Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Developments in Syria after Assad regime collapse

Latest developments and updates in Syria after the appointment of Mohamed Al-Bashir as head of the transitional government and his assumption of power following the overthrow of the Baathist regime of Bashar al-Assad.

On Sunday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen arrived in Damascus to engage in discussions aimed at advancing the political process and addressing the challenges facing the war-torn country.

One of the immediate challenges Pedersen identified is re-establishing state institutions to ensure the delivery of basic services, law and order, and security.

The UN official is scheduled to meet with Syrian authorities and other stakeholders during his visit, with further updates expected following these engagements.

Israeli actions following Assad's ouster in Syria

Israel’s reactions and steps in the aftermath of the Assad regime's downfall in Syria as it monitors unfolding developments in the neighboring country.

On Sunday, the Israeli government unanimously approved a plan proposed by its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to bolster Israeli settlement in the Syrian Golan Heights, with a budget exceeding 40 million shekels (nearly $11.2 million), taking advantage of the new developments in Syria.

Israeli army forces seized Jamlah in Daraa province and the villages of Mazraat Beit Jinn and Maghar al-Mir in the Damascus countryside, according to Anadolu reporters.

For its part, Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned the decision of the Israeli government to expand settlements in the Syrian part of Golan Heights and its continued efforts to undermine Syria's chances of regaining security and stability.

More international and Arab reactions on the Israeli decision to bolster Israeli settlement in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel continues to wage unabated genocidal war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, defying calls by the international community to cease hostilities and alleviate dire conditions faced by millions under daily attacks and a crippling siege.

On Sunday, Israeli fighter jets hit a house in al-Nafaq neighborhood in northern Gaza, leaving five people dead and injuring several others, a medical source said.

Three more people were killed and several injured in another strike on a Palestinian house in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City, he added.

The bodies of four people were recovered after an Israeli strike on another house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, taking the death toll in the attack to seven, another source said.

Three Palestinians were killed, including Al Jazeera's Qatari channel cameraman Ahmad Al-Louh and two members of the Civil Defense unit, on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

At least 46 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll since October last year to 44,976, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Sunday.

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

The escalated Israeli siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip continue into its third month, exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicines and leaving most of the population on the verge of famine.

On Sunday, 15 people were killed when Israeli forces raided a school housing displaced families in Izbat Abd Rabbo, a neighborhood in the northern town of Beit Hanoun, a medical source told Anadolu.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Israel's official broadcasting authority stated Sunday that the upcoming week will be "crucial" for negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement to end the genocidal war in Gaza and facilitate a hostage swap between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Day 20 of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

On Sunday, the Israeli army committed a new violation using heavy machine guns in the area from Al-Manara towards the town of Meis Al-Jabal in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of violations to 227.

These violations have resulted in the deaths of 30 people and injuries to 31 others, according to official Lebanese statements.

Israel files appeal against ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Latest updates as Israel submitted an appeal Sunday against arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Last month, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel has consistently challenged the court’s jurisdiction, as it is not a member state of the ICC.

West Bank raids

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

The Israeli army carried out raids late Saturday across the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israel has killed at least 812 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,000 taken into custody.

⁠Deteriorating security situation in Sudan

The dire security situation continues in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Clashes continue in central Khartoum and northern Bahri city in the capital, alongside ongoing fighting in Al-Fashir city in North Darfur State and Al-Jazirah State in central Sudan.

Joe Biden's Labor Department visit

President Joe Biden to join Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su for an event at the Department of Labor to honor nation’s labor history and his administration’s work to strengthen America’s workforce. In evening, Biden hosts Hanukkah reception at White House.

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s family meets Blinken

Family of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli forces in West Bank, to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department. The family members include her widower, sister and father, who will hold a press briefing following the meeting. There will be a vigil outside of the White House in the evening. Throughout the week, they’ll be meeting with Members of Congress and US government officials to advocate for an independent investigation into her murder.

Security Council sessions on Libya mission, Ukraine

UN Security Council to discuss the UN mission in Libya, UNSMIL, and Libya sanctions. In the afternoon, members will gather for a session on maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.

US Senate agenda: NDAA consideration

American senators to resume consideration of $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which was passed by the House on Dec. 11.

Brazil's president discharged from hospital

Developments after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged from hospital following surgery to stop brain bleed. He will rest in his home in the city of Sao Paulo until Thursday.

Violence in Haiti

The humanitarian and political situation in Haiti where gang violence is rampant. Developments after the latest killings of more than 180 people have brought the death toll to 5,000 people this year.

EU foreign ministers meet on Ukraine, Syria

Foreign ministers of EU member states convene in Brussels today for crucial discussions focused on Ukraine and Syria. The meeting will be chaired for the first time by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The ministers will discuss diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, after an informal exchange of views with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. The ministers will also discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, focusing on Syria and Lebanon.

German chancellor to face no-confidence vote

The German parliament's lower house (Bundestag) will hold a vote of confidence, aiming to clear the path for early elections in February 2025. Scholz is widely expected to lose the vote, as his coalition partner the Greens party asked its lawmakers to abstain in the vote. Scholz’s three-party coalition government comprising his Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) collapsed last month due to intense disputes concerning economic policy and the government's spending plans. Under the constitution, early elections can be triggered if the chancellor loses a vote of confidence in parliament and the president dissolves parliament following the chancellor's request.

