By Yasin Gungor
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including South Korea’s president declaring martial law, the UN General Assembly agreeing to hold a high-level conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that Syria should not be a source of greater instability.
TOP STORIES
- South Korean president declares martial law to 'eliminate anti-state elements'
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law to “protect the country from North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.”
Following the announcement, Army Chief of Staff General Park An-su was appointed martial law commander. In his first order, he proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” have been banned
South Korea’s Cabinet later backed a motion passed by lawmakers to lift martial law in the country.
A Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo passed the resolution after President Yoon backtracked from his decision to impose martial law.
- UN General Assembly agrees to hold high-level conference on Israel-Palestine conflict
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling to organize a high-level conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Urging the implementation of relevant UN resolutions on the conflict, the resolution reaffirms the need for a two-state solution that will lead to "a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East."
"The Conference will be held from 2 to 4 June 2025 in New York, preceded by a preparatory meeting, to be held in May 2025," it said.
- Syria should not be source of greater instability, Turkish President Erdogan tells Putin
Syria should not become a source of greater instability in the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the phone.
The Turkish president said Türkiye backs Syria's territorial integrity and works for a fair and lasting solution. He added that it is important to open more space for diplomacy in the region and that the Syrian regime must engage in a political settlement process.
Türkiye will continue to maintain its determined stance in fighting the PKK terror group and its extensions that are trying to take advantage of the recent developments in Syria, Erdogan said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The Syrian regime must engage in a "genuine political process" to keep the situation in the war-torn country from declining, Türkiye's president told Iraq's prime minister.
- Delegations from Türkiye and Greece met in Athens as part of the “positive agenda” between the two countries.
- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding "once more" Israel's withdrawal from Syria's occupied Golan Heights to the 1967 borders in compliance with Security Council resolutions.
- Lawyers for US President-elect Donald Trump filed a motion to dismiss an ongoing hush money case against their client, arguing that it disrupts the presidential transition process.
- US President Joe Biden announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian support “for Africans displaced by historic droughts.”
- Namibia has elected its first female leader, with ruling SWAPO party candidate and Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced as the winner of last week’s presidential polls.
- The judge overseeing Hunter Biden's conviction on federal gun charges dismissed the case after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon to his son.
- The Kremlin said that Russia considers Ukraine’s potential NATO membership a threat.
- Georgia’s Constitutional Court rejected President Salome Zourabichvili’s lawsuit to annul the results of a disputed parliamentary election held in October.
- China said BRICS is an important platform for emerging markets and developing countries to cooperate rather than targeting third countries.
SPORTS
- Australian tennis legend Fraser dies at 91
Neale Fraser, a legendary Australian tennis player who won 19 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, died on Tuesday. He was 91.
He claimed three Grand Slam singles titles, winning the US Open in 1959 and 1960 and Wimbledon in 1960.
As captain of the Australian Davis Cup team from 1970 to 1993, Fraser led his country to four Davis Cup victories, securing the prestigious trophy in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986.
BUSINNESS & ECONOMY
- South Korea moves to stabilize markets after lifting of martial law
The South Korean won, which had lost around 3% against the US dollar, began recovering in value following parliament’s intervention in the crisis.
Shares of Samsung Electronics, which tumbled 7.5% initially, closed with a 3.7% loss.
In addition, South Korea's financial oversight body announced its preparedness to allocate 10 trillion won ($7.07 billion) to a stock market stabilization fund at any moment.
- US job openings at 7.44M in September, lower than estimates
US job openings stood at 7.44 million in September, according to Labor Department figures released Tuesday.
The figure was much lower than expectations of 7.98 million.