Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal

Day five of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, including a prisoner exchange, which is set to last 42 days.

On Wednesday, Israeli daily Hayom reported that eight Palestinian prisoners with Israeli citizenship, all serving life sentences, will be released under phase one of the deal.

According to the newspaper, some 71 Palestinians holding Israeli citizenship or residency will be released during the phase.

Mossad head David Barnea and General Security Service Shin Bet head Ronen Bar traveled to Cairo to discuss arrangements for phase two of the deal, Israeli Channel 12 said.

The negotiations will also address long-term governance alternatives for Gaza, according to the channel.

Under the deal, Israel has so far released 90 Palestinian detainees while Hamas has released three Israeli captives.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

Following the humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip after 471 days of Israel’s genocidal war.

On Wednesday, a Palestinian man was killed and four others were injured by Israeli army fire in the southern city of Rafah, a medical source said.

Another Palestinian was killed and two others were injured in the northern Gaza Strip in a blast believed to be remnants of Israeli explosives, a local medic said.

The overall death toll due in Gaza since October 2023 has surged to over 47,000, with more than 111,100 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.

The blockade and raids on the city of Jenin and its refugee camp persist, with armored vehicles deployed in the area. Reports indicate 10 Palestinians have been killed and 40 injured in ongoing attacks by the army.

Israel has killed at least 870 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 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 Wednesday, the UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, condemned the Israeli incursion as unacceptable and urged a review of longstanding sanctions on Damascus originally imposed on the Assad regime.

Israeli violations of ceasefire deal with Lebanon

November ceasefire agreement aimed to end over 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with the deadline for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon set for Saturday.

On Wednesday, acting Lebanese Army Chief Maj. Gen. Hassane Ouda met with US Gen. Jasper Jeffers, head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, in Yarzeh, southeast of Beirut.

Israel had carried out 629 violations of the ceasefire deal as of Wednesday, killing 37 people and injuring an additional 45, according to official Lebanese data compiled by Anadolu.

Saudi foreign minister visit to Beirut

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan is set to visit Beirut on Thursday, in the first trip to Beirut by Riyadh's top diplomat in 15 years.

Prince Faisal is expected to meet Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun and its Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.

Arab participation in World Economic Forum in Davos

Arab participation on the fourth and last day of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”

Among the prominent Arab speakers on Thursday are a trio of foreign ministers: Jordan’s Ayman al-Safadi, Syria’s Asaad al-Shaibani, and Iraq’s Fuad Hussein.

The meeting kicked off on Monday with the participation of around 3,000 attendees from over 130 countries, among them Arab officials from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Syria.

The forum discusses global and regional issues, including the situations in Palestine and Syria.

Turkish Airlines flights to Syria's capital Damascus restart

Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Damascus, Syria’s capital, for the first time in years.

World Economic Forum (Davos) Day 4 - Annual meeting continues in Switzerland

Conference of world leaders from government, business, civil society, media, academia and the arts designed to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. Speakers today include NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

German chancellor hopeful Merz to present foreign policy vision in Berlin

Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right CDU party, to deliver major foreign policy address ahead of next month's parliamentary elections. Speech will outline his party's priorities for foreign and European policy. According to recent polls, the CDU holds a commanding lead with support of around 32%, positioning Friedrich Merz as likely successor to current Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Feb. 23 federal elections.

Polish and German defense ministers - Press conference

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius to hold joint news conference in Rzeszow. They are expected to talk about European defense policies.

French Senate votes on 2025 budget

The French Senate is expected to vote on the 2025 budget as the country faced the new year and winter without a budget when Michel Barnier’s three-month government collapsed following a no-confidence vote in December. On President Emmanuel Macron’s order, a special budget law was adopted to overcome the interim process until a new budget was passed.

Solar overtakes coal in EU power sector - Report

Environmental think tank Ember’s European Electricity Review found solar power has overtaken coal for the first time ever, and gas declined for the fifth year in a row.

UK Armed Forces diversity statistics

Biannual statistics on diversity declaration and representation of protected characteristics for UK military personnel.

US President Trump orders 1,500 troops to secure US-Mexican border

Developments after President Donald Trump ordered 1,500 troops to the US-Mexico border after signing executive order banning entry of migrants into the US through southern border. The new US troops will supplement a contingent of roughly 2,200 active-duty personnel who are already at the border carrying out mostly logistical and bureaucratic tasks.

