Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Developments in Syria under new administration

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

On Saturday, leader of the new administration Ahmed al-Sharaa met two top Arab delegations from Oman and Lebanon.

Al-Sharaa received Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, the special envoy of the Sultan of Oman leading an official delegation.

He separately met Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and discussed bilateral relations, and the return of Syrian refugees.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said it foiled an attempt by the ISIS terror group to bomb the Sayyida Zaynab shrine near Damascus.

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.

Four more Palestinians were killed on Saturday in two separate strikes on Gaza City, according to local sources.

Several Palestinian media organizations condemned the killing of Saed Abu Nabhan, a freelance Anadolu cameraman in the Gaza Strip.

Abu Nabhan, who was covering events in the Nuseirat refugee camp, was "martyred by the bullets of Israeli snipers," according to a statement from the Gaza media office.

The overall death toll due to Israel's military campaign in October 2023 surged to over 46,500, with nearly 109,600 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, 2024 and claimed the lives of more than 4,800 people.

In the latest crimes in northern Gaza, at least eight Palestinians, including two women and two children, were killed Saturday evening in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced civilians in northern Gaza.

The Israeli army, in a statement, claimed it had targeted Hamas members operating from the school, a justification it has frequently used in similar incidents.

The Israeli army also continued its systematic blowing-up operations against Palestinian homes and buildings in northern Gaza, rendering the place uninhabitable.

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.

According to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, illegal Israeli settlers attacked the Qa'oun plain near Bardala village in the northern Jordan Valley area, northeastern occupied West Bank, cutting down olive trees.

Israel has killed at least 847 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.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Developments related to the November 2024 cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

On Saturday, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported five more violations including the Israeli army's blowing up of several homes in Ayta al-Shaab town in the Bint Jbeil district, southern Lebanon.

Israel has committed over 400 violations of the cease-fire agreement, resulting in 37 deaths and 43 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

Deteriorating situation in war-torn Sudan

Dire security situation continues in Sudan amid intensified clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Sudanese army on Saturday announced entering and recapturing the city of Wad Madani in the Al Jazirah state in central Sudan from its rival RSF.

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 side, which intensified its attacks on Israeli military targets along with hitting Israeli cargo ships or those associated with it in the Red Sea.

On Saturday, Israeli media reported that security agencies are on high alert fearing a possible Houthi retaliation following a joint Israeli-American-British airstrikes on targets in Yemen a day before.

Turkish foreign minister to attend meeting on Syria in Saudi Arabia

Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan will attend a Syria-focused meeting in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, bringing together top diplomats from Türkiye, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Britain, Germany, Italy, the US, and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Croatia presidential election runoff

Runoff takes place to elect a new Croatian president following the first round on Dec. 29. Incumbent Zoran Milanovic is viewed as the clear favorite against his opponent Dragan Primorac.

Far-right protest in Bucharest

The Far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians to hold a mass protest against a Constitutional Court ruling last month that cancelled the Nov. 24 presidential election and ordered a re-run.

Calin Georgescu won nearly 23% of the first round vote, making him the front-runner, despite polling below 5% before the election. Opponents claimed Georgescu had been supported by a coordinated Russian campaign on TikTok, and on Dec. 6 the court annulled the first round.

On Jan. 8 the government announced the election would be re-run on May 4.

South Korea political turmoil

Developments in South Korea amid political crisis as around 1,000 investigators have been mobilized to execute fresh arrest warrant against South Korean impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Pakistan education summit to issue Islamabad declaration

The two-day International education summit, which is being attended by ministers and representatives from 44 countries, to conclude. The summit is expected to issue “Islamabad declaration” to propose actions for promoting girls education across the Muslim world. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and other leaders will address the conference on the final day.

Malaysian prime minister to visit UAE

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to embark on three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates. During the visit, he will hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership.

Search operation in Indian state

Search and rescue operation continues to find trapped workers after a coal mine was flooded in northeastern Assam state of India. Six days have passed since the search operation began.

⁠ ⁠Slovak delegation to visit Moscow

Visit of the Slovak parliamentary delegation headed by Deputy Chairman Andrei Danko to discuss the future of gas deliveries from Russia to Slovakia.

SPORTS

2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia

Dakar Rally's seventh stage to be held in Al Duwadimi

Spanish Super Cup final (Football)

The Spanish Super Cup final to be held at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona).