Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Developments in Syria under new transitional government

Latest developments and updates after appointment of Mohamed Al-Bashir as head of Syria’s transitional government following the ouster of Assad regime.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Wednesday again expressed UK commitment to support a peaceful transition in Syria.

The European Commission head on Wednesday also stressed the importance of early recovery and reconstruction efforts tied to concrete political reforms.

An unidentified aircraft carried out an airstrike on Wednesday, apparently targeting a radar system at the military airport in eastern Deir ez-Zor province, according to local sources.

Civil Defense teams in Damascus investigated human remains found in a warehouse believed to belong to more than 20 people, including children.

Egypt hosts D-8 summit

Cairo on Thursday to host 11th summit of Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation

The summit is scheduled to include the participation of Türkiye, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria.

Among the leaders attending are Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Bangladesh transitional government head Muhammad Yunus.

Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir will represent Malaysia, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is attending at Egypt's invitation.

Turkish President Erdogan will attend the summit's opening session and a special session on the situation in Palestine and Lebanon. He will hold bilateral meetings.

The D-8 countries’ representatives are also expected to hold bilateral meetings.

Israeli actions following Assad's ouster in Syria

Following Israel’s reactions and steps in post-Assad Syria.

Israel’s Channel 12 said Wednesday that Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the army to keep control of Syria’s demilitarized buffer zone until the end of next year.

More international and Arab reaction to Israels decision to bolster Israeli settlement in 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 international community to cease hostilities and alleviate dire conditions faced by millions under daily attacks and a crippling siege.

The Israeli army on Wednesday ordered Palestinians in Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip to immediately evacuate ahead of attacks in the area.

An Israeli drone shelled a tent for displaced people in the central city of Deir al-Balah, killing two people, a medical source said Wednesday.

Overall death toll due to the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to nearly 45,100, with over 107,200 others injured, the enclave's Health Ministry said Wednesday.

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

In its third month, Israel's intensified blockade, invasion, and bombing of the northern Gaza Strip has worsened food, water, fuel, and medication shortages, putting most of the people in danger of starvation.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces also struck a home in Jabalia Nazla in northern Gaza, leaving two people dead, a medical source told Anadolu.

Four more people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a home in the northern town of Beit Hanoun, another medical source said.

Gaza cease-fire talks

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

US CIA Director Bill Burns was set to travel to the Qatari capital Doha on Wednesday to discuss developments in cease-fire and prisoner exchange negotiations between Palestinian group Hamas and Israel.

US President Joe Biden’s Middle East adviser Brett McGurk is already in Doha in talks with Qatari, Egyptian, and Israeli officials, a US official said.

Hamas said Tuesday that talks to reach a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal were “positive and serious.”

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported Monday that an Israeli delegation with “limited authority” traveled to Doha for negotiations on a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Day 23 of cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Israeli drones on Wednesday flew over Lebanese capital Beirut and its southern suburbs in new violation of the cease-fire deal, state media reported.

The new violation came as Israel’s army on Tuesday committed at least 12 violations of the cease-fire.

The violations so far have resulted in the deaths of 30 people and injuries to 37 others, according to official Lebanese statements.

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 rounded up at least 15 Palestinians in military raids in the West Bank, according to prisoners’ affairs groups on Wednesday.

Israel has killed at least 815 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,100 taken into custody.

Deteriorating security situation in Sudan

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

At least 10 civilians were killed and 20 injured in artillery shelling allegedly carried out by RSF in El Fasher in North Darfur, activists reported Wednesday.

EU leaders meet in Brussels

EU leaders will convene in Brussels for a EU Council meeting. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also invited. The agenda includes discussions of the war in Ukraine, the Mideast conflict, situation in Syria, migration, and other pressing regional and global matters.

UK premier appears at first Liaison Committee session

Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes first appearance before Commons Liaison Committee, made up of chairs of other select committees. The committee considers the work of select committees and promotes effective scrutiny of government. It also periodically questions prime minister about government policy.

NATO chief Rutte visits Bulgaria

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expected to visit Bulgaria to meet with political and military leaders and inspect Novo Selo training ground. Rutte and Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov are scheduled to hold a press conference.

Biden administration reactions to developments in Syria

Monitoring reactions from Biden administration on developments in post-Assad Syria.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to chair UN Security Council sessions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to chair a pair of UN Security Council sessions on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and the impact of artificial intelligence on international peace and security. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expected to attend session on AI.

