Morning Briefing: July 9, 2024

ANKARA

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start Tuesday with, including Türkiye's first homegrown communications satellite being successfully launched, the world's largest electric vehicle producer BYD’s plan to build a factory in Türkiye, and the Israeli army launching a "ground operation" in Gaza City.

TOP STORIES

• Türkiye's 1st homegrown communications satellite launched successfully

Türkiye's first homegrown communications satellite, Turksat 6A, was successfully launched from the US state of Florida by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

The launching was realized at 7.30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2330GMT) on Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

• World's largest electric vehicle producer BYD to build factory in Türkiye

Ministry to make investments in Türkiye.

The firm is expected to build a factory in Türkiye with a capacity for manufacturing 150,000 vehicles, as well as a mobility and R&D center with a total investment of $1 billion, the ministry said Monday.

The firm is expected to begin production at the end of 2026 and create 5,000 jobs directly in the country.

• Israeli army launches ground offensive in Gaza City, targets UN office again

The Israeli army announced early Monday that it launched a "ground operation" in Gaza City, against targets including headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), claiming it housed weapons and investigation and detention rooms.

The Israeli army claimed in a statement that the operation is based on intelligence that indicates the presence of “Hamas and Islamic Jihad infrastructure, and operatives in Gaza City.”

Referring to the attack on UNRWA headquarters, the Israeli army alleged that the building housed weapons, investigation and detention rooms of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The leftist New Popular Front alliance, which won France's second round of early general elections, secured 178 seats in parliament, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday, indicating that no political party or alliance will be able to form the next government on its own.
• At least 40 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, pushing up the overall death toll to 38,193 since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the battered territory said on Monday
• French President Emmanuel Macron asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Monday to continue working on his position "for now," as the second round of snap parliamentary elections results show that none of the three major alliances secured enough seats to form their own government, according to media reports.
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov agreed on Monday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan who urged the creation of an international peace platform with the broad participation of various countries in the interests of resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
• US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf is traveling to the Middle East from July 8-14 to discuss a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, the State Department said Monday.
• The Lebanese Hezbollah group announced more attacks Monday on Israel's military sites in response to Israeli strikes on villages across southern Lebanon.

SPORTS

• EURO 2024 semifinals to kick off Tuesday with Spain vs. France clash

Spain and France will face off in the UEFA EURO 2024 semifinal on Tuesday.

Spain duo Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand will miss the France match that will kick off at 1900GMT at Munich Football Arena.

Central defender Le Normand has received two yellow cards in the tournament to be suspended for one match. Carvajal, a Real Madrid right-back, was sent off during the previous game against hosts Germany in Stuttgart.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye, EU discuss eliminating trade barriers, facilitating visa procedures

Türkiye and the European Union discussed important topics Monday as part of the first round of the Türkiye-EU High-Level Trade Dialogue in Brussels.

The two parties covered a number of issues, including mutual collaboration to eliminate trade barriers encountered within the Customs Union, the facilitation of visa procedures, road transport quotas and new areas of cooperation including the green and digital transformation.

• Oil prices fall with Middle East cease-fire hopes

Oil prices fell on Monday as the prospect of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas eased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $86.08 per barrel at 10.22 a.m. local time (0722GMT), a decrease of 0.53% from the closing price of $86.54 per barrel in the previous trading session.