ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including the Greece boat sinking tragedy, Ukraine advancements in war with Russia, and the first Muslim female federal judge in the US.

TOP STORIES

• Greece boat tragedy: Mounting death toll expected as incident unfolds

Many are feared to have died as a result of the sinking of a migrant fishing boat which capsized near southwestern Greece on Wednesday.

The boat was said to be carrying 700 migrants, mostly from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria. A total of 104 migrants were rescued by authorities, but the number of deaths is expected to climb.

In Athens, hundreds of protesters came out on the streets, chanting, “they turned the Mediterranean into the sea of death.”

Greek authorities held nine survivors on suspicion of human traffickers.

• Ukraine claims counteroffensive ‘advances’ in Bakhmut

Kyiv claimed on Thursday that its forces are “successfully” advancing in multiple directions during a counteroffensive, including towards Bakhmut, a major hotspot in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar claimed that successful offensive actions are being carried out by Ukrainian forces in the direction of Bakhmut, Berdiansk and Mariupol regions.

Russia has increased the number of missile and air strikes, as well as artillery and mortar attacks, adding that Ukrainian forces are facing stiff resistance.

• US Senate confirms first female Muslim as federal judge

Nusrat Jahan Choudhury has been confirmed by the US Senate as the first Muslim woman and the first Bangladeshi American to serve as a federal judge.

The Senate narrowly approved Choudhury's nomination in a 50-49 vote with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. She will now be a US District Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

Choudhury previously served as a legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) rights group, and led efforts to combat racial profiling.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A total of 31.9 million metric tons of grain and foodstuffs have been exported under the Black Sea Grain Initiative since its implementation last July, announced the UN Information Office.

• The European Parliament adopted a resolution urging NATO to invite Ukraine to join the alliance after the war with Russia is over. It expects accession process to begin after end of war.

• Heavy fighting in Sudan between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reached two-months on Thursday, with at least 958 people dead and over 4,700 others injured since April 15.

• At least 15 people were killed in a crash on Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba province, according to media reports Thursday.

• The powerful Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall on the northwestern Indian coast and the southern coast of Pakistan Thursday evening as the two countries evacuated over 175,000 people.

• National security leaders from the US, Japan and South Korea condemned the latest round of North Korean ballistic missile launches, vowing to remain in lockstep with one another in response.

• The EU on Thursday pledged over €2 billion ($ 2.1 billion) in support for Syrian refugees and their host communities as the foreign policy chief vows to keep work with Türkiye on ensuring cross-border assistance to Syria.

• “Why'd you ask such a dumb question?” US president lashed out at a reporter at a question about allegations of FBI informant during an event at the White House.

SPORTS

• UEFA Nations League: Spain beat Italy to set up final clash with Croatia

Striker Joselu’s late winner lifted Spain to victory over Italy to set up a Nations League final against Croatia.

Yeremy Pino broke the deadlock early in the game, before Ciro Immobile equalized from the spot in the 11th minute.

Both the Spain-Croatia final and the third-place match between the Netherlands and Italy will be played on Sunday.

• Lionel Messi scores fastest goal in his career

Lionel Messi netted the fastest goal in his career just 79 seconds into a friendly match against Australia on Thursday.

Argentina won the exhibition match with the help of Messi and German Pezzella at Beijing Workers' Sports Complex.

In the 2-0 win, Messi fired a classy long-range goal on a penalty arc as Enzo Fernandez assisted him.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• European Commission to exclude Huawei, ZTE from 5G networks

The European Commission announced on Thursday that it will not use 5G telecom services provided by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE due to security risks.

Breton said that “only 10 EU member states” had implemented the 5G toolbox recommendations on restricting or excluding suppliers because of posing a security risk for EU governments.

The US, UK, Australia, Japan, India and Canada have recently taken similar steps.

• Subsidies for fossil fuels can be used to finance climate action: World Bank

Subsidies for fossil fuels, agriculture and fisheries that harm nature and economies can be used to finance climate action across the world, according to a report released on Thursday by the World Bank.

Fossil fuel use is one of the major causes of 7 million premature deaths each year due to air pollution, it said in the report, Detox Development: Repurposing Environmentally Harmful Subsidies.