Rabia Ali
August 28, 2023•Update: August 28, 2023
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including, Russia’s confirmation of Wagner head’s death in plane crash, suspension of amenities to French Embassy in Niger, an investigation launched against Libyan foreign minister, and a ban on abaya in schools in France.
TOP STORIES
Russia has confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the mercenary Wagner Group, was among the 10 who died in a plane crash last week.
In a statement on Sunday, Russia’s Investigative Committee said that it completed the genetic identification of those who died in the private jet that crashed in the northwestern Tver region.
In the crash, an Embraer-135 aircraft went down while traveling from the capital Moscow to St. Petersburg, killing all 10 passengers on board, including Prigozhin and Wagner co-founder Dmitry Utkin.
Niger’s military administration suspended water and electricity to the French Embassy in the capital Niamey, reports on social media said Sunday.
The country’s leadership has also taken similar action at the French consulate in Zinder.
The move came after a two-day deadline given by the military administration to the French ambassador to leave the country expired Sunday.
Amid tensions following the ouster of the West African nation's President Mohamed Bazoum, the administration gave Ambassador Sylvain Itte 48 hours to “leave Nigerien territory."
Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh suspended Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush on Sunday after she secretly met in Rome with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
On Saturday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said a “historic meeting” was held last week between the foreign ministers of Israel and Libya.
The Libyan Foreign Ministry later released a statement saying the meeting between al-Mangoush and her Israeli counterpart was “not official.”
The North African country does not recognize Israel and does not have diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.
France plans to ban female students from wearing the abaya in schools, the country's education minister said on Sunday.
Gabriel Attal told broadcaster TF1 that the government intends to convey "clear rules" on the matter to school officials across the country.
The decision is the latest in several limitations on Islamic clothing in France.
Critics say the government has targeted Muslims in recent years, as raids on mosques and charitable foundations, and an "anti-separatism" law slaps wide-ranging restrictions on the community.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa was declared winner for another five-year term after observers condemned the country’s election which the Southern African Development Community said was marred with irregularities.
- Seawater radiation levels are below "detectable limits," off Japan days after the country started releasing treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, Tokyo said on Sunday.
- A total of 514 irregular migrants arrived in Spain's Canary Islands in a 24-hour span on Sunday, sailing from North Africa on five boats, local media reported.
- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Sunday praised the cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Turkish armed forces as he received Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler in Baku.
- An international media watchdog on Sunday called on the Indian government to release Kashmiri journalist Aasif Sultan, who has been imprisoned for five years.
- Cyclone Saola intensified into a super typhoon on Sunday, raising the risk of heavy rains along with strong winds, flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, the country's official weather agency said.
- Under “tough” plans announced by the prime minister late Saturday, the UK's “most depraved” killers will face life behind bars with no chance of being released.
SPORTS
West Ham United announced Sunday the signing of Ajax Amsterdam player Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghanaian midfielder signed a five-year contract with the English Premier League side, according to a statement.
"I've been dreaming to play in a league like this since I was a kid," said Kudus. "I've been dreaming of this moment and I'm so happy to be here."
Kudus bagged back-to-back Dutch league titles with Ajax in 2021 and 2022.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation on Sunday appointed Roberto Mancini as head coach of its national team.
The Italian coach's arrival was announced with a video on the Saudi National Team's official account on X.
Besides bagging three Italian Serie A titles with Inter Milan, one English Premier League title and one FA Cup with Manchester City, Mancini also led Italy to a EURO 2020 title.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo landed in Beijing on Sunday, to hold talks with her Chinese counterparts.
This is the first such trip by any top American commerce official in the past seven years.
The visit comes amid tense trade relations between the world's top two economies as Washington moves to block Beijing's access to advanced technology, including semiconductors.
