Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, January 16, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Gaza cease-fire, hostage swap deal

Global reactions to announcement of Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

Israel's Security Cabinet and the government will meet early Thursday to approve the agreement with Hamas.

⁠Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, ignoring global appeals to halt aggression and alleviate the immense suffering of millions facing relentless bombardment and a crippling blockade.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday following the announcement of a cease-fire agreement that is set to take effect on Jan. 19.

The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 surged to over 46,700, with more than 110,000 others injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

⁠Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Monitoring November cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

Israeli army violations continue, with at least 9 breaches committed on Wednesday, including flights of drones over Beirut and its suburbs, demolitions in the town of Markaba, an Ayta ash-Shaab, Hanin, Marun al-Ras, and the Yaroun forest. Additionally, artillery shelling was reported on the outskirts of Kfar Shuba in southern Lebanon.

Israel to date has committed more than 533 violations of the cease-fire agreement, resulting in 37 deaths and 45 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Assad administration.

On Wednesday, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said the new administration believes that no threat should be posed to Türkiye from Syrian territory.

He added that Syria and Türkiye have ushered in “a new history.”

Jordanian foreign minister to visit Lebanon

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to visit Beirut Thursday on open-ended visit during which he will meet with Lebanese officials.

Spanish foreign minister visit to Lebanon and Syria

Day two of Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares’s significant diplomatic visit to Lebanon and Syria.

In Beirut, Albares is expected to hold high-level political meetings to address Lebanon's challenges and strengthen bilateral ties.

He is also set to meet with UN officials Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and Imran Riza to discuss regional humanitarian situation, as well as with Gen. Aroldo Lazaro of UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun.

Albares will then visit Damascus to engage with the new Syrian administration, minority leaders, women’s civil society groups, and humanitarian organizations. His trip includes a symbolic visit to Sednaya prison to honor victims of Assad regime repression and visit to the Spanish Embassy in Damascus, where he will preside over the raising of Spain’s flag for the first time since the ambassador’s departure in 2012.

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.

Thousands on Wednesday attended a funeral procession for six Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike in the occupied West Bank.

Israel has killed at least 854 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Lebanon’s prime minister-designate to continue meetings with independent lawmakers

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam on Thursday to continue his meetings with some 25 independent lawmakers.

On Wednesday, Salam met with Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab and members of parliamentary blocs to discuss government lineup, the official National News Agency reported.

The parliamentary consultations, however, were not attended by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as originally planned.

Wednesday’s consultations were boycotted by parliamentary blocs of the Hezbollah group and allied Amal Movement.

Red Sea tensions and Houthi-Israel attacks

Red Sea tensions and the exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition on one side and Yemen’s Houthi group on the other, which intensified its attacks on Israeli military targets along with hitting Israeli cargo ships in the Red Sea or those associated with Tel Aviv.

The Yemeni Houthi group said Wednesday it launched an attack targeting the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and accompanying warships in the northern Red Sea.

Following all topics through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, and relevant websites in addition to giving breakings on related possible important developments.

NATO defense chiefs and partners – Brussels meeting concludes

NATO allied defense chiefs meet with over 20 of their counterparts from NATO partner nations. Meeting is presided by Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the Military Committee, and supported by Gen. Christopher Cavoli, supreme allied commander Europe (SACEUR), and Adm. Pierre Vandier, supreme allied commander transformation (SACT).

French journalists challenging intelligence-gathering legislation - ECHR judgment

European Court of Human Rights rules in case brought by French journalists, lawyers, and the professional groups that represent them who argue that French intelligence-gathering legislation infringes the right to protection of journalistic sources and the right to respect for private life.

ILO World Employment report release in Geneva

International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo to hold press breakfast for UN-accredited media to launch new ILO World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 (WESO Trends), which will be published just before the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

COVID-19 inquiry - Module 4 hearings continue; Matt Hancock to testify

Hearings begin for Module 4 of public inquiry into UK government handling of COVID-19 pandemic. Module 4 focuses on vaccines, and therapeutic and anti-viral treatment across the UK. Agenda today features evidence from Matt Hancock, former secretary of state for health and social care.

UK needs national strategy to tackle harms of alcohol - BMJ expert view

The UK needs an overarching national strategy to tackle alcohol-related harms, according to an expert view published in The British Medical Journal. The experts say successive government cuts have led to reduced provision and quality of alcohol treatment, and call for sustained funding for screening and care with contributions from industry towards the costs.

Russian, Central African presidents to hold talks in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with Central African Republic counterpart Faustin-Archange Touadera, who is in Moscow on an official visit. The two are expected to review the current state and future of political, trade, economic, and humanitarian bilateral cooperation, as well as recent international and regional developments.

