Morning Briefing, Dec. 5, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including South Korea’s Democratic Party announcing plans to seek President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte saying the alliance’s member states will do their best to provide Ukraine with more much-needed air defense systems, and the Syrian regime detaining people in a region of Damascus deemed capable of carrying weapons.

TOP STORIES

• South Korean party accuses President Yoon of 'treason,' to seek impeachment

South Korea’s Democratic Party accused President Yoon Suk Yeol of treason and announced plans to seek his impeachment over his recent declaration of martial law.

"Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration is accountable for its unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law as an act of treason," said party spokesman Cho Seung-rae.

The party will also file charges against Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of being the one who proposed the martial law declaration to the president, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and other officials, calling for immediate investigations and justice.

• NATO member states will do their best to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems: Alliance chief

NATO member states will do their best to provide Ukraine with more much-needed air defense systems, said the alliance’s chief.

Pointing to systematic Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Russia and China are trying to destabilize NATO nations through acts of sabotage, cyber-crimes and by weaponizing energy.

To counter this threat, the alliance will take further steps, including better intelligence sharing, he said, speaking to the press on day two of a meeting of NATO member state foreign ministers in Brussels.

• Syria’s Assad regime detaining people in region of Damascus deemed capable of carrying weapons

Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime is detaining people aged 15-47 in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, citing their potential ability to bear arms.

According to information obtained by Anadolu correspondents from sources on the ground, the regime is stopping and detaining anyone in Eastern Ghouta deemed capable of carrying weapons, along with their vehicles.

Many young men in the region are reportedly trying to hide to avoid arrest.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The government of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier fell after losing a confidence motion in the country's National Assembly.
• At least 30 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes against the southern and northern Gaza Strip.
• A Russian ship fired warning shots at a German military helicopter in the Baltic Sea, local media reported.
• The European Union welcomed South Korea's decision to lift emergency martial law.
• Chancellor Olaf Scholz ruled out sending German troops to Ukraine and emphasized that his government will refrain from actions that could trigger a conflict between NATO and Russia.
• NATO is closely monitoring developments in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol failed in his attempt to impose martial and now faces impeachment, said the alliance’s chief.
• South Korean opposition parties filed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol amid a political crisis in the country
• The entire Cabinet of South Korea offered to resign after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law in the country, local media reported.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed developments in Syria with his Egyptian counterpart.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the Foreign Ministers Working Session of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the US of acting “aggressively” in the Middle East.
• Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London as part of a two-day state visit to Britain.
• Israel has no information on the whereabouts of its hostages in Gaza, a situation that is significantly influencing its military operations in the territory, according to a report by official media.
• US President Joe Biden concluded his visit to Angola with a roundtable discussion in Lobito with a high-level talk on the transformative potential of the Lobito Corridor railway project.

SPORTS

• Anadolu Efes beat Bayern Munich 101-90 in EuroLeague

Anadolu Efes beat Bayern Munich 101-90 in Round 13 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

The Istanbul club had six double-digit players, and Darius Thompson led Efes with an impressive 19 points at the Basketball Development Center.

Dan Oturu supported Thompson with 14 points, while Ercan Osmani and Rolands Smits each contributed 13 points. Jordan Nwora added 12 points, and Elijah Bryant rounded out the scoring with 10 points.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• TotalEnergies buys Germany based renewable energy firm VSB Group for $1.65B

French energy giant TotalEnergies signed a deal with Swiss asset manager Partners Group for the acquisition of Germany based renewable energy firm VSB Group.

The acquisition was agreed for €1.57 billion ($1.65 billion), according to the French company's press release.

"Thanks to its 500 employees, VSB has built a recognized expertise and notable track record in the development of onshore wind power farms across Europe,” it said.

• US stocks end higher as Dow closes above 45,000 for 1st time

US stocks ended with gains as the Dow Jones index set a milestone, closing above 45,000 for the first time.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 308.51 points, or 0.69%, finishing at 45,014.04.

The S&P 500 added 36.61 points, or 0.61%, to reach 6,086.49. The Nasdaq increased 254.21 points, or 1.3%, to end at 19,735.12.

• Bitcoin trades above $100,000 for 1st time

Bitcoin’s price surpassed $100,000 for the first time ever, marking the peak of a bull run that has driven the cryptocurrency’s value up by more than 30% since the Nov. 5 US presidential election.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency was hovering around $68,000 on the eve of Election Day to a then-record high of $75,000 the day following the election.

Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris boosted investor sentiment, driving Bitcoin to new record highs.