ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal
The fourth day of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, including the prisoner exchange, which will last 42 days.
On Tuesday, Qatar called on the UN Security Council to “take an effective role” in ensuring the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and Israel's adherence to the agreement.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that security officials said that Mossad Chief David Barnea and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar traveled to Cairo on Monday to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Gaza.
A Hamas official said Monday that Israel is expected to release 200 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences and high-term sentences, in exchange for four Israeli women soldiers, who will be freed this week.
So far, Israel has released 90 Palestinian detainees while Hamas released three Israeli captives under the deal.
The agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday.
Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza following Israeli genocidal war
The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip after 471 days of the Israeli genocidal war.
On Tuesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that more than 630 aid trucks entered Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire agreement.
Palestinian fisherman sustained serious injuries after Israeli gunboats opened fire on fishing boats off the coast of Gaza City.
The overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 has surged to over 47,000, with more than 111,100 others injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Israeli resignations over Oct. 7, 2023 attacks failure
The latest developments and reactions to the announcements of the Israeli army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and the army’s Southern Command Chief Yaron Finkelman of their resignations, citing military failure in preventing the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Halevi said he will resign on March 6, while Finkelman did not give an exact date.
Following the resignations, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and opposition leader Yair Lapid called on the Israeli government to resign.
The resignations come on the third day of a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal that took effect on Jan. 19
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.
On Tuesday, at least eight Palestinians were killed and 35 others injured in an Israeli military raid in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
A military statement said that the army launched an operation in Jenin, code-named "Iron Wall," and is expected to last several days.
For its part, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad group, the Quds Brigades, confirmed that its fighters had confronted Israeli forces in Jenin, inflicting casualties.
Israel has killed nearly 868 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 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 Tuesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said he will represent his country at the World Economic Forum, marking the first Syrian official to attend the prestigious event which kicked off on Monday and will last for four days.
Israeli violations of ceasefire deal with Lebanon
Continued Israeli violation of the November ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon meant to halt over 14 months of fighting.
On Tuesday, an Israeli drone flew at low altitude over the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Meanwhile, Israeli forces advanced on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil, near the Maroun al-Ras area, where they reportedly shelled a home at the city’s edge.
Israel to date has committed over 618 violations of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in 37 deaths and 45 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.
Arab participations in World Economic Forum in Davos
Arab participations in World Economic Forum's annual meeting taking place in Davos, Switzerland, under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.
On Tuesday, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that Doha hopes to see the Palestinian Authority regain control over the Gaza Strip, currently governed by Hamas.
The meeting kicked off on Monday and will last for four days with the participation of around 3,000 attendees from over 130 countries among them Arab officials from Iraqi, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Syria.
The forum discusses global and regional issues, including the situations in Palestine and Syria.
Deteriorating situation in war-torn Sudan
A dire security situation continues in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
At least 16 people were killed and 18 injured in artillery shelling by the RSF on the Abu Shouk displacement camp in western Sudan, activists reported Monday.
Trump's Fox News interview at White House
Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity to have an interview with President Donald Trump from the Oval Office on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday (0200GMT Thursday). Key remarks of Trump, who will discuss the executive orders he’s signed and his plans for his first 100 days in office.
Mike Johnson, House Republicans press conference
House Speaker Mike Johnson leads press conference alongside Republican leaders following their meeting.
Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Attorney General Pam Bondi
Senate Judiciary Committee meets to vote on the nomination of Pam Bondi to be US Attorney General.
UN Security Council to discuss Colombia and Haiti
UN Security Council meets to discuss Colombia, where violence has recently escalated between ELN guerrilla group and a faction of FARC group in region of Catatumbo. In afternoon, the council will discuss recent developments and political situation in Haiti.
Violence in Colombia's Catatumbo region
Monitoring developments regarding the violence in Colombia's Catatumbo region which killed more than 80 people and displaced thousands of others. The Catatumbo region, bordering Venezuela, has long been plagued by violence between ELN guerrilla group and a faction of FARC group due to its strategic role in drug trafficking and fertile coca fields.
