Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new administration following the overthrow of the Baathist regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Syria’s territorial integrity is “non-negotiable," and there’s no place for the PKK/YPG terror group in the country, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday said in joint news conference with Ahmed al Sharaa, leader of the new Syrian administration, in the capital Damascus.

For his part, Ahmed Al Sharaa said he discussed Syria's future with Fidan, adding that “friendly country” Türkiye has stood by Syrians since beginning of the revolution.

He said the only arms in Syria will be held by the state, arguing that any armed groups, whether in areas under their control or those under the control of the terrorist PKK/YPG, will not be accepted.

In his visit to Syria on Sunday, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt expressed hope for improving relations with Syria following the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

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.

Israel has intensified airstrikes across Syria in recent days, targeting military sites, following the Dec. 8 ousting of the Bashar Assad regime by anti-regime groups.

The Israeli army continues to expand the areas it occupies in the villages of Jamla and Maaraba in the Yarmouk Basin in Daraa Governorate, southern Syria.

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.

Another 22 Palestinians, including six children, were killed and several others injured on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes targeting various locations across the Gaza Strip.

The overall death toll due to the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to nearly 45,300, with over 107,600 others injured, the enclave's Health Ministry said 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.

The Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip has become a “ghost town” with around 70% of homes and buildings completely destroyed in Israel’s deadly onslaught on the area, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

Electricity was completely cut off at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Sunday after Israeli drone strikes on the facility’s power generators and fuel tanks.

Gaza cease-fire talks

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

On Sunday, Israeli opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging negotiations to reach a hostage exchange deal with Palestinians.

Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation David Amsalem called Sunday for a comprehensive hostage exchange deal with Hamas that could pave the way to end the war in Gaza.

According to Israeli sources, Tel Aviv is seeking a two-phased agreement with Hamas to allow the release of women, the injured, and elderly hostages, followed by a broader deal to end the war and facilitate army withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Day 27 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.

The Israeli army handed over to the UN Interim Force in South Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday seven Lebanese individuals who had been detained following the implementation of the cease-fire on Nov. 27.

The Israeli army blew up several homes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest violation of a cease-fire agreement, Lebanese media reported.

Since the cease-fire was declared on Nov. 27, the total number of Israeli violations has risen to 286, with 31 people killed and 37 injured during the incidents.

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.

At least six more Palestinians were detained in fresh Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank, according to a prisoners’ affairs group on Sunday.

Israel has killed at least 824 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.

Red sea tensions

Red Sea tensions and the exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition from one side and the Yemen’s Houthi group from the other side.

The Yemeni Houthi group claimed Sunday to have shot down a US F-18 fighter jet in an attack on an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.

However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet was downed by “friendly fire” over the Red Sea.

Israeli airstrikes on Al-Hudaydah Port in western Yemen have caused $313 million in losses since July, the Houthi group said Sunday.

State of emergency in eastern Libya amid heavy rainfall threat

State of emergency has been declared in eastern Libya’s cities, including Benghazi, leading to the evacuation of several homes and the suspension of schooling, due to a weather depression expected to bring heavy rainfall and overflowing valleys.

The Benghazi municipality Sunday announced in a statement that "precautionary measures have been taken in preparation for heavy rainfall in the city, which is expected to raise water levels in valleys, low-lying areas, and regions adjacent to waterways."

Unusual unmanned aerial system activity in US

Developments after New Jersey and New York senators have asked that the FBI, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Homeland Security to respond to their request for a brief on unusual unmanned aerial system activity in their states by Monday.

Panama rejects Trump's threat to retake control of canal

Monitoring developments after Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed a threat from US President-elect Donald Trump to retake control of the Panama Canal if transit fees are not reduced, particularly for US vessels.

President Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

Investigations into car attack at German Christmas market

Latest developments in the investigation of a car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg that killed 5 people and injured 200. The suspect, identified by authorities as Taleb A., remains in custody while investigations continue to determine his motive. On his social media accounts, he described himself as an anti-Islam activist, shared Islamophobic messages, and expressed support for the far-right AfD party. He accused German authorities of using “dirty tactics” against him and other critics of Islam to “destroy their anti-Islam activism.”

