ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza cease-fire, prisoner swap deal
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the prisoner exchange, which lasts 42 days, goes into effect at 8.30 a.m. local time (0630GMT).
On Sunday, three Israeli detainees held in Gaza are set to be exchanged for around 90 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
The Gaza government announced on Saturday the completion of a "comprehensive plan" to address the ceasefire agreement between Palestinian factions and Israel. The plan aims to ensure the gradual return to normal life in the strip and includes urgent field measures, such as securing affected areas and providing humanitarian aid to residents.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that the Palestinian government is ready to assume its responsibilities in Gaza and stressed the need for Israel to withdraw from the strip completely.
The International Committee of the Red Cross also announced on Saturday its readiness to facilitate a "precise operation" for the exchange of prisoners and hostages between Palestinian factions and Israel, alongside intensifying humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.
On the same day, the Israeli army warned Gaza residents against moving between the northern and southern parts of the strip or approaching military zones on the eve of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire deal.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Saturday the formation of a joint operations room, based in Egypt, to monitor prisoner exchanges, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the movement of individuals following the reopening of the Rafah border crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border.
Humanitarian situation in Gaza following Israeli genocidal war
The humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip during the first day of implementing the ceasefire agreement after 471 days of the Israeli genocidal war.
As of Saturday, the overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 surged to nearly 47,000, with around 110,800 others injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
West Bank raids
Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.
Israel has killed at least 859 people in West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.
Developments in Syria under new administration
Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Assad administration.
On Saturday, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced that Syria is striving to regain its seat in the Arab League while working toward hosting a comprehensive national conference involving all components of the Syrian population.
Israeli violations of ceasefire deal with Lebanon
November cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.
The Israeli army continues its violations, committing at least seven breaches on Saturday.
Israel to date has committed nearly 570 violations of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in 37 deaths and 45 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.
Red Sea tensions and Houthi-Israel attacks
Red Sea tensions and the exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition on one side and Yemen’s Houthi group on the other side, which intensified its attacks on Israeli military targets along with hitting Israeli cargo ships or those associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea.
The Israeli army claimed on Saturday that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen with air raid sirens going off in the greater Tel Aviv area and Jerusalem following the attack.
However, Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Yemeni Houthi group, said in a statement that it had targeted the Israeli Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv with a ballistic missile, asserting that the "Zulfiqar missile hit its target with high precision, and the interception systems failed to counter it.”
Arrest of impeached South Korean President Yoon
Developments in South Korea, where a Seoul court formally arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol early Sunday on charges of insurrection, abuse of power, and others charges, with the first time in the country's history a sitting head of state facing detention while in office, likely to lead to his indictment over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law.
Reaction from North Korea, regional nations to political crisis in South Korea
Reaction and statements from North Korea, regional nations to ongoing political crisis in South Korea over the arrest of President Yoon.
SPORTS
Round 4 of Australian Open, 1st Grand Slam of the season, to be played in women's and men's (Tennis)
Spanish LaLiga week 20 (Football)
Real Madrid vs. Las Palmas
English Premier League week 22 (Football)
Manchester United vs Brighton
SPECIAL REPORTS
Türkiye, Switzerland mark centennial in ties with hopes for deeper cooperation
Report on Türkiye’s plans to deepen ties with Switzerland during the centenary of their diplomatic relations, focusing on trade, innovation, and cultural exchange.
Ambassador Sebnem Incesu emphasizes the historical significance of the Friendship Treaty of 1925 and highlights planned activities, such as joint exhibitions and concerts, to celebrate a century of collaboration.
The story examines bilateral trade worth $4-4.5 billion annually, potential cooperation in global trends like digital transformation, and enhanced security efforts, featuring Incesu’s comments on counterterrorism and the role of the Turkish community in strengthening ties.
'Palestine always a Black issue': UK scholar encourages 'global struggle' against Western imperialism
"What you're seeing with the genocidal impulses of Israel, we saw on the African continent, we've seen in Australia, we've seen in America," 1st Black Studies professor in UK, Kehinde Andrews, tells Anadolu.
What is happening in the Gaza Strip is a genocide that is a part of Western imperialism, according to Andrews.
FACTBOX - Events that precede to arrest of South Korea's impeached President Yoon
A fact box on events leading to the formal arrest of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon with a timeline and important statements since Yoon's failed martial law decision on Dec. 3.