Morning Briefing: Dec. 9, 2025

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa vowing to build “a new Syria” on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s fall, a massive Japan tremor injuring 30 with tsunami waves reaching the Pacific coast, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying “no compromise yet” on territory in the reduced 20-point Moscow-Kyiv peace plan.

TOP STORIES

• Sharaa vows transitional justice as Syria marks 1st anniversary of Assad’s fall

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Monday that his government is taking concrete steps to build “a new Syria” and is committed to transitional justice to ensure accountability for crimes committed against Syrians.

Addressing a gathering at the Conference Palace in the capital, Damascus, on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Sharaa said that from the “first moment of liberation,” he toured the country’s provinces to listen to people’s concerns and demands.

He said those consultations shaped a clear vision for Syria’s future.

• Massive Japan tremor injures 30, as tsunami waves reach Pacific coast

At least 30 people were injured in a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck northeastern Japan late Monday night as tsunami waves up to 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) reached the Pacific coast, local media reported on Tuesday.

Most injuries were reported in Aomori and Hokkaido, regions situated along a major seismic trench where powerful quakes often occur as the Pacific Plate dives beneath Honshu, according to Kyodo News.

The quake was initially recorded at a magnitude of 7.6 before revising it to 7.5.

• 'No compromise yet’ on territory in reduced 20-point Moscow-Kyiv peace plan: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that the proposed plan to end the Moscow-Kyiv war has been reduced from 28 to 20 points, with what he described as “non-Ukrainian” elements removed, but noted that no compromise has yet been reached on territorial issues.

“There were 28 points, now there are 20. We have aligned this direction and quite frankly, the non-Ukrainian points have been removed.

"The mood of the Americans, in principle, is for finding a compromise. Of course, there are complex issues related to the territory. A compromise has not yet been found there,” Zelenskyy told reporters, as quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday "strongly" condemned Israeli authorities for forcibly entering the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem, emphasizing the "inviolable" status of United Nations facilities.

• Slovenia on Monday condemned Israeli authorities for forcibly entering the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem, saying the move violates international law and undermines the protected status of United Nations facilities.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday hailed Türkiye’s regional role and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s diplomatic efforts, saying the Turkic world is emerging as a dynamic and strengthening force.

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday praised the progress made by Syrians over the past year, "despite all hardships, sabotage attempts and provocations."

• US President Donald Trump announced a new policy on Monday that would allow American chip giant Nvidia to ship its advanced H200 artificial intelligence (AI) chips to “approved customers” in China and other countries.

• Israeli police removed the United Nations flag from the compound of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem and raised the Israeli flag in its place, the agency’s commissioner-general said Monday.

• Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged Thailand on Monday to peacefully resolve the border dispute between the two countries.

• Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that the new US National Security Strategy reflects a “serious rethinking” of Washington’s global approach, including what it called a departure from past commitments to hegemony and an openness to continued joint efforts on resolving the war in Ukraine.

• South Africa’s president said Monday that “anything short of self-determination and the recognition of the fundamental human rights of the Palestinian people will not be acceptable and will not bring a just and lasting peace in that region.”

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump threatens Mexico with 5% tariff over water dispute

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that his administration will impose a 5% tariff on Mexico if it fails to release water owed to the United States under a longstanding bilateral water treaty.

"Mexico continues to violate our comprehensive Water Treaty, and this violation is seriously hurting our beautiful Texas crops and livestock," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

Trump claimed that Mexico still owes the US over 800,000 acre-feet of water accumulated over the past five years and has not responded to US demands for compliance.

• Türkiye, Hungary sign agreements on security, culture, to enhance ties

Türkiye and Hungary on Monday signed agreements on many fields, including aviation, security, technology, culture, and education, to enhance bilateral ties, the Turkish president said.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Istanbul, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the two countries are close to reaching the $6 billion trade volume target.