ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including Israel's violation of ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, the escalating crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Serbian prime minister stepping down after months of protests, and US Senate blocking bill to sanction the International Criminal Court.
TOP STORIES
- Seven injured in Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon despite ceasefire
Seven people were injured on Tuesday evening in an Israeli airstrike targeting a town in southern Lebanon, marking another violation of the ceasefire agreement.
“This evening's Israeli enemy airstrike on Nabatiyeh initially resulted in seven injuries,” the Lebanese Health Ministry said in a statement.
Earlier, Lebanon’s National News Agency NNA reported that “an explosion was heard in the town of Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, and flames were seen rising at the site."
Meanwhile, the Israeli army confirmed in a statement that it carried out an airstrike on Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon.
- Democratic Republic of Congo warns of dire consequences if UN fails to intervene in crisis
The Democratic Republic of Congo called for immediate action by the UN Security Council to address an escalating crisis in the country, warning that if it fails to do so, “then it is the street that is going to take charge."
Emphasizing that all necessary measures had been taken to protect diplomatic missions in the country, Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner told the Security Council that "the victims are nothing less than the result of criminal acts that constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes perpetrated by the RDF (Rwandan forces) in complete impunity and with the silence of this Council."
Wagner said her country is "trapped" and noted that in just last 24 hours, over 100 people had been sent to health centers, more than 500,000 had been displaced, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
- Serbian prime minister steps down after months of protests
Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic announced his resignation on Tuesday following months of massive protests sparked by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy in November.
"It is my unconditional decision to resign," Vucevic stated at a news conference.
Vucevic's resignation came just a day after demonstrators, supported by farmers, blocked a major traffic intersection in Belgrade as part of a daylong protest.
The wave of demonstrations began in response to the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad on Nov. 1, which left 15 people dead.
- US Senate blocks bill to sanction ICC
The US Senate blocked a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its arrest warrants against Israeli officials over the war in Gaza.
Senators voted 54-45 on the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act," falling short of the 60 votes required to prevail.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted in favor, and Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff did not vote.
Earlier this month, the bill passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin, 243 - 140, in a signal of strong support for Israel.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The UN on Tuesday reported violent demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with protesters targeting the organization's offices, embassies, and other sites in the capital Kinshasa.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that his army forces will not withdraw from the demilitarized zone recently occupied in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and will stay there “indefinitely.”
- The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed "deep concern" over the implications of the US government's immediate funding pause for HIV programs in low- and middle-income countries.
- WHO warned of a growing risk of cholera spreading to neighboring provinces and countries from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as conflict devastates critical infrastructure and creates fertile ground for infectious disease outbreaks.
- Qatar said that Israeli captive Arbel Yehud held by Palestinian factions in Gaza will be released before Friday.
- A Russian delegation arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, according to Russian media, marking the first visit by Russian officials to Syria since the ouster of the Bashar Assad regime last December.
- US President Donald Trump urged SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday to rescue two NASA astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station since last June.
- Azerbaijan summoned Russian Ambassador Mikhail Yevdokimov on Tuesday over media publications and to discuss an investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight last month that killed 38 people.
- The leader of Israel's Shas Party threatened Tuesday to dissolve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government if he does not intervene to address the issue of military exemptions for Haredi or ultra-Orthodox Jews within the next two months.
- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria and help the country rebuild following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.
SPORTS
- South Korean sports group apologizes to China over Go tournament error
The Korea Baduk Association apologized on Tuesday for the Chinese Go player’s loss in the LG Cup finals held in South Korea, attributing it to "rule violations" stemming from differences in local rules.
The association also announced plans to work with the Japanese and Chinese Go Associations to establish standardized rules for international tournaments, according to the Global Times.
Go, known as Baduk in South Korea and Weiqi in China, is a two-player strategy game involving stone placement on a grid. It is widely popular across East Asia.
The controversy arose during the 29th LG Cup final on Wednesday when Chinese Go player Ke Jie lost after failing to place captured stones in their designated containers, a requirement under Korean rules.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Starbucks' global sales fall in October-December period
US-based coffee chain Starbucks' global sales fell 4% in the October-December period last year, according to the first quarter fiscal year 2025 results released Tuesday.
Fiscal year 2025 begins in October 2024 in Starbucks' financial calendar.
The company's comparable store sales declined 4% in North America, while its sales in China decreased by 6%.
Starbucks' revenue was $9.4 billion for the three months ended Dec. 29, 2024, unchanged compared to the same period of the previous year.
- US stocks end higher as AI-related shares recoup losses
US stocks ended with gains Tuesday.
Stocks connected with artificial intelligence (AI), which saw sharp declines Monday, recovered some losses, while a positive course was observed in equity markets.
The development of the latest AI model launched by Chinese startup DeepSeek using fewer chips and in a shorter time than other international competitors had pulled down shares of global chip companies, especially in the tech field.
US President Donald Trump said he viewed DeepSeek's AI model positively and that it should be a “wake-up call” for the American industry.
