Morning Briefing: September 8, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including, arrival of delegations in India for the G20 summit, clashes at refugee camp in Lebanon and condemnation of US by Russia over supply of uranium shells to Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• Delegations arrive in India ahead of G20 summit

Heads of delegations continued to arrive in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday for the G20 summit, which will be held on Sept. 9-10.

India is set to host the two-day summit under the theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future."

At its core, the G20 is an intergovernmental forum primarily concerned with economic issues, including countries, China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the US, among others.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel were welcomed by Indian officials.

• Renewed clashes erupt at Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon

Clashes erupted late Thursday between the Palestinian Fatah movement and other armed groups at the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp in Lebanon.

Machine guns and shelling were used in the clashes that took place at the Palestinian refugee camp located near the southwestern Sidon city, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency.

The Ain al-Helweh camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon with 50,000 to 70,000 people, last witnessed clashes on July 29.

• Russia strongly condemns US decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium shells

Russia on Thursday denounced the US decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium shells, calling it "very bad news, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

He recalled that the use of this ammunition in former Yugoslavia had "very sad consequences," and said that its usage led to people suffering from cancer and other diseases.

Responsibility for the consequences of the use of depleted uranium shells will lie entirely on the US, he asserted.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Thursday, ruled that the government ban on abaya is legal and rejected an appeal by a Muslim rights group, local media said.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking their first call in nine months and since the current Israeli government's inauguration last December.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit India on Sept. 8-10 to attend the summit of the Group of 20 leaders in the capital New Delhi.
• Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defenses in the key Black Sea port of Odesa to ensure safe navigation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Kyiv searches for alternative routes to export its grain.
• Egypt on Thursday announced the establishment of two logistics zones to address the truck congestion at the Arqin and Qustul land crossings with Sudan.
• Raymond Ndong Sima, an opponent of deposed Gabonese President Ali Bongo, was named transitional prime minister Thursday, according to a decree read on state television.
• Children are migrating through Latin America and the Caribbean in record numbers, accounting for a larger share of the migrant population than other regions in the world, UNICEF warned Thursday.

SPORTS

• France defeats Ireland in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying round

France secured a 2-0 win over Ireland on Thursday in Group B of the Euro 2024 qualifying round.

France's goals came from Aurelien Tchouameni in the 19th minute and Marcus Thuram in the 48th minute at Parc des Princes.

Les Bleus are at the top of the group with 15 points from five matches.

• Cricket World Cup trophy arrives in Afghanistan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) men's one-day international World Cup trophy arrived in Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

The trophy is on a two-day tour on Thursday as part of its worldwide tour ahead of the tournament that will start in October.

Ten teams will be contesting for the trophy, with England defending the title.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Chinese yuan hits 16-year low against US dollar amid economic slowdown

The Chinese yuan on Thursday hit its lowest value against to the US dollar in 16 years.

It was the fourth straight month of decline after a 14.5% drop posted in July, data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed.

• World Bank to accompany Türkiye to help stabilize economy

The World Bank is committed to accompanying Türkiye in the implementation of policies to help stabilize the economy, according to the bank's country director.

"In addition to our ongoing $17 billion program, over the next three years we anticipate preparing and presenting new operations to the World Bank Group’s Board for $18 billion," Humberto Lopez told Anadolu.

This amount includes direct lending to the government as well as support to the private sector, he explained.