Morning Briefing: July 12, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including Ukraine’s president calling for the lifting of "all limitations" on Ukrainian soldiers in the war against Russia in a meeting with US President Joe Biden, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying that Türkiye fights terrorist organizations without discrimination and expects NATO allies to adopt a similar counter-terrorism approach, and the leaders of Japan and South Korea warning that growing ties between North Korea and Russia pose a “serious threat.”

TOP STORIES

• Zelenskyy urges lifting 'all limitations' on Ukrainian soldiers in meeting with Biden

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he wants all restrictions removed on his soldiers as they retaliate against Russia, particularly in striking targets within Russia.

The Ukrainian president thanked US President Joe Biden for his support for Ukraine at a news conference ahead of their meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Washington.

Zelenskyy said he would discuss with Biden "how we can quickly and decisively stop Russian terror with this big problem for us, the guided bombs."

• Türkiye expects NATO allies to adopt its non-discriminatory approach to fighting terrorists

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Türkiye fights terrorist organizations without discrimination and expects NATO allies to adopt a similar counter-terrorism approach.

"Unfortunately, we have not received the expected level of support and solidarity from our allies thus far. We cannot tolerate this situation, nor is it consistent with the spirit of alliance, for the ringleaders of terrorist organizations that pose a threat to Türkiye's national security to be accepted as legitimate actors," President Erdogan said in an exclusive interview with Newsweek.

Noting that Ankara adopts a "holistic" approach to security threats in a way that also contributes to the security of its allies, he stressed: "We believe that it would be better to adopt a principled approach to the problems in our region and the world rather than one based on subjective and short-term interests."

• North Korean-Russian ties pose ‘serious threat’: Japanese, South Korean leaders

Growing ties between North Korea and Russia pose a “serious threat,” warned the leaders of Japan and South Korea.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed the issue during a meeting in Washington on the sidelines of a NATO summit, attending as two of the alliance’s partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The security challenges facing Asia and Europe are “increasingly indivisible,” the two leaders said, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Russia announced that it has taken control of the Ukrainian settlement of Voskhod in the Donetsk region.
• At least 50 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, taking the overall death toll to 38,345 since last Oct. 7, said the Health Ministry in the enclave.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis signed an agreement on security cooperation.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his unwavering commitment to a proposed prisoner exchange deal involving detainees held by Hamas in Gaza, emphasizing that any agreement resulting from current negotiations “must allow Tel Aviv to return to combat.”
• The US announced a new $225 million security aid package for Ukraine following a meeting between President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Washington.
• Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said he is seeking a second presidential term in an election scheduled for Sept. 7.
• The Houthi group reported five new US and British airstrikes that targeted Al Hudaydah province in Yemen.
• The Norwegian government announced that it will provide Kyiv with 1 billion Norwegian kroner ($94 million) to boost air defense systems in Ukraine.
• Work has begun to revitalize the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations strongly condemned the recent actions by the Israeli government regarding settlement expansion in the West Bank.
• The Danish Defense Ministry announced that the first 18 Ukrainian-made Bohdana self-propelled howitzers will be delivered to Denmark in the coming months.
• The US announced new sanctions against three individuals and five entities for violence against civilians in the occupied West Bank.
• Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by terror attacks have started returning to their homes in Nigeria, Anadolu has learnt.
• NATO and its Indo-Pacific allies “must work ever more closely together” to face global challenges posed by Russia's war against Ukraine and China's mounting support for the Kremlin, the head of the military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, said.
• The ancient city of Gordion and Aslanhane Mosque in the Turkish capital Ankara have received UNESCO World Heritage certificates, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality said.
• In response to escalating public pressure and violent protests over financial hardships, Kenyan President William Ruto dismissed all Cabinet ministers and the attorney general.
• At least six people were killed as heavy rains battered parts of China, state media reported.
• At least 11 people, including numerous members of a single family, were killed when a pickup truck and passenger bus collided in the Philippines’ coastal Cagayan province, local media said.

SPORTS

• Italy's Jasmine Paolini reaches Wimbledon women's singles final

Italy's Jasmine Paolini reached the 2024 Wimbledon women's singles final by eliminating Croatian Donna Vekic with 2-6, 6-4 and 7(8)-6 sets.

"I'm so happy with this win. This match, I will remember forever," said Paolini, who became the first Italian woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final. The match lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes, said to be the tournament's longest women's semifinal.

"I didn't know what to do on the court. Point by point, I was repeating to myself 'try'," the 28-year-old added.

• Finalists England to take on 3-time European champions Spain in EURO 2024 final

UEFA European Football Championship finalists England will take on three-time European champions Spain in the EURO 2024 final.

The Three Lions will fight for their maiden European title, while the Reds will play for their fourth European championship, which could make them the most successful team in the competition's history, at Olympiastadion in the German capital Berlin.

Spain, which only beat hosts Germany during extra time in the quarterfinals, have won all six of their matches in the tournament to reach the final.

• Joao Palhinha completes move to Bayern Munich from Fulham on 4-year deal

Bayern Munich has finalized the signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha from English Premier League side Fulham, with a contract running until June 30, 2028.

"This is truly one of the happiest days of my life. Playing for one of Europe's top clubs is a dream come true for me, and I couldn't be prouder," Palhinha said following the official signing.

"I'm eager to experience the Allianz Arena atmosphere and connect with the fans. My goal is to contribute to FC Bayern's success and strive for titles—I'm committed to giving my all," he added enthusiastically.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US posts $66B budget deficit in June

The US posted a federal budget deficit of $66 billion in June, according to Treasury Department figures released Thursday.

For June, total receipts, or income, were around $466 billion against total outlays, or spending, of $572 billion.

For receipts, social insurance and retirement were at $181 billion, while individual income taxes came in at $185 billion.

• Russia develops armored panels to protect energy infrastructure from drones

Russian state-owned company Rostec has developed armored panels to protect its energy infrastructure from possible drone attacks, the company announced.

The armored panels were successfully tested against possible damage caused by drone attacks and shelling, Rostec said in a statement.

The panels, each weighing 30 kilograms (66 pounds), can also be used to safeguard oil and natural gas storage facilities.