Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - Aug. 18, 2022

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

A blast ripped through a mosque in the Afghan capital, with at least 10 casualties reported.

Rudy Giuliani, the personal lawyer of former President Donald Trump, exited an Atlanta courthouse in the US state of Georgia without commenting on his six-hour session before a grand jury investigating interference in the 2020 presidential election.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said he would consider testifying before a US House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

US Rep. Liz Cheney -- one of Donald Trump's fiercest adversaries -- lost her Republican primary in the state of Wyoming against Trump-backed candidate Harriet Hageman.

LeBron James will extend his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for two years, said NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral relations and regional issues with the prime minister of Israel in a phone call amid a decision by the two countries to reappoint ambassadors.

Israel’s prime minister said the renewal of relations with Türkiye is an important asset for regional stability and important economic news for the citizens of Israel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in the Ukrainian city of Lviv for a trilateral meeting with the Ukrainian and Turkish presidents to oversee a recently-brokered grain deal.

A prominent rights group in an open letter to digital platforms expressed concern about "disinformation and threats of violence" ahead of Brazil's presidential election scheduled in October.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance stands ready to prevent an escalation between Kosovo and Serbia because of recent border tensions.

Iran said it is ready for a prisoner swap with the United States.

A former minister with the ruling Nea Dimokratia (ND) party said the surveillance scandal has severely harmed democracy in Greece.

The European Parliament is working with Greek authorities on an investigation into the illegal surveillance of Nikos Androulakis, a Greek EU lawmaker and the leader of the PASOK party, the spokesman for the EU institution’s president told Anadolu Agency.

Germany is under the threat of drought as summer temperatures and reduced rainfall have seen water levels fall further in the Rhine River, a major transportation route.

The Syrian regime denied reports about holding American journalist Austin Tice, who went missing a decade ago while covering the country’s civil war.

Mali accused France of providing information and weapons to terrorists, according to local media.

A coalition of 15 civil society organizations in Niger has expressed disappointment over the deployment of French troops in their country.

North Korea test-fired two cruise missiles towards the Yellow Sea, the South Korean military claimed.

Turkish Airlines has been the “biggest winner” as global aviation and tourism picks up again after the abrupt halt brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a French financial newspaper.

Türkiye’s Communications Directorate held a panel in Paris to emphasize the need for UN Security Council reform.

At least 21 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels surrounded Taiwan, the self-ruled island’s Defense Ministry said.

A major British water company announced a hosepipe ban for the south of England from next week following prolonged heat waves and a drought.

Ukraine’s president has warned Ukrainians to be careful against explosions after blasts Tuesday in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

Billionaire Elon Musk said he has no plans to buy football club Manchester United, hours after sparking an internet frenzy with a tweet.