By Rabia Ali
ISTANBUL (AA) – Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including, mediation talks between Sudan’s warring generals, the indictment of former US President Donald Trump, and the death of Italy’s former premier.
TOP STORIES
- Kenya to mediate talks between Sudan’s rivals
Kenya will host talks between Sudan’s warring generals to end the conflict, President William Ruto announced at a summit of the region's bloc on Monday.
The process of an inclusive national dialogue would be initiated soon, as a humanitarian corridor will be established to streamline aid distribution.
Since April 15, nearly 1,000 people have died and thousands have been injured due to a conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. Kenya has also backed the IGAD Troika's expansion into Sudan.
- Trump arrives in Florida to face charges
Former US President Donald Trump arrived in Florida state ahead of his arraignment in a federal courthouse on Tuesday for alleged mishandling of classified documents.
He is facing 37 charges, including 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information, most of which are tied to documents seized during an FBI search of his house last year.
Eleven of the charges are related to documents handed over to FBI investigators by Trump's attorney in June.
- Former Italian premier, media mogul Silvio Berlusconi dies
Former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi died on Monday at 86, after dominating Italy’s political scene for more than three decades.
A string of judicial troubles and sex scandals had tarnished his international image.
Berlusconi was admitted to Milan's San Raffaele hospital last week due to complications linked to chronic leukemia.
Expressing condolences, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, “Silvio Berlusconi was most of all a fighter. He was a man who has never been fearful of defending his convictions.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Azerbaijan on Monday after his visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of his first foreign tour after the May 28 reelection.
- Major investments in renewable energy and anti-deforestation projects in Brazil have been pledged by the European Commission, as well as a €20 million (about $21.5 million) contribution to protect the Amazon rainforest.
- The UN is concerned that Russia will not extend Ukraine grain deal beyond July 17 and said they are working hard in order to ensure that the Black Sea Initiative could be maintained.
- The fourth meeting on a permanent joint mechanism between Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden will be held in the capital Ankara on Wednesday, the Turkish Communications Directorate said on Monday.
- US President Joe Biden is doing "fine" after undergoing root canal surgery for the second time in two days on Monday, the White House said.
- A report by a Muslim group in the US has revealed that 98% of the names on an FBI watchlist are Muslims, with 350,000 entries alone including some transliteration of Mohamed, Ali, or Mahmoud.
- An Indigenous First Nation in the province of Manitoba announced on Monday that it is suing the Canadian government for CAN$5 billion (about $3.74 billion) for failing to provide adequate housing.
SPORTS
- Denver Nuggets win their 1st NBA title
The Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship Monday night, eliminating the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5 of the 2023 finals.
Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic, who is also a multi-time NBA All-Star, guided the Nuggets to the franchise's first NBA title after scoring 28 points and taking 16 rebounds in a thrilling match at Denver's Ball Arena.
Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. delivered 16 points and 13 rebounds to contribute to the win.
- Football clubs express sadness over Berlusconi demise
European football clubs on Monday offered condolences over the death of ex-Italian prime minister and AC Milan's former owner Silvio Berlusconi.
"Deeply saddened, AC Milan grieves the passing…” the club said on Twitter.
Berlusconi, who died at 86, was a longtime AC Milan president and the club's owner between 1986 and 2017 who turned the struggling team into a European powerhouse.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
- US posts $240B budget deficit in May
The US posted a budget deficit of around $240 billion in May, the eighth month of the 2023 fiscal year, according to official data released on Monday.
In May, total receipts, or income, were approximately $307 billion against total outlays, or spending, of almost $548 billion, the Treasury Department figures showed.
As for receipts, individual income taxes were $134 billion, while social insurance and retirement came in at $140 billion.
- US regulator to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) applied for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction seeking to block Microsoft from acquiring gaming powerhouse Activision Blizzard, according to a filing Monday.
The deal, if approved, "would continue Microsoft’s pattern of taking control of valuable gaming content," the antitrust watchdog wrote in the filing at US District Court, Northern District Of California, San Francisco Division.
If realized, the $69 billion agreement would be the biggest acquisition in Microsoft's history and for the video game industry.