ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including the indictment of former President Donald Trump, the latest on the Ukraine dam explosion, and a new EU agreement on migrant policy.

TOP STORIES

• Former President Trump indicted in classified documents case

Former US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has been indicted on criminal charges in connection with the retention of classified government documents.

Trump, who is a declared candidate for the 2024 presidential election, railed against the legal action on his social media platform, claiming: “I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!”

The Washington Post reported that Trump faces a seven-charge indictment over the classified documents, including the illegal retention of government secrets, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.

• Thousands affected by Ukraine dam destruction as water level drops

Around 16,000 people have been affected by flooding in areas controlled by Ukraine after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, the UN refugee agency said.

Following the Kakhovka dam explosion, water levels at the reservoir dropped below the “dead” point of 12.7 meters, said the head of Ukraine’s hydropower generating company. He added that water could no longer be withdrawn for settlements or for cooling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday accused each other of damaging the Kakhovka dam.

• EU reaches deal on asylum system

After years of gridlocked talks, the EU’s 27 member states reached an agreement Thursday to reform the asylum system.

Officials from member states agreed on a general approach on the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation and the Asylum Procedure Regulation, said the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he is pleased with the agreement as his country will not be the collection center for immigrants on behalf of Europe.​​​​​​​

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Over 13.6 million children are in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian support in Sudan since conflict erupted there on April 15, said the UNICEF on Thursday.

• Air quality alerts continued across Canada as smoke from hundreds of wildfires blanketed the country and millions of Canadians have been told to stay indoors. As of Wednesday, 414 wildfires were burning.

• Taiwan categorically denied that it is part of tripartite plans to share intelligence gathered by naval reconnaissance drones with the US and Japan.

• Four children and two adults were injured in a knife attack on a playground in eastern France, local media reported. The suspect in the attack was arrested.

• A new proposal to resolve the crisis in Kosovo calling for the creation of an association of municipalities with a Serbian majority was suggested by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

• A group of students in Indian-administered Kashmir staged a protest after they were barred from entering school premises for wearing veils.

• Food aid to Ethiopia has been halted after a "widespread and coordinated campaign" to steal contributions was discovered, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Thursday.

• A Russian citizen was killed in a shark attack in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Hurghada, according to authorities. Citizens were urged to remain vigilant while swimming.

SPORTS

• Swiatek to face Muchova in French Open women's final

Polish top seed Iga Swiatek will play against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova in the 2023 French Open women's singles final on Saturday.

Defending champion Swiatek beat Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia with sets of 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) as Muchova eliminated World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka with the sets of 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 7-5.

• Football fans enjoy festivities ahead of weekend Champions League final

Residents of Istanbul are elated that their city will be hosting the biggest football event of 2023, the Champions League final, with the attendance of thousands of football fans from around the world.

The final between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be held at Atatürk Olympic Stadium on Saturday, but events, festivals, and competitions for the fans already started at Yenikapi Festival Park.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• India’s crude imports from Russia soar to new peak

India’s crude oil imports from Russia hit a new record of over 2.15 million barrels per day in May, a staggering 1,500% rise from March 2022 levels, according to data compiled by Anadolu.

The figure hit a new all-time high of 2.15 million barrels a day this May, making India the largest buyer of Russian crude oil.

• Türkiye names seasoned banker Central Bank governor

Seasoned banker Hafize Gaye Erkan has been chosen to succeed Sahap Kavcioglu as the governor of Türkiye’s Central Bank, the Official Gazette announced early Friday.

Erkan, 41, has top posts at major companies under her belt. She is the first woman under the age of 40 to hold the title of president or CEO at one of America's 100 largest banks.