Morning Briefing Dec.8, 2024

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including anti-regime forces in Syria entering the center of Damascus, while Assad regime has largely lost its control in the capital; the US announcing nearly early $1B in a new security aid package for Ukraine to fight Russia and the Astana format meeting calling for a restart of the political process in Syria as per a UN Security Council resolution.

TOP STORIES

• Anti-regime forces in Syria entering center of Damascus

Anti-regime forces in Syria are entering the center of Damascus which has been lost by the Assad regime.

Protesters rose against the regime in neighborhoods, while regime forces pulled out from critical sites such as the Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and the international airport.

With the entry of protesters into crucial areas, the regime had lost most of its control over the capital.

Prisoners in the Sednaya Prison in Damascus, known for its association with the regime and notorious torture practices, were freed by demonstrators who stormed the facility.

• US announces nearly $1B in new security aid package for Ukraine

The Pentagon announced nearly $1 billion in a new security assistance package for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

"This security assistance package commits an additional $988 million in support through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) that will provide Ukraine with munitions for rocket systems and Unmanned Aerial Systems," it said in a statement.

"This package also includes support for maintenance and repair programs to help Ukraine reconstitute its forces and build and sustain combat power," it added.

• Astana format meeting urges restart of political process in Syria as per UN Security Council resolution

The Turkish, Iranian and Russian foreign ministers underscored the importance of restarting the political process in Syria during the Astana Format Foreign Ministers Meeting in Qatar, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the meeting, as did his Iranian and Russian counterparts, Abbas Araghchi and Sergey Lavrov, respectively.

The discussions focused on the situation in Syria, with sources describing the meeting as "constructive."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye does not have eyes "even on a pebble of any country," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
• At least 52 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll since last year to 44,664, the Health Ministry in the enclave said.
• Norway announced it needs an “integrated Palestine” state that includes the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
• Forces of the US-backed Syrian Free Army have taken control of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of the Syrian province of Homs after clashes with forces of the Assad regime.
• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized to the nation for his failed attempt to implement martial law, hours before an impeachment vote.
• Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) "neutralized" a senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq, security sources said.
• US President-elect Donald Trump described the situation in Syria as a "mess," saying, "Washington should have nothing to do with it," referring to anti-regime groups backed by the Biden administration, which are stationed in southern Syria near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders that began expanding to the north and Damascus.
• Officials in South Korea detained a former defense minister as part of an investigation into alleged treason following President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration last week.
• The ruling party in South Korea pledged to work toward an “orderly retreat” for Yoon Suk Yeol after a failed impeachment motion against the president.
• The EU said it is closely watching developments in Syria amid reports that anti-regime groups are closing in on the national capital of Damascus.

SPORTS

• Real Madrid seals dominant win against Girona in La Liga

Real Madrid secured a 3-0 win against Girona in week 16 of the Spanish La Liga.

Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock from close range at Municipal de Montilivi.

Real Madrid extended the lead with a goal from Arda Guler in the 55th minute, followed by Kylian Mbappe's strike in the 62nd minute, securing the commanding victory.

Real Madrid are second with 36 points and Girona are eighth with 22 points after 16 matches.

West Ham United's Michail Antonio involved in traffic accident

West Ham United announced that forward Michail Antonio has been involved in a traffic accident.

"West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident," it said in a statement

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time. “The Club will issue an update in due course," it added.

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Spot market electricity prices for Dec. 8

The highest electricity price rate for one megawatt-hour on Türkiye's day-ahead spot market for Sunday will be 2,990 Turkish liras at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT), according to official figures.

The lowest rate was set at 1,049.99 liras at 3 a.m. local time, the data showed.

The Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST) data for the trade volume for Sunday's electricity market shows a decrease of 30.1% to around 1.01 billion liras compared to Saturday.

Nationwide electric blackout hits Ethiopia

Ethiopia experienced a nationwide blackout with restoration efforts underway, authorities announced.

The Ethiopian Electric Power Authority attributed the outage to "system instability" and urged the public to remain calm as teams work to restore electricity across the country.

It came months after Ethiopia recovered from a five-hour power outage on March 28, which left most regions without electricity, except for Bahir Dar and its surroundings in the Amhara region.

The cause of that blackout has not yet been disclosed.