Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, December 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):

International reactions to fall of Syria’s Assad regime

More international reactions and developments as sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapsed on Sunday when the capital Damascus fell out of the hands of regime control.

Bashar Al-Assad, regime’s head, fled to Russia, where he was offered asylum, as anti-regime groups took control of Damascus.

US President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Russia was not interested in protecting Assad. European countries, including UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Czech, Poland, Italy and Switzerland, said it is “closely” monitoring the situation in Syria and called for an inclusive political process.

The EU hailed the toppling of Assad, urging all parties to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian aid workers.

Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, Bahrain, Algeria, and Palestine, welcomed the choices of the Syrian people, calling for measures to ensure stability, development, and to avoid slipping into chaos.

Besides, Russia said that his departure emerged as an outcome of negotiations held between his regime and forces taking part in the armed conflict, also claiming that Assad gave instructions for a peaceful transfer of power.

For its part, Iran said that the Syrian people should decide the future of their country without foreign interference.

Israel’s reaction to Assad's downfall in Syria

The Israeli army early Sunday deployed additional forces along the buffer zone separating Syria and the occupied Golan Heights, citing concerns of the potential infiltration of armed groups into the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Sunday that the toppling of the Assad regime was a direct result of the Israeli air campaign against Hezbollah and Iran.

"We will not allow any hostile force to position itself on our borders,” Netanyahu said in a recorded speech near the Israeli-Syrian border.

“This area has been controlled for nearly 50 years by a buffer zone agreed upon in 1974, the Separation of Forces Agreement. This agreement has collapsed, the Syrian soldiers have abandoned their positions,” he said.

Israeli warplanes struck weapon depots in southern Syria and the capital Damascus to prevent anti-regime groups from seizing them, Israeli media said on Sunday.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel’s genocidal war continues unabated against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, despite calls by the international community to halt it and save millions of Palestinians facing the threat of daily attacks and crippling siege conditions.

Nearly one million displaced Palestinians in war-torn Gaza are at risk of extreme cold and rain this winter, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned on Sunday.

The Israeli army's demolition of homes, buildings, and residential squares continues in numerous areas across Gaza, pushing people out of their land, homes, and shelters.

The total death toll due to the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip surged to 44,612, with over 105,800 others injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday.

Israel’s escalating blockade, ground invasion in northern Gaza Strip

Israel's over two-month siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, leaving most of the population on the verge of famine.

On Sunday, medical sources told Anadolu that 5 people were killed and several others injured, with some in critical condition, in an Israeli drone attack on a group of citizens near the Gaza Municipality Park in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Day 13 of cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Three civilians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in a new violation of a cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel, Lebanese media reported.

According to an Anadolu tally sourced from Lebanon's official news agency, the Israeli army violated the cease-fire agreement with Lebanon three times on Saturday, bringing the total number of breaches since the deal went into effect to nearly 158.

West Bank raids

Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal settlers' violence against Palestinians and their properties.

The Israeli army rounded up at least 10 Palestinians in military raids in the occupied West Bank, according to prisoners’ affairs groups on Sunday.

Israel has killed at least 808 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Deteriorating security situation in Sudan

Security situation continue amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Intense clashes continue between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in the Blue Nile, Sinnar (southeast), White Nile (south), and Gezira (central) states.

Egyptian President al-Sisi’s European tour

The fifth day of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's indefinite European tour which began on Thursday with a visit to Denmark’s capital Copenhagen.

Al-Sisi will begin his official activities in Norway on Monday, the second stop of his European tour, which and also includes Ireland.

Turkish ambassadors' conference in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will deliver opening remarks at the Turkish Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara.

UK Prime Minister Starmer regional tour

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit UAE on Monday to meet President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. Starmer will also visit Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral relations and developments in the region.

France holding its breath for a new premier, government

The French are waiting for President Emmanuel Macron to appoint a new prime minister after lawmakers toppled Michel Barnier and his government on Dec. 4 with a no-confidence vote.

