ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Jan. 3, 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 Thursday, Syria’s Military Operations Command has launched a “security operation” in central Homs province, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) reported.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen urged the international community to support Syria's complete restoration of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity, while also calling for an immediate halt to Israel's aggression.
A third Saudi plane carrying humanitarian aid arrived in Damascus on Thursday, as part of the kingdom’s relief airlift to Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last month.
More Arab and international officials' political and diplomatic visits in Damascus and their meetings with Syrian officials.
Israeli actions following Assad's ouster in Syria
Israel’s reactions and steps in the aftermath of the Assad regime's downfall in Syria as it monitors unfolding developments in the neighboring country.
On Thursday, Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike on Tel al-Shahem, southwest of the Syrian capital Damascus, local sources told Anadolu.
The sources said the targeted site had been used as a military base by the Bashar al-Assad regime before its fall.
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 Thursday, the Gaza police chief and his aide were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern city of Khan Younis, the Interior Ministry said.
More than 50 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, the Palestinian group Hamas said.
The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to over 45,550, with nearly 108,400 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 Thursday, 10 Palestinians were killed, and others were injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a civilian gathering in Jabalia Al-Balad, eyewitnesses told Anadolu.
Gaza cease-fire talks
Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.
A Hamas delegation left Cairo after talks regarding a hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza, media reports said on Thursday.
According to Egyptian sources, the Hamas delegation showed “significant flexibility” in achieving the deal.
Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon
Over one month of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt more than 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.
On Thursday, Israeli forces staged an incursion into the town of Beit Lif in southern Lebanon, in the latest violation of a cease-fire deal, Lebanese media said.
It was the first time for Israeli forces to advance toward the town since the cease-fire deal with Lebanon came into force on Nov. 27, 2024.
The latest breach brought the number of Israeli violations of the cease-fire deal to 336, according to an Anadolu tally based on figures released by the 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.
Turkish President Erdogan to take part in Istanbul foreign trade event
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will participate in an event in Istanbul that will announce 2024 export figures.
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.
France - first meeting of new Cabinet
New French Cabinet meets for the first time. Follows replacement of Prime Minister Michel Barnier by Francois Bayrou, with new team of ministers announced on Dec. 23.
Finnish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee to hold an exceptional meeting over recent cable damages in the Baltic Sea
Finland’s parliamentarian committee to hold an exceptional meeting on Friday over recent cable damages in the Baltic Sea, which involved Chinese and Russian ships. Most recently, authorities in Finland reported that Eagle S tanker, registered under the Cook Islands flag and believed to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," has been detained in connection with the subsea cable damage incident that occurred on Christmas Day.
Developments after New Orleans attack, Las Vegas explosion in the US
Developments regarding the New Year Day's deadly attack in New Orleans and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The FBI said there is “no definitive link” between the attacks.
New term of US Congress
The 119th Congress begins Friday with Republicans in full control of the House and Senate for the first time since 2019. Republicans won a 220-215 majority in the House and a 53-47 majority in the Senate. However, Rep. Matt Gaetz said he would not be sworn in for the new Congress, cutting the Republicans’ advantage to 219-215.
Following the official swearing-in of new members, the first order of business in the House of Representatives is to elect a House speaker. Current Speaker Mike Johnson is hoping to continue for another term in his post following President-elect Donald Trump's endorsement. Johnson needs a majority -- 218 votes -- to be elected. Democrats will put forward their leader, Representative Hakeem Jeffries.
UN Security Council meeting
A briefing will be held at the UN Security Council to discuss Israel’s attacks against hospitals in Gaza. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk are expected to brief.
Canadian premier to participate in meeting on Canada-US relations
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will participate virtually in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Canada-US Relations.
Trudeau will visit the US Embassy to sign the book of condolences for former US President Jimmy Carter.
Mozambique could face renewed protests
Mozambique’s opposition leader Venancio Mondlane is expected to announce the next phase of protests, after he temporarily halted demonstrations last week, to allow entry of international organizations to investigate alleged human rights abuses committed by security forces in the country. The main opposition party started protesting late October alleging fraud in the presidential elections that saw clashes between security personnel and protesters, leaving 278 people dead.
Relief agencies to deliver assistance to dozens of families whose homes were destroyed by fire
Humanitarian organizations are expected to provide relief assistance to dozens of people whose homes were burnt down on New Year's Eve in Kayamandi informal settlement in Stellenbosch, South Africa. More than 90 people have been left stranded with nowhere to live.
Investigators suspend arrest warrant against South Korea's impeached president
Monitoring developments after investigators suspended an arrest warrant on South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The development comes after the presidential security blocked investigators from taking Yoon into custody.
Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing
China’s Foreign Ministry is expected to hold a news conference in the capital.
Top Maldivian, Indian diplomats meet in New Delhi
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel to hold meeting with Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New Delhi. The two sides' leaders to hold bilateral discussions on regional issues.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's inflation
The Turkish Statistical Institute to release consumer inflation figures for December. It was at 47.09% in November but market expectation was at 45.2% for the last month of 2024.
Türkiye's foreign trade
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat will release the country's provisional foreign trade figures for 2024. The country's exports fell 3.1% from a year ago to $22.3 billion in November, while imports rose 2.7% to $29.8 billion.
SPORTS
Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 19 (Basketball)
Paris Basketball vs. Barcelona
Fenerbahce Beko vs. Anadolu Efes
Spanish LaLiga matchday 12 (Football)
Valencia vs. Real Madrid
SPECIAL REPORTS
Assisted Dying Bill sparks concern, controversy in UK amid parliamentary discussions
The report focuses on the controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, also known as the Assisted Dying Bill that was brought to parliament last month making provision for a person who is terminally ill and meets the eligibility criteria to choose to request and lawfully be provided with assistance to end their own life.
Like politicians, campaigners also split over the bill as one side supporting it for "offering a change in the law to allow assisted dying as a choice," while many others opposing the practice that could put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives prematurely.
In an interview with Anadolu, Alistair Thompson, a spokesperson for Care Not Killing, an alliance of about 40 different organizations, campaigning to oppose the assisted dying practice, said that it would affect many people to end their lives routinely cite fear of being a burden on their families, carers or finances as a reason for their decision.
Bosnia and Herzegovina happy to see growing economic ties with Türkiye: Official
Bosnia and Herzegovina is eager to strengthen its economic ties with Türkiye, emphasizing the importance of increased Turkish investments and business ventures in the country.
Highlighting Türkiye’s constructive role in regional stability and its support for Bosnia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, Dino Selimovic, advisor to the Bosnian foreign minister, also underlined the value of media cooperation between the two nations. He praised Türkiye's advancements in media, strategic communication, and artificial intelligence, expressing a desire for Bosnia to learn from Türkiye in these areas.
Selimovic commended Türkiye's diplomatic efforts, particularly its role in mediating peace talks between Ethiopia and Somalia, and emphasized the positive impact of Türkiye's media presence in promoting stability and understanding across the Western Balkans.