Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

US envoy Hochstein visit to Lebanon

The visit of the US presidential envoy, Amos Hochstein, to Beirut, Lebanon amid a fragile implementation of the Lebanon-Israel cease-fire agreement and presidential elections in Lebanon

On Monday, Hochstein arrived in Lebanon coming from Saudi Arabia and met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He also co-chaired a monitoring committee meeting in the southern border region of Ras Naqoura, which is led by the US.

Developments in Syria under new administration

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

On Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaiban arrived in the UAE and met with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral relations and recent developments in Syria. He is also expected to visit Jordan on Tuesday.

A new Qatari relief plane along with a convoy of 60 Saudi aid trucks arrived in Damascus carrying essential humanitarian aid for Syrian families in need.

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

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 Monday, a medical source told Anadolu that four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in northern Gaza City.

In a second targeted attack in the city, a woman and a child were killed as an Israeli drone struck a home sheltering displaced people near the Great Omari Mosque.

In a separate attack, at least 40 Palestinians were injured in an Israeli drone strike on a school sheltering displaced civilians in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

In the southern Gaza Strip, a medical source confirmed that two Palestinians were killed as the Israeli army struck an agricultural area in northern Rafah city.

The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 surged to over 45,850, with more than 109,100 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 Monday, two brothers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the northern Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army continued to detonate and destroy homes and buildings in Gaza's northern areas, including Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, according to witnesses.

Gaza cease-fire talks

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

On Monday, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that Hamas has submitted a list of Israeli captives held in Gaza. However, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied receiving any such document.

As of now, Hamas has not issued a statement confirming or denying the report.

For its part, Israeli Channel 12 reported that the planned visit of the Mossad chief David Barnea to Doha, initially scheduled for Monday, has been postponed. The visit was intended to continue discussions on a potential prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas.

The reasons for the delay remain unclear, and neither Israeli nor Qatari officials have issued statements regarding the rescheduling of the visit.

US special envoy to the Middle East Brett McGurk is already in the Qatari capital, indicating the importance that the Biden administration attaches to the meetings and the efforts to reach a deal before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

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 Monday, the Israeli army carried out explosions in Naqoura in southern Lebanon on, according to the Lebanese state news agency NNA which did not provide any details about the nature of these explosions.

Israel had committed over 394 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 Monday, two children and former prisoners were among the detainees in the raids that targeted East Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Ramallah.

In a separate incident, illegal Israeli settlers dressed in military uniform blocked the convoy of Palestinian Local Government Minister Sami Hijjawi in Masafer Yatta, a statement by the Local Government Ministry said without providing further details.

Israel has killed at least 838 people in the occupied West Bank since Oct. 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,100 taken into custody.

Turkish President Erdogan's meeting with Iraq's KRG premier

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government.

Ramstein contact group meeting on Ukraine

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown chair meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Austin and Brown are expected to hold press conferences.

ECHR judgements in two cases of ‘pushbacks’ by Greek authorities

European Court of Human Rights hands down judgments in two cases concerning alleged "pushbacks" of asylum seekers to Türkiye. Asylum-seekers face pushbacks from the Hellenic Coast Guard on different Greek islands. Several reports reveal inhumane and "gross" practices directed toward migrants and asylum seekers. The European Court of Human Rights has condemned the Greek authorities’ treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in multiple cases.

Development work of Foreign Office, select committee session in UK

International Development Committee questions UK Foreign Office permanent secretary, Sir Philip Barton, and Development Minister Anneliese Dodds on the department's development work. Possible questions on the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

UN briefing

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

China's top diplomat Wang Yi continues Africa trip

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to continue his Africa visit in Namibia aimed at reaffirming China’s commitment to Africa relations. Wang Yi started his annual New Year tour of four Africa nations on the weekend which will see him visit the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria which are all China’s friendly cooperation partners. Wang Yi’s visit is also aimed at implementing the outcomes of last year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit held in Beijing.

Dozens dead after 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes China’s Tibet region

Search and rescue operations are continuing after a strong earthquake of 6.8 magnitude left at least 53 people dead in China's Tibet region. Dozens of others were also injured when the earthquake struck the city of Xigaze in the Xizang Autonomous Region.

Prominent Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye to appear before military court

Ugandan veteran opposition politician Col. (Rtd) Kizza Besigye to appear before a military court in the capital Kampala facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Besigye and a colleague Hajji Obeid Lutaale are accused of planning to create a rebellion against the state.

Street protests expected to continue in Kenya

Kenyan activists and youth are expected to continue protesting against abduction and alleged enforced disappearance of critics of the government and President William Ruto. At least four out of 29 Kenyans abducted recently have since been freed by their captors. Heavy security deployment is expected across the capital Nairobi.

