Morning Briefing: July 28, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Sunday, including Israel claiming that at least 12 people were killed and 37 others injured in a missile attack on the northern part of the occupied Golan Heights, the French Catholic Church criticizing a Last Supper parody at the Olympic Games opening ceremony, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump laying out his plan to ensure the US will be the crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world.

TOP STORIES

• 12 killed, 37 injured in missile strike on Golan Heights: Israeli authorities

At least 12 people were killed and 37 injured in a missile attack on the northern part of the occupied Golan Heights, Israeli authorities claimed.

While an Israeli army spokesperson accused Hezbollah of the attack, the Lebanese group denied responsibility.

Israel’s national ambulance service Magen David Adom said 12 people were killed and 37 injured when the missile fell on the town of Majdal Shams.

• French Catholic Church criticizes Last Supper parody at Olympic Games ceremony

The Bishops' Conference of France criticized the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games for a reenactment by drag queens of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.

“This ceremony unfortunately included scenes in which Christianity was mocked and ridiculed, which we deeply regret,” Conference said in a statement.

“We thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us. This morning we think of all Christians on all continents who have been hurt by the exaggeration and provocation of some scenes,” it said.

• Donald Trump says US will be crypto capital of planet, Bitcoin superpower of world

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump laid out his plan to ensure that the US will be the crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world.

"If crypto is going to define the future, I want it mined, minted and made in the USA," he told the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. "It is not going to be made anywhere else."

"Bitcoin is going to the Moon and I want America to be the nation that leads the way," he added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 31 Palestinians, including children, were killed and many others injured on Saturday in an Israeli attack targeting a field hospital in a school housing displaced people in the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said.
  
• Nearly 200 UNRWA workers have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israel’s onslaught on Oct. 7, according to the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees.
• The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas condemned an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza Strip that killed at least 30 victims and wounded many others.
• Palestinians in the ravaged Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City face immense difficulties trying to survive amid a lack of basic services, food shortages, a water crisis and infrastructure destruction as the Israeli onslaught enters its 10th month.
• Slamming Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu's "lies" at US Congress, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said: "When we see those who applaud the murderer of 40,000 innocent people, we worry not only for humanity but also for our own future."
  
• French police temporarily closed the area around the media center Saturday that is serving journalists covering the Paris Olympic Games because of an "explosion risk."
• Top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) condemned Israeli attacks in Gaza, which has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians since October.
• China's top diplomat warned the Philippines about the US’ intermediate missile system deployment, saying the move could fuel regional tensions, state news agency Xinhua reported.
• As the curfew eases gradually in Bangladesh, more protesters died from bullet wounds in Dhaka, bringing the number of deaths from anti-job quota student protests to 211.
• Russia on Saturday claimed that its forces have captured the key settlement of Lozovatskoye in Donetsk.
  
• Venezuela will elect a new president Sunday or reelect Nicolas Maduro to lead the country after 11 years in power.
  
• South Africa said Saturday it canceled the visas of 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested Friday at a suspected "secret military camp" in White River, a holiday town in the northeastern Mpumalanga province.

SPORTS

• Australia beat Spain 92-80; Germany defeat Japan 97-77 in men's basketball at Olympics

Australia beat Spain 92-80, while Germany defeated Japan in men's basketball at the Olympics.

The two-time World Cup winners Spain started Group A with a defeat despite 27 points from Santi Aldama at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

Australian Jock Landale's 20 points and Patty Mills' 19 brought a victory to their team.

• Paraguay defeat Israel 4-2 in men's football at 2024 Paris Olympics

Paraguay defeated Israel 4-2 in a men's football Group B match at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Marcelo Fernandez's two goals in the 25th and 96th minutes brought a victory to Paraguay at Parc des Princes.

The other goals for Paraguay were netted by Julio Enciso in the 69th minute and Fabian Balbuena in the 93rd minute.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

US senator to introduce bill for 1-million-unit Bitcoin purchase program

A US senator said Saturday she would soon introduce legislation to implement a "1-million-unit Bitcoin purchase program" for a set period.

The proposal by Cynthia Lummis is intended to "supercharge the U.S. dollar" by establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve to fortify the dollar against rising inflation, and "cement U.S. leadership in the rapidly evolving global financial system," according to a statement.

While the amount is worth more than $68 billion at the current price of Bitcoin, the program would look to acquire a total stake of approximately 5% of total Bitcoin supply, mirroring the size of gold reserves held by the US.