Morning Briefing: August 8, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including a visit of an American diplomat to Niger, asylum seekers in UK, tensions between China and Philippines, and desecration of Quran in Denmark.

TOP STORIES

• US diplomat holds talks with junta leaders in Niger, refused meeting with ousted president

Senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland traveled to Niger on Monday, where she had "frank" and "difficult" talks with military leaders who overthrew the country's democratically elected president late last month.

Nuland, the US' acting deputy secretary of state, told reporters during a teleconference that her requests to meet deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, as well as his self-proclaimed successor Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, were denied.

However, she was able to meet with Moussa Salaou Barmou, the self-proclaimed chief of defense, and other military leaders.

• First asylum seekers in UK moved to barge

The first batch of UK asylum seekers has arrived on the Bibby Stockholm, a housing barge moored off the country's southwest, as more migrants are expected.

Several people also gathered near the entrance of the port to protest the government's asylum policies, especially the barge plan.

The UK governments aims to house up to 500 men, aged 18-65, on the three-story floating barge until their applications are processed.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak listed tackling small boat crossings of the English Channel as one of his five priorities after over 45,000 migrants arrived that way last year.

• Philippines rejects China's demand for removal of warship

Philippines on Monday dismissed a call by China to remove an "illegally" grounded warship from a reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.

This followed an incident over the weekend in which Chinese coastguard vessels fired water cannons at ships supplying troops stationed at that location.

Manila told Beijing it would not abandon the disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

It also accused the Chinese coast guard of making "dangerous maneuvers" and targeting one of its ships with a laser.

• Danish anti-Islam group continues Quran attacks

A Danish anti-Islam and ultranationalist group on Monday escalated its recent attacks on the Quran, despite wide-ranging condemnation.

Members of Danske Patrioter (Danish Patriots) burned copies of the Muslim holy book in front of the embassies of Türkiye, Algeria, Pakistan, Iran, and Indonesia in the capital Copenhagen.

The group also carried out a similar attack on the Quran in the northern city of Aalborg and chanted Islamophobic slogans.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Palestinian president's meeting with Hamas' political chief in Türkiye has a "different dimension," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, referring to the July 27 meeting with Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh.

• Moscow on Monday said a peace deal with Kyiv would be "impossible" on the basis of a 10-step plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last November, saying the scheme was aimed at protracting hostilities.

• The US on Monday welcomed as "productive" China's attendance in a Saudi-hosted meeting on peace in Ukraine, but refrained from providing further details because it was a "private meeting."

• After June's abortive mutiny in Russia, as many as 7,000 mercenaries from the private military company Wagner are now in Belarus, the founder of the group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said on Monday.

• The fourth and final Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd's murder was sentenced on Monday to more than four years in prison, according to multiple news outlets.

• At least seven people were killed in a remote-controlled blast in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Monday night, police and local media reported.

SPORTS

• Australia reaches FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinals

Co-hosts Australia on Monday qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinals over a 2-0 win against Denmark.

Midfielder Caitlin Foord scored the opener in the Round of 16 match in Sydney.

The Matildas waited for at least an hour to double the gap as Hayley Raso added the second goal in minute 70.

Victors Australia will face either France or Morocco in the last eight.

• UEFA Champions League playoff round draw unveiled

The 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League playoff round draw was unveiled on Monday, as the phase before the tournament's group stage will start after mid-August.

Turkish champions Galatasaray are currently playing in the Champions League third qualifying round as they are set to face Slovenia's Olimpija Ljubljana in a two-legged tie on Tuesday and on Aug. 15.

The draw in Switzerland's Nyon showed that the winner of the Galatasaray vs. Olimpija Ljubljana tie will face either Faroe Island's KI Klaksvik or Norwegian club Molde in the playoffs.

The playoff stage's first leg matches will be held on Aug. 22-23, and the second legs will be a week later.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Turkish drone deal with Saudi Arabia opens news ventures for defense exports

Türkiye has entered into new agreements following the largest defense and aerospace export contract in the country's history signed by Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) producer Baykar with Saudi Arabia.

The export success achieved by the Turkish defense industry's indigenous UAVs has brought new opportunities.

The deal was recorded as the largest defense and aerospace export contract in the history of the Republic of Türkiye.

• Warren Buffett's company stock surges to all-time high after exceptional earnings

American business magnate Warren Buffett's conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway saw its stock price climb to an all-time high on Monday due to strong financial results.

Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares jumped to as high as $555,556 at 2.12 p.m. EDT (1812GMT) for a 4.1% gain after closing Friday at $533,600.