Morning Briefing: Sept. 3, 2023

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Iraq’s decision to hand over an army building to the KDP postponed after protests, fresh protests in Niger as thousands demand the withdrawal of French troops and a racist attack in the Greek Cyprus administration left five people injured.

TOP STORIES

• Decision to hand over army building in Iraq to KDP postponed after protests

A decision to hand over a building used by the Joint Operations Command forces in Iraq to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) was postponed and demonstrations ended, according to a governor.

Kirkuk Gov. Rakan Saeed al-Jabouri said in a statement on Facebook that the issue of transferring the building in Kirkuk used by forces loyal to the central government to the KDP was postponed as a result of his telephone call with Prime Minister Muhammed Shia al-Sudani.

Al-Jabouri said he met protesters in front of the building and told them about the al-Sudani 's postponement order, whereupon the protesters decided to pack up their tents, end their protest and open a blocked road.

Kirkuk Police Department spokesman Amir Nuri told Anadolu that the death toll has risen to three, and at least nine others were injured during protests demanding the reopening of a highway linking the city to Erbil.

• Thousands demand withdrawal of French troops in Niger in fresh protests

Thousands of protestors gathered in Niger’s capital of Niamey in the latest protests against the presence of French troops in the West African country, where the military ousted the elected president more than a month ago.

Social video footage showed protestors chanting anti-French slogans, days after the military administration announced the expulsion of the French ambassador.

“French army should leave our country,” read placards held by protesters near the French base in Niamey.

• Racist attack in Greek Cyprus administration leaves 5 injured

Five people were injured in a racist attack against foreign nationals during an anti-migrant protest in the Greek Cypriot administration, local media reported.

In southern Limassol city, a group of people, consisting mostly of members of the far-right and racist National People's Front (ELAM), gathered in the Molos area to protest migrants.

Some individuals in the group, carrying banners with slogans such as "Cyprus is Greek" and "Migrants, you are not welcome," attacked businesses and restaurants, with several shops and vehicles set on fire.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least one baby was killed and four civilians wounded in an attack by Syrian army forces in a village in eastern Idlib, according to civilian defense sources.
• The opposition leader in Senegal, Osmane Sonko, who aspires to stand for the presidency, ended his hunger while in detention where he has been since late July.
• Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the recall of all ambassadors, said his special advisor and spokesperson.
• Clashes that erupted Aug. 27 in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria between the PKK/YPG terror group and Arab tribes spread to the Manbij countryside, with the participation of other Arab tribes.
• Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into leaked police data, Northern Ireland police said.
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fell while jogging and was injured, according to media reports.
• Voters in the Ivory Coast voted in municipal and regional elections, seen as crucial to test the strength of political forces ahead of the next presidential election.
• The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Iraq urged Prime Minister Muhammed Shia al-Sudani to work with local parties to resolve the Kirkuk issue.
• Italy's former prime minister claimed that a French missile was behind the deadly 1980 Ustica plane crash that killed 81 people, said local media.
• At least 21 people died of dengue in Bangladesh, a single-day high since health authorities started record-keeping in 2000, taking the death toll to 618.

SPORTS

• Manchester City with 4th straight Premier League match

Manchester City took their fourth English Premier League win in a row by beating Fulham 5-1.

The Citizens took the lead with Julian Alvarez. The second goal came from Nathan Ake and Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick at Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Tim Ream scored the only goal for Fulham.

• Joao Felix joins Barcelona on loan

Joao Felix joined Barcelona on loan from Atletico Madrid, Barca announced.

The Portuguese midfielder signed with the Spanish La Liga side until June 30, 2024.

The deal has no purchase option, the statement added.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Turkish firm exports unmanned surveillance, reconnaissance system to Africa

Turkish defense company, STM, said it reached an agreement to export its unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance system to an African country for a second time.

STM previously sold its multi-rotor unmanned aerial system, Togan, for tactical surveillance and reconnaissance to Nigeria, and now agreed to export to another African country, Omer Guleryuz, its general manager told Anadolu.

The projects, carried out in the sector under the leadership of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency, have maturated, said Guleryuz.

"We have gained confidence in ourselves, from now on, we are all motivated in exports," he said.

• Iran, Iraq launch cross-border railway line

Construction of a railway line connecting Iran's southwestern Shalamche border town with Iraq's Basra city kicked off in the presence of top officials from both countries.

The ceremony at the joint border in southern Iran's Khuzestan province was participated by Iran's Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani.

Shalamche, one of the key border crossings between Iran and Iraq, is located 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of the Iranian port city of Khorramshahr and 20 kilometers from the southern Iraqi city of Basra.