ISTANBUL 

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including, search widens for a tourist submersible, explosion at a Chinese restaurant and a meeting between Turkish and US officials.

TOP STORIES

• New noises heard as search for Titanic submersible widens

More banging noises were heard early Wednesday after first being detected a day earlier, the US Coast Guard said. The source of the sounds has not yet been ascertained.

Additional resources are being brought by a group of first responders to scour above and below the ocean’s surface as the search for the tourist submersible expands, said Capt. Jamie Frederick.

Five people were onboard, including a British billionaire, a French diver and a Pakistani businessman and his son, who were on their way to see the Titanic wreckage.

• Blast at restaurant in northwestern China kills 31

An explosion at a barbecue restaurant in China’s northwestern city of Yinchuan claimed the lives of at least 31 people, state media reported on Thursday.

Xinhua news agency said the blast was caused by a leaking liquefied petroleum gas tank in the restaurant.

Seven others were injured and are receiving treatment, the news agency said.

The blast reportedly took place around 8.40 p.m. local time Wednesday while people were gathering for the start of the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

• Turkish foreign minister meets US secretary of state in London

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss various issues, including Sweden's accession to NATO, defense cooperation, and bilateral ties.

The talks took place in central London, where the two counterparts had arrived to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Fidan told reporters that they were in London to demonstrate support for Ukraine.

For his part, Blinken said: "There's so much the US and Türkiye are doing together on the most essential, vital issues."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 29 people were injured Wednesday, including four in serious condition, in a massive explosion that rocked central Paris, according to media reports.

• Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she is aligning with fellow progressive lawmakers in a decision to boycott Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s joint address to the US Congress.

• Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new policy of visa restrictions on Wednesday targeting foreign government officials and agents who help fugitives accused of crimes evade the US justice system.

• Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday blacklisted 48 Australian nationals in response to "politically motivated sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities by the Australian government."

• Italian lawmaker Andrea Cozzolino was released on parole after being accused of corruption, local media reported Wednesday. Cozzolino, a member of the European Parliament, denied the charges.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern Wednesday over the ongoing violence and loss of life in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg agreed Wednesday to fight Twitter owner Elon Musk in a cage match, accepting his challenge in a post on social media. "Send Me Location," Zuckerberg said in an Instagram post.

SPORTS

• UEFA suspends Roma head coach for 4 games

UEFA suspended Roma head coach Jose Mourinho for four matches after he abused a referee following the Italian club's defeat to Sevilla in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final.

Record holders Sevilla won their seventh Europa League title May 31 after the Spanish club beat Roma. Mourinho fumed at official Anthony Taylor in the parking lot after the match.

• German midfielder Toni Kroos extends contract with Real Madrid

German midfielder Toni Kroos on Wednesday extended his contract with Real Madrid for a year and will stay with the club till June 30, 2024.

The 33-year-old, in his nine seasons as a Real Madrid player, has helped win many titles including four Champions League and five Club World Cups.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Istanbul Airport hosts nearly 1.5M planes in 4.5 years

Officially opened on Oct. 29, 2018, on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, Istanbul Airport has served nearly 1.5 million planes so far.

According to data compiled by Anadolu, some 209.8 million passengers have traveled through the mega airport since its opening.

• Supply chain issues contributed to US inflation

Supply chain pressures contributed to consumer price inflation in the US, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

"Evidence suggests that supply chain pressures pushed up the cost of inputs for goods production and the public’s expectations of higher future prices,” it said in a report.​​​​​​​