Morning Briefing: July 9, 2023
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Sweden mulling a ban on Quran desecration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments on Russia-Ukraine war, and the telephone call between Türkiye's foreign minister and the US Secretary of State.
TOP STORIES
Sweden is contemplating a prohibition on desecrating the Quran due to recent incidents of burning the Muslim holy book in that country.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said authorities are assessing whether changes to existing regulations are necessary to put an end to such acts, according to the Aftonbladet newspaper.
Salwan Momika burned a Quran in front of Stockholm Mosque last month, with police protection. The incident received widespread condemnation from Muslim countries such as Jordan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that Türkiye maintains a "fair and balanced" position regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.
"As Türkiye, we've adopted a fair and balanced stance in the war between Russia and Ukraine ... While strengthening our ties with Ukraine, we did not allow our relations with the Russian Federation to deteriorate," Erdogan said at a ceremony.
The comments followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent visit to Istanbul where they discussed relations, regional and international issues, as well as ongoing developments in the war.
The Turkish foreign minister and the US Secretary of State engaged in a telephone conversation Saturday to address NATO-related issues and global affairs.
Turkish diplomatic sources indicated that the discussion encompassed NATO's expansion process and the most recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the two officials exchanged views on the forthcoming NATO leaders’ summit and the UN’s endeavors for cross-border aid in Syria.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- A survey conducted by nursing groups revealed that approximately 27% of nursing homes and related facilities in Japan may face bankruptcy or closure in coming years due to increasing prices and utility costs.
- During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Türkiye, an agreement was signed to strengthen cooperation in strategic industries, with a focus on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous systems, motor research and development, production and maintenance.
- Russia requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss explosions that occurred last year on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Black Sea.
- Iran executed two people for their involvement in an attack on a popular shrine in southern Fars province that resulted in 13 deaths.
- Early presidential elections will be held Sunday in Uzbekistan.
- In remembrance of Adama Traore, a Black man who died in police custody in 2016, French citizens took to the streets Saturday.
- Thousands across Israel organized demonstrations for the 27th consecutive week to protest a government-proposed judicial overhaul scheme, according to media reports.
- Zelenskyy said commanders of five Azov Battalions, who were previously in Türkiye, have returned.
SPORTS
Danish cyclist Mads Pedersen won the eighth stage of the Tour de France on Saturday.
Mads Pedersen of the Lidl-Trek team completed the 201-kilometer (124-mile) stage from Libourne to Limoges in four hours, 12 minutes, and 26 seconds.
Kostas Sloukas agreed with Panathinaikos Athens on a 3-year contract after saying goodbye to Olympiacos.
"Three-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Kostas Sloukas has crossed the Olympiacos Piraeus-Panathinaikos Athens divide by signing a three-year contract with the Greens, a move that has sent shockwaves across Europe," EuroLeague said in a statement.
Sloukas helped Olympiacos win back-to-back EuroLeague collections in 2012 and 2013 before joining Fenerbahce in 2015.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Greece is forecast to spend some €11.5 billion ($12.62 billion) more on arms over the next four years amid a "window of opportunity" in ties with Türkiye, as announced by the country's defense minister on Saturday.
Nineteen major procurements are scheduled in the next four years, including at least 20 F-35 fighter jets and modernization for 37 F-16 Block 50 aircraft, Nikos Dendias said in a speech to parliament.
Goods have reached Pakistan from Russia after an oil tanker arrived in June amid increasing trade between Islamabad and Moscow.
The Russian Embassy in Islamabad said the first truck of goods reached Pakistan from Russia under the Transport International Routes (TIR) Convention.
"By May 2023, trade between Russia and Pakistan grew by almost 50% and amounted to more than $760 m (million). Another step towards strengthening cooperation in trade between," it tweeted.