Trump's executive orders impacting Mexico and Mexican migrants
Reaction of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump on threats of mass deportations and border closures. While vowing humanitarian action to care for the ousted immigrants from countries outside Mexico, Sheinbaum is under fire for the excessive use of force displayed by the military against immigrants.
World Economic Forum (Davos) Day 3
World leaders from government, business, civil society, media, academia and the arts meet in Davos to shape the global, regional and industry agendas. Day 3 speakers include Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Turkish president to chair National Security Council
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair the National Security Council meeting at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.
European Parliament - Donald Tusk address in Strasbourg
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is scheduled to address MEPs on the priorities of Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union over the next six months.
Germany’s Scholz to visit Paris for 1963 Elysee Treaty anniversary
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Paris for a bilateral visit commemorating the anniversary of the 1963 Elysee Treaty. The chancellor will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a joint press conference.
UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons. Questions may include situation in the Middle East, Gaza ceasefire and latest situation in Syria as well as UK support to Ukraine.
Far-right figure Tommy Robinson charged under Terrorism Act
Far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was charged under section 7 of the Terrorism Act after allegedly refusing to give police his mobile phone PIN when he was stopped in Folkestone on July 28. He is currently behind bars for contempt of court, after breaching a court order by showing his film, Silenced.
Russian, Kyrgyz foreign ministers to hold talks in Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to hold talks with visiting Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in Russia's capital Moscow. The two ministers are expected to discuss pressing bilateral issues, as well as exchange views on Eurasian integration, global and regional security, and coordination of joint steps on international platforms. They are expected to focus particularly on collaboration within the CSTO considering Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship of the organization this year.
South Sudan faces huge refugee influx despite shortage of essential services
Humanitarian agencies in South Sudan are facing a shortage of water, sanitation, and healthcare essentials despite a huge number of refugees entering the country from neighboring Sudan posing a health risk. The UN said in a statement Tuesday that over 1 million people have arrived in South Sudan fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
Congolese armed forces expected to hit back after rebels capture another town
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to intensify their operations in the eastern DR Congo after the M23 rebels captured the eastern town of Minova, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the provincial capital Goma. The rebels said to be backed by Rwanda have recently taken control of several towns in the region. Increased clashes have disrupted the delivery of aid and medicine to tens of thousands of people living in camps, according to humanitarian agencies.
Nigeria confirms outbreak of anthrax
Nigeria has confirmed the outbreak of anthrax in Zamfara state calling for vigilance to mitigate the risks associated with the disease. Anthrax is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects humans and animals.
Impeachment trial of S.Korea’s president continues
Developments in South Korea as impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol continues. Yoon has said he did not order military to raid parliament.
Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing in Beijing.
Likely reaction from North Korea to Donald Trump inauguration
North Korea may react to inauguration of US President Donald Trump with whom North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held three meetings during first term of American leader.
SPORTS
Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 23 (Basketball)
Partizan Belgrade vs. Paris Basket
UEFA Champions League matchday 7 (Football)
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City
Real Madrid vs. Salzburg
SPECIAL REPORTS
EXPLAINER - How Trump's withdrawal from WHO matters for global health
An explainer on the implications of President Donald Trump's executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO) on his first day back in office.
The report focuses on the immediate impact of losing the WHO's largest donor, which contributed 22% of the organization's mandatory funding for 2024-2025, and the broader consequences for global health initiatives.
It includes remarks by WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic on the historic US-WHO partnership, who outlines the organization's plans to diversify funding sources, and discusses potential effects on international health coordination and American public health security.
Trump’s 2nd Paris Agreement pullout: US turning back on climate change, experts warn
Report examining the widespread implications of President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement.
The story features expert analysis of how the withdrawal affects global climate action, particularly the impact on climate finance availability for developing nations and vulnerable communities.
Stockholm Environment Institute senior fellow Richard Klein, research associate of Environment and Society Centre at Chatham House Chris Aylett, and climate activist Harjeet Singh discuss both international repercussions and domestic consequences, including Trump's push toward fossil fuel investment and its effect on US energy costs.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Report on the impact of President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, both domestically and internationally, as he begins his second term, featuring insights from Richard Klein, a senior fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute.