Morning Briefing: Aug. 31, 2023

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including the transitional president in Gabon, the firing of ballistic missiles by North Korea, and the latest in the Russia-Ukraine war.

TOP STORIES

• Gabonese Gen. Nguema named transitional president after coup

Following a military takeover in Gabon on Wednesday, coup leaders named Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema the country's transitional president, according to national television.

Gen. Nguema, the former head of the country’s most powerful security unit, is reportedly a cousin of deposed President Ali Bongo.

After taking office, Nguema ordered the restoration of internet service and international radio and television channels

The UK, UN, African Union, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation have all condemned the coup in Gabon, while the US said it had grave concerns.

• North Korea launches ballistic missiles after US-South drill

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday to protest joint military exercises conducted by South Korea and the US.

The South Korean military said it detected the launches from the vicinity of Sunan in Pyongyang between approximately 11.40 p.m. and 11.50 p.m. (1440 and 1450 GMT) on Wednesday, said the report.

The missiles reportedly traveled around 360 kilometers (223 miles) before splashing into the waters.

US and South Korean intelligence authorities are doing further analysis of the incident, the agency said.

• Russian, Ukrainian drone strikes at each other's cities claimed

Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday claimed the other had launched drone attacks on its cities.

Moscow claimed that overnight attacks on an airport in the Pskov region damaged four planes, two of which were burned, while Kyiv claimed an intense Russian attack killed two civilians and injured another.

Pskov Governor Mikhail Vedernikov and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin both said on social media that the Ukraine drone attack on Pskov airport is being investigated. However, there were no casualties in the overnight strike.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Russia used its veto power on Wednesday to reject a UN Security Council draft resolution aimed at extending sanctions against Mali for an additional year.

• President Joe Biden urged Congress on Wednesday to pass legislation to grant Afghans who sought refuge in the US in 2021 – as the Taliban retook power – permanent residency as the US marked the second anniversary of the ending of the Afghanistan war.

• Rwanda and Cameroon announced major changes in their security forces Wednesday affecting high-ranking military personnel, including the retirement of hundreds of soldiers.

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that the country is much stronger and more advanced than it was a quarter-century, half-century, and century ago, with all its political, economic and military capabilities.

• Russia and North Korea are "actively advancing" shadowy arms negotiations, the White House said Wednesday, warning that any sales would run afoul of UN sanctions.

• Wildfire in Evros, northeastern Greece raged for the 12th day, forcing the evacuation of more settlements, local media reported Wednesday.

• The UN expressed concern Wednesday over the health of hundreds of inmates taking part in a hunger strike at Jau Prison in Bahrain due to poor conditions at the facility.

• After winning a silver medal, a veteran Iranian weightlifter was banned for life for shaking hands with an Israeli opponent at the 2023 World Master Weightlifting Championships in Poland.

• Kyrgyzstan banned TikTok after appeals from non-governmental organizations about the impact of the platform on children's mental development and overall well-being.

SPORTS

• Dominic Stricker upsets Tsitsipas in US Open

Swiss tennis player Dominic Stricker shocked Stefanos Tsitsipas in the US Open Round 2 on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old upset the Greek player with 7-5, 6-7(2-7), 6-7(5-7), 7-6(8-6) and 6-3 in a 4-hour-long second-round match.

Tsitsipas, the world no. 7, was eliminated from his bid to win his first Grand Slam singles title.

• Türkiye reach semifinals of CEV EuroVolley 2023

Türkiye reached the semifinals of the 2023 Women's European Volleyball Championship (EuroVolley) by beating Poland 3-0 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The Crescent Stars eliminated Poland with 25-23, 25-22, and 25-18 sets.

Melissa Teresa Vargas led Türkiye to victory with 24 points.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Prominent tech event TEKNOFEST starts in Ankara

The second edition this year of Türkiye's premier technology and aerospace event TEKNOFEST 2023 opened its doors for visitors in the capital Ankara.

The five-day event, launched on Wednesday, is set to feature competitions, air shows, exhibits, and workshops.

The event has been organized by the Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation and the Turkish Industry and Technology Ministry jointly since 2018, in cooperation with dozens of ministries, public institutions, private firms, and universities.

• Gabon coup triggers slight uptick in oil prices

The military coup in Gabon, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), on Wednesday pushed oil prices slightly upwards while creating supply risks.

International benchmark Brent crude was up more than 0.3% at around $85.80 per barrel, while American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was traded at around $81.5, up 0.4%.

The Central African country produces 190,000 barrels of oil a day, and no coup-related disruption to Gabon's oil output has yet been reported.