Morning Briefing, Jan. 25, 2025

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Hamas announcing the names of four Israeli female soldiers to be released; Israel saying its withdrawal from southern Lebanon may exceed 60-dat timeframe; Russia 'ready' to talk to US on issues, including nuclear disarmament and more than 240 million children’s schooling disrupted by climate crises in 2024

TOP STORIES

• Hamas announces names of 4 Israeli female soldiers to be released on Saturday

The Palestinian Hamas group's armed wing announced the names of four Israeli female soldiers who will be released on Saturday as part of the prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obaida said his group will release Karina Ariev, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag.

• Israel says withdrawal from southern Lebanon may exceed 60 days

Israel said the withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon could take longer than the 60-day period outlined in a ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the army’s “withdrawal process is conditional on the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws beyond the Litani.”

Netanyahu said that since Lebanon “has not yet fully enforced” its obligations under the ceasefire, “the phased withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States.”

• Over 240M children’s schooling disrupted by climate crises in 2024: UNICEF

At least 242 million students in 85 countries had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events in 2024, UNICEF said.

Heat waves were the predominant climate hazard shuttering schools last year in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Cambodia, with over 118 million students affected in April alone, according to UNICEF data.

According to the data, Afghanistan was among the countries to face multiple climate hazards, with heat waves as well as severe flash floods that damaged over 110 schools in May.

• Russia 'ready' to talk with US on various issues, including nuclear disarmament

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to hold talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump on different issues, including nuclear disarmament, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

The Kremlin is waiting for signals from Washington, Peskov said at a press briefing in Moscow.

"Putin is ready; we are waiting for signals … everyone is prepared. Speculation beyond that point is futile. As soon as there is anything concrete, we will inform you," he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The UN human rights office said it is "deeply concerned" by the use of unlawful lethal force in Jenin, occupied West Bank.
• North Korea’s parliament pledged to maintain spending for a stronger defense despite facing economic challenges.
• Russia said its forces shot down the majority of over 120 Ukrainian drones in an overnight attack, confirming that an oil refinery in the Bryansk region was partially damaged and ceased operations
• At least eight people were killed and dozens injured in artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeting the Abu Shouk displacement camp in western Sudan, a relief committee reported.
• President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal emergency assistance for Los Angeles if California does not enact a pair of demands he has long sought for America's most populous state.
• The Israeli prison authority said it is preparing for the release of the second batch of Palestinian detainees under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
• A "short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed" between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, according to the White House, as a critical deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon rapidly approaches.
• A Chinese court sentenced a man to death for fatally stabbing a 10-year-old Japanese boy last September.
• The situation in Congo's east remains "deeply worrying," a UN official said, confirming nine UN peacekeepers were injured during fighting.
• The US Treasury Department officially removed sanctions on illegal Israeli settlers and groups, including the Amana Settlement Movement, accused of committing violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank amid a surge in settler attacks.
• The Afghan interim administration rejected arrest requests sought by the International Criminal Court's prosecutor against Taliban leaders, calling it "politically motivated."
• The M23 rebel group said Maj. Gen. Peter Chirimwami, governor of the Congo's eastern North Kivu province, was killed on the battlefield.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed the US commitment to NATO in a conversation with Mark Rutte, head of the 32-member military alliance.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the importance of Turkish-EU relations and outlined shared priorities for cooperation.
• A South Korean court refused to extend the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap News reported.
• The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its forces have captured the Tymofiivka settlement in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
• The UN said it suspended all movements within and to areas controlled by Yemen’s Houthi forces after more of its staffers were detained in the capital, Sanaa.

SPORTS

• 2025 Australian Open women's final to feature defending champ Sabalenka against Madison Keys

Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus will take on American Madison Keys on Saturday in the women's singles final of the Australian Open.

The final will take place at 0830GMT on the 14th day of the tournament in Melbourne.

Belarusian Sabalenka, who has won the Australian Open 20 times, reached the final for the third straight year.

• Julian Nagelsman extends contract with Germany head coach until EURO 2028

Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann signed an extension that will run until 2028, according to the German Football Association (DFB).

"The 37-year-old put pen to paper on a new contract running until 2028 in Leipzig on Friday as part of the DFB’s upcoming 125-year anniversary celebrations," it said in a statement. "Nagelsmann will therefore be at the helm for the European Championship in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland."

Nagelsmann said when he joined the national team in September 2023, he could not imagine being the coach beyond the 2024 EUROs.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Turkish steelmaker to invest nearly $1B in solar energy for ‘green steel’ production

Turkish steelmaker Tosyali Holding will invest nearly $1 billion in solar energy in eight different provinces of Türkiye to be able to use solar power for green steel production, the firm’s chairman, Fuat Tosyali, told Anadolu.

Tosyali, while attending the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, said 70% of the world’s steel industry is based on fossil fuels, a very high rate.

“Steel firms worldwide produce 2 billion tons of steel annually, and considering that 70% of it is produced via coal-based energy, it affects global warming tremendously, and although we have the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Paris Agreement, fossil-based fuels are expected to be still in use for energy production, but the use of renewable energy will increase day by day,” he said.