ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday with, including outgoing US President Joe Biden stating that a cease-fire proposal for Gaza is nearing "fruition," Lebanon's president naming ICJ judge Nawaf Salam to form new government, and dozens more Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza.
TOP STORIES
- Biden says Gaza cease-fire proposal nearing 'fruition'
Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Monday said that a cease-fire proposal for Gaza he outlined in May is nearing "fruition."
"We're on the brink of the proposal, laid out in detail months ago, finally coming to fruition," Biden said during a foreign policy speech at the State Department. "I have learned many years in public service to never, never, never, ever give up."
Noting his recent phone calls with Egyptian and Qatari leaders, Biden said the proposed deal would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel and allow a surge in humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Earlier Monday, Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sulivan said there was a possibility that a cease-fire for the embattled Gaza Strip could be reached this week before Biden leaves office.
- Lebanese president names ICJ judge Nawaf Salam to form new government
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun named International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge Nawaf Salam to form a new government.
The move came after Salam secured the backing of 84 lawmakers in the 128-seat parliament. The Lebanese president invited Salam to form the country’s new government, Presidency Director General Antoine Choucair told a news conference in Beirut.
Salam is currently outside Lebanon and is set to return on Tuesday, he added. Choucair said 84 lawmakers supported Salam to form the new government, while nine voted for caretaker Premier Najib Mikati to form the cabinet.
Once the prime minister is designated, the government formation process begins, which can take a long time due to Lebanon's complex political and sectarian landscape. According to the Lebanese Constitution, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the parliament speaker a Shia Muslim.
- 53 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza
At least 53 Palestinians were killed and several injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip Monday, medical sources told Anadolu.
The attacks targeted people gathered at many points in northern Gaza, as well as a school where displaced civilians were taking shelter.
The bodies of Palestinians killed in attacks carried out by Israeli warplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were delivered to hospitals.
The Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 46,500 people, most of them women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Israel’s Security Cabinet is expected to meet Tuesday to approve a cease-fire agreement in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Authority Kan reported Monday.
- The Turkish intelligence chief and Hamas Political Bureau officials agreed on Monday to maintain efforts toward a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
- Cuba has filed a declaration that it will join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, the court announced on Monday.
- A strong earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Monday evening, with local authorities issuing a tsunami warning.
- The Philippines said Tuesday that China's deployment of its largest coast guard vessel inside Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is "illegal."
- US President Joe Biden said Monday that rebuilding Los Angeles following devastating wildfires will cost tens of billions of dollars.
- North Korea launched several suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, South Korea said Tuesday.
- UK police said Monday that they will prevent pro-Palestinian protesters from marching to the BBC’s headquarters in London, despite a change in the route by the organizers.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken a conciliatory tone, expressing a willingness to collaborate with US tech billionaire Elon Musk and other industry leaders in a bid to make the UK a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI).
- India summoned Bangladesh’s top diplomat Monday, a day after Dhaka summoned India’s high commissioner to protest the installation of barbed wire fencing along the countries’ shared border, calling it a "violation of international law."
SPORTS
- Tyson Fury retires from boxing following loss to Oleksandr Usyk
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing Friday, following his December loss to Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk for the second time.
"I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing," Fury, nicknamed the "Gypsy King," said in a short Instagram video. "It's been a blast. I have loved every single minute of it, and I'm going to end with this — Dick Turpin wore a mask!"
- NBA fines Anthony Edwards $50,000 for obscene gesture
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $50,000 for making obscene gestures toward a game official, the NBA announced Monday.
The incident took place in the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ narrow 127-125 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Saturday.
The fine marks the fifth disciplinary action against Edwards this season, bringing his total penalties to $285,000. His previous infractions were primarily for inappropriate language.
Earlier this season, Edwards was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture during the Timberwolves' Nov. 15 win over the Sacramento Kings.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- China considers selling TikTok’s US operations to Elon Musk: Bloomberg
China is looking at a potential option that involves selling TikTok's operations in the US to tech-billionaire Elon Musk to keep the app from being effectively banned, Bloomberg News reported Monday.
Chinese officials prefer that TikTok remains under the ownership of parent ByteDance Ltd., Bloomberg said, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Last week, the US Supreme Court signaled that it will uphold a ban on TikTok by Jan. 19 — a day before President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office — over national security concerns about China.
- Greenland says it’s ready to cooperate with Trump
Greenland’s prime minister said Monday that his country is ready to increase cooperation with the US under the leadership of President-elect Trump, local broadcaster KNR reported.
“We have the doors open in relation to mining. This will also be the case in the coming years. We have to trade with the US,” said Mute B. Egede.
"We have begun to start a dialogue and look for opportunities for cooperation with Trump," he added.
Egede acknowledged that countries will try to engage with Greenland in the coming years due to its important geo-strategic position.
