Morning Briefing: Dec. 31, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday with, including infants freezing to death in Gaza, a South Korean court issuing arrest warrant for the impeached president, and a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• 6 infants freeze to death in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli attacks

The number of infants who have died from the cold in Gaza’s tent camps over the past week rose to six, according to a statement by the Gaza Media Office.

Ali al-Batran, an infant displaced by Israeli attacks and living in a tent, died from severe cold and lack of heating, the statement said.

His twin, Jumaa al-Batran, who was in critical condition in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, also died from intense cold on Sunday.

• South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon

A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Yonhap news agency.

The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrant against Yoon on charges of masterminding the botched Dec. 3 martial law declaration, orchestrating the insurrection and abusing power, the news agency quoted sources as saying.

It marks the first time a sitting president has faced such legal action in the country’s history.

On Monday, a joint investigation team comprising the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, police and the Defense Ministry’s investigation unit announced that it sought the warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

• Russia, Ukraine swap prisoners of war

Russia and Ukraine on Monday swapped 300 prisoners of war, the Russian Defense Ministry announced.

A statement by the ministry said that 150 Russian servicemen have been returned by Kyiv, and all of them are being provided with psychological and medical assistance in neighboring Belarus.

The statement further said that all of the servicemen transferred by Ukraine will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.

Indicating that 150 Ukrainian personnel were returned in exchange, the statement added that the UAE mediated the exchange.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday discussed the latest developments in Syria and Palestine, bilateral relations, as well as global and regional issues.
• Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a phone call Monday with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shibani to discuss bilateral relations and coordination on issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Iraqi foreign ministry.
• Kazakhstan on Monday announced that the two black boxes found at the site of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash have been sent to Brazil for decoding.
• Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestine, on Monday urged medical professionals around the world to sever ties with Israel as a direct response to the destruction of Gaza’s health care system.
• The Pentagon announced Monday that detainee Ridah Bin Saleh Al-Yazidi was repatriated from the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Tunisia.
• The top federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital said Monday that he will step down before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
• US President Joe Biden on Monday ordered the closure of federal government agencies and executive departments on Jan. 9 to honor the 39th President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100.
• The Israeli army said Monday evening that it intercepted two rockets launched from northern Gaza toward settlements near the border.
• The US is “aware of reports and still gathering information” about the Israeli detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, said the State Department on Monday.
• Ford Motor Company’s official X account was reportedly hacked on Monday, with the compromised account posting pro-Palestinian messages.
• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) chief on Monday urged UN member states to act “now” to end the war in Gaza and restore hope for peace in 2025 as “the suffering has gone on long enough.”
• Thousands of South Koreans have canceled their flight tickets after a deadly airliner crash that claimed 179 lives, local media reported on Monday.

SPORTS

• Olympiacos FC parts ways with Brazilian veteran Willian

Greek team Olympiacos FC announced Monday that they decided to part ways with Brazilian veteran player Willian.

“Olympiacos FC wishes all the best to Willian in the next steps of his massive career. He will always have a family in Piraeus,” the club said in a statement on its official Instagram account.

The 36-year-old winger joined the Greek side from English club Fulham in September 2024.

• Portuguese manager Conceicao appointed head coach of AC Milan

Italian Serie A club AC Milan announced Monday that Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao has been appointed as the head coach of their men’s first football team.

The 50-year-old will stay with Rossoneri until June 30, 2026, according to a statement.

Conceicao will replace his compatriot, Paulo Fonseca, who was sacked by the club management on the same day.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Chinese hackers breach US Treasury in ‘major cybersecurity incident’: Report

A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group infiltrated the US Treasury Department, gaining unauthorized access to government workstations and unclassified documents, a media report said Monday.

The breach, described as a “major cybersecurity incident” by the Treasury Department, was discovered on Dec. 8 when BeyondTrust, a third-party software provider, alerted the agency, said The New York Times.

• Israeli aviation sector faces $28.8M loss amid ongoing Gaza genocide

The Israeli aviation sector has suffered losses amounting to 105 million shekels ($28.8 million) in the first nine months of 2024 as a result of the continued genocide in the Gaza Strip.

This information was revealed in a statement by the Israeli Airports Authority on Monday, alongside reports of continued flight cancellations by several Western airlines to and from Tel Aviv, as reported by local channels 13 and 14.

The authority confirmed that it incurred an operational loss of 105 million shekels due to the ongoing war and the reduction of international airline operations.

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