Morning Briefing: May 16, 2024

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including the shooting of Slovakia’s prime minister, the EU urging Israel to halt attacks in Rafah, the US planning to provide additional aid to Ukraine worth $2 billion, and the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

TOP STORIES

• Slovakia’s prime minister shot, injured: State-run media

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was rushed to the hospital after he was shot and wounded Wednesday, according to state-run media.

According to the TASR news agency, the incident took place when a man fired several shots in front of the House of Culture in the central city of Handlova, where a government meeting was held.

The attacker was detained, it said.

• EU urges Israel to 'end military operation in Rafah immediately'

The European Union urged Israel to “end its military operation in Rafah immediately,” according to an official statement Wednesday.

“This operation is further disrupting the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, exposure to famine and human suffering,” said a statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's office.

It recalled that more than 1 million civilians took shelter in and around Rafah.

• Blinken announces $2B in additional aid to Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced that Washington would provide an additional $2 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.

Washington has been working "to ensure that Ukraine can deliver on the battlefield," Blinken said at a news conference following a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Pointing out that Kyiv would be receiving more military assistance from the US after Congress passed supplemental funding in late April, he said: "Today, I want to add to that by announcing that we will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing for Ukraine."

• Gaza death toll soars to 35,233 as Israel escalates assault

The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s ongoing offensive on the Gaza Strip has mounted to 35,233, the Health Ministry in the battered enclave said Wednesday.

At least 79,141 other people have been injured in the onslaught, the ministry added in a statement.

“Israeli forces killed 60 people and injured 80 others in five ‘massacres’ against families in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye will 'stand' by Hamas, which is fighting for 'independence,' says President Erdogan
• France to declare state of emergency in overseas territory of New Caledonia amid riots
• US president offers 2 debates against Trump
• Putin arrives in Beijing on official visit
• Choose between peace and war, China tells Taiwan’s president-elect
• Russia claims capture of 3 settlements in Ukraine
• Japanese students demand 'end to military research with Israel'
• 58 dead in Indonesia's cold lava and floods
• Palestinians mark Nakba's 76th anniversary, vow resistance to Israeli expulsion plans
• Israeli defense minister orders to deny Al Jazeera from working in West Bank

SPORTS

• Goal by Vlahovic brings 15th Coppa Italia trophy to Juventus

Juventus beat Atalanta 1-0 on Wednesday, claiming their 15th Coppa Italia (Italian Cup) trophy with a goal by Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian striker found the net in the fourth minute, bringing victory for the Rossoneri at Stadio Olimpico.

Another goal attempt by Vlahovic was disallowed despite going in due to an offside in the 73rd minute.

• Celtic FC clinch 10th Scottish Premiership title

Celtic FC clinched their 10th Scottish Premiership title by hammering Kilmarnock 5-0 on Wednesday.

Danish midfielder Matt O'Riley netted twice, in the 51st and 71st minutes, to rally the Glasgow side to victory at Rugby Park.

Celtic’s other goals were scored by Adam Idah in the fifth minute, Daizen Maeda in the 12th minute and James Forrest in the 35th minute.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US consumer inflation annually rises 3.4% in April, monthly up 0.3%; both slowing down from March

Consumer inflation in the US annually rose 3.4% in April and monthly increased 0.3% as both figures slowed down from March, according to data released Wednesday.

The consumer price index (CPI), which measures changes in the prices of goods and services from a consumer's perspective, came in line with market estimates on an annual basis after rising 3.5% in March year-on-year.

The figure is a sharp decline from the 9.1% annual gain recorded in July 2022, which was the highest since November 1981.

• US charges 2 brothers for stealing $25 million worth of cryptocurrency in 12 seconds

The US Justice Department said Wednesday that it charged two brothers for stealing $25 million in cryptocurrency within approximately 12 seconds.

Anton Peraire-Bueno, 24, of Boston and James Pepaire-Bueno, 28, of New York were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The Justice Department claimed the defendants exploited "the very integrity of the Ethereum blockchain to fraudulently obtain" $25 million worth of cryptocurrency.