Morning Briefing: May 19, 2024

ANKARA

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday with, including the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, heavy rains and floods that left 400 dead in Afghanistan, and the Georgian president vetoing a controversial foreign agents bill.

TOP STORIES

• Several killed, injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip

Several Palestinians were killed and injured in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Witnesses at the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip told Anadolu that Palestinians and medical teams "transferred a number of dead and wounded to Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahia and Al Awda Hospital in Jabalia after an Israeli bombing that targeted a gathering of citizens near a school that houses displaced persons."

They said that continued Israeli airstrikes on the camp and its vicinity are posing challenges for medical teams in transporting both the deceased and the wounded.

• Death toll from floods in Afghanistan reaches 400

With 18 more casualties, the death toll from heavy rains and floods in Afghanistan has reached 400, authorities said on Saturday.

At least 18 people lost their lives in the floods in Faryab province on the Turkmenistan border of Afghanistan, while the number of fatalities from floods caused by heavy rains in the country's northern provinces in recent weeks reached 400, Faryab Governorate spokesperson Ismetullah Muradi told Kabul-based Tolo News.

Muradi also mentioned that more than 2,000 hectares of agricultural land have been spoiled, over 1,000 houses damaged, and more than 300 animals have perished.

• Georgian president vetoes controversial foreign agents bill

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said that she vetoed the Bill On Transparency of Foreign Influence passed by the parliament earlier this week.

"Today I vetoed the 'Russian' law. This law is essentially and spiritually Russian. It contradicts our constitution and all European standards, therefore it represents an obstacle to our European path," Zurabishvili said at a press briefing in Tbilisi.

She noted that the vetoed document will be transferred to the parliament today.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hamas’ armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades said that it killed 15 Israeli soldiers in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
• China is investigating its agriculture minister for “suspected serious violations of discipline and law,” state media reported.
• North Korea has tested a new "autonomous navigation system” for the firing of ballistic missiles, state media reported.
• The Israeli army claimed that its warplanes bombed a missile launch pad and military buildings used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
• The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital reported that bodies of 28 Palestinians, including children and women, arrived at the hospital following an Israeli bombing near the facility in the northern Gaza Strip.
  
• At least 29 people were injured in a clash that occurred Friday night in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, the country's Health Ministry said.
  
• The Russian army has captured the settlement of Staritsia located in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region, the Defense Ministry claimed.
  
• Vietnam appointed Minister for Public Security To Lam as the state president, the country's Communist Party announced.
  
• Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of London for the 14th national demonstration for Palestine, marking the 76th anniversary of the Nakba.
  
• The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Houthi group in Yemen launched a ballistic missile into the Red Sea, striking a Greek-owned oil tanker.
  
• The Israeli army said that it has found the body of another Israeli hostage in the Gaza Strip, who was killed in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
  
• The number of journalists killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip increased to 148.

SPORTS

• Phil Foden wins English Premier League Player of Season award

Manchester City's Phil Foden has been named the 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Season.

"To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of," Foden said on Man City's official website.

"The Premier League is acknowledged as the greatest league in the world, and it is a pleasure to have been nominated with so many other great players who have all enjoyed special seasons for their clubs," he added.

Foden, 23, who is the Academy graduate, scored 17 goals and claimed eight assists this season.

• Turkish Super Lig club Antalyaspor appoints Alex De Souza as manager

Turkish top-division club Antalyaspor appointed Alex De Souza as manager on a two-year contract.

Speaking to Anadolu, the deputy president and spokesperson Evren Alkan said that their discussions with Alex De Souza, a former player for Fenerbahce, concluded successfully.

"We have signed a two-year contract with Alex. Mehmet Aurelio and two Brazilian coaches will assist him. Additionally, Mehmet Arslan will serve as the goalkeeper coach," he added.

• Bayer Leverkusen becomes 1st team to complete Bundesliga season unbeaten

Bayer Leverkusen became the first team in the history of the Bundesliga to complete a full season without a loss.

Crowned champions for the first time in the German top tier, Leverkusen completed their historic campaign with a 2-1 win against Augsburg to extend their undefeated streak in all competitions to 51 matches.

Playing at BayArena, Victor Boniface and Robert Andrich each scored for the winning side while Augsburg's only goal came from Mert Komur.

Bayer Leverkusen finished the Bundesliga on 90 points with 28 wins and six draws, 17 points ahead of second-placed Stuttgart.