ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal
Day 12 of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as the first phase of the Hamas-Israel deal continues. The phase, which includes a prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.
Thursday will see the third batch of the prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire deal, which will see Hamas release three Israeli prisoners—Arbel Yehud, Gam Berger, and Gadi Moshe Mozes—in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners. Among the Palestinian detainees, 32 are serving life sentences, 48 have high-term sentences, and 30 are minors.
Either side or the mediators have made an immediate official announcement regarding the exact timing of the handover, which has taken place at varying times—both afternoon and evening—in previous phases.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission announced that, for the first time, Israeli authorities provided a list of 69 detainees from Gaza, along with their locations in Israeli prisons and detention camps.
Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza
The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire.
On Wednesday, Palestinian medics recovered the bodies of 59 people from under the rubble in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 47,417.
US envoy Witkoff's visit to Israel
US president’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff’s indefinite visit to Israel to oversee the Gaza ceasefire.
On Wednesday, he arrived in Tel Aviv and made a short visit to the Gaza Strip to check on progress in implementing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to Israeli media.
He later met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials to discuss implementing the first phase of the hostage and ceasefire deal with Hamas and initiating negotiations for the second phase.
Israeli violations of Lebanon ceasefire
Israeli army violations of a ceasefire deal after Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend a deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon until Feb. 18.
On Wednesday, an Israeli drone fired at residents in the town of Majdal Selem, leaving five people injured, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
Two more people were injured by Israeli army fire, and four others were detained on the outskirts of the Maroun al-Ras town before they were later released, the broadcaster said.
NNA said Israeli army forces also carried out an explosion in Kfarkela town, while a drone dropped bombs in the town of Bani Hayyan.
More reactions to Trump's plan to relocate Gazans
More international and regional reactions to US President Trump’s call for the resettlement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to Jordan and Egypt.
On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared that his country will not participate in any forced displacement of Palestinians, calling it “an act of injustice we cannot be part of.”
Trump on Saturday called to “just clean out” the Gaza Strip and resettle Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt, describing the enclave as a “demolition site.”
Hamas, meanwhile, urged the US administration “to abandon these proposals, which align with Israeli plans and clash with the rights and free will of our people.”
West Bank raids
Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank and illegal Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their property.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the army will maintain a presence in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank after its ongoing military operation there.
At least 16 Palestinians have been killed and over 50 others injured in an ongoing Israeli military offensive in the Jenin refugee camp since Jan. 21.
Israel has killed at least 880 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.
UNRWA faces Israeli eviction order in Jerusalem
Developments and reactions as the UN agency for Palestinian refugees is required to cease its operations in Jerusalem and evacuate all premises in which it operates in the city, no later than 30 January 2025.
Israel’s Knesset (parliament) voted in October to ban UNRWA’s operations in areas under Israeli occupation, alleging that the UN agency’s employees were involved in a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, a charge UNRWA denies.
If implemented, the ban would result in the closure of UNRWA offices and the freezing of the agency’s financial accounts in Israel, effectively halting operations.
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).
On Wednesday, at least seven people were killed and 11 others injured in artillery shelling by the RSF paramilitary group in western Sudan, according to a local activist group.
The Sudanese army announced that it had defeated the RSF and taken control of central Bahri, located north of Khartoum, including the Mac Nimir Bridge connecting the capital to Bahri.
This marks the first time in 21 months that the army has secured this area.
Midair collision near Washington
Developments after a passenger plane carrying 64 people, including four crew members, collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, as it approached the runway. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter.
Kash Patel - confirmation hearing
The US Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing to consider the nomination of Kash Patel to be the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard - confirmation hearing
The Senate Intelligence Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Tulsi Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence.
Senate to vote on US President Trump's nominee for ambassador to UN Elise Stefanik.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee meets to vote on the nomination of Elise Stefanik to be US Ambassador to the United Nations.
UN Security Council - Syria and Myanmar discussed
The UN Security Council meets for closed consultations on Syria in the morning and then in the afternoon. The council members will meet for consultations on Myanmar.
German parliament to debate extension of military missions abroad
German lawmakers will debate government proposals to extend the Bundeswehr's participation in several international military missions. These include NATO's Maritime Security Operation SEA GUARDIAN in the Mediterranean, the EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI, the EU Naval Force Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
Berlin - motion on declaring AfD unconstitutional considered at Bundestag
The plenary session continues with consideration of a motion to declare AfD unconstitutional.
Robert Fico - Brussels visit for gas transit discussions
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico visits Brussels for discussions with European Commission officials following the expiration of the deal between Russia and Ukraine on gas supplies to Europe.
OHCHR Annual Appeal 2025 - launch
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights holds an event to launch its annual appeal in Geneva.
Crime in England and Wales - quarterly update
Crime against households and adults also includes data on crime experienced by children and crimes against businesses and society.
