Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Developments in phase one of Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The phase, which includes a hostage/prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.

On Thursday Palestinian resistance movement Hamas is expected to hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages under ceasefire deal.

“It has been agreed to release the remaining six living Israeli captives on Saturday under the first phase” of the deal, Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil Al-Hayya said on Tuesday.

To date 19 Israeli captives and five Thai workers have been released in exchange for 1,135 Palestinian prisoners under phase one.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza amid ceasefire

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire.

Palestinian medics and rescue teams retrieved two more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 48,297, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Egyptian president due in Saudi Arabia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is due to arrive in the Saudi capital on Thursday.

Al-Sisi is expected to arrive in Riyadh to discuss an Arab plan for Gaza.

Saudi Arabia hosts Arab meeting on Gaza

Saudi Arabia will host a five-way Arab meeting on Thursday to discuss an Egyptian proposal for rebuilding the Gaza Strip without displacing its Palestinian inhabitants.

Planned meeting will be attended by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Palestine could also be invited to the meeting to discuss the general framework of the proposal, said Hossan Zaki, the assistant secretary-general of the Arab League.

Israeli raids in the West Bank

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.

The Israeli army has blocked thousands of displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, residents said on Wednesday.

At least 30 more Palestinians were detained in Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank, said prisoners’ affairs groups on Wednesday.

On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched a military offensive on the northern West Bank, which resulted in 56 fatalities as of Wednesday, according to official Palestinian data.

Israel has killed at least 917 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured nearly 7,000 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Bahrain Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference

Day two of the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Manama, Bahrain under the theme "One Nation, One Shared Destiny."

Two-day event is co-organized by Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Muslim Council of Elders.

Addressing the opening session, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, hailed the Arab and Islamic rejection of US President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from their land.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Wednesday, one person was killed and two others were injured in fresh Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, in the latest violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

The Lebanese Army, in its first comment on Israel's retention of five points in southern Lebanon, said Tel Aviv is escalating its disregard for its commitments and violating Lebanese sovereignty.

Military situation in war-torn Sudan

The security situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army in recent days has gained against paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states.

On Wednesday, the Sudanese army said that its forces made new military gains against the RSF in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan.

Mark Rutte - Slovakia visit, speech at Comenius University

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visiting Slovakia, where his schedule includes talks with President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Defense Minister Robert Kalinak. Rutte to hold joint press conference with Pellegrini and delivers a speech at Comenius University in Bratislava.

UK knife crime statistics

Quarterly statistics on trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife or offensive weapon possession offenses. Knife-related crimes in England and Wales have climbed 4% in the past year, according to the latest officials figures from July. Police recorded a total of 50,510 knife-related incidents in the 12 months leading up to March 2024, up from 48,409 in the same period the previous year, but still down 3% from 51,982 in the year leading up to March 2020. A significant factor in the overall increase is the "notable rise" in the number of robberies involving knives or sharp instruments. These crimes jumped 13%, from 18,787 in 2022-23 to 21,226 in 2023-24.

German elections - Final debate featuring all leading candidates

All the main candidates for chancellor — the SPD's Olaf Scholz, CDU's Friedrich Merz, Greens' Robert Habeck, AfD's Alice Weidel, and FDP's Christian Lindner — to take part in final debate ahead of Feb. 23 elections. Jointly hosted by ZDF and ARD.

Monitoring reaction to Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy

Monitoring developments after US President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, branding him a “dictator” and saying he “better move fast” on a deal to end the war with Russia.

Trump to speak to Republican Governors Association

President Donald Trump to host reception honoring Black History Month at the White House. Later, he will deliver remarks to the Republican Governors Association.

US Senate - Vote on FBI nominee Kash Patel

Senate is due to vote on Kash Patel's controversial nomination to head the FBI.

Argentina's Javier Milei – Washington, DC visit

Argentinian President Javier Milei to visit Washington, DC, where his schedule includes talks with Elon Musk and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

Conservative Political Action Conference - JD Vance speaks

Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a major US conservative gathering, takes place over several days, with Vice President JD Vance set to speak today. President Trump is expected to speak on Saturday.

US Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg visit to Kyiv

US Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg is expected to meet with top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, and military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. Possible peace with Russia, prospects of US military and financial aid to Kyiv set to be discussed.

South Africa hosting summit of G20 foreign ministers, US to skip

South Africa to host summit of G20 foreign ministers for the first time. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipping event after US cut aid to Pretoria over new land law as well as genocide case against Israel. Foreign ministers and officials from over 30 countries and international organizations set to attend, including Türkiye, China, Russia, France, Germany, and many others. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead Russian delegation.