Political crisis in France

Following the Dec. 4 no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier, lawmakers will debate the “special budget law” that President Emmanuel Macron announced. The special law will then be sent to the Senate. It must be adopted by the end of the year. Macron has nominated Francois Bayrou as the new prime minister, who must now form a Cabinet and help resolve the political crisis that began in June when Macron dissolved parliament and announced snap elections.

Estonia hosts defense co-operation summit in Tallinn

Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal is set to welcome leaders at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit scheduled for Dec. 16-17. The JEF represents a military collaboration initiative led by the United Kingdom, bringing together 10 northern European nations, including Estonia, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. Topics of the meeting will include JEF countries’ support for Ukraine and strengthening deterrence and defense. The JEF's core purpose is to deliver swift military responses across maritime, land, and aerial domains throughout the Baltic region, Northern Europe, and the High North during times of conflict or crisis.

UK lawmakers calling for arms embargo on Israel

UK MPs to hold banner outside Parliament calling for arms embargo on Israel ahead of Westminster Hall debate on a public petition with over 100,000 signatures that calls for immediate revocation of all arms export licenses to Israel. Ahead of the debate a cross party group of at least a dozen MPs will hold a banner, saying “Stop Arming Israel” outside Parliament to show their support for the call for a full arms embargo.

NATO chief meets Montenegrin prime minister

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to meet with the prime minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The meeting is expected to focus on promoting peace and stability in the Western Balkans, along with regional and international security issues.

ILO report on migrant workers

The International Labour Organization (ILO) will launch its Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers: International migrants in the Labour Force report. The findings will be presented by Manuela Tomei, ILO assistant director-general for governance, rights and dialogue, and Rafael Diez de Medina, director of the Department of Statistics, at an online press briefing.

South Africans celebrate National Day of Reconciliation

President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver address marking the National Day of Reconciliation, an annual event celebrating the end of apartheid. The day is intended to foster reconciliation and national unity. Apartheid ended in South Africa in 1994 after decades of racial segregation.

Cyclone Chido expected to cause devastation in several African countries

Cyclone Chido, which hit the French Island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on the weekend killing several people is expected to affect several countries in Southern Africa and parts of East Africa. Malawi and Zimbabwe expect a spillover effect of floods. In 2023, Cyclone Freddy killed more than 1,000 people across Southern Africa.

Top court begins impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon

South Korea's Constitutional Court begins trial to deliberate a parliamentary decision to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt. The court has 180 days to decide whether Yoon, who also faces cases of treason and insurrection, should be removed from office or not.

Malaysian, Thai premiers hold bilateral talks in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosts his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Kuala Lumpur. The duo co-chaired 7th annual consultation to boost bilateral ties and cooperation in trade, infrastructure, tourism, and security, as well as discuss border development and transnational crime prevention.

Bangladesh celebrates 54th Victory Day

Bangladesh celebrates its 54th ‘Victory Day.’ The country that gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 celebrates this year victory day in a new environment after the changeover on Aug. 5. This is first major national celebration after Muhammad Yunus led transitional government took office on Aug. 8, following the fall of government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India.

Sri Lankan President AKD meets Indian Prime Minister Modi

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, popular as AKD, holds talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. This is AKD’s first foreign trip since being elected in September. Both sides are expected to sign agreements to boost ties.

Foreign Ministry in Beijing to hold regular briefing

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold a regular news briefing in Beijing, and is expected to react to reports about US President-elect Donald Trump's invitation to President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month. Beijing is also expected to react to regional and international developments, including in Syria as well as South Korea.

Indonesia declares results of provincial polls

General Elections Commission of Indonesia, or KPU, is expected to announce official results of provincial elections held on Nov. 27 when more than 200 million Indonesians voted for leaders in 37 provinces, 93 cities, and 415 districts.

SPORTS

Week 16 of Italian Serie A (football)

Lazio vs. Inter Milan

CAF 2024 Men’s Player of the Year Award ceremony (football)

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s budget balance

The Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to share central government’s budget balance table for November. In October, budget revenues increased by 62.4% year-on-year, while budget expenditures rose by 67.9%. In January-October period, budget balance posted a deficit of 1.26 trillion liras.

Chinese economy

China to release house prices, industrial production, retail sales indexes and unemployment rate for November. House prices are expected to continue to drop. Unemployment rate is expected to be unchanged at 5%. Retail sales may post a slight decline.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Bans and beyond: Is no social media for children the future?

Report on the growing global push to regulate social media access for children as several countries mull measures similar to Australia’s landmark ban for kids under 16.

The story details the restrictions enforced or the works around the world, their reasons and outcomes, while also providing expert insights into the impact of social media on children’s development and mental health.

The report includes comments from Vanessa Dennen, professor of instructional systems and learning technologies at Florida State University; Rachael Sharman, senior lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast; and Neil Selwyn, a digital education researcher and professor at Monash University.

Watermelon Pictures: Palestinian-led film company challenging Hollywood narratives

Interview with Vin Arfuso, an American filmmaker of Palestinian and Italian descent, covering his work, activism, and how the two have intertwined over the course of his career.

Arfuso shares insights about his past work, including the 2022 documentary Walled Off, and the launch of Watermelon Pictures, a distribution company focused on Palestinian stories and challenging the pro-Israeli narrative in Hollywood.

He also speaks about the US role in Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that President Joe Biden and his administration are entirely responsible for the violence and atrocities inflicted on Palestinians.