Morning Briefing: Aug. 2, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including the indictment of former US President Donald Trump, rising tensions between Poland and Belarus, the killing of a Palestinian by Israeli forces, and the evacuation of French citizens from Niger.

TOP STORIES

• Former US President Trump indicted over bid to reverse 2020 election outcome

Former US President Donald Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday over efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

The 45-page indictment includes conspiracy to defraud the US among others, and marks the third criminal case against Trump since he left office.

"Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power. So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won," said the indictment.

• Poland boosts troop deployment, accuses Belarus of airspace violation

Poland increased its military presence on the border with Belarus after accusing Minsk of violating its airspace, according to media reports.

Helicopters were spotted flying near the Polish-Belarusian border, prompting Warsaw to issue a strong protest, and summon the neighboring country's ambassador to the Foreign Ministry.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry, however, issued a statement denying Poland's claims, calling the accusations "far-fetched" ones seeking to "justify the build-up of its forces and means near the Belarusian border."

• Israeli forces kill Palestinian for alleged knife attack

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian citizen in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday for allegedly "attempting a knife attack."

When two Israeli soldiers approached a Palestinian for questioning in Hebron, the suspect allegedly attacked the soldiers with a knife, the army said, without disclosing any details.

The situation in the West Bank has been tense since the beginning of 2023, due to the Israeli army's repeated incursions into Palestinian cities, arresting and killing residents, and as well repeated attacks by settlers.

• France to evacuate citizens from coup-hit Niger

France will soon evacuate its nationals from the Niger amid the ongoing coup, the French Embassy in Niamey announced on Tuesday.

"An evacuation operation by air is being prepared," according to the embassy.

There are currently 600 French civilians in Niger, according to France's Foreign Ministry, as well as 1,500 soldiers stationed in different regions.

The move came after authorities of the West African country accused France of planning a military intervention to free Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who is still being held by mutineers.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Members of an Islamophobic group called "Danske Patrioter" (Danish Patriots) on Tuesday burned a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in front of the Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen.

• The UN on Tuesday warned of a "deteriorating security situation" in West Africa, urging action to address the unfolding crisis that could worsen the already-deteriorating security situation in the region.

• A woman was injured on Tuesday in an armed attack in front of Sweden's Honorary Consulate in the Turkish port city of Izmir, local authorities said.

• Sweden's prime minister on Tuesday warned that a recent string of attacks desecrating the Quran in the country poses a "complex security situation."

• Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Najla Bouden Romdhane late on Tuesday and appointed Ahmed Hachani as her replacement, according to the presidency office.

• The EU on Tuesday said the cessation of uranium exports from Niger following the July 26 military coup poses no supply risk.

• Over 25,000 people have been killed across the US in gun-related violence this year, according to a monitor's data on Tuesday.

• Over 60 terrorists affiliated with the al-Shabaab terror group from Somalia on Tuesday targeted civilians in Kenya's Lamu County, killing two and injuring at least 10 others.

• Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, officially began on Tuesday to discontinue news availability in Canada, according to a statement.

SPORTS

• Senegalese attacker Sadio Mane joins Al-Nassr

Leaving German powerhouse Bayern Munich, Senegalese attacker Sadio Mane joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, the club announced on Tuesday.

Mane, who joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool in 2022, has been one of Liverpool's integral parts, helping the Reds win one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

• England beat China 6-1 in FIFA Women's World Cup

England beat China 6-1 at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on Tuesday.

England finished Group D at the top spot with 9 points, while Denmark placed second with 6 points and China lay at the third spot with 3 points. Haiti are placed fourth with no points.

The last 16 phase of the tournament will begin Saturday.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• JPMorgan payment route for Russian grain exports 'no longer working': UN envoy

A JPMorgan payment route to provide support for Russia's fertilizer exports is "no longer working" after Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, the US envoy to the UN said on Tuesday.

The US had allowed JPMorgan to facilitate some payments for the Russian Agricultural Bank for agricultural exports.

• Germany unemployment rate surges to 3.1% in June

Germany's unemployment rate rose to 3.1% in July, from 2.9% in the same month last year, the country's statistical authority said on Tuesday.

Destatis said the number of unemployed people was 1.38 million as of June, up 119,000, or 9.5%, on an annual basis.