By Rabia Ali
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday with, including heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon, India's ruling alliance winning a parliamentary majority in general elections, Slovenia's recognition of the Palestinian state, and thousands of Palestinians in need of urgent medical evacuation.
TOP STORIES
- Israeli army carries out airstrikes on several areas in southern Lebanon
Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting several areas and towns late Tuesday.
In a statement, Lebanon’s official news agency NNA reported that Israeli fighter jets targeted the southern Lebanese town of Ayta Al-Shaab in Bint Jbeil district. Additionally, the valley between Yater and Zibqin came under a drone strike.
The agency also said that Israeli aircraft hit the valley between Houla and Markaba. Another airstrike targeted the region between KfarKela and Odaisseh, it added.
- India's ruling alliance wins parliamentary majority
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday claimed victory for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), terming it a “historical feat” in the history of the South Asian country.
According to results announced by the Indian Election Commission as of Tuesday night, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 239 seats and was leading in two more in the 543-member lower house of parliament, while the main opposition Indian National Congress got 95 seats and was ahead in another four.
The results showed the NDA alliance was on course to win more than 272 seats, the number required to form the government, while the opposition alliance was set to secure at least 230 seats.
- Slovenia's parliament approves recognition of Palestinian state
Slovenia's National Assembly on Tuesday officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, said Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.
"Today is a historic day! The National Assembly of Slovenia has officially recognized Palestine, making Slovenia the 147th country to do so,” Fajon said on X.
The government endorsed a motion to recognize Palestine last week and sent the proposal to parliament for final approval, needed for the decision to take effect.
- 7,000-11,000 Palestinians need immediate medical evacuation: WHO
A minimum of 7,000 to over 11,000 Palestinian patients need immediate medical evacuations, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Tuesday.
The figure was given by Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, at a meeting in Geneva with the Association of the Accredited Correspondents to the United Nations.
Balkhy said that those patients who need evacuation are required to receive treatment in specialized hospitals.
She also underlined the "significant" ripple effects on Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria as the immediate neighbors of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- At least 15 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes on the Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip, the Gaza Health Ministry said Tuesday.
- UN relief chief Martin Griffiths, who is stepping down due to health issues, said Tuesday he is leaving his position "unfulfilled," as he criticized the global failure to resolve conflicts, use dialogue and uphold the UN Charter.
- On International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the global community to protect the "honor and dignity, as well as the children of Gaza.”
- Qatar said Tuesday that the principles outlined by US President Joe Biden provide a roadmap for a permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
- US President Joe Biden has suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be extending the war for self-preservation, according to an interview released on Tuesday.
- Palestinian death toll from relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza since last October has reached 36,550, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said on Tuesday.
- The medical teams on Tuesday recovered the bodies of 14 Palestinians after the Israeli military vehicles withdrew from the southeastern parts of Gaza City.
- Reiterating the call for a cease-fire in Gaza, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called for "strengthening cooperation" with Türkiye for a lasting solution to Palestine.
SPORTS
- Jannik Sinner moves to his 1st French Open semifinal after beating Dimitrov
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner defeated Grigor Dimitrov to advance to his first French Open semifinal on Tuesday.
In men's singles, the 22-year-old Italian player won the quarterfinal with sets of 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.
- Injured tennis top seed Novak Djokovic withdraws from French Open
Defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the 2024 French Open (Roland Garros) due to an injured right knee on Tuesday.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who won the French Open in 2016, 2021 and 2023, was supposed to face Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Instead, Norway's Ruud received a walkover into the semifinal.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- OECD economies’ share in global GDP stable at 46% in 2021 vs 2017
The share of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries’ economies in the global gross domestic product (GDP) remained stable at 46% in 2021 compared to 2017 with China, the US and India representing almost half of the world GDP.
According to a report released Thursday by the intergovernmental organization, the largest economies among the 38 OECD member states were the US, Japan, Germany, France and the UK.
- Indian stock market plunges as vote count begins
After a six-week election period in India, the stock market plunged as the vote counting signals that the existing government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is not able to win an overwhelming majority as expected.
The early vote count in the Indian general elections on Tuesday showed a lead for the ruling National Democratic Alliance led by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.