Morning Briefing: September 22, 2023

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including a meeting of the Ukrainian and American presidents at the White House, India’s suspension of visas for Canadians citizens, and the importance of the upcoming Thessaloniki summit for Turkish-Greek relations, says President Erdogan.

TOP STORIES

• Abrams tanks to arrive in Ukraine next week, says Biden

The US' premier M1 Abrams main battle tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week, President Joe Biden said Thursday as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

The tanks have been long anticipated, and their entry onto the battlefield comes as Ukrainian forces continue a counteroffensive aimed at pushing Russia out of occupied territories.

In order to assist in that effort, Biden announced a new $325 million military aid package that includes additional air defense.

• India suspends visa for Canadians as rift widens

India on Thursday suspended its visa service for Canadian citizens, the latest development in the diplomatic standoff between the two countries.

“You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning," Arindam Bagchi, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, told a press briefing.

Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that India had a hand in the killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim New Delhi immediately denied.

• Thessaloniki summit important for Ankara-Athens ties, says Turkish President Erdogan

The Thessaloniki summit in December is expected to be an important step in Turkish-Greek relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

In an interview in the US, Erdogan said he and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis agree on the need to dispel the "distressed air" in the Aegean region.

Concerning the Thessaloniki summit, he emphasized that it is Ankara's top priority.

He also noted that the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers will make necessary preparations for the summit.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will visit Türkiye, Turkish President Erdogan told reporters in New York, adding that Türkiye will also commence energy drilling work with Israel.

• General elections to elect a new government in Pakistan will be held next January, the country’s top electoral body announced. A caretaker government is currently ruling the country.

• After facing criticism from Kyiv for refusing to follow the EU's removal of a grain embargo on Ukraine, Poland recently declared that in response it will refrain from providing its neighbor additional weaponry.

• Ceasing hostilities and starting peace talks are the only way to end the Ukraine war, China's Vice President Han Zheng said in an address to UN General Assembly.

• Peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without securing the rights of Palestinians, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly.

• Sudan’s Sovereign Council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, also the country’s army chief, asked the UN to designate the Rapid Support Forces a terrorist group, as the group bought in thousands of mercenaries during Sudan’s months-long conflict.

• As the first British monarch to address the French Senate, King Charles III praised ties between the UK and France, reiterating that his country will remain one of France's "closest allies.”

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk will “most likely” visit Izmir to attend Türkiye’s largest tech and aviation event TEKNOFEST, Turkish President Erdogan said on Thursday.

• More than 15 million people in China age 60 or over suffer from dementia, including nearly 10 million with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report.

SPORTS

• Turkish wrestler Buse Tosun Cavusoglu crowned world champion

Turkish national wrestler Buse Tosun Cavusoglu was crowned the world champion Thursday in the women's 68-kilogram category at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Serbia.

Cavusoglu secured victory with a pin in the final match against Mongolia's Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan, in the first world championship title in her career.

• Italy's Vincenzo Montella appointed Turkish football’s new head coach

The Turkish National Football Team on Thursday appointed Italy's Vincenzo Montella its new head coach.

In a statement, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said that Montella, 49, agreed on a three-year deal with the Turkish national team.

Stefan Kuntz, who had coached Türkiye for two years, was dismissed on Wednesday.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bank of England leaves policy rate unchanged

The Bank of England on Thursday kept its key policy rate steady, pausing its monetary tightening cycle for the first time in nearly two years.

The policy interest rate was held constant at a 15-year high of 5.25%, following softer-than-expected inflation and labor data.

The market had forecast a 25-basis point hike.

• Türkiye hikes policy interest rate 500 points

The Central Bank of Türkiye on Thursday raised its policy rate by 500 basis points to 30%, meeting market forecasts.

Economists polled by Anadolu survey last week said they expected a 500-basis-point interest rate hike, with the lowest estimate at 250 basis points and the highest at 600.