DR Congo seeks military support from Chad, humanitarian situation preoccupying in eastern regions

As the M23 rebel group advanced in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi sought military support from Chad. Humanitarian groups including Doctors Without Borders and UN human rights office expressed concern over situation in the region. M23 rebels captured Bukavu after seizing Goma last month. Since Jan. 26, more than 3,000 people have been killed, 2,880 injured and over half a million displaced, adding to the 6.4 million already internally displaced people, according to the UN.

UN experts to hold press conference after 4-day visit to South Sudan

Independent experts of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to hold news conference to share insights from four-day visit. Experts held meetings with members of the government of South Sudan, survivors of human rights violations, members of civil society, jurists, humanitarians, and representatives of diplomatic missions and UN entities.

African health body to hold briefing on mpox, Ebola, Cholera, Marburg outbreaks

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will hold its weekly news conference to give updates on outbreaks including Marburg, Ebola, cholera, and mpox. The center will also highlight the public health situation in Democratic Republic of Congo.

French military to fully withdraw from Ivory Coast

French military to fully exit West African nation of Ivory Coast, handing over 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion in Port Bouet to Ivorian armed forces. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu is expected at the ceremony. The withdrawal reflect growing anti-French sentiment across parts of West Africa, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, fueled by demands for greater autonomy and dissatisfaction with France’s role in regional security and governance.

S.Korea’s impeached President Yoon attend 1st hearing of criminal trial

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his first preliminary hearing of his criminal trial on insurrection charges at the Seoul Central District Court. Yoon has been indicted over abuse of power as well as insurrection for his short-lived Dec. 3 martial law bid. Separately, Constitutional Court to hold final hearing in impeachment motion against Yoon. ​​​​​​​

Foreign Ministry briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on ties with the US, war in Gaza, Ukraine war, US-Russia ties, and tensions in South China Sea among other issues.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s international investment position

Turkish Central Bank to release the country’s international investment position figures for December. Türkiye's external assets fell to $363 billion at the end of November, down 1.1% from end-2023.

Türkiye’s consumer confidence

The Turkish Statistical Institute will release consumer confidence index for February. The Turkish consumer confidence index fell in January, in a reversal from December's rise.

Turkish central government’s debt figures

The Treasury and Finance Ministry to share central government’s domestic and foreign debt figures for January.

China’s interest rate

China’s Central Bank to make interest rate decision. The bank is expected to keep the rate constant.

Germany’s producer prices

Germany’s Destatis will release producer inflation data for January. It was at 0.8% on a yearly basis.

Initial jobless claims in US

US to release initial jobless claims data. It was 213,000 the previous week and a similar figure is expected Thursday.

OECD GDP

Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development to release GDP figures for its area.

SPECIAL REPORTS

German elections: Parliament vice president urges immigrant voter turnout amid far-right concerns

Interview with Aydan Ozoguz, German-Turkish politician and vice president of Germany’s parliament, about Sunday’s elections and the need for voters to counter rising far-right influence in the country.

Ozoguz, a Social Democrat, urges immigrants to exercise their voting rights, warning that chancellor frontrunner Friedrich Merz’s openness to collaborating with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) poses serious threat to democratic values.

She highlights growing concerns among immigrant families, particularly young people, who fear the political shift, and shares her assessments of potential scenarios that could unfold after the vote.

Transatlantic tensions: How does Russia view deepening US-Europe rift?

Report on Russia’s view of rising tensions between Europe and the US under the Trump administration.

The story analyzes Russia’s possible stance on the matter and how it could be looking to capitalize on the rift, and the challenges it could face from both the US and Europe.

Report includes interview with Sergey Markov, Russian political analyst and former adviser to President Vladimir Putin, who explains why the US-Europe divide could benefit Russia, arguing that fractures within the West could reshape global power dynamics.

From colonizer to outcast: What next for France in Africa?

Report on continuing expulsion of French troops from African countries as more countries cut defense ties with former colonial power.

Story explores reasons for the ouster of French soldiers from West and Central African countries, including rising public pressure, changing security and political landscapes, and an ineffective military presence.

Report also focuses on future possibilities of cooperation between France and Africa, and includes comments from Jean-Herve Jezequel, Sahel project director at the International Crisis Group; analyst Ovigwe Eguegun; and Paul Melley, consulting fellow at Chatham House’s Africa Program.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Aydan Ozoguz, vice president of Germany’s parliament, on the country’s elections on Sunday, the threat of the far-right AfD, and the need for immigrants to exercise their voting rights to counter its rising influence.​​​​​​​