Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal

The third day of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, including the prisoner exchange, which will last 42 days.

Early Monday, Israel released 90 Palestinian detainees from Ofer Military Prison in the occupied West Bank as part of the deal with Hamas. None of the released is from the Gaza Strip.

The agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday after a delay.

On Sunday, Hamas handed over three Israeli captives to the Red Cross at Saraya in Gaza City who were transported in Israel.

Thirty more Israeli captives are expected to be released over the course of six weeks while Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza following Israeli genocidal war

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after 471 days of the Israeli genocidal war.

Some 634 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid entered the enclave and 25 fuel trucks, funded by Qatar, arrived through the Kerem Shalom crossing as part of a land bridge project.

The overall death toll due in Gaza since October 2023 has surged to over 47,000, with more than 111,000 others injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

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.

On Monday, the Israeli army said one soldier was killed and another critically wounded, with three others sustaining moderate injuries, during an “operational activity” in the northern West Bank.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has instructed the military to prepare for large-scale operations in the occupied territory, following the implementation of ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has killed nearly 860 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.

Developments in Syria under new administration

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

On Monday, Syria’s new administration leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani met UN envoy Geir Pedersen.

Iran has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Syria for now.

Israeli violations of ceasefire deal with Lebanon

November ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

On Monday, an Israeli tank targeted a house on the outskirts of Maroun Al Ras, while the army burned a house in the Al-Dabsh neighborhood of Mays al-Jabal. Artillery shelling also targeted the forests of Kfarchouba in the Hasbaya district of southern Lebanon.

Israel to date has committed over 570 violations of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in 37 deaths and 45 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

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 side.

The Houthis have attacked Israeli ships and those linked with Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. ​​

On Sunday, the group announced that the US conducted four airstrikes on the capital Sanaa.

Deteriorating situation in war-torn Sudan

A dire security situation continues in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On Monday, the Sudanese Army said the RSF targeted the Dongola power station in the Northern State, resulting in an electricity blackout in the city.

Turkish Cabinet meeting

Türkiye'sPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting and later to address the nation on domestic and international issues, including the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Türkiye-Sweden security meeting

Türkiye-Sweden Security Mechanism meeting is set to take place in the Turkish capital Ankara with the participation of high-level officials from both countries, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer.

This meeting is key for advancing collaboration on counter-terrorism efforts. In June 2022, during NATO’s Madrid summit, Türkiye, Sweden, and Finland signed a trilateral memorandum outlining the Scandinavian countries’ commitments to strengthen counter-terrorism legislation, curb the activities of the terrorist PKK, and lift defense export restrictions on Türkiye.

World Economic Forum (Davos) - Day 2

Conference of world leaders from government, business, civil society, media, academia and the arts in partnerships designed to shape the global, regional and industry agendas. A number of European, Asian, African, and Arab leaders are in attendance, who will speak at panels and also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

No confidence vote in Slovakian parliament

Slovakian lawmakers in Bratislava are due to consider a motion of no confidence in the government led by Robert Fico, who has faced criticism over his decision to visit Moscow in December for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva. Spokespersons of various UN agencies and international organizations meet with reporters to evaluate most pressing issues around the world.

Childhood poverty, parental mental illness may double teens' risk of violence and police contact in UK: Report

Living with persistent poverty and/or parental mental illness throughout childhood may double the risk of carrying and/or using a weapon and getting on the wrong side of the law by the age of 17, according to research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. Researchers estimate these factors may account for nearly 1 in 3 cases of weapon use or carriage and more than a quarter of all police contact among 17-year-olds.

Ukraine’s president to address World Economic Forum meeting in Davos

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a special address to participants of the 54th edition of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. During his address, Zelenskyy is expected to touch on matters regarding ending the war in Ukraine, as well as increasing support for Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow.

Top Armenian diplomat to visit Moscow

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to conduct an official visit to Moscow. He is scheduled to meet Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, after which the two ministers are expected to hold a joint press conference.

Donald Trump's first full day of second term as president

First full day of US President Donald Trump's second term following his inauguration. Trump is scheduled to attend a national prayer service as part of his inauguration at Washington National Cathedral.

