Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

2nd phase negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza

Developments in negotiations on phase two of Gaza ceasefire deal. Phase one, which includes a prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.

The Palestinian group Hamas announced on Tuesday that it had begun talks on the next stage of the agreement, while Israel said it would send a negotiating delegation to the Qatari capital Doha by the weekend.

Qatar said it is busy trying to bring about the second phase of a deal to halt the war between Israel and Hamas.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip during ceasefire.

A Palestinian was killed on Thursday after being shot by Israeli forces north of Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Local authorities warned Thursday of a looming humanitarian disaster in Gaza City after tents of displaced civilians were flooded by rainwater and sewage amid massive destruction following Israel’s genocidal war.

Palestinian medics and rescue teams recovered 28 more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 47,583.

Reactions to US president's calls for taking over Gaza Strip

More international and regional reactions to US President Donald Trump’s plan for the US to “take over” Gaza.

At a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too."

On Thursday, Hamas called for an emergency Arab summit to oppose the displacement of Palestinians in response to Trump’s plan.

Egypt, Iraq, Spain, China, and the UK voiced their rejection of any proposal aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue through forced displacement.

Trump announced that the Gaza Strip would be handed over to the US by Israel at the end of the fighting.

In Israel, Trump's remarks sparked mixed reactions. While some ministers and Knesset members welcomed them, others warned of their potential impact on regional stability.

Jordanian king's trips to UK, US

The overseas trip of Jordan’s King Abdullah II to meet officials in the UK and US, including US President Trump.

A Thursday statement by the royal court said the monarch will first visit London, which will be followed by a working visit to Boston and Washington, DC, in the US.

The statement did not provide details about the schedule for his official trip.

The royal court said on Sunday said the king will meet with Trump at the White House on Feb. 11, becoming the first Arab leader to meet the US president since he assumed office last month.

The visit comes after Trump triggered uproar on Tuesday by suggesting to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its people elsewhere during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Israeli violations of Lebanon ceasefire

Israeli army violations of a ceasefire deal after Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend a deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon until Feb. 18.

On Thursday, the Israeli military demolished what remained of several homes in the southern Lebanese town of Kfarkela, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.

This raises the total number of violations to 846, according to an Anadolu tally based on reports from the Lebanese National News Agency.

The Israeli army renewed its warning to displaced residents of southern Lebanon, urging them not to return to their villages.

Israeli raids in West Bank, particularly in Jenin

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in Jenin, accompanied by illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

On Thursday, Israeli forces arrested 12 young men from the town of Tammun, south of Tubas, including a nurse, amid ongoing military operations in the town and Al-Faraa refugee camp.

Since Jan. 21, Israeli attacks on Jenin and its refugee camp have killed 25 Palestinians, including two children, injured over 50, and displaced around 3,000 people. More than 100 homes have been demolished or burned, according to Palestinian sources.

Israel has killed more than 900 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Israeli premier’s visit to US

Developments on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the US, which started on Sunday.

On Thursday, Netanyahu met with congressional leaders from both the Senate and House, along with other lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

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).

The Sudanese army continued to make more military gains on Thursday against its rival RSF paramilitary group in central Sudan.

Local media said the army forces seized control of the towns of al-Maseed, al-Nuba, and al-Tayyi in Al-Jazirah State.

With the new gains, the army is now closing in on Giad city, a stronghold for RSF forces in central Sudan, and on Abu Quta town, some 50 kilometers from the capital Khartoum.

Donald Tusk and Ursula von der Leyen - Gdansk press conference

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to hold a joint press conference in the Polish city of Gdansk as part of the rescheduled visit of the College of Commissioners to mark the start of Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Serbian president expected to make a decision on new government

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reportedly will make a decision on whether to call snap elections following the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic following weeks of protests, or to ask a new prime minister-designate to attempt to form a government.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.

UN Human Rights Council session on Congo

The UN Human Rights Council will hold a day long special session on the human rights situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday.

Donald Trump and Shigeru Ishiba - White House meeting

US President Donald Trump hosts Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for their first White House meeting of Trump's second term. The two leaders are expected to exchange views on economic and security issues and Indo-Pacific region.

US, Panamanian presidents - phone call

Trump and Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino are due to speak this afternoon. The call comes amid threats from Trump over the Panama Canal and disputed claims from the State Department of an agreement that would see American government vessels to cross the canal without paying fees.

US secretary of defense and Australian counterpart - meeting at Pentagon

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will meet with Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles, marking Hegseth's first meeting with a foreign counterpart at the Pentagon. The meeting expected to focus on Indo-Pacific and China.

Netanyahu - Washington, DC visit continues

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his visit to Washington, DC, where he is due to remain until Saturday.

Canada-US Economic Summit

Canada will host the Canada-US Economic Summit, which was announced in the wake of the decision by US President Trump to postpone the imposition of tariffs on Canada by 30 days. Canadian government is also expected to appoint a "fentanyl czar" to address the two countries’ fentanyl crisis.

Colombia's plans to strengthen trade ties with China

Colombia announced plans to strengthen trade ties with China by adding a new shipping route to Shanghai, days after row with the US President Trump on accepting deportation flights.

UN nuclear watchdog to visit Russia

Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN atomic watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency, to visit Moscow to speak with officials. He is expected to discuss the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with head of the Russian Nuclear Corporation Alexey Likhachev.

