Morning Briefing: August 30, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including a military takeover in Gabon, Sudanese army chief’s visit to Egypt, and UN’s appeal to countries to ratify a nuclear test ban treaty.

TOP STORIES

• Military in Gabon announces takeover on national television

A group of Gabonese soldiers appeared on national television early Wednesday, announcing military takeover of the country and dissolution of the government.

The move came shortly after the Gabonese Election Centre confirmed that incumbent President Ali Bongo officially won a third term as president with 64.27% of the vote.

A spokesperson declared cancellation of the Aug. 26 general elections, closure of all borders until further notice, and dissolution of all institutions of the republic.

• Sudan army chief makes first trip to Egypt since conflict

In his first foreign visit since clashes broke out in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the country’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visited Egypt on Tuesday.

Al-Burhan was received by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi upon his arrival.

Al-Burhan said the Sudanese army does not aspire to remain in power.

“What we seek is to hold free and fair elections,” he added. "We seek to complete the democratic transition until the people of Sudan choose their ruler,” he added.

• UN chief calls for immediate halt to nuclear testing

The UN chief appealed to all countries to ratify a nuclear test ban treaty, and urged an immediate halt to testing.

"A legally binding prohibition on nuclear tests is a fundamental step in our quest for a world free of nuclear weapons," said Guterres at an event to mark International Day Against Nuclear Tests at the General Assembly. "Let’s end nuclear testing forever."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Algeria on Tuesday proposed a six-month transitional period led by a civilian to solve the crisis in neighboring Niger.
• The US announced a new arms package for Ukraine valued at up to $250 million as Kyiv's forces continue to press a counteroffensive to reclaim territory occupied by Russia.
• The funeral of Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a plane crash last week, was held privately in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was expanded across the city on Tuesday in an effort to help improve air quality in the British capital. If a vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standards and is not exempt, the driver must pay a daily charge.
• NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Tuesday discussed the military support to Ukraine and the country’s "path to NATO."
• Ground penetrating radar has unearthed 79 potential children’s graves and those that may be of 14 infants at the former Beauval Indian Residential School in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, English River First Nation said Tuesday.
• The African Union peacekeeping mission will withdraw 3,000 more troops from Somalia, its commander said on Tuesday.
• New York City will allow the Adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, to be broadcast at designated times every Friday and during Ramadan, announced its mayor.
• TikTok has blocked Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee who burned copies of the Holy Quran in Sweden, from profiting from his content, local media reported Tuesday.

SPORTS

• Galatasaray moves to Champions League group stage

Galatasaray beat Molde 2-1 in Istanbul to clinch 5-3 on aggregate Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League playoff.

Mauro Icardi converted a penalty kick in the seventh minute at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex.

In the 66th minute, Eirik Hestad made a close-range finish to level the match, assisted by Emil Breivik.

Angelino netted a stoppage-time winner as the Lions qualified for the group stage.

• Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy advance in FIBA Basketball World Cup

Australia, the Dominican Republic and Italy have qualified for the second round of the FIBA 2023 Basketball World Cup.

The trio joined already-qualified Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Spain, and the US for a total of 10 teams who have moved to the 16-team next stage of the competition.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bitcoin surges 7% following US court’s ruling

Bitcoin jumped more than 7% Tuesday after a US court ruled in favor of cryptocurrency investment firm Grayscale's exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The price of Bitcoin climbed to as high as $28,040 at 1.10 p.m. EDT for a 7.3% daily gain after closing the previous day at $26,121.

Ethereum, the world's biggest altcoin by market value, also rose 5.4% to as much as $1,743 after closing Monday at $1,653.

• Germany announces 10-point plan to boost economy

The German government announced a 10-point plan on Tuesday to pull Europe’s largest economy out of stagnation.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters, following a meeting with ministers, that the government will introduce tax relief for businesses and provide incentives for climate-friendly investments.

He also vowed to speed up the work on reducing bureaucracy, improving conditions for start-ups.