Republican showdown over government funding

US Congress to continue negotiations after President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected an agreement to avert a government shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline, dealing a major blow to an agreement months in the making. Trump and his political allies have been pressuring Republicans against supporting the deal, which would have funded the government through March 14. (Desk will monitor for developments)

Calls for Canada Premier Trudeau to resign

Monitoring developments as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under growing pressure to step down following resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who criticized his approach to handling President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs threat.

Russia on developments in Syria

Moscow's reaction to developments in post-Assad regime Syria. Assad and his family have sought asylum in Russia. In his first statement since ouster, former regime leader said he was evacuated to Russia on Dec. 8. Moscow says the inviolability of its facilities in Syria is a priority, and it has established contacts with new authorities in Syria.

Putin to hold annual major press conference

At annual major press conference in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin to take questions and appeals from the public, as well as inquiries from both Russian and international journalists on current domestic, regional, and international issues.

Situation in Georgia after suspension of EU accession talks, presidential election

Georgia facing mounting political tensions after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Nov. 28 announced suspension of country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move sparked major protests, including in capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism. A college of electors voted ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili president on Saturday, but opposition parties assert Salome Zourabichvili, who was elected to post in 2018, is still sole legitimate representative of the state.

French president to visit Cyclone-hit island of Mayotte

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit France’s overseas territory of Mayotte, where cyclone Chido has killed dozens and destroyed infrastructure. Local authorities fear death toll could rise. Humanitarian groups are scaling up delivery of food, water, tents, and medical supplies to help victims. Powerful storm struck Indian Ocean island on Saturday, bringing torrential rains and winds over 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour.) The storm also hit Mozambique and Malawi, where over 50 people have been killed.

Search for escaped prisoners continues in Mozambique

Authorities in Mozambique are searching for more than 90 inmates who escaped from a local prison. Officials say around 200 prisoners were released from three prisons after protesters disputing recent election results vandalized correctional facilities, letting inmates flee.

Amid political turmoil, S.Korean government holds extraordinary Cabinet meeting

Monitoring developments as South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo convenes extraordinary Cabinet meeting amid political turmoil triggered by martial law bid. The Cabinet asked parliament to reconsider six contentious bills. The meeting also discussed current political situation after impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

Malaysian Premier Anwar to host Turkmenistan’s President Berdimuhamedow

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosts Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who is on two-day official visit to Southeast Asian nation. The two are expected to review bilateral relations to enhance trade ties.

Thailand hosts meeting on Myanmar

Thailand hosts meeting on Myanmar of special representatives from China, India, Bangladesh, and Laos. A representative of Myanmar’s junta government is also expected to attend. The meeting is being held a day ahead of a summit of top diplomats from the Southeast Asian nations in Bangkok.

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric to visit China

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric to pay three-day official visit to China. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Djuric will hold bilateral talks in Beijing.

Foreign Ministry in Beijing to hold regular briefing

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing in Beijing.

Search and rescue operations continue in Vanuatu after massive earthquake

Search and rescue continue in southern Pacific nation of Vanuatu on day three after it was hit by a strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake. At least 14 people have been killed and more than 200 are being treated. Electricity and water supplies were hard hit while phone and internet communications also suffered damage.

SPORTS

Round 17 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (Basketball)

Paris Basket vs. Fenerbahce Beko

Real Madrid vs. Monaco

UEFA Conference League Matchday 6, final fixture of league phase (football)

Chelsea vs. Shamrock Rovers

SPECIAL REPORTS

Life on 2 wheels: How couriers drive Istanbul’s essential delivery services

Report on motorcycle couriers and delivery riders of Istanbul, highlighting their importance for booming industry.

Story provides an inside look into their work as two riders narrate their journey to the profession, the rewards and challenges, and their expectations going forward.

Report also includes interview with e-commerce and marketing expert Fehmi Bugra Erdal, who lays out reasons for the success of instant delivery sector in Türkiye and its future trajectory.

Kashmiris weigh costs of ‘wasteful’ weddings

Report on customs and traditions associated with weddings in Kashmiri culture and the debate over the celebrations’ extravagant nature and expenses.

The story explains the significance of traditions such as wazwan, a multi-course meal that forms an integral part of celebrations, and the issue of excessive spending and waste.

Report includes interviews with local residents and chefs, along with insights from Kashmiri culture expert and poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef and social activist Marooq Shah.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Report on customs and traditions of weddings in Kashmiri culture and debate around excessive spending, with comments from local residents, activists, and cultural experts.​​​​​​​