Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, January 16, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Security situation in Aleppo, Syria

Developments in Deir Hafir in eastern Aleppo, Syria, as the Syrian army vowed to attack any terror group SDF/YPG positions blocking civilians from crossing a humanitarian corridor to leave the area.

Palestinian technocrats committee expected to hold 1st meeting in Egypt

Members of Palestinian technocrats committee tasked with administering Gaza expected to meet in Egypt to hold their first meeting on Friday, a source told Anadolu.

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon despite ceasefire

Near-daily Israeli airstrikes on several areas of southern Lebanon, which Israel says targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, despite ceasefire agreement in force since November 2024.

TÜRKİYE

Türkiye-Lithuania talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to pay a visit to Lithuania, where he will take part in a quadrilateral meeting with his Lithuanian, Estonian, and Latvian counterparts. Fidan is also expected to hold meetings with other Lithuanian officials.

AMERICAS

Trump to attend health meeting, travel to south Florida for weekend

US President Donald Trump to chair investment roundtable on rural health at the White House. He will later depart for South Florida to attend a road dedication ceremony in Palm Beach and spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Venezuelan opposition figure to deliver remarks in Washington, DC

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado to deliver remarks to reporters in Washington, DC following her Thursday meeting with President Trump.

US announces Gaza Board of Peace

Following developments after US President Trump announced the formation of Board of Peace to oversee administration of the Gaza Strip as part of his 20-point ceasefire plan. Trump said members of the board would be announced shortly.

EUROPE

UN secretary-general visits UK

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to host UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for bilateral meeting. The pair are expected to discuss the importance of the UN as it marks 80 years since its first General Assembly session.

Wadephul meets Austrian counterpart in Berlin

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to receive his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Berlin. Following talks at the Foreign Ministry, the two will hold a joint press conference.

Greenland-related political developments

Following statements from European countries on Greenland amid US President Donald Trump’s repeated vows to acquire the island, citing national security. The EU and European countries have reaffirmed Greenland’s sovereignty as an autonomous territory of Denmark.

UN briefing

UN Information Service to hold biweekly press briefing where the most pressing issues around the world, from conflicts to health, are expected to be discussed.

EURASIA

Developments on state of emergency in Ukraine's energy sector

Developments after Ukraine announced state of emergency in the country's energy sector. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the state of emergency would be introduced following recent Russian strikes that have resulted in major power outages, including in the capital Kyiv, and amid worsening weather. Eurasia desk will follow developments via official statements and media reports.

AFRICA

Togo to host Great Lakes talks on Eastern DR Congo crisis

Togo to host two-day regional meeting focused on crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of efforts to promote de-escalation in Great Lakes region. The talks, led by Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe, the African Union mediator for the Congo conflict, will address security, humanitarian concerns, and steps to advance a fragile peace process.

ASIA-PACIFIC

South Korea’s ousted President Yoon receives 1st court verdict

Ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to get first court ruling on his December 2024 martial law bid, over which he is facing eight separate cases.

China’s Xi hosts Canadian Premier Carney for talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping to host Canadian Premier Mark Carney in Beijing for bilateral talks. It is the first trip to China by any Canadian premier in eight years.

Japanese Premier Takaichi hosts Italy’s Meloni for talks

Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi to host Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for talks where the two sides are expected to upgrade ties. Among other issues, they are expected to discuss progress on joint development of a next-generation fighter jet which they are working on with the UK.

THE ECONOMY

German inflation

Destatis to release monthly consumer price index data for January. In December, annual inflation slowed to 1.8%.

US industrial production

US to share monthly industrial production statistics for December. In November, production was up 0.2% on a monthly basis.

SPECIAL REPORTS

EXPLAINER – Zaporizhzhia: The nuclear question in Ukraine peace talks

Report examining status of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks, as facility remains one of the unresolved issues in US-mediated negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war.

Report provides overview of the plant’s current operational condition, including repeated incidents near the site, disruptions to external power supplies, reliance on emergency diesel generators, and ongoing monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It also covers the impact of the Kakhovka Dam destruction on cooling systems and recent repair efforts carried out under temporary ceasefire arrangements.

Story explores how control over Zaporizhzhia has become one of the most contentious issues in peace talks, with Moscow and Kyiv maintaining rival claims and negotiations yielding no confirmed breakthrough.

(Burc Eruygur, from office)

ISTANBUL, WITH CARDS

INTERVIEW – Nuclear institute head on US energy outlook, AI-driven demand

Interview with Maria Korsnick, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the nuclear industry’s policy organization in Washington.

Korsnick discusses the outlook for nuclear power in the US, including its role in meeting surging electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers, as well as the sector’s position amid changing global energy markets.

She also addresses prospects for US-Türkiye cooperation in nuclear energy, touching on technology, investment, and regulatory frameworks shaping future collaboration.

(Rabia Iclal Turan, from office)

WASHINGTON, WITH CARDS