Laken Riley Act sent to Trump's desk for signature

Developments after House of Representatives passed Laken Riley Act, which is aimed at giving law enforcement more tools to detain illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the US, and sent it to President Donald Trump for his signature. It is expected to be the first bill that Trump signs into law during his second term.

Canadian Liberal Party leadership election - Candidacy declaration deadline

Deadline for candidates seeking to succeed Justin Trudeau and become leader of Canada's Liberal Party to file their declarations. The new leader will be chosen on March 9 ahead of Parliament reconvening on March 24. The winner will become prime minister ahead of elections in October.

Millions in dire situation in Haiti

Monitoring situation in Haiti after the UN said 6 million people, nearly half of the nation’s population, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to worsening security crisis. Haiti has been grappling with a wave of gang violence in recent years, and gangs control up to 80% of capital Port-au-Prince.

Putin to meet with government members

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold videoconference meeting with members of the Russian Federation Government. Participants will focus on the results of improving oversight activities.

Top Russian diplomat to chair board of trustees meeting of compatriots abroad

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Supporting and Protecting the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad to meet in Moscow under chairmanship of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Participants, which include lawmakers, will focus on group’s activities in the context of "aggressive discrimination" against Russians living in Western countries.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold press briefing plus Q&A session.

Turkish President Erdogan welcomes Rwandan President Kagame

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally welcome Rwandan President Paul Kagame with official ceremony at Presidential Complex in Ankara. Following bilateral and inter-delegation meeting, there will be a signing ceremony for agreements and a joint press conference.

Africa’s public health body’s latest update on the mpox, Marburg

The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to address a virtual media briefing in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa with the latest on the mpox and Marburg outbreaks on the continent. The public health agency will also clarify urgent actions being taken to combat the outbreaks.

US withdrawal from WHO to impact African countries’ HIV/AIDS programs

African countries heavily reliant on US aid and the World Health Organization (WHO) are expected to make individual statements on how the US decision to withdraw from the body will affect their HIV/AIDS programs. Countries in Southern Africa, which have the highest HIV prevalence rate on the continent, are expected to suffer the most.

Conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo displaces almost 3 million people

As clashes continue between Congolese armed forces and M23 rebels, almost 3 million people have been displaced from their homes with 2.8 million displaced from North Kivu province with scarce access to basic necessities.

Developments in South Korea amid martial law probe

Developments in South Korea amid probe into short-lived martial law bid by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon may be forced to attend questioning by anti-graft body, which he has so far refused to do.

Mysterious disease triggers lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir

A mysterious disease has triggered lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, where at least 17 deaths have been recorded in past month. Many more have been referred for specialized treatment, while a high-level medical team from India is probing the outbreak.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry to hold news conference

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular weekly news conference on the nation’s diplomatic efforts, Gaza, and regional situation including Afghanistan.

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference

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

THE ECONOMY

Turkish consumer confidence

Turkish Statistical Institute to release consumer confidence index for January. It was at 81.3 in December 2024.

Türkiye’s interest rate

Turkish Central Bank to issue interest rate decision. At the last meeting of 2024, the bank lowered the rate from 50% to 47.5%.

US jobless claims

US to release weekly jobless claims data.

SPORTS

UEFA Europa League matchday 7 (Football)

Fenerbahce vs. Olympique Lyon

Women’s semifinals of Australian Open, 1st Grand Slam of the season, to be played (Tennis)

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW - ‘No country should be above the law’: Turkish-American activist’s widower demands accountability for Israeli killing

Interview with Hamid Ali, the widower of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who last September was killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.

The interview focuses on Ali’s recent meeting with outgoing Secretary of State Blinken and frustration with the lack of US investigation into Eygi’s killing, as Israeli military claims of an “accidental” shooting conflict with eyewitness accounts and video evidence showing she was deliberately targeted.

Ali shares personal memories of Eygi as both an activist and an individual, while discussing his hopes for accountability under incoming Trump administration and emphasizing need for broader public engagement in seeking justice for his wife's killing.

Plows and polyhouses: Kashmiris embrace AI technology in agricultural sector

Report on introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies in agriculture in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The story highlights initiatives led by the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Sheri-Kashmir University, including precision agriculture using sensors, drones, and hyperspectral cameras. It also explores the role of greenhouse farming in addressing seasonal challenges.

Includes insights from Showkat Rasool, the centre’s head, and research scholar Haris Shah, alongside experiences shared by “agripreneurs” involved in greenhouse farming.