Russia’s investigation into Prigozhin’s death; Country Garden reports record losses, and more

This is the world in brief from the Economist. Our top stories The Kremlin said a Russian investigation into the plane crash that killed Yevgeny Progozhyn, the boss of the Wagner group, a mercenary outfit, and nine others last week, would consider the possibility that it was downed deliberately. And as the first time, the Kremlin has referred to assassination as a potential cause. This spokesperson said there would be no question of an international investigation. Meanwhile Russia accused Ukraine of launching strikes on targets in six Russian regions, in what appears to be the biggest aerial assault on Russian territory since the war began. Country Garden, one of the world's largest homebuilders, posted a record loss of $51.5 billion yuan or $7 billion in the first six months of 2023, warning that it could default on its debt. The beleaguered Chinese developer missed $22.5 million in coupon payments on August 6th. China's property sector is in crisis. Sales among the 100 biggest developers fell by 33% in July compared with a year earlier. Hurricane Italia made landfall, slamming into Florida and moving on to Southeast Georgia. Those two states, plus North Carolina and South Carolina, have declared states of emergency. Ron DeSantis, Florida's governor, deployed the National Guard and asked residents in low lying areas to evacuate. A 100-year-old oak tree fell on Mr. DeSantis' own house, the governor's mansion. No one was injured. Switzerland unveiled proposals to tighten its money-laundering laws as it seeks to shake off international criticism for its alleged role in facilitating sanctions evasion and other financial improprieties. The measures announced by Carine Calasuta, the finance minister, include introducing a beneficial ownership register for companies. Switzerland's bank holds some $2.4 trillion in foreign assets. Gabon's president, Ali Bongo, appealed for international support while under house arrest. He had declared victory in a presidential vote on Saturday, but army officers claimed to have taken power shortly after his reelection. Mr. Bongo has run the West African country since 2009 following his despotic father, Omar Bongo. CNN announced that Mark Thompson, a former chief executive of the New York Times and director general of the BBC, will become its chief executive and chairman. The American cable news network has suffered a decline in ratings and profits in recent years. Its former chief executive, Chris Lycht, left in June after just 13 months in charge. Mr. Thompson will take up his post in October. Britain's foreign secretary, James Cleverley, met with Chinese leaders during the first visit to Beijing by a high-ranking British official in five years. He declared Britain, quote, open for business and said it would be a mistake to try to isolate China, which is the world's second largest economy, earlier Mr. Cleverley pledged to raise human rights concerns during the meetings. The figure of the day, 12,500, the number of nuclear warheads worldwide, down from 70,400 in 1986.