ISTANBUL 

Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday, including tens of thousands of Palestinians affected by latest evacuation orders from Israel, the US announcing a $2.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine, and Türkiye’s president voicing concern over Israel's escalating threats and attacks on Lebanon.

TOP STORIES

• Around 250,000 people impacted by recent Khan Younis evacuation orders

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Tuesday said about 250,000 Gazans were affected by the recent evacuation orders issued by Israel, and that they are heading towards the West.

"UNRWA estimates that around 250,000 people have been impacted by these orders. Of course, as usual, we expect these numbers to grow," an official of the agency said.

Describing the orders as "another devastating blow to the humanitarian response," Louise Wateridge stressed that making decisions such as where to go is "now impossible."

• US to announce over $2.3B in military aid for Ukraine: Pentagon

The US will soon announce a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than $2.3 billion, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.

At a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon, Austin said the package would include items such as anti-tank weapons and air defense interceptors.

Austin and Umerov are expected to discuss bilateral defense cooperation, regional security issues, and ways to strengthen the US-Ukraine defense partnership during the meeting, which comes ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Washington, DC.

• Turkish president says Israel's growing threats, attacks on Lebanon deeply concerning

Israel's escalating rhetoric and attacks on Lebanon seriously concern Türkiye about the future of region, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

"No state in our region, including Türkiye, can feel safe as long as Israeli aggression under (Prime Minister) Netanyahu's administration is not stopped," Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara.

Commenting on violence and toxic social media after a crime by a Syrian national in Kayseri, Erdogan said Türkiye "will resolve the issue of refugees not based on prejudices or fears, but with a rational, conscientious framework based on realities of the country and economy."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Twelve former US government officials who resigned over the Biden administration's policy on Gaza released a statement calling it a "failure and a threat to US national security.”

• The UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza on Tuesday emphasized the extreme distress faced by Palestinian civilians, saying that Israel's onslaught has "unleashed a maelstrom of human misery."

• Yemen’s Houthi group said Tuesday that it attacked a “vital target” in Haifa in northern Israel with cruise missiles.

• Israeli State Prosecutor Amit Aisman is seeking to open a criminal investigation into National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting violence against Palestinians in Gaza, local media reported Tuesday.

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday that Sudan is grappling with its worst food security situation in two decades.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday denied a US media report suggesting that Tel Aviv might end its war on the Gaza Strip while Hamas remains in power.

• Palestinian group Hamas claimed Tuesday to have killed and injured 16 Israeli soldiers in attacks in Gaza City.

• A judge in Ontario, Canada ordered pro-Palestinian protesters to tear down their tents and clear out of the University of Toronto by 6 p.m. Wednesday.

• The death toll in a stampede in northern Uttar Pradesh, India climbed to 121 on Tuesday, said officials.

SPORTS

• Türkiye beat Austria 2-1 to reach the EURO 2024 quarterfinals

Türkiye beat Austria 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2024) on Tuesday.

Turkish defender Merih Demiral scored in the first minute from a corner kick at Leipzig Stadium in Germany.

Demiral, in one of the best performances of his career, netted another with a header following a corner kick in the 59th minute.

• Netherlands beat Romania 3-0 to reach EURO 2024 quarterfinals

The Netherlands beat Romania 3-0 to reach the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2024) quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo's shot brought the lead to the Netherlands in the 20th minute.

Donyell Malen netted to an empty goal after Gakpo passed the ball to him by clearing almost all Romanian defenders along with the goalkeeper out of his way in the 83rd minute.

Malen scored another one by firing past the goalkeeper after the return of a Romanian corner kick in the 93rd minute.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Fed chair says disinflationary trend resuming, more confidence needed to start monetary loosening

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that inflation in the US shows signs of resuming a disinflationary trend, but the Fed needs more confidence to start monetary loosening.

Powell said the American economy saw solid growth in the first half, while the labor market remains strong, and inflation, after pausing in the first quarter, now shows signs of resuming a disinflationary trend.

• S&P 500 closes above 5,500 record-high level for 1st time in history

The S&P 500 closed Tuesday above the 5,500 record-high level for the first time in history.

The index climbed above that level on June 20 but failed to hold above it. On Tuesday, it added almost 34 points, or 0.62%, to finish the day at 5,509.

The Nasdaq gained 149 points, or 0.84%, to end the session also at an all-time high of 18,028.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​