Morning Briefing: Aug. 25, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including, the surrender of former US President Donald Trump to Georgia authorities, Russia's vow to investigate plane crash death of Wagner mercenary group chief, and BRICS economic bloc's expansion with six more members.

TOP STORIES

• Donald Trump surrenders in Georgia in 2020 election case

Former US President Donald Trump turned himself in to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia on Thursday over charges that he sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

He was released on a $200,000 bond nearly 20 minutes after being booked at the Fulton County Jail, where he was fingerprinted and had his mugshot taken, becoming the first US president in history to do so.

"What has taken place here is a travesty of justice,” he told reporters at Atlanta's airport, adding that his arrest was an example of "election interference."

• Putin vows investigation into plane crash death of Wagner head

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a private jet crash, adding that the incident will be thoroughly investigated.

Regarding Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was among the 10 passengers onboard the ill-fated plane, the Russian leader said: "He was a man of difficult fate, but he achieved the desired results."

According to state media, Putin said that Prigozhin actively worked not only in Russia but also abroad, and that he was successful.

• BRICS announces expansion with admission of 6 new countries

The BRICS announced on Thursday that six countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, will join the bloc in January 2024.

The bloc of emerging economies has agreed to expand by inviting six new countries – Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

This was announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the end of the three-day BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

He said that BRICS leaders have tasked their finance ministers and reserve bank governors to consider making payments in their local currencies.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Pentagon dismissed reports as "inaccurate" that Wagner chief Prigozhin's private jet was shot down near Moscow with a surface-to-air missile.

• Group of Seven countries condemned "in the strongest terms" North Korea's space launch using ballistic missile technology, saying it poses a "grave threat" to peace and stability.

• Thousands of Tunisians demonstrated in the capital Tunis on Thursday, demanding the release of politicians arrested on charges of "conspiring against the security of the state.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to ask their officials to work at resolving their border dispute during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Thursday.

• A wildfire that broke out last Saturday in Greece's northeastern Evros region is the country's biggest in the past two decades, the National Observatory of Athens said Thursday. Around 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres) of forest area has burned in the country in 16 mega wildfires since 2007.

• Police in plains clothes tried to stop a man who was protesting against Iraqi-born refugee Salwan Momika's desecration of the Quran in the Swedish capital Stockholm.

• Wildfires in northwestern and central Türkiye have been contained as of Thursday, said the country's agriculture and forestry minister.

SPORTS

• FIFA launches disciplinary action against Spanish football chief for misconduct

FIFA opened up disciplinary proceedings Thursday against Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales over inappropriate conduct.

Rubiales kissed Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation at Stadium Australia after Spain's 1-0 win against England.

Although Rubiales apologized, several ministers, politicians, and nongovernmental organizations in Spain criticized him and demanded his resignation.

• Aymeric Laporte joins Saudi club Al-Nassr

French defender Aymeric Laporte has joined Saudi football club Al-Nassr, his previous club confirmed on Friday.

He ended a successful five-and-a-half years at Manchester City, during which the defender won 13 major honors. After arriving from Athletic Club in Spain in January 2018, Laporte played 180 times for the Blues.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye increases policy interest rate by 750 basis points

Turkish Central Bank increased its policy interest rate by 750 basis points to 25% on Thursday.

The bank's monetary policy committee decided to continue the monetary tightening process for disinflation.

"Recent indicators point to a continued increase in the underlying trend of inflation," the bank said.

• Canada sanctions Russia's military, nuclear sectors

Canada announced additional sanctions Wednesday against four individuals and 29 entities that have direct ties to Russia's military-industrial complex as well as to its financial and nuclear sectors.

The companies sanctioned are responsible for developing products for both civil and military use such as aviation, marine and special nuclear equipment.