Morning Briefing: June 15, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA)- Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including the latest on Sweden’s NATO bid, Greece migrant boat disaster, and China's President Xi Jinping hosting Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas.

TOP STORIES

• Turkish President Erdogan urges Sweden to do its part on terrorism for NATO bid

If Türkiye is expected to respond to Stockholm's expectations of accession to NATO, Sweden must also do its part against the PKK terrorist group ahead of next month's NATO summit, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Meanwhile, delegations of Türkiye, Finland, Sweden, and NATO met in Ankara, and agreed to continue working on concrete steps for Stockholm's NATO application.

Although Türkiye approved Finland's membership to the military alliance, it is waiting for Sweden to fulfill its commitments under a trilateral memorandum signed last June.

Leaders of NATO member countries will meet for a summit in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius on July 11-12.

• At least 79 dead in Greece boat accident

At least 79 people died and hundreds others went missing after a fishing boat crammed with migrants sunk off the coast of southwestern Greece.

Around 104 migrants were rescued, but the number of deaths is feared to rise as survivors said the vessel was carrying up to 700 migrants, mostly from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria.

Greek authorities are investigating three survivors on the suspicion of being human traffickers.

• China to support Palestine in peace talks with Israel

China’s President Xi Jinping said Beijing was ready to play its "positive role" in achieving internal reconciliation in Palestine and holding peace talks with Israel.

Xi, who hosted Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, said the solution lies in the establishment of an independent state of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Abbas is in China on a four-day state visit.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised to introduce a new "civilian" Constitution, saying "we want to follow our journey in the second century of the republic under the guidance of a civilian, liberal and encompassing" charter.

• Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, 45, announced his bid to run for president, joining the crowded field for the Republican nomination and becoming the first Hispanic candidate in the 2024 race.

• Kosovo banned vehicles with Serbian license plates from entering the country as a security measure after Serbia arrested three Kosovo police officers.

• UK police will have “more power” to stop protests deemed to be disruptive as of June 15, according to new regulations.

• Italy honored three-time Premier Silvio Berlusconi with a state funeral and a day of national mourning, as thousands of people gathered outside Milan’s central Duomo cathedral to bid farewell.

• Israel’s arms sales jumped to an all-time high of $12.5 billion in 2022. There was significant demand for Israeli weapons by Arab nations that normalized ties with Tel Aviv in 2020.

• US Army soldier Cole Bridges pleaded guilty to terrorism charges for his role in attempting to aid the Daesh/ISIS terror group in carrying out a lethal ambush on American troops.

• Artificial intelligence was used to help create "the final Beatles record,” set for release later this year, said legendary musician and former Beatle Paul McCartney.

SPORTS

• Croatia beat Netherlands to advance to UEFA Nations League final

Croatia secured a 4-2 win over the Netherlands in extra time to qualify for the UEFA Nations League final. The semifinal went to extra time when the score was 2-2 after 90 minutes.

The Croatians took the lead again in the 98th minute when Bruno Petkovic powered a stunning long-range goal. Modric converted a penalty kick in the 116th minute and the match ended 4-2.

• FIFA Secretary General Samoura to step down

FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura will step down from her role at the end of the year after seven years, the world football’s governing body said.

Samoura, a veteran UN diplomat from Senegal, was appointed in 2016.

The 60-year-old became the first female and non-European to be FIFA's top administrator.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• US Fed skips rate hike, keeps interest rate unchanged

The US Federal Reserve skipped an interest rate increase, as widely expected, and kept its federal funds rate unchanged between 5% and 5.25%.

"Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a modest pace. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low," it said in a statement.

• Monthly inflation in Argentina slows, climbs annually to new record

Consumer inflation in Argentina slowed in May on a monthly basis, but posted a new record annually, according to data released by the national statistics agency.

On a monthly basis, consumer inflation rose 7.8% in May.

Annually, however, consumer inflation jumped 114.2%, compared to the same month last year, marking a record for the country.