Kazakhstan hosts meeting of Eurasian Intergovernmental Council
The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union, an economic alliance of five post-Soviet states, will meet and discuss the deepening of economic cooperation. The agenda includes facilitating the free movement of goods and services and harmonizing policies across key sectors such as macroeconomics, transport, industry, agriculture, energy, foreign trade and investment, customs, technical regulation, competition, and antitrust regulation.
EU special envoy for sanctions conducts visit to Kazakhstan
David O'Sullivan, the European Union’s sanctions envoy, will conduct a two-day visit to Kazakhstan, where he will hold a series of meetings with officials, followed by a press conference. While the EU delegation has not disclosed specific topics for discussion, they emphasized that O'Sullivan's role was established to maintain ongoing dialogue on the circumvention of economic restrictions against Russia.
Southern African heads of state to meet over security situation in eastern DR Congo
Heads of State and government representatives from the 16 member states of the Southern African regional bloc will meet in Zimbabwe for an extraordinary summit to discuss the ongoing conflict in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Southern African countries contribute peacekeeping troops to Congo a member of the bloc.
Growing calls for truce in Goma amid intensified fighting
Several countries and organizations are expected to increase calls for an immediate ceasefire in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where M23 rebels have claimed control of the strategic city of Goma. At least 25 people have died in Goma and nine in Rwanda, with hundreds injured in the fighting. Clashes this week also killed 17 peacekeepers, including 13 from South Africa and three from Malawi.
Trial of impeached South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol
Trial of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been indicted in a martial law probe. Yoon has defended his decision to declare martial law, which triggered an ongoing political crisis. He is facing a case of insurrection and abuse of power over the short-lived martial law of Dec. 3.
Taiwanese leader Lai embarks on 3-day tour across island
Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s three-day tour across the island, home to around 24 million people. Taiwan, like mainland China, is celebrating the New Chinese Year.
Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Islamabad
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry to hold weekly news conference in Islamabad. The ministry is expected to discuss the resettling of thousands of Afghans who were supposed to fly to third countries but are held back due to new immigration orders by the Trump administration. These Afghans fled the war-torn nation after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
Developments after stampede kills many in India
Developments as a stampede at Maha Kumbh Hindu festival killed at least 30 people in India. Many injured are admitted to hospitals for treatment, and the death toll is likely to increase.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s economic confidence
The Turkish Statistical Institute will reveal the economic confidence index for January.
Turkish banking sector data
The Turkish banking watchdog to reveal sector statistics for 2024.
Germany’s GDP
Germany’s Destatis will reveal GDP figures for 2024. The country’s economy has narrowed by 0.3% in the third quarter of 2024. For the fourth quarter, a zero-percent growth rate is expected.
US GDP
The US will release provisional GDP figures for the last quarter of 2024. Its economy expanded by 3.1% in the previous quarter, and a 2.7% growth rate is expected for the fourth quarter. The country will also release jobless claims figures.
SPORTS
The 8th and final week of matches will be played in the UEFA Europa League.
Ajax vs. Galatasaray
Midtjylland vs. Fenerbahce
Twente vs. Besiktas
Braga vs. Lazio
Roma vs. Frankfurt
SPECIAL REPORTS
Goma crisis: 5 questions on the conflict raging in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
M23 rebels' offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's Goma city highlights escalating tensions and humanitarian crises in the mineral-rich region, with claims of Rwandan backing complicating regional dynamics.
The story examines Goma's strategic importance as a trade hub, the historical context of M23's emergence from earlier peace agreements, and the complex interplay of ethnic tensions, mineral resources, and foreign interests driving the conflict.
It features statements from M23 spokesman Willy Ngoma, Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, humanitarian assessments from Save The Children and Amnesty International, and academic analysis from researchers Koen Vlassenroot and Karen Buscher.
FACTBOX - US tech firms 'in deep water' as Chinese ventures take initiative
Report on the significant market downturn major US tech stocks face after the rapid rise of Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, exploring broader implications of growing technological competitiveness in China across artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and smartphones.
The factbox examines multiple fronts of US-China tech competition, including semiconductors and export controls, while highlighting recent market shifts in favor of Chinese companies in electric vehicles and smartphone sales, all against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's trade policies and tariff threats.
It includes industry analysis from Nvidia and market data from the International Data Corporation, along with context on DeepSeek's founder Liang Wenfeng and the company's development approach.
Under strain but alive: Kashmir’s age-old tradition of contract shepherding in modern times
Report on contract shepherding in Indian-administered Kashmir and the challenges it faces as a traditional livelihood.
The story explores the trust-based economic dynamics and cultural significance of the relationship between chopans (ethnic Kashmiri shepherds) and farmers, as well as limitations including grazing area disputes and modernization pressures. It also examines the broader implications for Kashmir's self-sufficiency in sheep farming, set against the backdrop of declining local production and heavy reliance on imports.
The report features insights from sheep farmer Azhar Qadri, traditional chopan Mohammad Rafiq, veterinary officer Dr. Maroof Ahmad Shah, and Mehraj-ud-din Ganai from the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association.