Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Jan 2, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MENA

Developments in Yemen

Latest updates in Yemen after government confirmed withdrawal of units affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) from positions in Hadhramaut in the country’s east.

(English / MENA team from Istanbul/possible flashes, stories)

Israeli army, illegal settlers’ assaults in West Bank

Repercussions of Israel’s continued home demolitions and campaigns to arrest Palestinians across various parts of the occupied West Bank.

(English / MENA team from Istanbul / possible stories)

⁠⁠Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza amid severe aid shortfalls

Israeli breaches of the Gaza ceasefire, including strikes on civilians, destruction of homes, and damage to vital infrastructure, amid harsh winter weather and inadequate humanitarian aid.

(English / MENA team from Istanbul / possible stories)

AMERICAS

Somalia’s UN ambassador to hold news briefing

Abukar Dahir Osman, Somalia’s UN ambassador, set to deliver press briefing. Somalia will assume the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council from Slovenia for the month of January.

President Trump to receive Chinese ambassador

US President Donald Trump to receive China’s Ambassador to the US Xie Feng in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is expected to remain until Sunday. The agenda of the meeting, currently listed as closed to the press, has not been specified.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Developments between Thailand and Cambodia

Following developments between Thailand and Cambodia as the two sides have maintained ceasefire agreement. Thailand earlier released 18 Cambodian soldiers after 155 days of captivity as a confidence-building measure amid the ceasefire that was declared last weekend. Clashes between the two sides have so far left some 100 people dead. (English service/ Asia-Pacific team / Flash possible / Photos possible via AA HAS)

SPECIAL REPORTS

Expansions of illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank hit record high in 2025

Report examining how 2025 became the most expansive year on record for illegal Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, with approvals of dozens of new settlements and a historic high in settler housing units.

Story details findings by Israeli watchdog Peace Now, which says Israel approved plans for 41 new settlements and advanced more than 28,000 housing units in 2025, accelerating a trend aimed at entrenching Israeli control and undermining prospects for a Palestinian state.

It includes comments from Peace Now’s Yonatan Mizrahi and B’Tselem spokesperson Yair Dvir, who warn that settlement growth, retroactive legalization of outposts, and settler violence are driving de facto annexation and the displacement of Palestinian communities.

(Rabia Ali, from office)

ISTANBUL, WITH CARDS

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.

Women’s rights in the 21st century: Progress made, challenges remain

Story on women’s rights in the 21st century, highlighting the significant global progress achieved over the past 25 years through legal reforms, education, and increased political participation.

Report draws on UN Women program data showing more than 1,500 legal reforms enacted since 1995, major advances in laws addressing violence against women, improved access to education for girls, and gradual gains in women’s political representation.

It includes insights from UN Women’s Sarah Hendriks, who says the past quarter-century has demonstrated that gender equality is achievable when backed by political will and strong institutions, while noting that continued commitment is needed to protect and build on these gains.

(Kanyshai Butun, from office)

ISTANBUL, WITH CARDS

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.