Morning Briefing: June 5, 2023

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including, the Ukraine offensive foiled by Russia, the cause of India’s deadly train crash and a closed-door meeting between NATO chief and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

TOP STORIES

• Russia says it thwarted major offensive by Ukrainian army

Russia has thwarted a major offensive by the Ukrainian forces, said the spokesperson for Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, on Sunday.

The Ukrainian army launched a large-scale attack in five locations using six mechanized and two tank battalions on the southern Donetsk front but was prevented from breaching Russian defenses, he said.

Earlier, the head of the paramilitary Wagner Group claimed that Ukrainian forces hold positions on the southwestern outskirts of the city of Bakhmut, a major hotspot in the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Signal error cause of India’s deadly train crash

An issue related to the signaling system is likely the cause of the three-train crash, said a preliminary investigation into the train derailment last week, the country's Railway Ministry said on Sunday.

More than 280 people were killed and over 1,000 injured on Friday in the country's worst rail disaster in recent history.

A change in the electronic interlocking system was made which led to the accident, said Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

• NATO chief thanks Türkiye for sending reinforcements to Kosovo

In a closed-door meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, the chief of NATO on Sunday thanked Türkiye for sending reinforcements to Kosovo.

Speaking to reporters, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "I thank Türkiye for sending reinforcements to northern Kosovo following the recent unrest" in the region.

NATO is now deploying around 700 more troops from its operational reserve and Türkiye is leading this effort to provide extra forces.

On Saturday, Stoltenberg attended Erdogan's inauguration ceremony and took the opportunity to congratulate him on his reelection last Sunday.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A small plane crashed in a mountainous area after fighter jets scrambled to intercept the private plane in the state of Virginia following reports of a sonic boom near the US capital.

• Saudi Arabia and the US on Sunday called on Sudan’s army and RSF paramilitary forces to agree on a new cease-fire, after a 5-day deal expired.

• Massive protests broke out across Poland on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest high prices and push for free elections and a “European Poland."

• Foreign ministers worldwide congratulated Hakan Fidan on his appointment as Türkiye's foreign minister. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he is looking forward to continuing working as valued NATO allies.

• A fire broke out in a refugee shelter in central Germany, killing a child and injuring 10 people, according to local media reports on Sunday.

• At least 14 people were killed and five others went missing after a landslide in southwestern China on Sunday, local media reported.

• The UK has sent back hundreds of migrants under a "gold-standard" deal with Albania, the British immigration minister said. Last year, over 12,000 Albanian migrants arrived in the UK via the English Channel.

• Hundreds of people have been arrested across Senegal since deadly protests broke out against the two-year sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, an official said as the death toll from clashes reached 15.

• Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the 7th meeting of the high-level Strategic Cooperation Council in Islamabad.

SPORTS

• Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce 3-0

2022-23 Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on Sunday shut out 10-man archrivals Fenerbahce 3-0.

The already crowned Lions won the Istanbul derby with Nicolo Zaniolo and Mauro Icardi's goals at Nef Stadium. Zaniolo netted twice in both the 28th and 79th minutes of the game, while Icardi tallied in the 71st.

• Sabalenka reaches maiden French Open quarterfinal

Belarussian Aryna Sabalenka reached her maiden French Open (Roland Garros) quarterfinal by beating American player Sloane Stephens 2-0 on Sunday.

The world no.2 beat Sloane Stephens with 7-6(5), 6-4 sets.

In another Round 4 match, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina eliminated Russian player Daria Kasatkina with 6-4, 7-6(5) sets. Sabalenka will take on Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinal

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Rule-based, predictable Turkish economy key for prosperity, says new finance minister

A rule-based, predictable Turkish economy will be the key to achieving the desired prosperity, said Türkiye’s new Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek on Sunday.

Türkiye will prioritize macro-financial stability by strengthening its institutional quality and capacity amid increasing global challenges and geopolitical tensions, Simsek said.

• Saudi Arabia to trim output by 1M bpd in July

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+, confirmed on Sunday they would keep their current output cuts unchanged until the end of the year, with additional voluntary production cuts from Saudi Arabia of around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in July.

The decision came during the 35th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held in Austria’s capital Vienna.