Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Reactions to Joseph Aoun's election as Lebanon's president

More international and regional reactions as Joseph Aoun has taken Lebanon’s helm after two-year political vacuum.

Aoun won 99 votes during a second round of voting in the 128-seat parliament after only securing 71 votes in the first round.

Thursday’s presidential vote was attended by several foreign diplomats, including the French special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and ambassadors of the Quint committee (Egypt, France, the US, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) that followed up the issue of presidential vacancy in Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine congratulated Joseph Aoun on Thursday following his election as Lebanon’s new president.

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new administration following the overthrow of the Baath regime.

At least 52,622 Syrians in Türkiye returned to their homeland following the fall of the Baath regime, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Thursday.

More Arab and international officials' political and diplomatic visits to Damascus and their meetings with Syrian officials.

Italian Foreign Minister Tajani to visit Damascus

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is set to visit Damascus on Friday to meet with Syrian officials, representatives of civil society, and Christian communities.

Tajani plans to announce an initial development aid package for the country ravaged by years of war.

⁠Israel’s actions following Assad's downfall 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 Thursday, the Israeli army claimed to have destroyed Syrian army weapons found in the demilitarized zone in the occupied Golan Heights.

A military statement said Syrian weapons and military infrastructure were seized and destroyed in the demilitarized zone it seized last month.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel continues its relentless genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, disregarding international calls to end hostilities and address the severe hardships endured by millions under constant attacks and a devastating blockade amid heavy rainstorms.

On Thursday, a Palestinian man and his three sons were also killed in another strike targeting a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, a medical source said.

Another Palestinian died of injuries from an Israeli strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah, the source added.

Witnesses also reported an Israeli drone strike on a tent inside a school sheltering displaced civilians in Nuseirat, but no injuries were reported.

The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 surged to over 46,000, with nearly 109,400 others injured, the Gaza media office said Thursday.

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

The ongoing Israeli military operations, displacement, and blockade in northern Gaza which resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences for thousands of Palestinians trapped in the areas since Oct. 5 and claimed the lives of more than 4,800 people.

On Thursday, a medical source said eight people lost their lives when Israeli warplanes hit a home in the Jabalia Nazla area in the northern Gaza Strip.

Despite the Israeli invasion, 10 Israeli soldiers were killed in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun in the past two weeks, Israeli media said on Thursday.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Over one month 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 Thursday, the Israeli army's drones were spotted flying over several towns in southern Lebanon in a fresh violation of the fragile Israel-Lebanon cease-fire.

Israel had committed over 400 violations of the cease-fire agreement, resulting in 32 deaths and 39 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

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.

On Thursday, the Israeli army continued its incursion in the West Bank city of Tulkarem for the second consecutive day amid destruction of infrastructure, witnesses said.

The Israeli army detained 15 more Palestinians in military raids in the occupied West Bank, prisoners’ affairs groups said on Thursday.

Israel has killed at least 847 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 and Houthi-Israel attacks

Red Sea tensions and the exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition on one side and Yemen’s Houthi group on the other side, which intensified its attacks on Israeli military targets along with hitting Israeli cargo ships or those associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea.

On Thursday, the Yemeni Houthi group reported six more US-UK raids on three provinces in the northern and western parts of the country.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosts EU's Kaja Kallas

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosts EU High Representative Kala Kallas. The two leaders are expected to discuss various international and regional issues, including the situation in Gaza, the Occupied Palestinian territories, and Ukraine. They are also likely to talk about developments in Syria.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its biweekly briefing for journalists in Geneva. Spokespersons of various UN agencies and international organizations meet with reporters to evaluate most pressing issues around the world.

Copernicus 2024 Global Climate Highlights

Copernicus Climate Change Service publishes 2024 Global Climate Highlights, summarizing last year's temperatures, greenhouse gas concentrations, and significant climate and weather events.

Investigation regarding Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan

An investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight with 67 people on board continues. The plane, which was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia crashed on Dec. 25 near the Kazakh city of Aktau, on the Caspian Sea coast. While the definitive reasons behind the incident remain unclear, senior Azerbaijani officials confirmed to Anadolu media reports suggesting the plane was struck by a Russian air defense system.

Russia on developments in Syria

Moscow's reaction to developments in post-Assad regime Syria. Assad and his family have received asylum in Russia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying he plans to meet with the ousted leader. Moscow says the inviolability of its facilities in Syria is a priority, and it has established contacts with new authorities in Syria.

Los Angeles fires continue

Developments regarding the wildfires in Los Angeles which destructed more than 10,000 structures and killed at least 10 people. Local authorities have been working to combat the fires since Tuesday. Nearly 400 National Guard members have been deployed to assist efforts to put out the fires.

Trump hush money case

President-elect Donald Trump expected to be sentenced in his New York hush money case. Trump was found guilty on May 30, 2024, on all 34 counts in his trial over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. The Supreme Court on Thursday denied his request to delay his sentencing.

