ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday with, including the Pentagon saying the floating aid pier in Gaza was removed over "high sea states," Russia warning of greater risk of incidents with NATO due to the presence of alliance drones over the Black Sea, and European leaders welcoming the new president of the European Council.

TOP STORIES

• Gaza pier removed due to 'sea states': Pentagon

The US military's floating pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip was dismantled due to expected "high sea states," the Pentagon said on Friday.

"Now, due to high sea states expected this weekend, Central Command has removed the temporary pier from its anchored position in Gaza and will tow it back to Ashdod, Israel," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.

Temporarily relocating the pier will prevent potential structural damage that could be caused by the heightened sea state, Singh said.

• Russia warns of higher risk of incidents with NATO due to alliance's drones over Black Sea

Russia said that the risk of incidents over the Black Sea recently grew due to the activities of NATO drones in the region.

More frequent flights by NATO drones show that the West is getting more involved in the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Such flights multiply the likelihood of incidents in airspace with aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which increases the risk of direct confrontation between the alliance and the Russian Federation," it said.

• European leaders welcome new council president, candidates for EU institutions

European leaders welcomed the reelection of Charles Michel as president of the European Council.

Outgoing EU Council President Charles Michel had announced earlier that former Portuguese premier Antonio Costa was elected to replace him.

He also announced Ursula von der Leyen's candidacy for a second five-year term as president of the European Commission and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' candidacy to replace Josep Borrell as foreign policy chief.

Kallas expressed her gratitude on X for her nomination, saying: "We must continue working together to ensure Europe is an effective global partner to keep our citizens free, safe and prosperous."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev dissolved the country's parliament, and set Sept. 1 as the date for early parliamentary elections.
• Israel's war on Gaza was a central feature of the first US presidential debate, with both current President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump trying to outdo the other in positioning themselves as a champion of Israeli interests.
• In response to escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Pentagon has strategically repositioned US military assets in the Mediterranean, preparing for potential evacuations of American citizens.
• Israel displaced at least 60,000 people from Gaza City on Thursday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
• At least 11 people were killed and 40 others injured as Israeli forces targeted a safe zone near Rafah, southern Gaza on Friday, sources and witnesses said.
• Greece accused North Macedonia of irredentism, saying the leadership of North Macedonia is moving away from the good neighborly relations.
• Reiterating its stance that tensions in the Red Sea were a “spillover” effect of the war in Gaza, China called for a cease-fire in the besieged Palestinian enclave to “cool down” the situation in the major water way.
• A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the South Pacific Ocean, 91 kilometers (56 miles) southeast of San Juan de Marcona in Ica, Peru, US Geological Survey reported.
• Voting in Mongolia's parliamentary elections began on Friday, with President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh urging citizens to go to the ballot box.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there is no reason for his country not to forge renewed ties with neighboring Syria.

SPORTS

• LeBron James' son Bronny set to be 1st player to team up with his father in NBA

LeBron James' eldest son Bronny James, 19, is in line to be the first player to team up with his father in the NBA, as he was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers out of the University of Southern California as the No. 55 pick in 2024 NBA Draft.

"In the history of the NBA, there's never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court, and that feels like something that could be magical," said Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager.

"We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out … but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform."

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Russia to be China's largest natural gas shipper in 2027: Gazprom CEO

Russia will become China's largest gas supplier once the Power of Siberia and Far Eastern lines are fully operational in less than three years, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said.

"In 2027, the Far Eastern route will be launched with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year. With the Power of Siberia and the Far Eastern route reaching full capacity, Russia will become the largest gas supplier to China," Miller said in a statement.

China's demand for natural gas will continue to grow, he added.

• Türkiye's 1st indigenous communications satellite to be launched on July 8

Türkiye's first indigenous communications satellite, Turksat 6A, will be launched from the SpaceX facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida on July 8, said Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

Uraloglu stated that the first signal from Turksat 6A will begin orbital tests for at least a month after it completes the journey to 42 degrees East longitude.