Morning Briefing: July 7, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start Sunday, including Egypt hosting an international conference to address the crisis in Sudan; Masoud Pezeshkian, a veteran reformist lawmaker being elected the new president of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the far-right unlikely to win a majority Sunday in the second round of France's early elections.

TOP STORIES

Egypt hosts international conference to address Sudan crisis

Egypt hosted an international conference aimed at ending the war in Sudan, which has persisted for more than a year.

“Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, is now inaugurating the Sudanese Political and Civil Forces Conference in Cairo. Representatives from the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the European Union, and several key countries involved in the Sudan issue attended the conference," according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

In his opening speech, the Egyptian foreign minister emphasized "the gravity of the current crisis that has afflicted Sudan for over a year,” the Egyptian Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.

Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian elected new president of Iran

Masoud Pezeshkian, a veteran reformist lawmaker, was elected the new president of the Islamic Republic of Iran after he defeated conservative rival Saeed Jalili in a presidential runoff election.

Pezeshkian garnered 16,384,403 votes out of 30,530,157 counted while Jalili trailed with 13,538,179 in the runoff that saw a relatively higher voter turnout.

Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time Friday across the country and voting was extended thrice before culminating at midnight, with more than 30 million people casting ballots.

Far-right unlikely to win majority on Sunday in 2nd round of France's early elections

The far-right National Rally (RN) alliance, which led with more than 33% in the first round of France's early elections, may not secure an absolute majority in the National Assembly due to the cooperation of left and center parties before a July 7 runoff.

In the first round, the RN party's alliance received 10 million votes, accounting for one-third of valid votes.

The far-right alliance led with 33.15%, the New People's Front on the left and environmental parties followed with 28%. President Emmanuel Macron’s "Together for the Republic" alliance was third with 20%.

NEWS IN BRIEF

- Iran's newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian said the cooperation of citizens is essential for navigating the challenging path ahead, pledging his unwavering support for unity in a post-election message.

Pezeshkian addressed a gathering of supporters in Tehran for the first time since his win in the presidential vote, offering cooperation with parliament and the judiciary to address the country's issues.

- Israel said it killed a Hezbollah air defense force commander in eastern Lebanon.

- Turkish intelligence apprehended another suspect involved in the desecration of the Turkish flag in northern Syria, according to security sources.

- Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian lands in the central West Bank, leading to an extensive area being burned, said an official.

- Several Palestinians were killed and injured in an Israeli bomb attack on a school housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to sources and witnesses.

- Turkish security forces neutralized two PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, said the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

- At least six Palestinian policemen were killed and others injured when Israeli jets bombed a car they occupied in Rafah in southern Gaza.

- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad, discussed the Gaza war that has persisted for nearly nine months and the "dangers" posed by the escalating conflict in the region.

- At least 10 Palestinians, including nine members from one family, were killed and several others injured in an Israeli attack targeting central Gaza.

SPORTS

- England beat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties in a EURO 2024 quarterfinal clash to advance to the semifinals. Regular and extra time ended in a 1-1 draw.

- The Netherlands beat Türkiye 2-1 on Saturday in a EURO 2024 quarterfinal match to reach the semifinals.

- Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski joined another Italian Serie A side, Inter Milan, the team said in a statement.

The Polish international signed a contract until June 30, 2028, it said in statement.