Trump’s calls to make Canada ‘51st state’ of US

Monitoring developments regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s calls to make Canada "51st state" of the US. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that Trump’s comments about turning Canada into 51st state are just a distraction from the consequences of Trump’s tariff threats and that Canada becoming another US state was “not going to happen.”

Nicolas Maduro begins new term as Venezuela's president

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro begins a new six-year term, following elections in July.

President Erdogan to attend events in southwest Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend his party's congresses in the southwestern Turkish provinces of Denizli and Aydin and inaugurate the Aydin-Denizli Highway.

Chinese foreign minister visits Nigeria to strengthen relations

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will continue his official visit in Nigeria as part of an annual New Year tour to reaffirm Beijing's commitment to Africa. During his week-long four-nation Africa tour, Wang Yi visited Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria, expressing China’s readiness to collaborate with Africa in implementing the agreements reached at last year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held in Beijing.

African leaders meet in Uganda to discuss agricultural transformation

Heads of state and government from several African countries are meeting for a three-day Extraordinary Summit in Uganda to discuss the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which has been crucial in driving agricultural transformation on the continent since its inception in 2003. CAADP is aimed at increasing food security, nutrition, and reducing rural poverty among others.

Situation in Mozambique remains volatile as exiled opposition leader returns

Mozambicans are expected to hold fresh protests as the main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane returned to the country from two months in self-styled exile Thursday. Some of Mondlane’s supporters were reportedly injured when police attempted to disperse crowds welcoming him in the capital Maputo. The South eastern country has been gripped by weeks of protests since Oct. 21, when 47-year-old Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party was declared winner of the Oct. 9 presidential elections. Chapo got 71% of the vote, defeating Mondlane who got only 20%. But Mondlane insists he won the polls.

Tussle between investigators, impeached South Korean president continues

Tussle between impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and investigators continues as the latter seek to detain him for questioning over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon’s lawyers have filed injunction against 2nd arrest warrant for Yoon whose whereabouts remain unclear. However, the investigators continue to pursue him to execute the arrest warrant.

Aftermath of Tibet earthquake that killed 126, displaced over 61,000

Aftermath of powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake that killed 126 people and displaced over 61,000 people in southern Tibet region of China. The affected region suffered a total of 1,211 aftershocks since Tuesday when the earthquake struck Dingri county.

Malaysian Premier Anwar hosts Japanese counterpart Ishiba for high-level talks

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosts Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba for high-level talks in Kuala Lumpur. The visit by Ishiba also assumes significance as Malaysia this year leads Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan intends to increase cooperation with the Southeast Asian nations.

Regular Foreign Ministry briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing.

ECONOMY

Türkiye’s industrial production

Turkish Statistical Institute to share industrial production and unemployment figures for November. Industrial production rose by 4% in October while unemployment rate was at 8.8%.

US nonfarm payrolls

US will share nonfarm payrolls and unemployment rates for December. Unemployment rate was at 6.8% in the country but a slight increase is expected.

SPORTS

German Bundesliga matchday 16 (Football)

Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 20 (Basketball)

Anadolu Efes vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Paris Basketball

Olympiacos vs. Bayern Munich

French Ligue 1 week 17 (football)

Nantes vs. Monaco

SPECIAL REPORTS

Not for sale but absolutely open for business: Greenland lawmaker to Trump

Interview with Kuno Fencker, a member of Greenland’s parliament, about Donald Trump’s threats to take control of the Arctic territory controlled by Denmark.

Fencker, who supports independence for Greenland, emphasizes that the world’s biggest island is “not for sale, but absolutely open for business and cooperation.” He calls for a pragmatic approach on the issue and cooperation with the US and NATO, stressing that Trump is known for “bold statements” that “we should take with a grain of salt.”

Fencker also criticizes what he calls Denmark’s longstanding neglect of Greenland’s security, calling for more “ambitious plans” to safeguard the island, its waters, and people.

California winter wildfires: A new climate change normal?

Report on the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, focusing on the combination of factors that have made them the most devastating winter fires in decades.

The story dives into the various reasons for the latest climate disaster and explores the link with the larger impacts of climate change, with experts explaining how and why wildfire seasons are becoming increasingly erratic. They also speak about mitigation strategies and address the larger question of US government policies on global climate action.

The report includes comments from Stefan Doerr, director of the Centre for Wildfire Research at Swansea University, and Kimberley Simpson, a fellow in nature-based climate solutions at the University of Sheffield’s School of Biosciences.

FACTBOX – Ouster from Africa: What is left of France’s military presence on the continent?

Report on the current state of French military presence in Africa, following a series of expulsions by one-time allies in West and Central Africa who have severed ties with Paris.

The story compiles the latest developments on the issue, presenting a timeline and exploring the reasons that have pushed African nations to cut military ties with the once influential former colonial power.

The report also gives details of France’s remaining military presence on the continent, including bases and personnel, and an assessment of the broader geopolitical implications of waning French influence.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Greenland parliamentarian Kuno Fencker about Trump’s threats to take over the world’s biggest island, where the lawmaker says that Greenland is “absolutely open for business,” and stresses the need for pragmatic engagement with the incoming US administration.