ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal
Day 13 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.
On Friday, Hamas is expected to submit the names of three Israeli captives held in Gaza, after which Israel will present a list of Palestinian prisoners eligible for release. The number of Palestinian detainees freed will depend on how Israel classifies its captives -- whether they are military personnel or civilians.
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy said Thursday that an American hostage will also be released.
The upcoming exchange follows the completion of the third batch on Thursday, in which three Israeli captives and five Thai nationals were handed over in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza
The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire.
Palestinian medics recovered the bodies of 42 people from under the rubble in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 47,460, the Health Ministry said.
Egyptian foreign minister to visit Beirut
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty will visit Beirut on Friday.
Abdelatty will meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and his Lebanese counterpart Abdullah Bouhabib.
The visit aims to revitalize cooperation in all economic and developmental sectors, as well as enhance political coordination between the two countries.
Iranian deputy foreign minister to visit Beirut
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs Vahid Jalalzadeh is set to visit Beirut on Friday.
Jalalzadeh will meet with Lebanon's Foreign Minister Bouhabib and Parliament Speaker Berri.
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.
As of Thursday evening, Israel has committed at least 10 violations, including demolishing homes, bulldozing lands, and carrying out drone strikes targeting several villages in southern Lebanon.
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.
The 11th day of Israel's expanded assault on Jenin refugee camp continues, with the siege, clashes with Palestinian fighters, and escalations in Tubas and Qalqilya. Since Jan. 21, the offensive has killed 17 Palestinians, including a child, injured 50, displaced 2,000, and destroyed 100 homes, according to Palestinian reports.
Israel also continues its large-scale assault on Tulkarm refugee camp, destroying infrastructure, arresting dozens, and displacing hundreds. Since Tuesday, three Palestinians have been killed, and seven others, including a child and a journalist, have been injured.
Israel has killed at least 892 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-Bashar al-Assad administration.
On Thursday, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad met Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying the meeting was "marked by a positive spirit filled with optimism" for a bright future for Syria and bilateral relations.
Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s foreign minister, told a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani: “We fully stand in solidarity with the just Syrian cause and commend the declaration marking the end of the revolution phase and the transition to state-building.”
Deteriorating situation in war-torn Sudan
The dire security situation which continues in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Sudanese army on Thursday announced regaining control of the city of Umm Rawaba in North Kordofan State, while its forces advance toward the presidential palace in Khartoum. Clashes with the RSF also continue in El Fasher, North Darfur State, in western Sudan.
Developments on plane-helicopter collision in US
Developments on the passenger plane-helicopter collision near Washington, DC. The black boxes have been recovered from the American Airlines plane, which had 60 passengers and four crew when it collided midair with an Army Black Hawk carrying three soldiers near Reagan National Airport.
President Trump confirmed there were no survivors. By 5.30 pm ET (2230GMT), at least 40 bodies had been recovered.
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago visit
US President Donald Trump is heading to spend the weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his Miami resort.
Vote on Cyprus peacekeeping mandate renewal
The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for another year, until Jan. 31, 2026.
Mexico preparing a legal complaint against US
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico has evidence of two cases where US authorities violated the human rights of deported immigrants. The cases involve a Guatemalan woman and a Mexican national. Sheinbaum vowed to protect foreign immigrants in Mexico and said the Foreign Ministry is preparing a legal complaint against the US.
German parliament likely to vote on immigration control bill
The German parliament is expected to hold a vote on a controversial bill on immigration, proposed by the main opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). Christian Democrats are pushing for measures to limit irregular migration, indefinitely suspend family reunification for persons with subsidiary protection. The CDU/CSU needs support from the business friendly FDP and the far-right AfD to achieve the necessary majority in parliament. CDU leader and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz is already under fire for reversing the party's longstanding policy of non-cooperation with the AfD ahead of Feb. 23 elections and pushing for anti-immigration measures with support from right-wing extremists.
David Lammy to visit Tunisia
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy travels to Tunisia to hold talks on tackling irregular migration upstream.
Italian Foreign Minister Tajani visits Serbia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will receive Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Belgrade. They will hold a joint press conference. Tajani will also attend Italy-Serbia Business Forum.
UN briefing
The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.
Second round of Greek presidential election
Greek lawmakers to elect a president for a five-year term. Last election was held on Jan. 22, 2020, when Katerina Sakellaropoulou was selected as the country's first female president. On Jan. 25, parliament failed to elect a new president in the first round of voting. If no candidate receives 200 out of the 300 votes in today's second round, a third round will be scheduled with a lowered threshold of 180. New Democratic nominee Constantine Tassoulas led the first round with 160 votes.
UK marks 5 years since Brexit
Five years have passed since the UK left the EU. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, the majority of people voted in favor of the withdrawal of the country from the EU. After the Brexit agreement was signed by representatives from Britain and the EU on Jan. 24, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the bloc on Jan. 31 of that year.
Top Romanian diplomat to visit Moldova
Romanian Foreign Мinister Emil Hurezeanu to conduct an official visit to neighboring Moldova. Hurezeanu will hold talks with multiple top officials, including President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, and his Moldovan counterpart Mihai Popsoi. A press conference will be held following the meeting of the Moldovan and Romanian foreign ministers.
Russian Foreign Ministry press briefing
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold press briefing plus Q&A session.
Situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
The latest situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as uneasy calm has returned to the city of Goma after sporadic gunfire ceased with no latest clashes reported in the city of three million. Nearly 100 people have been killed in last one week since the M23 rebels launched offensive and have now moved towards some villages in the South Kivu province. At least 17 peacekeepers have also been killed. Thousands of people have been displaced, many of whom have fled to Rwanda, including staff of international groups such as the UN and World Bank since the M23 launched the major offensive. Kinshasa has blamed Kigali for sending troops to Goma and has vowed to secure the territorial integrity of the country.
Top French diplomat to visit Rwanda
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to visit Kigali to hold talks with Rwanda officials after visiting Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where angry protesters attacked its embassy among other diplomatic compounds earlier this week amid an M23 offensive in the country's eastern region.
Southern African regional bloc to hold meetings on situation in eastern DR Congo
Heads of state and government representatives from 16 member states of Southern African regional bloc SADC to meet in Harare, Zimbabwe to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Southern African countries contribute peacekeeping troops to Congo, a member of the bloc.
Tensions rise between South Africa and Rwanda
Tensions escalate between South Africa and Rwanda over conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At least 17 peacekeepers, including 13 South Africans, have been killed in Goma since last week after M23 rebels launched an offensive.
Outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus in Uganda
Outbreak of Ebola virus in Uganda, caused by the Sudan strain of the infection. Uganda confirmed outbreak with death of a health worker.
UN General Assembly president embarks on trip to Japan
UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang embarks on an official visit to Japan until Feb. 4. Yang will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to strengthen and promote multilateral cooperation on a range of global issues, including international peace and security and the Pact for the Future.
Floods situation in Malaysia
Developments in Malaysia where floods and landslides killed at least five people and displaced thousands of others. Sarawak and Sabah states on Borneo Island are worst-hit.
Trial of incarcerated South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
Trial of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol progresses amid his incarceration. He was indicted over the Dec. 3 martial law decree but has defended his decision, which triggered a political crisis. He is facing a case of insurrection and abuse of power.
Kashmiri lawmaker begins hunger strike in Indian jail
Kashmir lawmaker Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh begins a hunger strike inside New Delhi's Tihar Jail in protest against "ill-treatment." He won the last year’s elections while in jail. Along with many other Kashmiri leaders and activists, he was arrested in 2019 and all of them have been denied bail.
THE ECONOMY
Tourist figures from Türkiye
The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry will share foreign tourist figures visiting Türkiye in 2024.
Türkiye’s foreign trade
The Turkish Statistical Institute will share foreign trade figures for 2024. The institute will also release tourism figures for 2024.
Germany’s inflation
Germany’s Destatis will release provisional inflation figures for January. It was at 2.6% in December and a slight increase is expected for January.
SPORTS
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League and Europa League knockout phase playoff draw to take place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
SPECIAL REPORTS
IN-DEPTH REPORT – Another Gaza? Israeli unleashes fresh on Palestinians in Jenin offensive
Report on the ongoing Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin and how the area has become a center of the Palestinian resistance.
The story will highlight the extent of the civilian toll of the offensive and its potential impact on Palestinian forces and Israeli politics, especially in the context of the ceasefire in Gaza and high regional tensions. It will also focus on Israel’s broader plans for the city, West Bank, and the Palestinian territories.
The report includes comments from Shatha Abdulamad, a policy analyst at Alshabaka, Ihab Maharmeh of the School of Law, Politics, and Sociology at the University of Sussex, and Israeli analyst Ori Goldberg.
EXPLAINER – Trump lifts sanctions on Israeli settlers: A green light for more settler violence?
Report on how the recent lifting of sanctions on illegal Israeli settlers by the US Treasury under the Trump administration could embolden further harm against Palestinians.
The story explores the broader implications of this policy reversal, such as the potential escalation of violence and land encroachments in the region impacting Palestinian communities.
It includes reactions from Israeli government officials, Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh, and data from settlement watchdog group Peace Now, while referencing relevant International Court of Justice rulings.
INTERVIEW – 5 years later, Brexit is far from ‘done’
Report examining the UK’s complex transition out of EU membership five years after it officially withdrew from the union, revealing ongoing challenges in trade relations, legal frameworks, and political dynamics despite areas of continued cooperation.
The story analyzes the economic impact of Brexit, with increased border controls and regulatory divergence, while exploring potential shifts under Labour’s proposed “reset” of UK-EU relations, all against the backdrop of growing public “Bregret.”
It features analysis from Giuseppe Spatafora of the European Union Institute for Security Studies and findings from UK in a Changing Europe, alongside context on regional tensions in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
FACTBOX – African nations set for busy election year
Report on upcoming African elections in 2025, detailing presidential and legislative polls across twelve nations from Togo to Comoros, with significant leadership transitions expected.
The story examines various electoral contexts, including post-coup transitions in countries like Gabon and Guinea, potential presidential succession in long-standing regimes like Cameroon, and the implementation of new constitutional frameworks in several nations.
It features details from electoral commissions across Africa, transition announcements from leaders like Guinea's Mamadi Doumbouya, and voter registration data from multiple nations, while providing context on current leadership and ruling parties.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Video on Israel’s ongoing assault on the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, featuring comments from Israeli analyst Ori Goldberg.