Morning Briefing: May 22, 2023
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Greece’s ruling party winning big in parliamentary elections, Ukraine's denial that Bakhmut has fallen to Russia, and Israeli minister’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound stirs outrage and condemnation.
TOP STORIES
The ruling New Democracy (ND) party led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis swept the parliamentary elections in Greece on Sunday.
Despite its big win, the conservative party will be unable to form a government on its own because of recent changes to the country’s electoral system.
Preliminary results from nearly 90% of polling stations showed ND in the lead, with 40.80% of the vote. Ex-Premier Alexis Tsipras' Syriza received only 20.06% of the vote, which was lower than expected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refuted Russia’s claims that its forces have captured the strategic city of Bakhmut.
During his visit to Japan for the G-7 meeting, Zelenskyy in a press conference insisted that Bakhmut has not been occupied by Russian forces.
His statement came after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Moscow’s mercenary, the Wagner paramilitary group, claimed that they had taken complete control of the city.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, drawing severe outrage and condemnation from Palestinians.
From the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, the minister in a video message claimed Israel's ownership of the complex.
Later, the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a weekly meeting in the Al-Buraq wall tunnels.
Türkiye and Arab countries have condemned the move, while Palestinian Authority has warned of a “religious war.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Turkish citizens living in Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Iran voted for Türkiye’s presidential runoff elections on Sunday, with overseas voting continuing until May 24.
- The G-7 summit in Hiroshima concluded on Sunday, as participants expressed "unwavering support" for Ukraine, and agreed to further tighten economic sanctions on Russia.
- Iran's top security official indicated that he will step down after nearly a decade in office. Ali Shamkhani, a veteran IRGC and army figure, previously served as defense minister.
- Bahrain restores full diplomatic relations with Lebanon after withdrawing its ambassador in 2021 to protest statements by a Lebanese minister criticizing the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.
- The first batch of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with the country expecting to receive over 2 million pilgrims during this Hajj season.
- Gunmen killed nine farmers in the Birnin Gwari Area of northern Nigeria’s Kaduna State, which has recently been targeted by armed gangs, local media reported Sunday.
- Taiwan's health minister warned Sunday that the island’s continued exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to China's actions endangers global health.
SPORTS
- Real Madrid edge past Olympiacos to bag 11th EuroLeague title
Real Madrid edged out Olympiacos in a thrilling final on Sunday to win a record-extending 11th Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title.
Madrid scored the winning points with just three seconds left to clinch a 79-78 victory.
The two sides dropped a collective 49 points in a frantic second quarter at the Zalgirio Arena in Lithuania – 29 for Real Madrid and 21 for Olympiacos.
- Manchester City lifts Premier League trophy
Manchester City lifted the 2022-23 English Premier League trophy after beating Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday.
The Manchester side have netted 100 goals in home matches this season in all competitions.
Team skipper Ilkay Gundogan lifted the club's seventh Premier League trophy in the ceremony.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
- Sanctions to ensure Russia pays price for war: UK
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said new sanctions against Russia will ensure it pays a price for its actions in the war against Ukraine.
The UK announced a new wave of sanctions targeting individuals and organizations linked to Moscow's energy, metals, defense, transport, and financial sectors. The UK bans Russian diamond imports, a sector that contributed around £3.2 billion (approximately $4 billion) to the country's export revenue in 2021.
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