Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new administration following the overthrow of the Baathist regime.

Foreign ministers and top diplomats from Türkiye, Arab countries and the West convened in Riyadh on Sunday for a conference on Syria’s future.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani also held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts.

The Riyadh meeting, chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, called for lifting sanctions on Damascus and facilitating the return of Syrian refugees.

⁠Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel persists in its unrelenting attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, ignoring global appeals to halt aggression and alleviate the immense suffering of millions facing relentless bombardment and a crippling blockade.

Around 70 children were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip in the last five days, the civil defense service said on Sunday.

The overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 surged to nearly 46,600, with over 109,600 others injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

⁠Israel’s escalating blockade, ground invasion in northern Gaza Strip

The ongoing Israeli military operations, displacement, and blockade in northern Gaza which has led to devastating humanitarian consequences for thousands of Palestinians trapped in the areas since Oct. 5, 2024 and claimed the lives of more than 4,800 people.

On Sunday, at least seven Palestinians were killed and several others injured in fresh Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, a medical source said.

Israeli artillery shelling was reported in several areas in Jabalia, injuring several people, including women and children.

At least 5,000 Palestinians have been killed and missing in Israel’s ongoing offensive in northern Gaza since Oct. 5, local authorities said.

⁠Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday said the current days are "critical" regarding the release of Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip, expressing hope for reaching a deal with Hamas soon.

Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation, including Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, arrived in Qatar for talks on the deal with Hamas. Representatives from the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump are also likely to participate in the meetings in Doha, led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also discussed Gaza hostage negotiations with outgoing US President Joe Biden.

⁠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 Sunday, three Palestinians, including two children, were injured in two attacks by illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Israel has killed at least 847 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,100 taken into custody.

⁠Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Monitoring the November cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

On Sunday, an Israeli drone launched a strike on the Outskirts of Jbal El Botm, causing a fire in the targeted area, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

The Israeli army on Sunday evening reiterated its warning to displaced people against returning to 62 Lebanese villages, despite less than two weeks remaining until its anticipated withdrawal under the cease-fire agreement.

As of Sunday evening, Israel had committed at least 470 violations of the cease-fire agreement, resulting in 37 deaths and 43 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

⁠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 Sunday, celebrations erupted in cities and villages across Sudan after the army recaptured the city of Wad Madani, capital of Al-Jazirah state, from the RSF.

NAto chief to brief European Parliament in Brussels

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will appear before a hearing of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to discuss European and global security.

Iran and E3 talks in Geneva

A meeting of deputy foreign ministers from Iran, France, Germany and the UK scheduled in Geneva. The talks are expected to mainly focus on The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

On Jan. 5, 2020, Iran declared that it would no longer abide by the deal's limitations but would continue to coordinate with IAEA, following the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 under Donald Trump’s first presidency term.

Polish defense minister host counterparts over Ukraine

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak will host his counterparts from the Germany, France, the UK and Italy for talks on support for Ukraine, with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov expected to join virtually.

UK Foreign Office to respond to questions from lawmakers

Ministers from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to respond questions from lawmakers. Questions may include situation in the Middle East, latest situation in Syria as well as UK support to Israel and the war in Ukraine.

Questions to ministers from the UK Home Office

Ministers from the UK Home Office to respond to questions from lawmakers. Latest developments regarding the alleged grooming gangs are among questions that are likely to be asked. American billionaire Elon Musk has repeatedly targeted the Labour government and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of not taking action against such gangs. UK government insists victim support is a priority.

French parliamentary panel appearance on Mayotte legislation

French overseas territories minister Manuel Valls will appear before the French parliament's Committee on Economic Affairs to discuss emergency legislation on Mayotte following Cyclone Chido amid criticism over the government's response to the crisis.

French premier's meeting with heads of agricultural unions in Paris

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou hosts a series of meetings with heads of French agricultural unions amid dissatisfaction in the sector with the new EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

Greek prime minister visits Saudi Arabia

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Saudi Arabia to participate in a meeting of the Saudi-Greek Supreme Cooperation Council. Cooperation in the energy field and attracting Saudi investment to Greece are expected to be among the topics to be addressed. Most likely, Greece will also ask Riyadh to use its influence on the new Syrian administration to not sign a possible EEZ deal with Türkiye.

Research on Accident and Emergency (A&E) services wait times in UK

There were a record 518,000 waits of 12 hours or longer in A&E from a decision to admit last year, according to Liberal Democrat research. The party says this represents a 400-fold rise over less than a decade and calls on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to produce an emergency plan to tackle A&E wait times.

⁠Slovak parliamentary delegation to meet State Duma head

A Slovak parliamentary delegation led by vice speakers Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar to hold talks with head of Russia's State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow. The Slovak delegation arrived in Russia on Sunday, and will remain until Wednesday.

