Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 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.

Syrian armed factions agreed on Tuesday to dissolve themselves and merge under the Defense Ministry. State news agency SANA said the move was taken during a meeting in Damascus between the head of Syria’s new administration Ahmed al-Sharaa and representatives of the revolutionary factions in the country.

Belgium, meanwhile, said it encourages the new administration to cooperate with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM) to investigate crimes committed by the Assad regime.

Political and diplomatic visits to Syria and their meetings with new leadership to be followed.

Israeli actions following Assad's ouster in Syria

Israel’s reactions and steps in the aftermath of the Assad regime's downfall in Syria.

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.

It also expanded its occupation of villages in Daraa, southern Syria, disregarding international and UN condemnations demanding its withdrawal from the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights.

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.

On Tuesday, a person was killed and another injured in an Israeli drone attack on a gathering of civilians in northern Rafah

Two more people were killed and others injured in another strike targeting a civil defense center in al-Daraj neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.

Meanwhile, UNRWA said at least 14,500 Palestinian children have been killed in Israel’s ongoing war on the territory since last year, noting that “one child gets killed every hour.”

The overall death toll due to the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to over 45,330, with nearly 107,800 others injured, the enclave's Health Ministry said.

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 over 80,000 Palestinians trapped in the areas since Oct. 5 and claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces laid a siege around the Indonesian Hospital in eastern Jabalia amid heavy gunfire around the facility.

An Israeli artillery shell also hit the Al-Awda Hospital in Tel al-Zaatar area.

The Israeli army also continued to blow up Palestinian homes and residential buildings around the Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Monitoring cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon, which was meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati Tuesday called on the committee overseeing the implementation of the cease-fire agreement to pressure Israel into ending its violations and withdrawing from areas it has advanced into within Lebanese territory.

Since the truce was declared on Nov. 27, the total number of Israeli violations has risen to 292, with 33 people killed and 38 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.

A Palestinian teen was killed by Israeli army fire during a military raid in the Tulkarem refugee camp on Tuesday.

Israeli forces also raided other areas across the occupied territory, including Nablus and Ramallah to arrest what they called “wanted” Palestinians.

Israel has killed at least 825 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.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army claimed to have intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, marking the third attack by the Houthi group within a week.

The Houthis confirmed firing a hypersonic ballistic missile at a military site in Jaffa in central Israel.

King Charles to deliver annual Christmas address

Britain's King Charles will deliver his traditional Christmas message to the nation and Commonwealth, reflecting on key moments from 2024, and addressing some current issues, and the monarchy's contemporary role.

US on Syria

Statements from US officials on political and humanitarian situation in Syria following the takeover of new government after fall of Assad regime.

Call for Trudeau to resign

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure to resign, with more than 50 Ontario lawmakers from his Liberal Party said to have reached consensus urging him to step down.

Violence in Haiti

Humanitarian and political situation in Haiti where gang violence left nearly 5,000 people dead this year.

Turkish foreign minister to visit UAE

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to hold talks in the United Arab Emirates

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 that it has established contacts with new authorities in the country.

Russia to host informal Commonwealth of Independent States summit

Russia to host a two-day informal meeting of heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the city of St. Petersburg.

Russian Foreign Ministry's weekly press briefing

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold briefing on current foreign policy issues.

Russia to host meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council

Russia to host a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union's (EAEU) Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in the city of St. Petersburg.

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. Tensions between the government and opposition have escalated further as a result of the situation surrounding the country's presidency.

Protests expected to continue in Mozambique after top court’s election ruling

Protests are expected to continue in Mozambique disputing the verdict of the country’s top court that confirmed Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) had won the Oct. 9 presidential election. Fresh protests broke out on Monday night through Tuesday leaving 21 dead. At least 151 people have been killed since the initial demonstrations on Oct. 21, according to civil society groups. Rights groups have also accused Mozambican security forces of using excessive violence in quelling the protests.

Christmas speeches from African presidents

Presidents across Africa expected to make Christmas and New Year speeches calling for an end to conflicts on the continent and globally, especially in the Middle East.

Top diplomats of China, Japan hold meetings in Beijing

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing. The two sides will hold talks and also attend the second meeting of high-level consultation mechanism on people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Rescue and rehabilitation of affected Rohingya continue in Bangladesh

Rescue and rehabilitation operations continue in Bangladesh after a massive fire devasted Rohingya refugee Kutupalong Camp 1W in Cox’s Bazaar. At least two people were killed while more than 500 shelters burnt down.

South Korean President Yoon defies summons

Monitoring developments as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol again defies summons by a joint team of investigators to probe short-lived martial law declared on Dec. 3. Yoon remains suspended and awaits impeachment review by Constitutional Court.

Foreign Ministry to hold regular briefing in Beijing

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

Pakistan celebrates 148th birth anniversary of founding father Jinnah

Pakistanis celebrate 148th birth anniversary of their founding father Mohammad Ali Jinnah through a series of activities, including change-of-guards at his mausoleum in Karachi. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to issue special statements on the occasion. Commonly known as Quaid-I- Azam or the Great Leader, Jinnah was born on Dec. 25, 1876 in Karachi, and passed away in 1948 in the same city.

THE ECONOMY

Capacity utilization

Turkish Central Bank to release capacity utilization rate of the manufacturing industry for December. It was at 76.1% in November and 74.9% in September.

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SPECIAL REPORTS

2025 and beyond: How Trump could reshape US alliances in Asia

Report on how the new Trump administration in the US will influence and shape geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region.

The report particularly focuses on Japan and South Korea, where the US has nearly tens of thousands of troops under two separate defense pacts, and examines the fears and expectations being voiced by policymakers.

The story explores the major points of friction and the potential changes in strategies, with comments from Kazuto Suzuki of the University of Tokyo, Washington-based journalist and author Tim Shorrock, Chien-Yu Shih of the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor at the International Crisis Group, and Chinese analyst Einar Tangen.

Climate crisis in 2025: ‘Ring the alarm bells for European policymakers at all levels’

Report on the increasing impact of climate change experienced in Europe in 2024, and what it means for the continent in 2025 and the following years.

The story presents details of major climate-related disasters over the past year and assessments on expectations for the coming years, with experts warning of more crises and stressing the need for immediate action.

The report includes an interview with Sven Harmeling of Climate Action Network Europe, the continent’s leading coalition of organizations working to address the growing threat of climate change.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Sven Harmeling of Climate Action Network Europe about the growing impact of climate change seen in Europe this year and expectations for 2025 and beyond, where he emphasizes the need for immediate action and implementation of mitigation strategies.​​​​​​​