Morning Briefing: Aug. 9, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including the Niger junta rebuffing mediation mission, the latest in the Ukraine war, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on the conflict.

TOP STORIES

• Niger junta rejects diplomatic mission, faces fresh sanctions

The Niger military junta refused to receive officials from regional blocs and the UN, foiling diplomatic attempts to reinstate the country’s ousted president.

Diplomats from the African Union, UN, and Economic Community of West African States were due to arrive in the capital Niamey on Wednesday.

Following the move, ECOWAS chairman and Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered new sanctions against the junta.

• Moscow says it repelled Kyiv's drone attack

Russia said its air defense system shot down two combat drones heading for the capital.

Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said one of the drones was destroyed in the vicinity of the Minskoye Highway, and the other in the Domodedovo area.

The number of drone attacks on Russian territory has dramatically increased in recent months.

Although Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last month that attacks on Russian territory are an "inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.”

• Türkiye 'key country' in settlement of Ukraine crisis: President Erdogan

Türkiye is the "key country" in the settlement of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said while addressing Turkish ambassadors.

He said Ankara follows a "balanced and fair" attitude since day one to resolve the conflict, adding that talks are underway for the resumption of the Black Sea grain deal.

About his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Erdogan said: "Putin, like us, is sensitive about the access of our African brothers to grain products. I believe we can find common ground on this issue."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US-led coalition violated Syrian airspace 16 times in one day in the area of the US Al-Tanf military base, a Russian military official said.

• The World Food Program resumed crucial food distribution in Ethiopia after a three-month pause.

• After Poland, Latvia also beefed up security across its eastern border with Belarus.

• Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Russia and South Korea will soon start building nuclear power plants in the country.

• Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan challenged his conviction in a corruption case. He was sentenced to three years in jail, and cannot hold public office for five years.

• Regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords, Colombian Dairo Antonio Usuga David, aka "Otoniel," was sentenced in New York to 45 years in prison.

• The EU will continue talks with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to “promote tolerance and mutual respect,” an official said.

• An Islamic funeral was conducted in Ireland for singer Sinead O'Connor, who died last month at the age of 56. Thousands, including Irish singers Bono and Bob Geldof, attended the last rites.

SPORTS

• France reach last 8 in FIFA Women's World Cup

France booked their place in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinals after a 4-0 win over Morocco in Australia.

France forward Eugenie Le Sommer scored a double to play a key role in the win in Adelaide city.

Kadidiatou Diani scored the opener and France made it 3-0 after Kenza Dali and Le Sommer put the ball into the Morocco net.

Le Sommer scored a header in the far post after a cross to take the result 4-0.

• Greece shaken by killing of soccer fan in Athens

Greece was left reeling after a 29-year-old Greek soccer fan was killed in overnight clashes between rival supporters of AEK Athens and Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb ahead of a Champions League qualifying match in the capital.

He was stabbed several times by Croatian hooligans outside AEK's football pitch in northern Athens.​​​​​​​

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Russian president ends double taxation agreements with 'unfriendly countries'

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending agreements covering double taxation on income and assets with "unfriendly" countries.

In a separate decree, he authorized using special bank accounts in rubles, and foreign currencies for the export of Russian agricultural products.

• Moody's lowers ratings for 10 US banks

Moody's lowered the ratings of 10 American banks and placed six others under review due to funding risks and weak profitability.

M&T Bank Corporation, Webster Financial Corporation and Associated Banc-Corp are some of the small- and mid-sized banks that saw downgrades, while the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and US Bancorp are among those that have their ratings under review.

Moody's also changed the outlook for 11 banks to negative from stable, including Capital One Financial Corporation and PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.