Morning Briefing: Jan 6, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday with, including a report saying that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is preparing to announce his resignation, South Korea’s anti-corruption agency asking the police to execute a warrant for the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law attempt, and the head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad preparing to depart for Doha to take part in talks with Palestinian factions on a hostage swap deal.

TOP STORIES

• Canada's Trudeau expected to step down amid party pressure: Report

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is preparing to announce his resignation, according to a media report.

Citing anonymous sources, The Globe and Mail reported that Trudeau is expected to resign as leader of the Liberal Party possibly before a critical party meeting on Wednesday.

This comes as Trudeau faces growing dissatisfaction within his party and low public approval ratings, raising concerns about his ability to win the next election against a surging Conservative opposition.

Sources suggest that Trudeau wants to control the timing of his departure to avoid the appearance of being ousted by his party. It remains unclear whether he will step down immediately or continue as prime minister while the Liberals choose a new leader.

• South Korean agency asks police to execute arrest warrant for impeached president

South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has asked the police to execute a warrant for the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law attempt, both sides confirmed.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) submitted an official request late Sunday, just one day before the warrant expires.

"The CIO sent us an official letter requesting our cooperation without prior consultations," a police official told Yonhap news agency, adding: "We are internally carrying out a legal review."

The CIO suspended its execution of the warrant on Friday following a prolonged standoff with presidential security staff at the presidential residence.

The agency has been collaborating with the police and the Defense Ministry's investigation unit on a joint probe into Yoon's brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

• Mossad chief to visit Qatar Monday for hostage swap talks with Hamas

The head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, David Barnea, is scheduled to depart for the Qatari capital Doha on Monday to participate in talks on a hostage swap deal with Palestinian factions, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported.

Citing unnamed sources, it said that "Barnea will travel to Doha on Monday to take part in the exchange deal negotiations."

Similarly, Israel’s Channel 12 also reported on Barnea’s planned visit to Doha. The channel, quoting Israeli officials, noted significant progress in the negotiations but said it is still too early to declare that the agreement is finalized.

On Friday, an Israeli delegation returned to Doha to resume indirect negotiations with Hamas mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

Hamas also announced the resumption of indirect negotiations with Israel in Doha focusing on a cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the return of displaced persons.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli army committed nine violations of a cease-fire agreement with Lebanon, bringing the total to 392 breaches since the agreement took effect on Nov. 27, 2024. Israeli bulldozers carried out operations inside Lebanese territory on the outskirts of the border town of Al-Dhahira in Tyre district of the South Governorate, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
• North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea, said South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• A group of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Toronto, Canada to demand the release of the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who was detained by Israeli forces last month.
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected a claim by Roderich Kiesewetter, a prominent lawmaker of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), that he may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before Germany’s federal elections on Feb. 23.
• At least seven infants have died in Gaza due to cold weather and inadequate shelter, said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
• A powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the coast of El Salvador, shaking residences in several parts of the country.
• Greece has declared four days of national mourning following the passing of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
• Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with US special envoy for Lebanon Amos Hochstein to discuss developments in Lebanon and efforts to address ongoing challenges.
• The Israeli army has warned its personnel traveling abroad that they risk arrest after one of its soldiers fled Brazil while being investigated for possible war crimes in Gaza, local media reported.
• A Palestinian teen was killed and two others were injured by Israeli army gunfire during a military raid on the city of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s longstanding commitment to stabilizing Syria and supporting its recovery.
• Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will pay a visit to Türkiye on Monday, a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country “literally defeated” the Daesh/ISIS terror group, which had “recently attempted to be relaunched as an apparatus for regional plans.”
• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has confirmed that the US will impose “full sanctions” on the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), a company largely owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom Neft.
• Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in the Qatari capital Doha, marking his first visit to the Gulf country.
  

SPORTS

• Man Utd draw at Liverpool 2-2, visitors' Maguire misses great chance near end of thriller

Manchester United, which spent a disappointing season in England, secured a 2-2 draw at Liverpool in a Premier League match as the visitors' defender Harry Maguire missed a last-gasp chance.

Premier League leaders Liverpool have 46 points in 19 matches and a game in hand.

Liverpool's nearest opponents Arsenal have 40 points in 20 games. The Gunners had a 1-1 draw at Brighton on Saturday.

Manchester United have 23 points to be 13th in the league table.

• Roma beat Lazio 2-0 in Italian Serie A derby

AS Roma beat Lazio 2-0 in an Italian Serie A week 19 derby.

Lazio are in fourth spot with 35 points while Roma are in 10th spot with 23 points in the standings.

• Dembele's late goal brings PSG French Super Cup title

Ousmane Dembele's late goal brought Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) the French Super Cup (Trophee des Champions) title.

Last season's French Ligue 1 champions the Parisians beat French Cup winners Monaco 1-0 in the final with the French attacker's goal in the 92nd minute at Doha's Stadium 974.

PSG, the most successful club in the competition, bagged their 12th trophy.

This year's competition was held in the Qatari capital Doha as Ligue 1 had announced in December that they signed a title partnership with Visit Qatar, the national organization responsible for developing and promoting tourism in Qatar.