Macron, despite rumors, did not nominate a successor to Barnier in 24 hours.

In a live address to the nation on Thursday, the president said he would nominate a new premier “in the coming days.”

Political developments in Romania expected

Romania’s Constitutional Court on Dec. 7. annulled the presidential run-off scheduled for Dec. 8, and the results of the 1st round of the Nov. 24 election. Monitoring the developments and reactions from Western and Eastern countries.

The electoral process will be resumed in its entirety, with the government setting a new date for the election of the president. The decision came after the Supreme Council of National Defense on Wednesday declassified secret service documents that showed interference by a "state actor" in the electoral process in Romania.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - end of year press conference

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk holds end of year press conference. He is expected to cover a vast area of situation of human rights and the breaches in Ukraine and Gaza.

Strike in French ports

Workers will launch a two-day strike in ports across the country to demand better wages and other rights. The strike will impact operations including loading and unloading activities.

Serbia protests over 14 dead in collapsed station canopy incident

Serbian people across the county continue to hold protests after a concrete awning at a railway station collapsed on Nov. 1 killing 15 people. Protesters demanded accountability from officials and sought to march to the train station but were stopped by police. A heated confrontation erupted in the Serbian National Assembly between opposition and ruling party MPs over a tragic railway station collapse lives.

The argument quickly escalated into a scuffle, with MPs throwing water at each other. The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad recently announced the detention of 11 individuals, including former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, in connection with the fatal railway station collapse. Vesic stepped down on Nov. 5 following public outrage over the collapse of a canopy at the entrance of Novi Sad Railway Station.

Foreign Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic also tendered his resignation last Wednesday.

Authorities have questioned at least 40 individuals amid allegations of negligence during repair work carried out at the station in 2021.

Serbia’s operations against irregular migrants

Serbian Interior Ministry is organizing operations against irregular migrants near the country's border with Croatia and Hungary to tackle illegal border crossings. The developments to be monitored throughout the week. Internal Minister Ivica Dacic earlier said that the so-called Balkan migrant route toward Hungary has virtually closed, though smugglers are finding alternative pathways.

German institute presents rights report

The German Institute for Human Rights (DIMR) to release its report on the human rights situation in Germany. The report, which will be presented to the parliament, focuses particularly on critical issues such as asylum seekers' rights, and the human rights implications of international raw material agreements.

2024 almost certain to be the warmest year on record - Copernicus report

Copernicus Climate Change Service publishes monthly climate bulletin, which concludes that 2024 is almost certain will be the warmest year on record and the first calendar year above 1.5°C.

Putin to take part in ceremonial event marking Heroes of Fatherland Day

Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in a ceremonial event to celebrate Heroes of the Fatherland Day, where he will present the Heroes of Russia with the Gold Star medal. The ceremony will be held in the Kremlin, with the attendance of over 300 servicepeople and civilians.

CSTO Parliamentary Assembly meeting to take place in Moscow

A meeting of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly to take place in the Russian capital Moscow. The meeting, which will be chaired by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, will notably include discussions on the harmonization of legislation of the CSTO member states in the field of information technology among other topics.

Tensions rise in Georgia as gov't suspends Tbilisi's EU accession talks

Political tensions in Georgia between the government and the opposition rise as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Nov. 28 the suspension of his country's EU accession talks until 2028.

The move has caused major pro-EU protests across the country, including the capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism. Statements to be followed from key figures in the country, as well as international remarks on the situation in Georgia, particularly remarks from Russia and Ukraine, the latter of which imposed sanctions against 19 government figures on Dec. 5.

Ghana’s electoral commission to announce election results

The electoral commission of Ghana is expected to announce official election results of the presidential and legislative elections held Saturday. Former President John Dramani Mahama is reported to have won the presidential polls after opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat. The battle was mainly between Bawumia, and Mahama. Outgoing president Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after serving two official terms in office.

