Morning Briefing: May 17, 2024

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including the critical health condition of Slovakia’s prime minister, a fatal explosion in Germany, and the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

TOP STORIES

• Slovakia's premier in critical condition after attempted assassination

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in critical condition following an assassination attempt that unfolded Wednesday in the town of Handlova.

Fico was shot multiple times while engaging with supporters outside a cultural center after a government meeting.

Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said Thursday that doctors spent the night "fighting for his life."

• 3 die in fire after explosion at small shop in Germany

At least three people died and more than a dozen others were injured after an explosion at a small shop in Dusseldorf, Germany caused a massive fire, authorities said Thursday.

The explosion occurred around 2.25 a.m. (0025GMT) local time at a small shop on the ground floor of an apartment building in the Flingern district of the city, a spokesman for the fire department said.

• Gaza death toll climbs to 35,272 with no let-up in Israeli assault

At least 35,272 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the enclave said Thursday.

At least 79,205 other people have been injured in the onslaught, the ministry added in a statement.

“At least 39 people were killed and 64 others injured in four Israeli ‘massacres’ against families in Gaza in the last 24 hours,” it said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• 150 dead, 112 missing as heavy rains, floods wreak havoc in southern Brazil
• China, Russia believe political settlement right way forward on Ukraine, says Xi
• Israeli army raids currency exchange shops in West Bank cities
• Dutch right-wing coalition unveils plans for government
• Israeli army sends additional brigade to Gaza’s Rafah amid offensive
• Hundreds arrested after 3rd night of violent protests in French-ruled New Caledonia
• Death toll from cold lava and floods climbs to 67 in Indonesia
• UK, EU officials continue talks on Gibraltar's post-Brexit future
• Anadolu photojournalist's photo from Khan Younis presented during ICJ hearing
• Polish prime minister receives death threats after shooting of Slovakian counterpart
• Turkish President Erdogan receives Georgian premier in Ankara
• US House passes bill to force Biden to continue Israeli arms shipments
• 4 journalists killed in Gaza as death toll of media professionals targeted by Israel hits 147
• James Webb telescope discovers 2 merging black holes

SPORTS

• Premier League confirms transfer window dates for 2024-25 season

Transfer window dates for the 2024-25 English Premier League (EPL) season have been confirmed.

The Premier League said in a statement that the summer window will open on June 14 and close on Aug. 30.

"To ensure harmonization with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, LaLiga and LFP, who will all close their Summer and Winter windows on 30 August and 3 February respectively," the EPL said in a statement.

• Germany announce national football team for EURO 2024

German national football team manager Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday announced the provisional squad for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2024).

Borussia Dortmund's 35-year-old veteran defender Mats Hummels was left out of the squad, while Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who announced his retirement from the national team in July 2021 but later reversed his decision, has been included.

Manuel Neuer, the experienced goalkeeper for Bayern Munich, who fractured his leg while skiing in December 2022 following the 2022 World Cup, has also returned to the national team.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• UN revises 2024 global growth forecast to 2.7% from 2.4%

The UN revised its global economic growth forecast for 2024 to 2.7%, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects report released Thursday.

The forecast is a 0.3 percentage point upward revision from an earlier estimate of 2.4% in January.

The forecast for 2025 was also revised up 0.1 percentage point to 2.8% from the January expectation of 2.7%.

• US bans imports from 26 Chinese companies amid Uyghur forced labor concerns

The US banned 26 Chinese textile firms Thursday because of forced labor concerns regarding Uyghurs.

The goods produced by the 26 entities, which include cotton traders and warehouse facilities within China, will be restricted from entering the US effective May 17, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement.

Twenty-one of the companies source and sell cotton from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) on the wholesale market, while five source cotton from the XUAR, it said.