Morning Briefing: September 5, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including the Turkish president urging the resumption of the Black Sea Grain deal, Gabon’s new transitional leader, and North Korean's expected visit to Russia.

TOP STORIES

• After addressing deficiencies, Black Sea grain deal should resume: Turkish President Erdogan

The Black Sea Grain Initiative should be resumed after addressing deficiencies that hampered the suspended deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Erdogan was on a day’s visit to Russia's coastal city of Sochi, where the revival of last year's Black Sea grain deal was a top issue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that cooperation between Türkiye and Russia in a wide range of areas is going successfully.

• Gen. Nguema sworn in as Gabon’s transitional president

Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in as Gabon's transitional president on Monday, pledging to "preserve the gains of democracy and fundamental freedoms" following last week's coup.

The Constitutional Court judge administered the oath at the Presidential Palace in the capital Libreville.

Nguema, the head of the Committee for the Transition and the Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), did not specify how long the transition will last or when this transitional government will hold fair and free elections in the country.

• North Korean leader expected to meet Putin in Russia, says report

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss potentially providing Moscow with weapons to support its war in Ukraine, according to a report.

Kim will probably travel from the capital Pyongyang by an armored train to Vladivostok on Russia’s east coast, The New York Times reported, citing US and allied sources.

The potential visit comes days after the White House said Russia and North Korea are "actively advancing" shadowy arms negotiations.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) bloc suspended Gabon's membership Monday following last week’s military coup.
• Niger’s military government is in talks with France aimed at ensuring a rapid withdrawal of French troops from the West African country, the country’s prime minister said Monday.
• Around 1.8 million people are expected to flee war-torn Sudan and $1 billion is needed to meet their needs, the UN refugee agency said on Monday.
• Niger’s military administration reopened the country’s airspace on Monday to national and international commercial flights nearly a month after it was closed after soldiers deposed the country’s elected president.
• Israel decided Monday to indefinitely halt the entry of goods from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, citing concerns over “explosives smuggling."
• The trial of a Russian-born Swede who was arrested last year in a dramatic pre-dawn helicopter raid for allegedly spying for Russia began on Monday, according to local media.
• Ukraine claimed on Monday that Russian drones crashed and exploded on Romanian territory while targeting the Odesa region.
• One civilian was killed and two others were injured in an attack by the PKK/YPG terrorist group in northeastern Syria, local sources said on Monday.
• US First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 late Monday. President Joe Biden also underwent a COVID-19 test but it was negative.

SPORTS

• Defending champion Alcaraz reaches US Open quarterfinals

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz qualified for the 2023 US Open quarterfinals in men's singles on Monday.

The Spanish top seed beat Italy's Matteo​​​​​​​ Arnaldi with sets of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a Round 4 match at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz will next take on either Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner or German world no.1 Alexander Zverev.

• Galatasaray sign Tottenham Hotspur pair Ndombele, Sanchez

Galatasaray on Monday signed Tottenham Hotspur duo Tanguy Ndombele and Davinson Sanchez to strengthen their squad.

The Turkish side confirmed on X that Spurs' French central midfielder Ndombele joined Galatasaray on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

The Istanbul club has a buying option, while his teammate from Spurs, Sanchez, moved to Galatasaray on a permanent deal.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil is falling as traders capitalize on rising oil prices

Oil prices recorded a limited decline on Monday as investors profited from the highest oil prices seen since November and on expectations that Saudi Arabia and Russia's curbs would continue through October.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $88.48 per barrel at 10.21 a.m. local time (0721 GMT), a 0.08% loss from the closing price on Friday of $88.55 per barrel.

• Morocco becomes ‘Sectoral Dialogue Partner’ of ASEAN

Morocco was granted the status of “Sectoral Dialogue Partner” within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday.

The foreign ministers of the ASEAN countries officially approved the move at their meeting in Jakarta, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.