Morning Briefing: July 23, 2023

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday with, including North Korea's firing of multiple cruise missile into the Yellow Sea, Russia accusing Ukraine of using cluster munitions, and outrage against the latest in a string of Quran burnings in Europe.

TOP STORIES

• North Korea fires several cruise missiles into sea as tensions soar

North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea between China and the Korean Peninsula, South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff (JCS) said.

It was the second missile launch in apparent protest over the arrival of a nuclear-armed US submarine at a South Korean port.

• Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking village with cluster munitions

Russia accused Kyiv of using cluster bombs in its Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.

In a statement on Telegram, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed that at least three cluster bombs were fired by Ukrainian troops at the Zhuravlyovka village.

According to Gladkov, at least six areas of the region were shelled from artillery, grenade launchers, mortars, and attacked with kamikaze drones.

• Outrage as Denmark extremists desecrate Quran

There has been renewed outrage and condemnation across the Muslim world after members of an Islamophobic group in Denmark burned a copy of the holy Quran and Iraqi flag in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen.

The extremist group called Danske Patrioter burned the Muslim holy book on Friday.

Denmark, however, condemned the desecration, calling it a "shameful act" that disrespects the religions of others.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 17 people were killed and 53 others injured when a bus fell into a roadside waterbody in Bangladesh.
• More than 20,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union went on strike over pay and working conditions.
• The Greek prime minister thanked Türkiye for assistance as it struggles with raging wildfires.
• Warsaw summoned Russia's ambassador to protest President Vladimir Putin's remarks calling Poland's western territories as "Stalin's gift to Poles.”
• Rostislav Zhuravlev, a Russian war correspondent, killed on the front line in Ukraine.

SPORTS

• Messi scores last-minute freekick winner on Inter Miami debut

Lionel Messi scored a stoppage-time freekick on his Inter Miami debut, leading the MLS club to a 2-1 victory against Cruz Azul in the 2023 Leagues Cup.

Messi's late goal secured the win for Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, and impressed head coach Gerardo Martino, likening it to a movie-like moment.

Having left PSG in July, Messi now plays for Inter Miami after a successful career at Barcelona, and the Leagues Cup is an international club football tournament involving MLS and Liga MX teams.

• Tadej Pogacar wins Stage 20 at Tour de France

UAE Team Emirates' Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar won Stage 20 at the 2023 Tour de France before Sunday's final stage.

The Tour's 20th stage was held on a 133.5-kilometer (82.9-mile) track between France's Belfort and Le Markstein as Pogacar completed it with time of three hours, 27 minutes, and 18 seconds to claim victory.

AG2R Citroen Team's Austrian cyclist Felix Gall was second, while Jumbo-Visma's Danish athlete Jonas Vingegaard came third in Le Markstein.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• India turns down $1B investments by China's BYD

India declined a $1 billion investment offer from Chinese electric car manufacturer giant BYD Motors.

New Delhi rejected the proposal to establish a $1 billion manufacturing facility citing "security concerns associated with Chinese investments in the country."