Morning Briefing: Aug. 13, 2023

By Merve Berker

Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including the latest on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, developments regarding regional elections in Malaysia and the 32nd straight week of protest in Israel against judicial overhaul.

TOP STORIES

• Russia says Ukraine launched 'terrorist attack' on Crimean Bridge

Russia said Ukraine attempted to strike the Crimean Bridge with a S-200 missile but the missile was detected and shot down. “Today, the Kyiv regime attempted to launch a terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge with an air defense guided missile S-200, converted into a strike version. The Ukrainian missile was promptly detected and intercepted in the air by Russian air defense systems. There were no damage and no injuries,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

• Around 60% of voters cast ballots in Malaysia's regional elections

Sixty percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Malaysia’s regional elections, according to media reports. The Election Commission said voter turnout in the states of Terengganu and Kedah were 70% and 68%, respectively, the highest turnout in elections being held in six of Malaysia’s 13 states, said the daily Malay Mail. Nearly 10 million people will elect 245 lawmakers in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah states, where regional assemblies were dissolved in late June.

• Israelis continue to protest judicial overhaul for 32nd straight week

Israeli protesters took to the streets again to protest the coalition government's judicial overhaul. Demonstrators have organized mass protests every Saturday against the far-right coalition government's judicial overhaul and conservative policies led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This Saturday marked the 32nd straight week of protests.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Russia said Ukraine launched a massive attack on the Crimean Peninsula using 20 drones.
• With 25 more casualties in Lahaina, the death toll from wildfires in the US state of Hawaii rose to 80, according to media reports.
• Pakistan President Arif Alvi signed an order to appoint Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar as caretaker prime minister to hold general elections.
• Six people were killed and 50 rescued after a migrant boat capsized while crossing the English Channel, according to French authorities.
• A Russian Su-30 fighter jet crashed in the western Kaliningrad region, killing the entire crew, the Defense Ministry said.
• The EU welcomed the completion of the oil transfer from the FSO Safer decaying ship in Red Sea waters off the Yemeni coast.
• Temperatures in Baghdad, which averaged between 45C and 48C in July, rose to 50C.
• Ukraine accused Russia of launching a strike in Kryvyi Rih in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region.
• Members of the ultranationalist group, Danske Patrioter, or Danish Patriots, burned a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen.
• Pope Francis expressed his condolences in a Telegram post for the murder of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged joint control of the situation in the region, following tension caused by the spraying of a Philippine ship on a reef near the Spratly Islands last week.
• Dozens were killed in tribal clashes in the Darfur region in western Sudan.

SPORTS

• Bayern Munich sign England star Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur

Bayern Munich signed England star Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur, one of the big transfers of the 2023 summer. "FC Bayern have signed Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. The 30-year-old England striker has agreed terms with the German record champions until 30 June 2027 and will wear the number 9 shirt for the Munich club," the German powerhouse said in a statement.

• Australia, England reach FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals

Australia and England qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals. Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 on penalties after regular and extra time ended 0-0 in Brisbane.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Migrants wait for jobs at New Jersey's day labor market

Migrants, who take long and dangerous journeys in pursuit of the "American dream,” are looking for day labor with low wages in the US state of New Jersey. The migrants, including those who are illegal and asylum-seekers, take their backpacks in the early morning and line up on the roadside near areas near New York City.