Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Dec. 27, 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.

The newly appointed governor of Damascus said on Thursday that preserving the country's national unity and attracting investments to revive the economy are the top priorities of its new leadership.

Anas Khattab, 37, was appointed as the head of the country’s intelligence service, local media said Thursday.

The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday welcomed “steps taken to ensure the safety of civilians, prevent bloodshed, achieve national reconciliation, preserve Syrian state institutions and resources, and decision to dissolve militias and armed factions, with the state being the sole authority to bear arms.”

Arab and international officials continue to pay Syria more political and diplomatic visits and hold talks with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the country's new administration.

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 severe hardships endured by millions under constant attacks and a devastating blockade.

Early Thursday, five journalists from broadcaster Al-Quds Today were killed when an Israeli airstrike struck their broadcasting van near al-Awda Hospital in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, according to Palestinian officials and media reports.

Freezing temperatures have killed three Palestinian babies in the Gaza Strip over the last 48 hours amid a deadly Israeli onslaught on the enclave, officials and local media said Thursday.

The bodies of two people were also recovered after an Israeli drone strike Thursday in northern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, a medical source said.

The overall death toll due to the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to nearly 45,400, with nearly 108,000 others injured, the enclave's Health Ministry said Thursday.

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

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, have claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people.

On Thursday, four Palestinians were killed and others injured when Israeli fighter jets hit another home in the northern town of Jabalia, a medical source said.

Eyewitnesses said a Palestinian nurse was injured when Israeli forces detonated another explosive-laden robot outside Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern town of Beit Lahia.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Nearly a month has passed since 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, Israeli army forces staged an incursion into a strategic area in southern Lebanon, in the latest violation of the agreement, Lebanese media said.

Since the cease-fire was declared on Nov. 27, the total number of Israeli violations has risen to over 300, with 33 people killed and 38 injured during the incidents.

Gaza cease-fire talks

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

On Thursday, the families of Israeli hostages in Gaza threatened legal action against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of blocking a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.

Hamas said Wednesday that a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap has been delayed due to new Israeli conditions.

West Bank raids

Near 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 withdrew from the West Bank city of Tulkarem on Thursday after a two-day incursion that killed nine Palestinians. Nineteen others were injured during the Israeli attack, according to local health authorities.

Israel has killed at least 834 people in the 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

Escalating 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, while also hitting Israeli cargo ships or those associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea.

Israeli warplanes launched a new wave of airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday evening amid rising regional tensions over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, Israeli media said.

The strikes targeted several strategic sites in Yemen, including Sanaa airport and the port of Al-Hudaydah in western Yemen, public broadcaster KAN reported.

The airstrikes on Sanaa Airport resulted in three deaths and 16 injuries, while the attack on Ras Issa Oil Port in Hodeidah caused a death and left three people missing, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV.

Israel’s Netanyahu had earlier issued a warning to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen who have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Tel Aviv in recent weeks.

Besides, Yemen’s Houthi group claimed that the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was forced to retreat northward in the Red Sea toward Egypt's Suez Canal after an attack earlier this week.

US on situation in Syria

Statements from US officials on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria following the new government's takeover following the Bashar Assad regime's collapse.

Syria briefing at Security Council

UN Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on Syria, with Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen expected to brief members. France and Slovenia requested the meeting to keep the council informed on developments in the country.

German president's decision on dissolving parliament

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to announce his decision on whether to dissolve parliament after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence last week.

Scholz’s three-way coalition government collapsed last month due to disagreements with the liberal FDP over budget and government spending. After the government's collapse, parliamentary leaders from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the main opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) agreed to propose Feb. 23 as the date for early elections.

WWA's annual report on extreme weather in 2024

World Weather Attribution and Climate Central will publish its annual report on extreme weather events in 2024, including analysis on the number of days of extreme heat and the increase in five-day rainfall extremes this year.

Crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Kazakh city of Aktau

An Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight with 67 people on board traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia crashed on Wednesday near the Kazakh city of Aktau, on the Caspian Sea coast.

Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have launched investigations into the incident. While the exact cause reasons unclear, senior Azerbaijani officials confirmed to Anadolu media reports suggesting that 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 has established contacts with the country's new authorities.

Georgia after suspension of EU accession talks, presidential election

Georgia is facing mounting political tensions after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Nov. 28 announced the suspension of the country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move has since sparked major protests in the country, including in the capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism. Tensions in Georgia between the government and opposition have escalated further as a result of the situation surrounding the country's presidency.

South Korea's top court holds 1st hearing in impeachment trial against president

The South Korean Constitutional Court held the first hearing of an impeachment motion against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over his failed bid to impose martial law on Dec. 3.

Separately, lawmakers will vote to impeach acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo after he refused to appoint three nominees to the Constitutional Court.

Australia warns of extreme bushfire danger

The weather agency of Australia forecasts extreme risk of bushfire in some states. Hundreds of people have already been evacuated to safer areas.

Chinese Foreign Ministry's regular briefing

The regular news conference of China's Foreign Ministry will be held in Beijing.

Protests expected to continue in Mozambique as death toll increases to 248

Protests against the disputed presidential election in Mozambique expected to continue a day after 33 people were killed after hundreds of inmates broke through the Maputo Central Prison. Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group in the Southern African nation said 248 people had lost their lives in the past 65 days since protests started following disputed presidential elections.

Communication ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States to meet in Mali

Ministers responsible for communication in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) which includes, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to meet for a two day meeting in the Malian capital Bamako. They are expected to discuss ways to enhance their communication strategy and adopt the terms of reference for the future AES TV and radio stations. They will also launch an AES digital platform which includes an online television and website. The three countries led by the military formally members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) withdrew from the bloc recently.

Turkish President Erdogan to attend

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in the northwestern province of Balikesir.

Matchweek 18 of English Premier League (Football)

Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town

Round 18 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (Basketball)

Bayern Munich vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Paris Basketball

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Fenerbahce Beko

SPECIAL REPORTS

2024: Deadly year for journalism, with Gaza at the forefront

Report on the state of journalism around the world as 2024 has been one of the deadliest years, particularly due to Israel’s attacks on media workers in Gaza.

The story presents an overview of the dire situation journalists faced around the world, with a particular focus on the killings of media professionals by Israeli forces. The report has data from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and Gaza’s Government Media Office.

It includes comments from RSF, and interviews with Tim Dawson, deputy general secretary of IFJ, and Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of the Gaza Media Office.

2025: Can the planet’s glaciers be saved from climate change?

Report on how climate change is accelerating the melting of the planet’s glaciers, a pressing issue that has led to the UN declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.

The story charts the trajectory of the problem over the first quarter of the century, explains how retreating glaciers threaten ecosystems and human populations, and presents expectations for the coming years.

The report includes interviews with Sridhar Anandakrishnan, a professor of glaciology and geophysics at Pennsylvania State University; Stefan Uhlenbrook, director of hydrology, water and cryosphere at the World Meteorological Organization; and Matthias Huss, a geographer and glaciologist.

Return of ‘Trumponomics’: What to expect for US and the world

Report on Donald Trump’s economic policies and tariff threats ahead of his second presidency, and their potential impact on the US and global economy.

The story presents an overview of the policy steps Trump has outlined for the US – such as tax cuts and spending tweaks – and on the international scale, particularly his vow to impose tariffs and boost US protectionism.

The report explores the possible impact of these policies within the US and around the world, with comments from Joe Hughes, a senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, and Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the US and the Americas Program at Chatham House.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Report on Trump’s economic policies and tariff threats ahead of his January inauguration, exploring the domestic and global impact of his moves, with comments from Chatham House’s Leslie Vinjamuri and Joe Hughes of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.