Rabia Ali
12 February 2024•Update: 12 February 2024
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including the killing of dozens of Palestinians in Rafah in Israeli attacks, concerns over Israel’s potential ground offensive in the southern city, Finland’s former premier winning presidential election, and final results of Pakistan polls.
TOP STORIES
More than 100 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported early Monday.
The Israeli army on Sunday approved a plan for a ground offensive in in the southern city, which is home to more than 1 million residents seeking refuge from war, according to public broadcaster KAN.
Various countries continue to express concerns over Israel’s plan to launch ground offensive in Rafah, saying that it would lead to a human catastrophe.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry warned of dire consequences said in a statement, saying: “Targeting Rafah, along with Israel’s continued policy of obstructing access to humanitarian aid, is an actual contribution to implementing the policy of displacing the Palestinian people and liquidating their cause.”
US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should not proceed with a military operation without ensuring people's safety.
Denmark, Netherlands and France have also expressed concerns.
Finland's former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb became the Nordic country’s 13th president after defeating former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto in Sunday’s election.
Stubb, of the conservative National Coalition party, secured 51.6% of the vote, while Haavisto of the Green Party received 48.4%.
He described his victory as “the greatest honor” of his life, saying the task is bigger than the person.
Candidates, mostly linked to jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, won the most seats as Pakistan’s election commission announced on Sunday final results of the Feb. 8 general elections.
The final tally was released nearly three days after voting concluded on Thursday, a delay that raised questions about the counting process.
The independents backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf got 101 seats, followed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz winning 75, while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People's Party managed to grab 54.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The Israeli military said two hostages being held by Hamas in Rafah "rescued during an overnight mission."
- Egypt is said to have warned Hamas that Israel will move with a ground invasion of Rafah within two weeks if no hostages swap agreement reached.
- Two Israeli hostages killed and eight others seriously injured in Israeli airstrikes in the last three days in the Gaza Strip, Hamas said.
- A senior Hamas official said Israel's possible ground invasion of Rafah will undermine negotiations on release of hostages.
- At least three patients died at the Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip after the Israeli army prevented oxygen from entering the facility, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.
- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin re-admitted to a hospital with an unspecified bladder issue after being treated for prostate cancer in December.
- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Council President Charles Michel reacted to former US President Donald Trump's remarks that he would not intervene in any Russian attack against allies that did not fulfill their financial obligations to the military alliance.
- Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists temporarily occupied the world-renowned Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City over the weekend to protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza.
SPORTS
Defending champions Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime at Super Bowl LVIII to win their third title in five years.
The Chiefs also became back-to-back champions, a feat last achieved by the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004.
Ivory Coast won the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
Nigeria’s skipper William Troost-Ekong scored seven minutes before halftime, but Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie's bouncing header equalized the score in the 62nd minute.
Haller completed Ivory Coast's comeback in the 81st minute.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Jordan and Iraq signed a document on Sunday to supply Baghdad with electricity.
Under the agreement reached in Amman, Jordan will feed Iraq with a capacity of 40 megawatts in the first phase.
“The move comes as part of efforts by Jordan and Iraq to begin establishing a joint electrical connection, which will contribute to enhancing energy exchange on both sides,” said Amjad al-Rawashdeh, head of Jordan’s National Electricity Company.
The United Arab Emirates signed an agreement to launch an air taxi service by 2026.
This will make Dubai the world's first city to launch a commercial, city-wide electric aerial taxi service.
The official Emirates News Agency (WAM) announced on X that the Joby Aviation S4 aerial taxi is designed to accommodate a pilot and four passengers and have zero operating emissions.
