Diary
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal
Day 10 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 Monday, thousands of Palestinians began returning to the northern Gaza Strip as part of the agreement. This was followed by the first shipment of Qatari humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip via the Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing.
According to witnesses, vehicles carrying displaced people and their belongings began to pass through the Netzarim Corridor via Salah al-Din Street after undergoing a security inspection by an X-ray device.
The return of Palestinians came hours after Doha mediated an agreement between Hamas and Israel under which the Palestinian group agreed to release female Israeli captive Arbel Yehud and two others by Friday.
Seven Israeli captives, including four soldiers, have been released in return for 290 Palestinian prisoners since the deal came into force.
Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza
The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip during ceasefire.
The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 has reached 47,306 as of Sunday, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave.
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 Monday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation rejected Trump’s call.
Despite repeated clear opposition from Egypt and Jordan, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that he is collaborating with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the security cabinet to devise an action plan aimed at implementing Trump’s plan.
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.”
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.
Lebanese media reported at least six new Israeli ceasefire breaches on Monday, a day after at least 24 people were killed and 136 others injured by Israeli fire as residents were trying to return to their areas in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
The bloodshed came as the Israeli forces remained on the ground in Lebanon after a 60-day deadline set under the ceasefire deal for their withdrawal passed on Sunday.
Israeli premier testifying in ongoing corruption trial
The second day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testifying before the court over charges of several counts of fraud and breach of trust and one count of bribery.
On Monday, he appeared before the Tel Aviv District Court and accused the prosecution of “driving the country mad” with “nonsense” charges against him.
He will testify on Tuesday and Wednesday.
He began his testimony on Dec. 10, 2024, and was to testify for six hours each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday until the end of the month.
He denies wrongdoing and has said the charges were fabricated by the state prosecution and police investigators in an attempted political coup.
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 Monday, witnesses said the Israeli army was still cordoning off the Jenin refugee camp from all directions, and clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters, along with sounds of explosions, were reported for the seventh day.
The Israeli military operation in the camp has killed 16 people, according to the Health Ministry.
The Israeli army also continued to demolish homes in the camp.
Separately, two Palestinians were killed and three others injured in an Israeli drone strike in the Nur Shams refugee camp in eastern Tulkarem.
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.
Developments in Syria under new administration
Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar Assad administration.
On Monday, France's foreign minister said that some EU sanctions against Syria are being suspended.
Syria has decided to lower tariffs on 269 Turkish products, Türkiye's Trade Minister Omer Bolat said.
The free zone in the Jaber-Nasib border crossing between Syria and Jordan resumed operations after years of suspension.
Qatari emir’s visit to Oman
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's planned visit to Oman upon invitation from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
Talks between the two leaders are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern, the Emiri Diwan said in a statement on Sunday.
The Omani Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Qatari leader will visit Oman for consultations on the latest regional and international developments.
Türkiye-Bosnia and Herzegovina talks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive Denis Zvizdic, the chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at presidential complex.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will meet with Zvizdic to discuss bilateral relations. They will also hold joint news conference.
Türkiye-Saudi Arabia talks
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Fidan is expected to highlight the growing strength of political relations between the two countries and express the goal of further boosting the rapidly expanding trade volume with Saudi Arabia.
He will emphasize that the Turkish-Saudi Coordination Council is an important mechanism for deepening bilateral cooperation and exploring new avenues of collaboration.
UK parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee session on Syria
British parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee session on the situation in Syria in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime. Witnesses are Chatham House associate director Dr Lina Khatib, former UK Ambassador to Iraq, Syria and Qatar Simon Collis, and former MI6 Director of Counter-terrorism Richard Barrett.
UN briefing
The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.
UK national population projections - statistics
Office for National Statistics publishes projections for the potential future population size of the UK and its constituent countries.
UK children's involvement in summer 2024 riots report
Children's Commissioner for England report on the involvement of children in the riots of summer 2024. The report finds young people who took part in the riots were not primarily driven by social media misinformation or racism, but rather a curiosity of the events, distrust of the police or lack of opportunities in their community.
