Morning Briefing: June 28, 2024

ISTANBUL 

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including the EU signing security commitments with Ukraine on the sidelines of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, a report by Climate Central saying nearly 5 billion people suffering from extreme heat due to climate change in from June 16 to June 24, and 17 people, including serving and retired military personnel, arrested in Bolivia in connection with attempted coup against President Luis Arce.

TOP STORIES

• EU signs security commitments with Ukraine

The EU signed security commitments with Ukraine on the sidelines of a two-day EU summit in Brussels.

The signing ceremony was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, EU Council President Charles Michel, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“These commitments will help Ukraine defend itself, resist destabilisation, and deter future acts of aggression,” Michel said on X.

• 5 billion people affected by extreme heat due to climate change in 9 days of June

Nearly 5 billion people suffered from extreme heat due to climate change from June 16 to June 24, according to Climate Central.

Due to climate change caused by emissions from burning petrol, gas, and coal, 619 million people in India and 579 million in China were exposed to extreme heat, according to a nonprofit news organization based in the US that reports on climate science.

Extreme heat affected 231 million people in Indonesia, 206 million in Nigeria, 176 million in Brazil, 171 million in Bangladesh, 165 million in the US, 152 million in Europe, 123 million in Mexico, 121 million in Ethiopia, and 103 million in Egypt.

• 17 arrested in Bolivia in connection with attempted coup against President Arce

The Bolivian government announced on Thursday that 17 people, including serving and retired military personnel and civilians, have been arrested in connection with Wednesday’s attempted coup against President Luis Arce.

​​“A total of 17 people have been arrested for having attempted to carry out a coup within the national territory,” Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said in a press conference.

Bolivian Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga Macias was among those arrested and accused of plotting a coup against the government after attempting to force his way into the Presidential Palace in La Paz with a tank on Wednesday.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Norway strongly opposed the Israeli-initiated lawsuit against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), warning that the accusations against some individuals coincide with “a politically motivated campaign aimed at weakening the agency.”
• Japan’s Digital Minister Taro Kono intends to run in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election.
• The EU Council began a summit to not only decide who will fill top posts in the bloc but also sign security agreements with Ukraine.
• China urged NATO to stop “spreading false narratives” and “nuclear blackmail.”
• South Korea slapped “independent” sanctions on four Russian vessels and eight North Korean nationals for allegedly engaging in “illicit weapons and fuel trade and other activities in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.”
• Jordan said it dispatched a new humanitarian aid convoy to the Gaza Strip as the Israeli army continues its onslaught against the Palestinian enclave amid international warnings of a looming famine.
• Thousands of Israelis on Thursday gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem and near his home in the city of Caesarea to demand a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas.
• Israeli artillery strikes in the Shejaiya and Tuffah neighborhoods in Gaza City resulted in multiple casualties, including children and women, after the Israeli army advanced on the area earlier in the day.
• An Israeli official said Tel Aviv is inadequately prepared to evacuate residents from northern Israel in the event of a large-scale war with the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• At least four people were killed and 12 injured in an artillery bombardment on the Abu Shouk displaced persons camp in North Darfur, Sudan, activists reported.
• The High Court of Kenya approved the use of military forces to restore order, following violent anti-tax protests that overwhelmed police.
• The Israeli army claimed that it had detected a rocket barrage fired from Lebanon toward a northern Israeli city
• The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned about the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
• The US Embassy in Beirut advised American citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon amid growing border tensions with Israel.
• China, in a rare case, expelled two former defense ministers from the ruling Communist Party, state media reported.
• A Pakistani court rejected the appeals of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a case that accused them of violating the Islamic marriage law, according to a court record.
• Eight Palestinians were killed and several others injured as the Israeli army bombed the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
• The US, Japan, and South Korea launched their first trilateral multi-domain military drill on the Korean Peninsula.

SPORTS

• 81 goals scored in group stage of EURO 2024

The group stage of the 2024 European Football Championship (EURO 2024), hosted by Germany, with 24 teams competing in six groups of four, concluded on Wednesday.

In a total of 36 matches, 81 goals were scored and the average goals scored per match was 2.25.

• Real Madrid skipper Nacho joins Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadisiyah

Real Madrid announced that 34-year-old team skipper Nacho Fernandez has decided to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadisiyah.

“Real Madrid would like to thank and express our appreciation to Nacho, one of the club’s biggest legends,” wrote Los Merengues in their official statement.

The Spanish defender will stay with Al-Qadisiyah until 2026, according to a statement on the official Instagram account of the Saudi Arabian side.

• Portuguese football player Rafa Silva joins Türkiye’s Besiktas on 3-year contract

Portuguese attacking midfielder Rafa Silva joined Türkiye’s Besiktas, signing a three-year contract.

“We know that feel, Rafa. Welcome to Besiktas!,” the Turkish club said in a statement on X, adding that he finalized the contract after meeting with Vice President Huseyin Yucel. He also passed a health check.

The Istanbul-based club told Türkiye’s Public Disclosure Platform that they signed the agreement with Silva for a salary of $6.4 million per season, and his contract will end in 2027.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US economy expands 1.4% in Q1, final reading shows

The US economy expanded 1.4% in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Commerce Department’s third and final reading released.

The figure is slightly revised up from the second reading of 1.3% made last month.

The American economy expanded by 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

• IMF increases Zambia loan to $1.7B, disburses $569.6M

The International Monetary Fund said it increased the loan disbursement to Zambia up to $1.7 billion with an immediate release of $569.6 million.

It will help the southern African nation boost its foreign reserves as it faces a severe drought, significantly impacting its agriculture and electricity generation.

The drought led to a revision of the 2024 growth projections down to 2.3% from 4.7%.

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