Berk Kutay Gokmen
June 04, 2025•Update: June 04, 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung winning the snap presidential election, the US imposing visa restrictions on Central American officials for a Cuban forced labor medical program, and the Israeli army killing at least 60 Palestinians in attacks across the Gaza Strip
TOP STORIES
- South Korea’s opposition leader Lee elected president in snap polls triggered by martial law
South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was elected as the country’s 14th president in snap polls triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid.
The National Election Commission (NEC) confirmed Lee as president at 6.21 am local time Wednesday (2121GMT Tuesday), according to Yonhap News Agency.
This time South Korea will not see a transition period of 60 days, and instead, the new leader will quickly begin his term, with fresh policy decisions expected on issues including US tariffs, the sluggish domestic economy and all-time low ties with North Korea.
- US imposes visa restrictions on Central American officials for Cuban forced labor medical program
The US announced visa restrictions on several Central American government officials and their families for participating in Cuba's forced labor medical program.
"Today, the Department of State took steps to impose visa restrictions on several Central American government officials and their family members for their nexus to the Cuban regime's forced labor scheme," the State Department said in a statement.
The officials targeted are "responsible for Cuban medical mission programs that include elements of forced labor and the exploitation of Cuban workers," according to the announcement.
- Israeli army kills 60 Palestinians in strikes across Gaza, including people waiting for aid
The Israeli army killed at least 60 Palestinians in attacks across the Gaza Strip, including a strike against civilians waiting to get aid in the southern city of Rafah, the Health Ministry said.
A ministry statement said that an Israeli strike targeting civilians awaiting humanitarian aid at an Israeli-designated aid distribution site in Rafah left 27 Palestinians dead and more than 90 injured.
It said the fatalities occurred in the Al-Alam area of Rafah, where displaced Palestinians had gathered to receive assistance, noting that the toll is preliminary, as many of the injured are in critical condition.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- European Council President Antonio Costa urged Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, describing the situation in the besieged enclave as "catastrophic."
- The family of a man accused of attacking a pro-Israel demonstration in the US state of Colorado has been taken into custody.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations is expected, as both parties recognize the benefits of coming together.
- Israeli forces conducted artillery shelling on the Yarmouk Basin in western Daraa in southern Syria following claims about two rockets fired from the area toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed several decrees confirming a major military reshuffle in the country.
- Qatar reiterated its commitment to supplying Syria with electricity, settling its debts to the World Bank and providing financial support for salaries of public sector workers for three months.
- US President Donald Trump will attend an upcoming leader-level meeting of NATO member countries at The Hague, the White House confirmed.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the loss of Palestinian lives as they attempt to access humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
- A delegation of top Ukrainian officials including Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, met with US special representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg in Washington, DC.
- Iran’s foreign minister said that Tehran will respond to a recent US proposal on the Iranian nuclear program “in the coming days.”
- Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene resigned after losing a vote of confidence in parliament.
- Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed that he would resign following the collapse of the ruling coalition.
- China rejected the "false accusation" of a “China threat” made by the defense chiefs of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines at last week’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
- Brussels Airlines will not resume flights to and from Tel Aviv before June 22, the company announced, citing regional instability.
- A Japanese research institute announced that the final phase of a clinical trial testing a Parkinson’s drug as a potential treatment for familial Alzheimer’s disease has been underway since May.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Türkiye’s monetary policy ‘bears fruits’ in combating inflation: OECD chief economist
Türkiye’s restrictive monetary policy is “bearing fruits” in the country’s fight against inflation and it is vital for the monetary and fiscal policies to be maintained, an OECD chief economist told Anadolu.
Alvaro Pereira said that annual average inflation is expected to be around 30% this year and 18.5% next year, citing forecasts from a preliminary OECD Economic Outlook report.
“Inflation usually has a huge impact on people and on their real incomes, and so bringing down inflation has to continue to be a top priority for Türkiye, and we think that the policy is working,” he said. “It’s important (for) both monetary and fiscal policy to continue in the same way so that you are able to continue to bring down inflation.”
- Turkish stock exchange climbs 2.98% at Tuesday's close
The Turkish benchmark stock index closed Tuesday at 9,277.01 points, up 2.98% from the previous close.
The BIST 100 index, after starting the day at 9,077.01, gained 268.14 points from the close on Monday.
The lowest point for the index during the day was 9,077.01, while the daily high was 9,299.27.
