Turkish top officials make sudden trip to Damascus after Syria’s deal with Kurdish-led group

Turkish top officials make sudden trip to Damascus after Syria’s deal with Kurdish-led group

Handout photo shows Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (front-R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (front-L) after their meeting in Damascus, Syria on March 13, 2025. A trio of top Turkish officials on Thursday met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa during a working visit to neighboring Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, were received by Sharaa in the capital Damascus. Photo by Arda Kucukkaya/Turkish Foreign Ministry via DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish top officials make sudden trip to Damascus after Syria’s deal with Kurdish-led group

Turkish top officials make sudden trip to Damascus after Syria’s deal with Kurdish-led group

Handout photo shows Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after their meeting in Damascus, Syria on March 13, 2025. A trio of top Turkish officials on Thursday met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa during a working visit to neighboring Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, were received by Sharaa in the capital Damascus. Photo by Arda Kucukkaya/Turkish Foreign Ministry via DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Turkish top officials make sudden trip to Damascus after Syria’s deal with Kurdish-led group

Turkish top officials make sudden trip to Damascus after Syria’s deal with Kurdish-led group

Handout photo shows Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after their meeting in Damascus, Syria on March 13, 2025. A trio of top Turkish officials on Thursday met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa during a working visit to neighboring Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, were received by Sharaa in the capital Damascus. Photo by Arda Kucukkaya/Turkish Foreign Ministry via DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Shara Visits Turkey

Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Shara Visits Turkey

Handout - Turkish Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun (L) and Director of the National Intelligence Organization, Ibrahim Kalin (2nd L) welcome Syrian interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa with an official welcoming ceremony at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on February 04, 2025. Photo by Mustafa Kamaci/ Turkish Presidential Press Service via DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Shara Visits Turkey

Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Shara Visits Turkey

Handout -Turkish Director of the National Intelligence Organization, Ibrahim Kalin (L), accompanied by Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, shakes hands with Syrian interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa (R) during an official welcoming ceremony at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on February 04, 2025. Photo by Mustafa Kamaci/ Turkish Presidential Press Service via DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Shara Visits Turkey

Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Shara Visits Turkey

Handout - Turkish Presidential Advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic (L), Turkish Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun (C) and Director of the National Intelligence Organization, Ibrahim Kalin (2nd R) welcome Syrian interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa (R) with an official welcoming ceremony at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on February 04, 2025. Photo by Mustafa Kamaci/ Turkish Presidential Press Service via DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Indonesia: 1 Dead, Fire Erupts At Eviction Building In Salemba, Jakarta

A fire broke out at the former eviction building in Salemba, Senen District, Central Jakarta, on Monday morning, December 2. One man died, but his identity is still unknown. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-NEW KING

MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-NEW KING

(231027) -- KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 11, 2023 shows Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, attending a local activity in Johor, Malaysia. Malaysia's Conference of Rulers named the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, as the country's 17th king on Friday, state news agency Bernama reported. Sultan Ibrahim will be officially installed as king on Jan. 31, 2024, replacing his predecessor Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the keeper of the rulers' seal said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

Malaysia celebrates 66th anniversary of independence

STORY: Malaysia celebrates 66th anniversary of independence DATELINE: Sept. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:08 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of parades STORYLINE: Malaysia celebrated the 66th anniversary of its independence with parades, fireworks and large-scale gatherings on Thursday under the theme of unifying ties between its diverse groups. Shortly after midnight Wednesday, thousands of Malaysians marked the occasion through the singing of patriotic songs and other activities, with the festivities culminating in a parade overseen by King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the administration center of Putrajaya on Thursday morning. The Malaysian monarch was joined by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, members of the cabinet and other officials, with thousands of military and civilian personnel participating in the parade besides dancers and other performers. In a message to the people, Sultan Abdullah reminded Malaysians that unity is key to harmony, and well-being of the people

