The price of Bitcoin dove below $54,000 as the world's biggest cryptocurrency erased all gains of the last four and a half months.

After plummeting 5.3% on Thursday, the price of Bitcoin fell to as low as $53,886 and it was trading around $55,639 for a daily loss of 3.1% at 9.34 a.m. EDT (1334GMT) in Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange platform.

Bitcoin last dove under the $54,000 level on Feb. 26 when it saw below the $51,000 mark, but quickly recovered with a 5.3% gain that day, according to Binance data.