Russian Foreign Ministry weekly press briefing

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold briefing on current foreign policy issues.

Meeting of Turkish, Mongolian presidents

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will officially welcome Mongolian counterpart Khurelsukh Ukhnaa at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara. Following bilateral and delegation-level meetings, an agreement signing ceremony and a joint press conference will be held.

Efforts to rescue trapped illegal miners continues in South Africa

Rescue workers expected to continue efforts to save dozens of illegal miners trapped in abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein, South Africa. On Wednesday the death toll rose to 78 and 228 lives were saved. Since December 2023 launch of Operation Vala Umgodi, also known as Close the Hole, police have arrested over 13,000 illegal miners. Illegal mining has been a major issue in South Africa for decades, with dozens of people risking their lives every day to enter disused mines and scrap for remaining precious metals.

Africa’s public health body to give latest updates on the mpox outbreak

Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention expected to hold briefing in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to provide latest details on mpox outbreak on the continent. Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya will also provide latest insights and urgent actions being taken to combat the outbreak.

Impeached South Korean president remains under detention, questioning over martial law continues

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol remains under detention as investigators continue questioning his short-lived declaration of martial law. He is first sitting president to be detained but has refused to testify. Separately, Constitutional Court holds 2nd hearing of impeachment trial.

North Korean reaction to arrest of South Korean president

Monitoring reaction from North Korea to arrest of first sitting president in South Korea after investigators took into custody Yoon Suk Yeol, whose administration saw ties with Pyongyang hitting new low. North Korean state media has reported just a few times about political crisis which engulfed South since Dec. 3.

Philippines, China discuss maritime tensions

Officials from Philippines and China to discuss maritime tensions over passage of big Chinese Coast Guard vessel, referred to as “monster ship.” Manila has accused Beijing of illegally entering its economic zone off Zambales but China has defended its actions.

Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish private sector’s foreign debt

Turkish Central Bank to announce outstanding loans received from abroad by private sector for November

German inflation

Germany’s Destatis to announce inflation figures for December. It was 2.6% in November on a yearly basis and market expects no change for December.

Eurozone trade

Eurostat to share foreign trade figures for November. The trade balance posted a surplus of €6.8 billion in October and a slight increase is expected.

US jobless claims

US to release jobless claims figures and retail sales.

OECD unemployment

Paris-based OECD to release unemployment figures for November.

SPORTS

Stage 11 of 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia (Off-road endurance)

Round 3 of Australian Open, 1st Grand Slam of the season, to be played in women's and men's (Tennis

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 22 (Basketball)

Paris Basket vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv

Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos

English Premier League Week 21 (Football)

Manchester United vs. Southampton

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Trump won’t stop me’: Migrants in Mexico defiant despite US deportation, border threats

Report on prospective migrants in Mexico and their concerns as they plan to head to US despite incoming President Donald Trump’s threats of mass deportations and closed borders.

Story details anti-migration policies expected to be implemented by Trump and his administration, and interviews migrants in Mexico City who speak about how and why they plan to move on to the US.

The report presents look at human costs of Trump’s expected policies, with migrants from Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and other countries sharing insights into their experiences and hopes for the future.

After first visit, UN inquiry commissioner hopeful for Syrians’ fight for justice

Interview with Hanny Megally, commissioner of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, focusing on his recent visit to the country, the first since the fall of the Assad regime.

Megally shares insights into his team’s experiences and observations in the capital Damascus, explaining how the current situation represents a positive chance at ensuring accountability and justice for the crimes perpetrated by the regime and its officials.

The UN official speaks about key requirements for the judicial process to punish Assad and his allies, including the preservation of vital evidence, and shares his views on Syria’s administrative and general future.

Dismantling UNRWA will be ‘catastrophic’ for Gaza and Palestinians: Expert

Interview with Jorgen Jensehaugen, leading Palestine-Israel expert and senior researcher at the Peace Research Institute Oslo in Norway.

Jensehaugen warns of devastating impact of Israel’s ban on UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), set to come into effect later this month.

He explains how the ban will deprive millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank of essential services, and calls for international actors to take steps to fill the dangerous vacuum UNRWA ban would create.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Hanny Megally, head of UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, about his recent visit to the country, the first since fall of the Assad regime.

VIDEO - Interview with Jorgen Jensehaugen, senior researcher at Peace Research Institute Oslo in Norway, about the impact of Israel’s ban on UNRWA, set to come into force later this month.