Statements from Trump administration regarding Gaza ceasefire

Statements from the new Trump administration regarding the Gaza ceasefire. On Monday, Trump said he is not confident that the truce deal will be upheld, adding it is "not our war."

Quad foreign ministers - US expected to host meeting

US is expected to host a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, with new Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to meet Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong for their first talks since Trump took office.

Trump administration's Chicago immigration operation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are said to be planning a major enforcement operation that will target immigrants for several days following the inauguration of Donald Trump as president. As part of plans, multiple locations across Chicago could be targeted.

Donald Trump to meet John Thune and Mike Johnson

President Donald Trump is expected to host a meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Confirmation hearing for Trump's UN ambassador nominee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearing to consider the nomination of Elise Stefanik to be US ambassador to the UN.

Canada's Liberal Party leadership race

Campaigns to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal Party leader and prime minister who announced his resignation. Liberals will vote for their new leader on March 9 and currently there are two contenders: Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney and former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.

Violence kills more than 100 across Colombia

Escalating violence that killed more than 100 and displaced thousands across Colombia in recent days. In the Catatumbo region, fighting between ELN guerrillas and a dissident faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has resulted in the deaths of more than 80 victims, while in the southern Amazon region, clashes between two rival FARC dissident factions have led to the deaths of at least 20 others.

South African police launch search for illegal mine kingpin who escaped

Police in South Africa are searching for a Lesotho national alleged to be the kingpin behind the illegal operations at the Stilfontein disused mine, where 87corpses were retrieved from underground. The alleged kingpin is reported to have escaped from police after disembarking from the mine last week.

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon attends trial by Constitutional Court

South Korea impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol attends trial at the Constitutional Court reviewing his impeachment over his short-lived martial law declaration. He is the first president to attend trial in-person.

Australia psychiatrists to resign over pay dispute

Dozens of public sector psychiatrists in Australia’s New South Wales state are expected to quit their jobs over a pay dispute with the government. The NSW government may refer the ongoing dispute to the state's Industrial Relations Commission to end the dispute.

Taiwan legislature likely to vote on government budget

Taiwanese lawmakers are expected to vote on the government budget as the opposition, which has a majority in legislature, proposed cut on several proposals.

Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on US presidential inauguration, among other issues.

Indonesia continues evacuations amid lava outflow at Mt. Ibu

Indonesian continues to evacuate people from around Mt. Ibu which has seen lava outflow continue for several days. Hundreds of residents have been shifted to safer places on West Halmahera Island.

THE ECONOMY

UK unemployment

UK’s Office for National Statistics will reveal unemployment figures for November. The rate was 4.3% in October and no-change is expected.

Canada Inflation

Canada will release consumer inflation data for December 2024. The figure was 1.9% annually in November, but a slight decline is expected for the last month of the year.

Türkiye’s house sales

Turkish Statistical Institute to release house sales figures for 2024.

SPORTS

UEFA Europa League matchday 7 (Football)

Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv

UEFA Champions League matchday 7 (Football)

Liverpool vs. Lille

Benfica vs. Barcelona

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

SPECIAL REPORTS

Ethiopia shaken: Dozens of earthquakes in 2024 spark mounting fears, exodus

The story examines the increasing frequency of earthquakes in Ethiopia's northeastern and central regions, with approximately 90 tremors exceeding magnitude 4 recorded in 2024 alone, leading to the displacement of thousands and prompting urgent relocation efforts for 80,000 residents.

The report features insights from geology expert Tagel Wubetu on the region's tectonic risks and Turkish disaster management specialist Omer Kars, who discusses potential lessons from Türkiye's experience with major earthquakes, particularly regarding emergency response systems and preparedness.

EXPLAINER - Why are India-China tensions resurfacing despite a recent thaw?

Report on renewed India-China border tensions following a brief period of diplomatic warming.

The story traces how the recent thaw in relations, marked by a meeting between the Indian premier and the Chinese president in October and new border patrolling arrangements, has been disrupted by Beijing's creation of two new counties in the disputed Ladakh region and plans for a major dam project.

The report features analysis from Indian defense expert Pravin Sawhney and Beijing-based analyst Einar Tangen, who explain how these developments reflect broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly the influence of US-China relations on India's strategic positioning.