Investigators push to seek fresh arrest warrant against South Korean president

Investigators to seek fresh arrest warrant against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The investigators failed to arrest Yoon, whose security officials blocked the attempt by investigators from arresting the president to face questioning over Dec. 3 martial law. He is also facing charges of insurrection and treason and is under travel ban. A top court is also holding a trial whether to remove or reinstate Yoon.

North Korea likely to release details of missile launch

North Korea is likely to release details of its first missile launch of 2025 as claimed by South Korea and Japan. Seoul said it was a medium-range ballistic missile.

Pakistan to hold multinational naval exercises

Pakistani navy to hold 5-day long multinational exercises, AMAN 25, in the Arabian Sea near the southern port city of Karachi. In the previous exercise held in 2023, officials and navies from some 50 countries had participated. The navy took the initiative of holding multinational exercises in 2007 with Aman’s motto "Together for Peace."

Bangladesh’s ex-Premier Zia flies to UK for treatment

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to leave Dhaka aboard a special plane from Qatar for the UK to receive advanced health treatment. Zia, charged in graft cases, was under house arrest but was released after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government on Aug. 5 last year.

US President to visit Coachella Valley

President Joe Biden to visit the Eastern Coachella Valley where he is expected to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument in California. Biden is due to deliver remarks at Box Canyon Wash in afternoon.

Jimmy Carter's body arrivs in Washington ahead of state funeral

Developments as the body of former US President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, arrives in Washington DC ahead of his state funeral on Thursday.

Hearing of killing woman on NYC subway

Hearing in the case of Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan man in the US illegally, who is accused of killing a woman on the New York City subway on Dec. 22 after setting her clothes alight while she slept.

Canada's Trudeau steps down as prime minister

Developments after Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party, pushed out by fellow Liberal lawmakers.

Venezuela breaks relations with Paraguay

Monitoring developments after Venezuela announced it is breaking diplomatic relations with Paraguay and ordered with the immediate withdrawal of its accredited diplomatic personnel in that country after President Santiago Pena met with leaders of the Venezuelan opposition.

Top US diplomat visits Japan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pays trip to Japan, in what would be his last trip under Biden administration which leaves the White House on Jan. 20.

Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing in Beijing. The ministry is likely to respond to top US diplomat Blinken’s trip to South Korea, as well as Japan, among other issues.

THE ECONOMY

Eurozone inflation

Eurostat to share inflation figures for December. It dropped to 2.2% in November from 2.3% in October but a slight increase is expected for December. Eurostat will also share unemployment data.

US trade balance

The US will reveal foreign trade figures for November. The country posted a trade balance deficit of $73.8 billion in October, but market expectation for November was at $78.4 billion. The country will also share JOLTS job openings for November.

SPORTS

2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia (Off-road endurance)

Dakar Rally's third stage to be held between Saudi Arabia's Bisha and Al Henakiyah.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Moment of hope, relief, truth for Syria: Activist who survived Assad’s brutal prisons

Interview with Syrian human rights activist and public speaker Omar Alshogre about the fall of the Assad regime and future of Syria.

He speaks about the international community’s role in the crisis, emphasizing that the world was aware of the regime’s brutality, and underscores the importance of Syrians making their own efforts for accountability.

Alshogre, who survived years of torture and starvation in Syrian prisons, also narrates the harrowing conditions he faced, while sharing his expectations for the country’s future and rehabilitation after decades of oppression and war.

Canada’s Trudeau steps down as prime minister: What to know

Report on Justin Trudeau’s decision to end his nine-year tenure as prime minister of Canada.

The story presents an overview of Trudeau’s personal and political history, charting the key milestones and major challenges that have eventually led to the 53-year-old stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party.

The report explores the impact of Trudeau’s resignation and the potential policy shifts that could emerge in Canadian politics.

‘Superrich are out of control’: UK lawmaker blasts ‘anti-democratic’ Elon Musk

Interview with British MP Richard Burgon about Elon Musk’s inflammatory remarks on the UK and its government.

Burgon, an independent lawmaker for Leeds East, strongly condemns Musk for trying to meddle in British politics and other countries in Europe, emphasizing the need to rein in the world’s wealthiest person “who's peddling far-right nonsense on his social media platform.”

The UK parliamentarian warns that Musk, set to be a prominent figure in Donald Trump’s second administration, is “bad news” for the US and Europe, calling out the Tesla and X chief for “whipping up hatred” and treating politics as a “plaything.”

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Syrian human rights activist Omar Alshogre about the fall of the Assad regime, where he speaks about the need for accountability, the international community’s role, and the future of Syria as it rebuilds after decades of oppression and war.

VIDEO - Interview with British lawmaker Richard Burgon about Elon Musk’s inflammatory comments about the UK and its government, where the parliamentarian strongly condemns the tech mogul’s attempts to interfere in European politics.