Morning Briefing: June 10, 2023

NEW YORK

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including the latest on the indictment of former US President Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine, and the six-month cease-fire between the Colombian government and the ELN rebel group.

TOP STORIES

• Federal indictment unsealed in Trump classified documents case

An indictment against former President Donald Trump was unsealed in court in what marks a historic first of federal charges against a US ex-commander-in-chief.

Trump faces 37 charges, including 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information, most of which are tied to documents that were seized when the FBI executed a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Aug. 8. Eleven of those charges relate to documents handed to FBI investigators by Trump’s attorney in June.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the months-long investigation after he was appointed to the case by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, said prosecutors “will seek a speedy trial on this matter consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused.”

• Russia to start moving nuclear weapons to Belarus in July, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus will start in July.

At a meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Sochi, Putin said the construction of special facilities necessary for the deployment is scheduled to be completed by July 7-8.

Earlier this year, Putin announced Russia’s intention to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, a move he said was in response to growing security risks, particularly related to US nukes in European countries.

• Colombia and ELN rebels agree to national, bilateral cease-fire

The Colombian government and the guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) signed a national and bilateral cease-fire that will last six months.

The deal contemplates a first phase of readiness until July 6 and will officially take effect Aug. 3.

In the presence of President Gustavo Petro, ELN top commander Antonio Garcia, and delegations of the Colombian government and the armed group, the third round of negotiations was held in Cuba.

Cuba congratulated both parties, as did UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who pledged the UN’s continued support for the peace process.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Swiss lawmakers have refused to back a proposal for a $5.5 billion aid package for Ukraine over the next five to 10 years, according to media reports.
• Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi returned to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital after being hospitalized for 45 days last month for a lung infection linked to a previously undisclosed problem of chronic leukemia.
• British ex-Premier Boris Johnson announced his resignation as a lawmaker over claims he misled parliament about breaking coronavirus rules.
• Iran is helping Russia build a new drone factory as Tehran and Moscow continue to deepen military cooperation, the White House said.
• Honduras President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento arrived in China, the first such visit since the Central American nation cut ties with Taiwan and established full diplomatic relations with Beijing in March.
• Japan’s parliament passed a controversial bill that allows the government to deport those “who repeatedly apply for refugee status,” according to local media.
• The Afghan Taliban held military exercises using heavy weapons in the southwest near the Iran border, days after a clash between forces of the two neighbors.
• A Turkish ship that was attacked by armed stowaways was secured by security forces off the southern city of Naples, according to Italy’s defense minister.
• Four indigenous children were discovered after surviving 40 days in the Amazon jungle after their plane crashed.

SPORTS

• Football legends gather for ‘Ultimate Champions Tournament’ in Istanbul

Istanbul hosted the Champions Festival that saw legendary footballers come together for the “Ultimate Champions Tournament” ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final.

The four-day festival featuring Marco Materazzi, Esteban Cambiasso, Patrick Vieira, Roberto Carlos, Lucio, Eric Abidal, Ivan Cordoba, Maicon, Kaka, Christian Karambeu and Michael Essien — took place at the Yenikapi Event Space in the Fatih district.

Turkish legends also participated, including Hamit Altintop, Arda Turan, Nuri Sahin, Semih Senturk and Okan Buruk.

• Novak Djokovic beats top seed Carlos Alcaraz to advance to French Open final

Two-time French Open (Roland Garros) champion, Novak Djokovic, advanced Friday to the men’s singles final in the tournament in Paris.

The third-seeded Djokovic beat world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz from Spain 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinal match at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Alcaraz suffered cramps in the third set which gave Djokovic the lead.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Binance.US suspends dollar deposits after SEC order to freeze assets

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency trading platform Binance’s US subsidiary announced it decided to suspend American dollar deposits.

The decision comes after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed an emergency action application Wednesday seeking a temporary restraining order to freeze assets of Binance.US.

The SEC filed 13 charges Monday against Binance entities and CEO Changpeng Zhao for violating several US securities laws, which included operating unregistered exchanges, broker-dealers and clearing agencies, misrepresenting trading controls and oversight on the Binance.US platform and unregistered offer and sale of securities.

• Türkiye outpaces EU countries in livestock population

Türkiye maintained its leadership among EU countries with 17 million bovine animals and 56.3 million sheep and goats in 2022.

According to data compiled by Anadolu from Eurostat, TurkStat and Statista, Türkiye ranks first among European countries in livestock figures.

The number of bovine animals in the EU fell to 74.9 million in 2022 from 75.7 million in 2021. France had the largest bovine population in the EU with 16.99 million animals. It was followed by Germany with 10.99 million, the UK with 6.6 million and Ireland with 6.55 million last year.

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