Morning Briefing: Sept. 13, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including North Korea’s Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia, catastrophic flooding in Libya that left thousands of people dead and missing, and an impeachment inquiry against US President Joe Biden.

TOP STORIES

• North Korea launches ballistic missiles ahead of Kim Jong-un meeting with Putin

Ahead of a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Vladimir Putin in Russia, Pyongyang fired at least two ballistic missiles off its east coast, the South Korean military said.

The North Korean leader arrived in Russia on Monday onboard his private green train to meet Putin.

The US believes these talks will be based on an arms deal under which North Korea is providing artillery and rockets to Russia for its war in Ukraine. As a result, Russia will provide economic assistance to North Korea.

• Devastating floods in Libya leave thousands dead, missing

Libya’s catastrophic floods have left thousands dead and thousands missing as the country reels from massive destruction and loss of lives.

The death toll climbed to 5,300 in the eastern city of Derna, while rescue officials claim that 10,000 people are missing.

The floods caused by Storm Daniel on the weekend, broke dams and swept entire neighborhoods.

• House Speaker McCarthy endorses formal impeachment inquiry into Biden

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

Accusing ​​Biden of “abuse of power” and “corruption,” the Republican leader said Biden used his office when he was the vice president.

The allegations followed after the US president reportedly coordinated with his son’s business partners.

Republicans claim that the Biden family received payments from foreign corporations.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Iran's mission to the United Nations revealed the names of the five Iranian prisoners who will be freed as part of a prisoner swap deal with the US.

• Niger scrapped a military pact with neighboring Benin on Tuesday amid fears of possible armed intervention to restore constitutional order in the West African country.

• One person was killed and two others injured in a shooting at a high school in the US state of Louisiana, local media reported Tuesday.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply criticized Russia on Tuesday for not responding positively to the efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal, and said they are also weighing other options, such as transporting grains via rail from Ukraine.

• A recent study revealed over 1,000 cases of sexual abuse by Swiss Catholic Church clergy and other employees, the University of Zurich said, describing cases as the "tip of the iceberg."

• Norway’s center-right opposition party, led by former Prime Minister Erna Solberg, has won local elections after nearly a century, local media reported.

• Apple unveiled new products on Tuesday, including the iPhone 15, and the latest models of their Apple Watches during its annual event in California, the US.

SPORTS

• Former Grand Slam champion gets 4-year ban for doping

Former French Open and Wimbledon champion in women's singles Simona Halep from Romania was handed a four-year ban for doping on Tuesday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said.

The former world number one previously tested positive for Roxadustat, which is on the banned substance list of the World Anti-Doping Agency, at the 2022 US Open.

She was provisionally suspended in October 2022.

• Spain, Belgium win big in EURO 2024 quals

Spain and Belgium won their matches in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying group matches on Tuesday.

In a Group A match in Granada, home team Spain beat the Greek Cypriot Administration 6-0.

Belgium hammered Estonia 5-0, with Roma forward Romelu Lukaku scoring twice.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US poverty rate rose in 2022 for 1st time in years

The number of Americans living in poverty has increased for the first time since 2010, the US Census Bureau said Tuesday.

The supplemental poverty rate increased to 12.4% from 7.8% in 2022, data showed.

The official poverty rate stood at 11.5% in 2022, compared to 11.6% in 2021.

• Turkish defense firms debut cutting-edge innovations at London exhibition

The Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, a global gathering of defense and security experts, kicked off on Tuesday at London's ExCel center.

Turkish defense industry firms have made a significant mark at DSEI 2023, with approximately 30 companies, including industry giants like Aselsan, Havelsan, BMC, and Roketsan, demonstrating their cutting-edge innovations, highlighting Türkiye's growing role in the global defense sector.