Latest developments in DR Congo after M23’s takeover of eastern city of Nyabibwe

Ongoing humanitarian crisis after some 2,900 people were killed in violent clashes between M23 rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo forces in the eastern city of Goma. The rebels on Wednesday captured Nyabibwe, a city in the eastern province of South Kivu, despite declaring a unilateral ceasefire beginning Tuesday due to humanitarian difficulties. M23 also appointed a governor, as well as two vice-governors for North Kivu province.

The cholera vaccination process in Zambia

Zambia to commence oral cholera vaccination among thousands of people in border town neighboring the Democratic Republic of Congo which has recorded a significant outbreak of the disease.

Developments as tensions escalate between US, South Africa

Developments as tension escalate between the US and South Africa over land expropriation law. South African Foreign Minister reaffirmed the country’s commitment to human dignity, equality, and democratic values, emphasizing after US Secretary of State announced he would not attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Tanzania hosts joint EAC-SADC summit to over DR Congo

Tanzania to host two-day joint summit of East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Dar es Salaam to address the conflict in eastern Congo. Hosted by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the meeting will bring together regional leaders, including Congo's Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, to seek a coordinated approach to the crisis. The summit follows increased fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army, which has displaced thousands.

Pakistan hosts naval drill

Pakistan hosts multinational naval exercise from until Feb. 11 in which 60 countries, including Türkiye, will take part. The drills will take place in the northern Arabian Sea and will involve several ships, aircraft, and special forces.

Pakistan hosts international two-day climate change conference

An international conference on the impact of climate change continues for the second day in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. Almost 100 leaders, experts, and policymakers from across the world are attending the event. A World Bank official warned of many deaths if climate change finances are not met on time.

Trial of incarcerated South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

Trial of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who refused to stand witness at a parliamentary questioning session about the Dec. 3 martial law decree. The Constitutional Court trial is also progressing with expected decision by early March. Yoon was indicted over Dec. 3 martial law decree but has defended his decision which triggered ongoing political crisis. He is facing a case of insurrection and abuse of power over short-lived martial law of Dec. 3. Massive protests against, and in favor of, Yoon have been consistently held in Seoul since the martial law decree.

Chinese Foreign Ministry - news conference

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

Asian Games begin in China

Beijing hosts Asian Winter Games in the northeastern Heilongjiang province, to run through Feb. 14. Some 1,300 athletes are participating from 34 countries and regions, including North Korea, Japan, and South Korea.

THE ECONOMY

German industrial production and trade balance

Destatis will announce Germany's industrial production for December. Production in industry grew 1.5% month-on-month in November, reversing October's upwardly revised 0.4% decline. Market expects the figure to decrease by 0.7% in December. In November, Germany's trade surplus climbed to $20.3 billion, with exports and imports falling 3.5% and 2.9% year-on-year.

US unemployment rate

US Labor Department to release unemployment data and nonfarm payrolls for January. The unemployment rate in the US went down to 4.1% in December while US private businesses added 223,000 jobs in December. Market projects the rate to remain stable at 4.1% and the sector generates 169,000 jobs in December.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Two months after Assad’s fall: What are the challenges on the road to rebuilding Syria?

Report on the state of affairs in Syria two months after the overthrow of the Assad regime and the challenges ahead for the transitional government.

The story charts the major developments in Syria since Dec. 8 and the key policy steps taken by the government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. It also focuses on the international response to Syria’s needs, and a possible roadmap for the country’s recovery and global reintegration.

The report includes interviews with Samer Abboud, an author and academic at Villanova University in the US, and Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst for Syria at the International Crisis Group.

‘Clearly illegal’, ‘war crime’: Experts blast Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal

Report on US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to “take over” the Gaza Strip, which has faced fierce condemnation from governments, legal experts, and human rights advocates.

The story includes interviews with former UN special rapporteur Michael Lynk and international human rights lawyer Jonathan Kuttab, both of whom argue that the plan would constitute a violation of international law, potentially amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

They also highlight the role of the International Criminal Court in holding US leaders accountable for the forced displacement of Palestinians, while also emphasizing the geopolitical and moral implications of the proposal, warning of its potential to undermine international law and embolden further oppression of Palestinians.

INTERVIEW - Congo government says expecting ‘a real ceasefire’ at joint African summit

Interview with Patrick Muyaya, spokesperson for the Democratic Republic of Congo government, on the ongoing conflict in the country’s east, the humanitarian crisis in Goma, and expectations for the upcoming summit of regional blocs of southern and eastern Africa.

Muyaya dismisses the M23 rebel group’s unilateral ceasefire announcement as a deceptive ploy, reiterates Congo’s accusation that Rwanda is backing the group to control Congo’s mineral resources, and calls for stronger international pressure on Kigali.

He also shares insights about the dire humanitarian situation in Goma, where over 3,000 people have been killed in recent weeks of violence and humanitarian aid services remain severely disrupted, and calls for an independent UN investigation for accountability of those responsible.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with author and academic Samer Abboud and International Crisis Group analyst Nanar Hawach about the state of affairs in Syria two months after the overthrow of the Assad regime and the challenges ahead for the transitional government.

VIDEO - Interview with former UN special rapporteur Michael Lynk and international human rights lawyer Jonathan Kuttab about Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal, which they say would constitute a violation of international law, potentially amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

VIDEO - Interview with Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya about the ongoing conflict in the country, the humanitarian crisis in Goma, and expectations for the upcoming summit of regional blocs of southern and eastern Africa.