ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including the detention of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law decision, reports suggesting the Israeli army is preparing to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, the ICJ’s president resigning after reports of his nomination as Lebanon’s new prime minister, and Qatar saying that a Gaza cease-fire deal is imminent.
TOP STORIES
- South Korea's impeached President Yoon detained for questioning over martial law decision
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained by police, marking an historic first for a sitting leader of the country, the state news agency Yonhap reported.
Investigators detained the impeached president at his residence for questioning related to his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.
A detention warrant was executed at 10.33 a.m. (0133GMT) by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), it added.
The arrest follows a failed attempt on Jan. 3, when agents from the Presidential Security Service blocked investigators from entering Yoon’s residence. Later, a court extended the arrest warrant, which was set to expire on Jan. 21.
- Israeli army begins preparing for withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor: Report
The Israeli army has begun preparing for a withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border while awaiting the completion of a much-anticipated hostage-prisoner swap deal, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported.
"Meetings and situation assessments were held in the Southern Command of the Israeli army over the past 24 hours in preparation for a gradual withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as the cease-fire agreement begins to take effect,” the broadcaster said.
Citing an unnamed security source, KAN said “the Israeli army is preparing to withdraw from the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing shortly after the agreement is signed.”
- ICJ president resigns after reports of his nomination as Lebanon’s new premier
Judge Nawaf Salam, president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stepped down from his position as a member of the top UN court with effect from the same day of his resignation.
Judge Salam’s resignation comes nearly two years before the scheduled end of his term as both a member and president of the court, which was set to expire on Feb. 5, 2027.
His departure coincides with reports of his nomination as Lebanon’s new prime minister.
According to media reports, Lebanon’s recently elected president has tasked the esteemed diplomat and jurist with forming a new government.
- Gaza cease-fire negotiations in ‘final details,’ agreement ‘imminent’: Qatar
Qatar said Gaza cease-fire negotiations are in their "final details" and that announcing an agreement is “imminent.”
“A draft agreement has been handed to both Hamas and Israel and major obstacles on key contentious issues between the two sides have been addressed,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a press conference in Doha.
“Current discussions in Doha are focused on finalizing the remaining details,” he added.
Ansari said the implementation of the Gaza cease-fire agreement will occur “very shortly after it is finalized.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a prisoner swap deal with the Palestinian group Hamas could be finalized in a matter of “days or hours.”
- Italy’s foreign minister expressed optimism about an imminent cease-fire in Gaza, viewing it as a potential catalyst for broader peace efforts across the Middle East.
- A new Irish government is on the horizon after the Regional Independent Group (RIG) struck a deal with the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties, securing its support for the coalition, according to local media reports.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark announced a new mission, Baltic Sentry, aimed at protecting critical undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region.
- The Palestinian Ministry of Health is preparing to receive prisoners who may be released as part of a much-anticipated prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas which has reportedly reached its final stages of negotiation.
- Russia has sought urgent consultations with Serbia following the imposition of US sanctions on the Balkan state’s energy sector, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the US of planning to sabotage the TurkStream gas pipeline, which transports energy resources from Russia to Türkiye.
- Germany announced its strong support for UN-led efforts to assist in the investigation and prosecution of Bashar Assad regime officials responsible for war crimes and human rights violations in Syria.
- The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement said a high-level delegation will arrive in the Qatari capital Doha to take part in finalizing the details of a potential cease-fire agreement in Gaza.
- France’s Prime Minister Francois Bayrou stressed the need for a “strategic Europe” to avoid submission to other powers, particularly the US.
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of overcoming obstacles and showing flexibility to secure a cease-fire agreement in Gaza.
SPORTS
- Danish defender Simon Kjaer retires from football
Danish defender Simon Kjaer announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
“I have finished an adventure. A new one can begin. From my heart: Thank you to everybody I have played with and worked with in my career,” he said on X.
“And to all of you: I am forever thankful for your support; in my clubs and for Denmark. It has been a pleasure, an honour, and a privilege,” he added.
- Paris Basketball snaps losing streak with win over Anadolu Efes
Paris Basketball ended its five-game losing streak in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with a hard-fought 88-84 win over Anadolu Efes in Round 21, improving to a 12-8 record.
The Istanbul side suffered its second consecutive loss under its new coach Luca Banchi, dropping to 13th place in the league with a 10-11 record.
Despite a sluggish start, Anadolu Efes rallied from a nine-point deficit to lead 39-37 at halftime. The second half saw multiple lead changes before Paris sealed the win with a three-pointer from Finnish forward Mikael Jantunen with 42 seconds left on the game clock.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US’s new AI chip export regulation faces backlash in EU
The US announced a new regulation this week that restricts exports of artificial intelligence (AI) chips, which has created concern among European Union officials.
The regulation limits the number of AI chips countries can purchase except for allies without restrictions, which include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK.
- Barrick suspends operations at Mali mine
Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation said it has suspended operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali.
Barrick said the Malian government had moved its gold stock from the Loulo-Gounkoto site to a bank, preventing the shipment and sale of the gold.
“As a result, Barrick has regrettably initiated the temporary suspension of operations while it continues to work towards a resolution,” said the world’s second-largest gold miner by market capitalization.