France awaits new government

France anticipates the formation of a new Cabinet under Prime Minister Francois Bayrou this week, following the Dec. 4 no-confidence vote that ousted Michel Barnier's government. Bayrou recently announced he would establish the new government “in the coming days.”

Russia on developments in Syria

Moscow's reaction to developments in post-Assad regime Syria. Assad and his family have received asylum in Russia. Moscow says the inviolability of its facilities in Syria is a priority, and it has established contacts with new authorities in Syria.

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

Georgia is facing mounting political tensions after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Nov. 28 announced suspension of country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move has since sparked major protests in the country, including in capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism.

Mozambique to announce validity of election results

Mozambique’s Constitutional Council is expected to make a ruling on the validity of the Oct. 9 disputed presidential election. The country has witnessed weeks of protests since the election commission declared Daniel Chapo, candidate of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), as the winner of the presidential election. The announcement is likely to bring calm or cause fresh protests.

Festive road accidents in South Africa

The Transport Ministry is expected to issue updates on festive road accidents across South Africa with almost 600 people killed since Dec. 1. The death toll is expected to rise as many people drive out of major cities to various holiday destinations and rural homes for Christmas and year-end parties. Last year, the country recorded 1,184 fatal road crashes over the festive season.

Political developments in South Korea

Monitoring developments in South Korea amid a prolonged political turmoil triggered by a failed martial law as investigators prepare to summon President Yoon Suk Yeol. Many officials have been arrested while top court will hold its first hearing in impeachment case against Yoon this week.

Indonesian, Malaysian leaders meet

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to host Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in northwestern island of Langkawi. Anwar and Prabowo are expected to discuss bilateral relations besides regional issues including crisis in Myanmar and Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship.

Pakistan's ruling parties likely to hold talks with opposition

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-nominated committee of ruling alliance is likely to hold talks with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The committee was formed after Khan threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement if his party’s two main demands are not met, including release of political prisoners and probe into violent incident of May 09 last year and alleged killing on Nov. 26 this year in Islamabad.

Foreign Ministry to hold regular briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing and is likely to discuss US-led bombing of Yemen, political developments in Syria, Israeli war on Gaza as well as tensions on Korean Peninsula. Statements on US is also expected.

President Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

THE ECONOMY

UK economic growth figures

The UK’s statistical authority ONS will release economic growth figures for third quarter. The British economy has expanded by 0.7% year on year in second quarter and market expectation was at 1% for third quarter.

SPORTS

Matchweek 17 of Italian Serie A (Football)

Inter Milan vs. Como

SPECIAL REPORTS

How and why Assad could face international justice for Syria crimes

Report on ongoing efforts to hold Bashar al-Assad accountable under international law for the various crimes committed during his brutal rule over Syria.

The story details all the possible scenarios that could lead to Assad’s trial and conviction under international law, with experts emphasizing the significance of possibilities such as replicating the Myanmar-Bangladesh model, where action was initiated at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Myanmar junta for crimes against members of the Rohingya community who had fled to neighboring Bangladesh.

The report also lists the various charges that could play a significant role in efforts to punish Assad, including murder, arbitrary and unlawful detention, torture and other forms of ill-treatment, the crime against humanity of extermination, the use of chemical weapons, and others.

The story includes comments from Haydee Dijkstal, a barrister and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Litigation Project, and Yousuf Syed Khan, a lawyer who has served on commissions set up by the UN Human Rights Council for countries including Syria.

YEAR-ENDER – How Donald Trump could reshape US policies and politics in 2025

Year-ender report providing a prospective look at incoming President Donald Trump’s policies for the US in the coming year.

The story focuses on several critical areas of policies and politics, including the economy and inflation, immigration, US relations with China, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East crises, and climate change.

The report dives into Trump’s possible steps in these different key areas and their potential impact, both on the domestic and global front, and has comments from Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston’s Economics Department.