SADC Parliamentary Forum, UN Food and Agriculture Organization to launch food security, nutrition program

The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will officially launch the SADC Parliamentary Alliance on Agrifood Systems, Food Security, and Nutrition. The event will take place in Livingstone, Zambia aimed to address the growing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, and unsustainable agrifood systems in Southern Africa.

Post-election protests continue in Mozambique

Post-election protests are expected to continue in Mozambique where at least 90 people have been killed and 340 injured since demonstrations started on Oct 24. Protests started after the electoral body declared Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front party (Frelimo) as the winner of the Oct 9 elections.

Opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane refused the election results and called for national wide protests. (Reporter Jamal prince Jamal to follow story virtually from Malawi.

South Korea's political crisis deepens amid calls for President Yoon to step down

South Korea's political crisis fomented by last week 's botched martial law is deepening despite failure of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. As prosecution has named the embattled president as a suspect on possible charges of treason, the ruling and opposition parties call on the embattled president to step down. South Korea's arch-rival North Korea still remains silent on chaotic developments.

Bangladeshi, Indian foreign secretaries meet in Dhaka

The foreign secretaries of India and Bangladesh are set to hold a meeting in Dhaka amid growing tensions between the two neighboring South Asian nations after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her escape to India in face of an uprising on Aug. 5. Bangladesh’s foreign adviser Sunday called for strengthening the bilateral relations based on the change in Bangladesh on Aug. 5.

Taiwan begins combat drills

Taiwan launched ‘combat readiness drills,’ in the wake of apparent military activities by Beijing after Taipei detected Chinese naval and coast guard vessels operating near the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific Ocean. Taiwanese military said its units ‘have heightened their vigilance.’

Chinese Foreign Ministry’s regular news conference

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson will address a regular news briefing in Beijing, and is expected to react to situation in Syria and Korean peninsula.

Chinese Premier Li holds ‘1+10’ Dialogue on Economy

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds “1+10” Dialogue with heads of 10 international economic organizations, including New Development Bank, World Bank, International Monetary Fund under the theme of Building Consensus on Development to Promote Global Common Prosperity.

Participating parties exchange views on three topics of seizing opportunities in transformation to promote world economic transition and growth, upholding multilateralism in advancing reform and development of the global economic governance system, and China’s endeavor to further deepen reform comprehensively and break new ground in Chinese modernization.

THE ECONOMY

Geopolitical developments remain important on the world economic agenda. The latest events in Syria are in the focus of economists.

China’s inflation

China to reveal annual inflation figures for November. Its annual inflation was at 0.3% in October and monthly rate was at minus 0.3%.

AmCham awards

In the program organized by the Turkish-American Business Association (AmCham), the best examples of economic cooperation between Türkiye and the US will be awarded in eight different categories.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘We can’t buckle from fear’: US Muslim scholar Omar Suleiman on new Trump era

Interview with Omar Suleiman, a religious scholar and influential figure in the American Muslim community.

The interview focuses on his expectations for Donald Trump’s second term, particularly the incoming president’s domestic and foreign policies, including those related to minority groups and migrants in the US, and international issues such as Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Suleiman also speaks about Muslim engagement in the recent US elections, the community’s plans for pro-Palestine advocacy, and what possible measures Muslims could take to keep up pressure on the current and incoming administrations.

Alexandrine parrots disappearing from Pakistan’s skies

Report on the declining numbers of Alexandrine parrots in Pakistan, once one of the country’s most common birds.

The story lays out the various threats that have brought the parrots to the global list of near-endangered species, including habitat loss, pollution, poaching and illegal trade. It also has latest and comparative data illustrating the fall in the parrot’s population over past years.

The report includes interviews with environmentalists and wildlife experts Abdur Razzak Khan, Anis Rehman and Sakhawat Ali, along with government officials, who speak about ongoing conservation initiatives and other future measures.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with American Muslim scholar Omar Suleiman about his expectations for Trump’s second term, the Muslim community’s main concerns, and views on the incoming administration’s domestic and foreign policies.