Malaysians mark Eid al-Fitr as economy recovers

STORY: Malaysians mark Eid al-Fitr as economy recovers DATELINE: April 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:06 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of city views in Kuala Lumpur 2. various of Muslims praying in the mosque 3. various of King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praying at the mosque 4. various of Malaysia's national flag and Kuala Lumpur city views STORYLINE: Malaysia's Muslims marked the Eid al-Fitr festival on Saturday as the country sees economic recovery. With a renewed interest in international travel and trade, Malaysians look forward to the festival, which typically begins with a trip back to their hometowns and a reunion with family members. The movement of people to their hometowns is especially felt in the capital Kuala Lumpur, with the usually busy roads being relatively free, with more tourists than locals walking around in parts of the city. This contrasts with heavy traffic along the country's main interstate highw

Malaysian parliament reconvenes with national budget, cost of living on agenda

STORY: Malaysian parliament reconvenes with national budget, cost of living on agenda DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:13 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the opening ceremony of the parliamentary session (Courtesy of Malaysian Parliament) 2. various of the arrival of Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Courtesy of Malaysian Parliament) 3. various of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Courtesy of Malaysian Parliament) 4. various of Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah attending the opening ceremony of the parliamentary session (Courtesy of Malaysian Parliament) 5. various of the parliamentary house in Kuala Lumpur (Courtesy of Malaysian Parliament) STORYLINE: Malaysia reconvened its lower house of parliament on Monday, as the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeks to pass the national budget for 2023. High on the agenda are discussions and measures meant to curb the rising cost of living, an issue that confronts Anwar's g

Japan vs. Jordan in World Cup qualifier

Japan vs. Jordan in World Cup qualifier

AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan's Ahmad Ibrahim (10) scores in the 60th minute of a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Japan at King Abdullah International Stadium in Amman on March 26, 2013. Jordan won 2-1.

Malaysian PM Anwar unveils cabinet

STORY: Malaysian PM Anwar unveils cabinet DATELINE: Dec. 3, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:44 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim 2. various of conference press 3. various of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim 4. various of street views STORYLINE: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled his cabinet on Friday, naming two deputy prime ministers in an effort to better represent both halves of the country. In a televised speech, Anwar said he himself will assume the finance minister's portfolio, a post which he previously held from 1991 to 1998. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is president of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), is one of the deputy prime ministers, while Fadillah Yusof who hails from the northern Borneo state of Sarawak is the other deputy prime minister. Anwar had previously pledged to give greater representation to the northern Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kuala

People in Mideast support Qatar World Cup, object Western media's unfair attacks

STORY: People in Mideast support Qatar World Cup, object Western media's unfair attacks DATELINE: Nov. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:50 LOCATION: Tripoli/Gaza, Palestine CATEGORY: POLITICS/SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of people in Lybia watching the Qatar World Cup 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): HAZEM AHMAD, Resident in Lybia 3. various of people in Palestine watching the Qatar World Cup 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (ARABIC): SALIM SHURRAB, Resident in Gaza 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (ARABIC): MAIS IBRAHIM, Resident in Palestine STORYLINE: As the FIFA World Cup is being held in Qatar, some Western countries have politicized the event by fabricating a "baseless campaign of defamation" against Qatar over its human rights. Football fans from different countries and regions have expressed their support for the Qatar World Cup as well as opposition to this racial discrimination against the Middle East. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): HAZEM AHMAD, Resident in Lybia "We are watching the World Cup hosted by Qatar. The organization of the tournament is great. Usu

Malaysian king extends deadline as negotiations on forming new gov't continue

STORY: Malaysian king extends deadline as negotiations on forming new gov't continue DATELINE: Nov. 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:31 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the national palace located in Kuala Lumpur 2. various of Malaysia Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia's national flag 3. various of Pakatan Harapan's leader Anwar Ibrahim at a press conference and a media interview afterwards 4. various of Barisan National's leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a press conference 5. various of UMNO's building 6. various of political parties' flags by the roadside 7. various of voters queuing up and casting their votes on the polling day STORYLINE: Malaysian political parties are still in discussion on how to form the next government following the indecisive election results, with the country's king Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah extending the deadline on Monday. The king initially asked the political parties to present a name to fill the prime minister's post by Monday and aft