ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal
Developments in the first phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement. The phase, which includes a hostage-prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.
On Thursday, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas handed over the bodies of Shiri Bibas, and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, as well as Oded Lifshitz, in the southern city of Khan Younis under a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, while Israel claimed on Friday that the body it received from Hamas on Thursday does not belong to Shiri Bibas.
Israeli Army Radio reported on Thursday that the four prisoners whose bodies were handed over had been held in an area east of Khan Younis, where Israeli forces had been operating for four months.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is expected to visit the US and meet with White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to begin talks on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to international media reports.
Meanwhile, discussions are increasing about the extension of the first phase of the agreement to allow more time to complete negotiations for the second phase, which was initially supposed to begin on the 16th day of the deal.
Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza amid ceasefire
The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel violates the ceasefire.
On Thursday, Palestinian medics and rescue teams recovered 22 more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 48,319, the Health Ministry said.
The Gaza Health Ministry warned of "serious consequences" threatening the lives of patients and the wounded due to a shortage of oxygen in hospitals, following Israel's destruction of 10 central oxygen generation stations during its genocidal war.
A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli snipers in Gaza City on Thursday despite a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal, a medical source said.
Saudi Arabia to host a meeting for the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Jordan and Egypt
Saudi Arabia is set to host a meeting on Friday for the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Jordan and Egypt.
The state news agency SPA, citing a well-placed source, said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will meet with the leaders of the seven countries in “an informal brotherly meeting” in Riyadh.
Israeli raids in the West Bank
Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in Jenin, accompanied by illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.
A Palestinian man and his wife were injured on Thursday after an Israeli military vehicle rammed into their car in the city of Tulkarm, in the northern occupied West Bank.
On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched a military offensive on the northern West Bank, which resulted in at least 60 fatalities as of Thursday, according to official Palestinian data.
Israel has killed at least 920 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured nearly 7,000 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.
Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout
Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon towns.
The Amal movement and Hezbollah on Thursday announced their rejection of the Israeli army's continued presence at five border points in southern Lebanon.
They called on the international community and the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to take immediate action to compel Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.
Military situation in war-torn Sudan
The security situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army has gained against Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states in recent days.
On Thursday, the Sudanese army announced that its Armored Corps forces had taken control of the Al-Sajana area, located south of central Khartoum, after clashes with the RSF.
Sudan recalled its ambassador from Kenya on Thursday in protest against Nairobi’s hosting of a meeting to discuss the formation of a parallel government.
Developments in Syria under new administration
Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar al-Assad administration.
Syria’s Economy Minister Basel Abdul-Hannan on Thursday demanded the return of his country’s frozen assets held in European nations, asserting they belong to the Syrian people.
His call came during a meeting with a delegation from the European Commission, according to the state news agency SANA.
European Commission chief, Romanian premier - meeting in Brussels
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosts Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
The meeting comes following harrowing comments from US Vice President JD Vance on European democracy. Vance criticized European leaders on many points, including the annulment of Romanian presidential election results where the far-right candidate won the first round.
In December, Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the presidential run-off scheduled for Dec. 8. Far-right Calin Georgescu won the first round on Nov. 24, prompting accusations of Russian interference, and ultimately leading to the annulment of the election by the Constitutional Court.
The two-round election will now be held on May 4 and a second round if no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote on May 18. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigned earlier in February after pressure from opposition groups who wanted him ousted.
UN agencies’ briefing
The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.
German leaders hold campaign rallies ahead of Feb. 23 election
Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz will address Social Democratic voters at a campaign event in Dortmund, while his conservative challenger Friedrich Merz will hold a rally in the northwestern city of Oberhausen.
Recent polls show Merz's center-right CDU/CSU alliance leading with 30%, though unable to secure an outright majority in parliament. Analysts expect him to seek a coalition with either the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) or the Greens to form a government. Chancellor Scholz's SPD currently stands at 16%, with the Greens at 14%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is positioned to become parliament's second-largest party at 20%. However, the AfD appears unlikely to be part of any coalition government, as all other parties have rejected working with the far-right group.
US president hosts governors, signs executive orders at White House
President Donald Trump will deliver remarks at the Governors Working Session while hosting Republican governors at the White House. In the afternoon, Trump will sign a series of executive orders.
Developments on Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy
Developments after US President Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator” and saying he “better move fast” on a deal to end the war with Russia.
Washington DC mayor - National Press Club address
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser will take part in a National Press Club Headliners Coffee and Conversation. Bowser's remarks expected a day after Trump said the federal government should govern the US capital, citing crime and homelessness.
Conservative Political Action Conference - Mike Waltz, Kristi Noem among speakers
A major US conservative gathering, Conservative Political Action Conference, continues for a second day. Friday's speakers include White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Developments in Mexico after US designations of cartels
Developments after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced several constitutional reforms to protect the country from foreign intervention after the US officially designated drug cartels in Mexico as terrorist organizations.
G20 foreign ministers meeting ends in South Africa
South Africa hosted the two-day foreign ministers meeting of G20 for the first time in Johannesburg. The country's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola will address a press conference about the outcomes of the meeting.
The US was represented by its diplomatic mission as Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he will not attend after Washington cut aid to Pretoria over new land law, as well as over the genocide case against Israel.
Foreign ministers and officials from over 30 countries and international organizations, including Türkiye, China, Russia, France, Germany, Italy Spain, Netherlands, Norway, and others, attended the meeting.
Political crisis continues in South Korea
Political crisis continues in South Korea following a short-lived martial law decree by imprisoned President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Constitutional Court has completed the impeachment trial of Yoon and is expected to issue its verdict in the coming days. Yoon has been indicted over abuse of power and insurrection, and is facing an unprecedented criminal trial.
Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Beijing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on ties with the US, war in Gaza, Moscow-Kyiv war, US-Russia ties, and tensions in the South China Sea, among other issues.
THE ECONOMY
Newly established Turkish firms
Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye will release newly established and liquidated firms’ data for January.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Germany elections: Who is Friedrich Merz, the polarizing figure who could be chancellor?
Report on Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, his policy vision, and the challenges he faces ahead of Germany’s Feb. 23 elections.
The story details how Merz, a frontrunner for chancellor, is pledging a fundamental shift in Germany’s political direction, focusing on stricter immigration policies and pro-market economic reforms to boost Europe’s largest economy.
The report highlights how despite his party’s strong lead in the polls, Merz’s low personal approval ratings remain a significant obstacle, with data on gender and generational divides.
Germany elections: Can Olaf Scholz win battle to remain chancellor?
Report on incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s policies and prospects as he faces an uphill battle to secure another term when Germany heads to the polls on Feb. 23.
The story details how Scholz and his Social Democratic Party (SPD) are faring in polls and fighting to regain voter confidence amid a rightward shift in German politics.
The report gives a roundup of Scholz’s track record in politics and government, focusing on issues such as his administration’s handling of irregular migration, and presents an overview of his main campaign pledges.
Conflict, pandemics, crises: Former top USAID official warns of global consequences if agency eliminated
Report on the potential worldwide impact of the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle USAID, featuring insights from former senior agency official Chris Milligan, who warns of increased global instability, health crises, and migration flows.
The story explores how cutting USAID funding could weaken pandemic response, fuel conflicts, and reduce humanitarian aid worldwide. It also includes perspectives from development and humanitarian professionals outside the agency who have been directly affected by government budget cuts.
The report assesses both the global and domestic implications for the US, highlighting the strategic and security risks posed by dismantling one of America’s key international aid institutions.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with former senior USAID official Chris Milligan about the potential global impact of the Trump administration’s ongoing push to dismantle the agency.