By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including the prospects of a US deployment of long-range missile capabilities in Germany, US President Joe Biden's remarks during a summit of NATO allies and a study on the massive carbon footprint Israeli attacks on Gaza leave.
TOP STORIES
US to deploy long-range missile capabilities in Germany: Statement
The US will deploy long-range missile capabilities in Germany in 2026, according to a statement.
"The United States will begin episodic deployments of the long-range fires capabilities of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these capabilities in the future," said a joint statement by the US and Germany during a NATO’s summit in Washington
"When fully developed, these conventional long-range fire units will include SM-6, Tomahawk, and developmental hypersonic weapons, which have significantly longer range than current land-based fires in Europe," it added.
Biden says NATO allies 'stronger than we've ever been' as leaders begin meetings
NATO allies are "stronger than we've ever been," US President Joe Biden said as transatlantic allies kick-start two days of intensive multilateral meetings.
"For 75 years, our nations have grown and prospered behind the NATO shield. Today, we're stronger than we've ever been," the US president, who is hosting the alliance's three-day summit in Washington, said in remarks before reporters were ushered out of the meeting room.
He maintained caution, however, saying Russia has pivoted to "a wartime footing with regard to defense production," and has significantly increased its domestic production of weapons, ammunition and vehicles "with the help of China, North Korea, and Iran."
Israeli attacks on Gaza leave massive carbon footprint: Study
Israeli strikes on Gaza have generated more carbon emissions in the first 120 days than the annual output of 26 countries combined, according to a new study.
The study by Queen Mary University in London found that the carbon emissions resulting from Israeli attacks on Gaza since last Oct. 7 have been significantly detrimental to the environment. The study underscores the critical intersection of military conflict and environmental degradation, calling for global attention to mitigate the impact of such crises on climate change.
According to the research, emissions in the initial 120 days of the conflict have exceeded the annual emissions of 26 countries and regions combined. The study outlines that between October and February, Israeli attacks on Gaza caused emissions ranging from 420,265 to 652,552 tons of CO2 equivalent. This figure surpasses the combined annual emissions of the aforementioned countries.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- A light-engine civilian plane crashed in Russia's Tatarstan region, killing three people.
- The Israeli police arrested nine protesters after they blocked a highway near Tel Aviv, demanding early elections and a prisoner swap deal with the Hamas group.
- China’s President Xi Jinping hosted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
- The arrest in France of pro-Palestinian political scientist Francois Burgat has sparked a strong backlash in the country.
- Twelve South African school children and their minibus driver died in a traffic accident, officials in the Gauteng province said in a statement.
- China and Guinea-Bissau on announced the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that F-16 fighter jets are headed to Ukraine.
- A strong earthquake struck southwestern Indonesia.
- Japan has provided Ukraine with large demining machines as the war in the country drags on for more than two years.
- Denmark will share surveillance information gathered from space with NATO members as the country joined the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space program, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
- Israeli forces killed 52 more Palestinians in attacks in the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll to 38,295 since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Senate leaders on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Washington.
- Pakistan on Wednesday disputed UN refugees agency Chief Filippo Grandi's claim that Islamabad has suspended THE repatriation of illegal foreigners, mainly Afghan immigrants.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a meeting with his counterparts from Azerbaijan and Armenia that Baku and Yerevan are "very close” to reaching a "durable" and "dignified" peace agreement.
- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed to continue to strengthen NATO's collective defense and deterrence against any challenge.
- The list of congressional Democrats calling for President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid has grown to nearly a dozen, according to media outlets.
- The UN warned about Israel's recent directive for residents to leave Gaza City, saying that it would exacerbate the "mass suffering of Palestinian families."
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is free to make the trips he desires, but should not undermine the unity of EU and NATO.
- The Pakistan Army and counter-terrorism police killed three militants in a joint operation in the country's northwestern province, the military said.
- A Kenyan winner of both the Boston and Chicago marathons was given a seven-year suspension by an international doping watchdog.
In a joint statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer called for greater efforts for dialogue and diplomacy.
SPORTS
England beat Netherlands 2-1 to face Spain in EURO 2024 final
England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in a EURO 2024 semifinal clash Wednesday to face Spain in Sunday's final.
England, which reached their second European Championship final in a row, will take on Spain in Sunday's final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Rybakina reaches Wimbledon women's singles semifinals
Kazakhtan's Elena Rybakina reached the 2024 Wimbledon women's singles semifinal after beating Ukrainian Elina Svitolina on Center Court.
The 2022 champion eliminated Svitolina with 6-3, 6-2 straight sets.
"I have amazing memories from 2022 and I enjoy it every time I’m on this court," said Rybakina. "I don’t like being called the favorite but I have an aggressive game."
Khephren Thuram joins Serie A side Juventus
French midfielder Khephren Thuram has joined Juventus, the Italian Serie A side announced.
"The story continues... Welcome to Juventus, Khephren Thuram!" the club said in a post on X.
The 23-year-old arrived in Turin from French side Nice, signing a five-year contract until June 30, 2029.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
US mortgage applications fall with rates around 7%
US mortgage applications fell last week, as mortgage rates remained around 7%, according to a Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) report released.
The market composite index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was down 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending July 5. On an unadjusted basis, however, the index plummeted 20% compared to the previous week.
"The recent uptick in mortgage rates has slowed demand," Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, said in a statement. "Mortgage applications were essentially flat last week, as mortgage rates remained around 7 percent."