ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including the implosion of the Titan submersible, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the US Congress, and the blacklisting of the Russian army by the UN.

TOP STORIES

• Titan submersible suffered ‘cataphoric implosion’ killing all five onboard

The missing tourist submersible that was bound for the Titanic wreckage suffered a "catastrophic implosion" killing all five people on board, the US Coast Guard said Thursday.

Debris consistent with the loss of the pressure chamber was found, ending the search operation of the vessel which went missing on Sunday.

On board were British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Soleiman Dawood, French submarine pilot Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, which owned the vessel.

• India's prime minister calls for reform at international institutions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the global order has undergone changes, highlighting the need for reforming international institutions to effectively adapt to them.

In his address to a joint meeting of the US Congress during his two-day state visit, he said that African Union should be given full membership in the G-20, and called for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Modi's remarks received applause from the majority present, although there were some members of the House of Representatives who boycotted his speech.

• UN blacklists Russian army for killing children in Ukraine

The UN has blacklisted Russian armed forces and its affiliated armed groups for killing children and other grave violations in Ukraine, according to a report seen by Anadolu.

"Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups have been listed for attacks on schools and hospitals and for killing children in particular through the use of explosive weapons...” said its annual report on children in armed conflict.

From January to December 2022, around 2,334 violations against 1,482 children were reported, including 91 children who were victims of multiple violations in Ukraine.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the importance of the Black Sea grain deal to global food security and highlighted the adverse impact its suspension would have on food importers.

• At least three people were killed and five others injured on Thursday in an explosion believed to have been caused by a gas leak in a residential building in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, an official said.

• The European Union urged Kosovo on Thursday to suspend police operations in the northern Serb municipalities and announce snap local elections.

• An Afghan boy who was brought to the US after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 passed away while in the custody of the federal government, according to a report.

• US President Joe Biden maintained his position that Chinese President Xi Jinping is a "dictator" on Thursday as he hosted Indian Premier Narendra Modi at the White House.

• The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the ripping up of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, by Israeli settlers who vandalized a mosque in the occupied West Bank.

• Climate change could boost the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe, says a report, as rising temperatures, increased flooding and prolonged summers have led to significant inbreeding of Asian tiger mosquitos.

• Meta is ending Canadian access to news stories on Facebook and Instagram after passing of a law forcing the media giant to pay news outlets for articles it uses, the company announced.

SPORTS

• Edin Dzeko joins Turkish giant Fenerbahce

Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko has joined Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce on a free transfer. The 37-year-old, who was on the losing end with Inter Milan in this month’s Champions League final in Istanbul, has signed a two-year contract that will keep him at Fenerbahce until the summer of 2025.

• Barcelona basketball team condemn racist abuse of player Nnaji

Barcelona basketball team have condemned the racist abuse suffered by Nigerian player James Nnaji before the final against Real Madrid.

According to local media reports, during the teams' arrival at the WiZink center in Madrid, where Liga Endesa final took place, several Madrid fans hurled insults at Barca players, including racist slurs toward Nnaji.


BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• China completes its longest submarine oil and gas pipeline

China on Thursday completed its longest deep water pipeline for transporting oil and gas.

Located approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Sanya City in the southern province of Hainan, the phase II project aims to increase the peak annual output of the Shenhai-1 gas field from 3 billion cubic meters to 4.5 billion cubic meters.

• UK rail union announces fresh strikes

Around 20,000 railway workers in the UK will walk out in July due to a prolonged disagreement over pay, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said on Thursday.

RMT members working across 14 train operating companies will take strike action on July 20, 22 and 29.