Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

French ministers to visit Lebanon for UNIFIL engagement, cease-fire discussions

French Ministers of the armed forces and foreign affairs, Sebastien Lecornu and Jean-Noel Barrot, will visit Lebanon from Monday to Wednesday to meet French soldiers serving in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Lecornu is scheduled to meet Lebanese army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun on Monday in Beirut. He will oversee the deployment of soldiers in southern Lebanon following the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lecornu is later set to meet Gen. Edgar Laundos, commander of the South Litani Sector, who represents Lebanon in the truce monitoring committee.

Developments in Syria under new administration

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

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's new administration, vowed on Sunday that his government would prevent the terrorist group PKK/YPG from using Syria as a base of operations.

He said holding new elections in the war-torn country could take up to four years.

A mass grave, linked to a massacre previously committed by the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime, was discovered in the vicinity of Al-Qabo village in Homs province, central Syria.

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.

Another Palestinian detainee from Gaza died in an Israeli hospital on Sunday.

Besides, at least seven people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Wafa hospital in Gaza City.

A 20-day-old baby also died due to severe cold and a lack of heating in refugee tents in the central Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army targeted the Baptist Hospital in Gaza, escalating the ongoing destruction in the northern areas of the Gaza Strip.

The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to more than 45,500, with over 108,100 others injured.

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 Sunday, six Palestinians were killed and others injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting several homes in the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.

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 Sunday, an Israeli media outlet reported that the Israeli army might stay in southern Lebanon beyond the 60-day deadline set in last month’s cease-fire agreement.

Since the cease-fire was declared on Nov. 27, the Israeli army has committed at least 330 violations, resulting in 33 deaths and 37 injuries, according to Lebanese authorities.

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.

Israel has killed at least 835 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.

New French prime minister to visit Mayotte

France’s newly appointed Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will visit the country’s overseas archipelago Mayotte after it was devastated by Cyclone Chido, which killed 39 people. During the day-long visit, Bayrou aims to bring concrete solutions to Mayotte’s health, education, and accommodation issues. He will head to France’s Reunion Island, also in the Indian Ocean, on Tuesday.

Magdeburg Christmas market attack: Intelligence heads at Bundestag committee hearing

German parliament's Interior and Homeland Committee to hold a special private session to discuss the status of the investigation into the Dec. 20 car attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg that killed five people and injured 200.

The suspected attacker has been identified by authorities as a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia who came to Germany in 2006 and has publicly supported the AfD.

The Parliamentary Control Committee is also expected to meet. Participants are expected to include Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the heads of the Federal Intelligence Service, Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, as well as Saxony-Anhalt State Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang.

UN Security Council to discuss Houthi attacks on Israel

UN Security Council to meet to discuss attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Israel, with Israel's attacks on Yemen to be likely also addressed. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari is expected to brief.

Violence in Haiti

Humanitarian and political situation in Haiti where gang violence left nearly 5,000 people dead 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 last week near the Kazakh city of Aktau, on the Caspian Sea coast. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have launched investigations into the incident. 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. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also said that the plane's tail was severely damaged as a result of "weapons fire from the ground."

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.

Chad to announce election results in first parliamentary election in over a decade

Electoral officials in Chad are expected to start announcing winners of the parliamentary, regional and municipal elections held on Sunday, for the first time in more than a decade.

The election is aimed at ending a three-year transitional period since the military took power following the death of President Idriss Deby Itno.

South Africa expected to announce mediation efforts in Mozambique

South Africa is expected to formally announce its planned mediation efforts in resolving the political impasse in Mozambique.

An envoy of South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa traveled to Mozambique on the weekend where he met current President Filipe Nyusi and incoming President Daniel Chapo to discuss a possible dialogue to end the ongoing post-election violence.

Mozambique has experienced widespread violent protests since late October when the ruling party, Frelimo was declared to have won the elections. More than 250 people have lost their lives since the protests began.

Last week, South Africa urged all parties in Mozambique to commit to an urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory.

South Korea mourns plane crash as authorities likely to release accident details

South Korea is holding a 7-day national mourning after a Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air, carrying 181 passengers including six crew, crashed killing 179 people. Two were rescued. Authorities are likely to release details of what transpired before the plane made a belly landing at Muan airport in South Jeolla province.

South Korean president likely to face arrest warrants

After defying summons for probe four times, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to face arrest warrants over his short-lived Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Yoon is facing insurrection and treason among other charges and remains suspended from office pending trial by Constitutional Court.

India to launch SpaDeX mission

Indian Space Research Organization to launch SpaDeX mission. The mission aims to demonstrate in-space docking technology using two small spacecraft and is said to be crucial for India's future space endeavors.

Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China's Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to respond to situation on the Korean Peninsula including Pyongyang's 'strongest response strategy’ against the US as well as ongoing tensions in bilateral ties with Washington. Beijing may also reflect on meeting between Chinese and Iranian foreign ministers held over the weekend.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's economic confidence

Turkish Statistical Institute to release economic confidence index for December. It was at 98 in October and 97.1 in November.

Turkish banking sector data

Turkish banking watchdog to release sector figures for November.

SPORTS

Matchweek 19 of English Premier League (Football)

Ipswich vs. Chelsea

Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

SPECIAL REPORTS

2025: Will the far right break through Europe’s ‘cordon sanitaire’?

Report on the rise of the far right in Europe and how shifting trends in public support could influence the continent’s politics in 2025.

The story presents an overview of far-right parties’ performance in European elections in 2024 and offers projections for more expected gains in the coming years.

The report includes an interview with Adrian Favero, a researcher and assistant professor of European politics at the University of Groningen, who breaks down the reasons for the rise in far-right support and the strategies used by these political forces, along with the countermeasures that could be employed to stem their ascent.

Türkiye’s economy in 2024: A year of change and policy shifts

Report charting the major developments in Türkiye’s economy in 2024.

The story provides an analysis of the country’s economic performance, focusing on critical monetary policy adjustments, inflation control efforts, and the implications of these measures for the Türkiye’s economic stability and growth.

The report also provides details of the key policies implemented by the Turkish government and presents a comprehensive overview of the economic outlook with relevant data.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with researcher and academic Adrian Favero on the rise of the far right in Europe, reasons for the shifting trends in public support and possible countermeasures, and projections for the coming years.