Political crisis in South Korea

Monitoring developments in South Korea where a joint team of anti-graft investigators and police are pursuing to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon’s lawyers have demand he be given relief until the Constitutional Court decide his fate whether to retain him or remove him from office over short-lived martial law. The 63-year-old embattled leader faces unprecedented charges of treason, insurrection, a travel ban as well as arrest warrant.

Indian Premier Modi to open strategic Z-Morh tunnel in disputed Kashmir

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the strategic Z-Morh Tunnel in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region. The infrastructure project is meant to ensure throughout-the-year travel to the tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir besides cutting travel time to Ladakh region, which borders China.

Japan's top diplomat to visit Seoul

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to visit Seoul to hold talks with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul.

Pakistani court to announce verdict against ex-Premier Khan

A local court in Islamabad is expected to announce its verdict in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi. Khan is already in jail.

6-week long Hindu festival to kick off in India

A six-week-long Maha Kumbh Mela, a Hindu festival considered to be the world's largest congregation of people, to begin in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Over 400 million people are expected to attend the event that takes place every 12 years.

Japanese officials to visit China

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama and coalition Komeito party Secretary General Makoto Nishida to visit China. The trip comes amid efforts by the two sides to warm-up ties and pave way for high-level reciprocal trips.

China's Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. It could include statements on regional situation, inauguration of Donald Trump in the US as well as security situation in Africa.

Afghanistan expected to respond to statements made at education summit in Pakistan

The interim administration in Kabul is expected to respond to statements made at an education summit in neighboring Pakistan where speakers alleged the Taliban did not see women as “human beings” and had created a system of “gender apartheid."

The Islamabad declaration said obstructing girls from education constitutes societal bias against women.

Intensified clashes increase humanitarian crisis in DR Congo

More than 100,000 people have fled their homes in Congo’s North Kivu province since Jan. 1, 2025 following intensified clashes between government forces and the M23 rebels.

Other militant groups operating in eastern Congo including the Allied Democratic Forces that pledged allegiance to the ISIS terrorist group in 2019 have also intensified clashes displacing tens of thousands. The M23 rebel group has seized key towns including Katale and Masisi.

Dialogue to resolve political crisis in Mozambique

Mozambique’s outgoing president, Filipe Nyusi, is expected to continue talks with opposition parties to resolve the ongoing post-election violence. Last week, Nyusi met several parties, but excluded Venancio Mondlane, the candidate who came second in the Oct. 9, 2024 presidential election.

Experts say the move will yield little or nothing at all as Mondlane was the main challenger to Daniel Chapo a candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, who was declared winner of the election after getting 71% of the vote. Mondlane got 20% but insists his victory was robbed.

THE ECONOMY

China’s foreign trade

China to reveal foreign trade figures for December and 2024. In November, the country’s exports went up by 6.7% and imports fell by 3.9% year-on-year. Market expected that exports will increase by 7.3% in December while imports will decrease by 1.5% on a yearly basis.

Türkiye’s current account

Turkish Central Bank to reveal current account balance figures for November 2023. Türkiye is likely to post a current account deficit for last November of $2.96 billion, while the current account balance saw a surplus of $1.88 billion in October.

Türkiye’s retail sales

The Turkish Statistical Institute to release retail trade and turnover indexes for November. Retail sales in the previous month posted an increase of 15%.

SPORTS

Stage 8 of 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia (Off-road endurance)

Round 1 of Australian Open, 1st Grand Slam of the season, to be played in women's and men's (Tennis)

SPECIAL REPORTS

1 million files: How one group is helping expose Syrian regime’s war crimes

Report on the work of non-profit Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA) in documenting evidence of war crimes in Syria.

The story details how the organization has amassed more than 1 million documents in its years of investigating atrocities committed by the Assad regime. It also explains the current challenges in the preservation and processing of evidence, and the efforts being made by CIJA and other groups.

The story includes an interview with Nerma Jelacic, the director for management and external relations at CIJA, who shares insights into the organization’s work, success, and plans to ensure accountability of the Assad regime and its officials.

Trump and Musk’s foreign interference threatens liberal democratic order: Expert

Interview with British academic Amelia Hadfield about the possible reasons and implications of the aggressive foreign policy comments by incoming US President Donald Trump and the controversial remarks by his close ally Elon Musk.

Hadfield, head of the politics department at the University of Surrey, views the Trump-Musk duo as the greatest example of the threat of foreign interference, warning that their strategies for influence pose a direct existential threat to the “rules-based liberal democratic order.”

She also speaks about other repercussions of the inflammatory rhetoric, particularly Musk’s dangerous attempts to fan far-right support in Europe, and possible strategies to mitigate the impact.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Nerma Jelacic, the director for management and external relations at non-profit Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), about the group’s work in documenting evidence of crimes committed by the Assad regime in Syria.

VIDEO – Interview with British academic Amelia Hadfield about the reasons and potential impacts of the inflammatory rhetoric being used by
incoming US President Donald Trump and by his close ally Elon Musk.