ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 (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.
On Tuesday, the new administration named Murhaf Abu Qasra as the country’s defense minister.
The US Embassy in Damascus said that officials met with the new administration to discuss the recent developments in Syria and the need for an inclusive political process representing all Syrians.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council said it plans to provide support to Syria in the political, economic, and developmental fields.
More Arab and international officials' political and diplomatic visits in Damascus and their meetings with Syrian officials.
French ministers visit Lebanon for UNIFIL engagement, cease-fire discussions
The last day of the visit of the French ministers of the armed forces and foreign affairs, Sebastien Lecornu and Jean-Noel Barrot, to Lebanon to meet with French soldiers serving in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
On Tuesday, the two officials visited UN peacekeepers near the Israeli border and spent New Year's Eve with French soldiers of the international force in southern Lebanon in the town of Deir Kif.
They arrived in Lebanon on Monday night and a Lebanese army statement said they met with army chief Joseph Aoun and discussed “ways to strengthen cooperation relations between the armies of the two countries.”
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 Tuesday, Israeli artillery shelled the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in southwestern Gaza City.
Israeli forces also opened gunfire on the neighborhoods of Al-Sabra and Zeitoun in the city's southern and southeastern areas.
In the central Gaza Strip, helicopter gunships opened fire toward the northeastern areas of the Nuseirat refugee camp as military vehicles advanced on the camp’s northwestern areas.
The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to nearly 45,550, with over 108,300 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 Tuesday, a Palestinian man was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting the Jabalia al-Nazlah area, according to Palestine’s official news agency Wafa.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that heavy rainfall flooded more than 100 tents in Khan Younis.
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.
Tuesday, a shepherd from the town of Rmaish in southern Lebanon was injured after being struck by a gunshot fired by Israeli forces, according to local reports.
The Lebanese army said its forces have entered the town of Shamaa in the Tyre District following the withdrawal of Israeli forces as part of the implementation of the cease-fire agreement.
Shamaa is the second town to witness an Israeli withdrawal, after the army's earlier redeployment into the town of Khiam in the Marjayoun District.
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.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces assaulted a Palestinian man at a checkpoint, east of Tubas. Additionally, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in the village of Jiftlik, north of Jericho.
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.
Red Sea tensions and Houthi-Israel attacks
Israel, its US-UK allies, and Yemen's Houthi group intensified their attacks on each other's positions. The Houthis increased their attacks on Israeli military targets, as well as cargo ships associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea.
On Tuesday, the Houthi group said US and British warplanes launched 12 airstrikes on military headquarters in the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
The attacks came hours after the Houthis fired two ballistic missiles at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv and a power plant in southern Jerusalem.
Algeria takes over presidency of UN Security Council for January
Algeria assumes the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of January. Algeria's UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama will hold a press conference.
Poland assumes rotating leadership of Council of EU
Poland assumes rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months.
Bulgaria, Romania entry into Schengen area
Final stage of Bulgaria and Romania's entry into the European Union's Schengen area takes effect, with EU citizens now able to travel without land border controls to and between Bulgaria and Romania.
Crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Kazakh city of Aktau
An Azerbaijan Airlines 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 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. Kazakhstan said on Monday that the black boxes found in the crash site had been sent to Brazil for decoding.
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.
Mozambique expected to remain calm after days of violent protests
Mozambique is expected to experience relative calm on New Year’s Day after weeks of violent protests led to the deaths of 278 people since the main opposition party started protesting alleged fraud in presidential elections in late October. The Southern African regional bloc has called for an immediate end to all hostilities in Mozambique.
Presidents across Africa to deliver New Year messages
Presidents across Africa are expected to deliver New Year messages promising a ray of hope as many countries on the continent experience conflicts and endure effects of climate change and disease among other challenges.
South Korean President Yoon faces imminent arrest
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing an imminent arrest after a court in the capital Seoul allowed investigators to move against the 63-year-old impeached leader. Yoon has become the first sitting president to face arrest warrants over charges including treason and insurrection over his short-lived martial law.
Probe into South Korean air crash continues
Investigations into air crash continues in South Korea after a team of eight from the US and airline manufacturer Boeing joined native investigators. The crash of Boeing 737-800 plane of Jeju Air killed 179 people. Identity of almost all victims has been established amid growing calls to fix responsibility of the tragedy which struck South Korea over the weekend.
National leaders expected to deliver New year messages
National leaders across Asia-Pacific region are expected to deliver New Year messages.
Malaysia assumes chair of Southeast Asian bloc
Malaysia takes chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations on annual rotational basis. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads the events for the New Year under the theme of ‘inclusivity and sustainability.'
India's top diplomat visits Qatar
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar pays official visit to Qatar where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
SPORTS
Brentford vs. Arsenal - English Premier League Matchweek 19 (football).
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