European reaction as Israeli ban on UNRWA operations comes into effect
European reaction to Israeli ban on UN agency. Israeli laws banning the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) from operating in the country come into effect. The laws, which ban Israeli officials from working with UNRWA and outlaw it activities, were passed by the Knesset on Oct. 28 amid widespread international criticism and a UN warning that it could have "devastating consequences" for Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Israel notified the UN on Nov. 3 that it was withdrawing from an agreement reached on June 14, 1967, which allows UNRWA operations. The ban comes into effect 90 days after the law's publication.
Emmanuel Macron's speech at Louvre Museum
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Louvre and deliver a speech about the situation of the museum, following a letter sent by its director Laurence des Cars to Culture Minister Rachida Dati. The director explained the issues regarding the museum including overcrowding, bad maintenance, and damages.
Top Russian diplomat to chair meeting of Moscow's UNESCO commission
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to chair a regular meeting of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. The minister is expected to review Russia’s cooperation with the UN body. Several members of the commission will also take the floor. The participants will discuss plans to develop Russia's cooperation with UNESCO moving forward.
Russian ambassador to hold briefing on Ukraine
Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik to hold a briefing in Moscow, where he is expected to present a summary report on the alleged crimes of the Ukrainian government during 2024. The briefing is expected to repeat Moscow's allegations against Kyiv amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, which is set to enter its fourth year next month.
Transport ministers of Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia to meet in Moscow
Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia's transport ministers to conduct a meeting in Moscow. According to Iran's Roads and Urban Development Minister, the meeting will focus on boosting transportation through the International North–South Transport Corridor.
Nationwide arrests of undocumented immigrants continue
Monitoring developments after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested 1,179 undocumented immigrants in nationwide raids on Monday, which marked an increase from Sunday, when the agency said it made 956 such arrests. Deportation flights are also being carried out from the US, sending migrants back to their home countries, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela.
Senate vote on legislation to impose sanctions on ICC
Senate is expected to hold a vote on the legislation to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel's war in Gaza. House voted the legislation called 'Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act' earlier this month.
Malcom X's daughters suing NYPD, FBI and CIA - hearing
An initial pretrial conference is set to take place in a $100 million civil lawsuit filed by Malcolm X's daughters against the New York Police Department, CIA, and FBI over the death of the Black revolutionary, who was assassinated in 1965 while speaking in a New York ballroom. The plaintiffs say links between the killers and law enforcement agencies were not investigated and accuse the agencies of conspiring to arrest Malcolm X's security detail days before the killing.
UN Security Council - UNRWA and Congo discussed
UN Security Council members to discuss the situation of UNRWA. The agency's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, are the expected briefers. Security Council members will later discuss the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid advances by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels around Goma.
Election integrity in Canada inquiry - final report
Public inquiry into the extent and impact of foreign interference in Canada’s electoral processes publishes its final report. The inquiry, led by judge Marie-Josee Hogue, was set up amid allegations that China had sought to influence elections in favor of the ruling Liberal Party.
Trump administration deports 4,000 undocumented migrants to Mexico
Developments in Mexico after US President Trump administration sent 4,000 illegal migrants since taking office. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the first week of Trump’s administration reflected no increase in deportations of Mexican nationals compared to previous years. Mexican government has implemented a contingency plan to receive Mexican immigrants expatriated by US authorities, called “Mexico Embraces You."
Situation in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains volatile
Hundreds of people remain trapped in their homes in Goma, the largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo a day after M23 rebels took control of the town from the Congolese armed forces. Thousands of civilians and some Congolese soldiers have fled to Rwanda. The UN has relocated their non-essential staff to neighboring countries and Europe. Reports of civilian deaths have also been reported. Essential services including water and electricity have been cut off in the city of some 2 million people.
African heads of state gather in Tanzania for high-level energy summit
African heads of state, business leaders, and development partners are meeting in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam for an energy summit.
Women from across Africa gather in Johannesburg to discuss issues affecting women
Hundreds of women are gathering in South Africa’s city of Johannesburg for a five-day African Women in Dialogue transformative conference aimed at amplifying the voices of women across the continent. Women politicians, business leaders, students, activists and members of civil society from all 55 African nations are expected to attend.
Cameroon to hold event looking at France’s colonial role in the country
Cameroon's President Paul Biya to preside over a ceremony that delivers a report of the France Cameroon joint commission on France’s role and commitment against independence and opposition movements in Cameroon from 1945-1971.
The Franco Cameroon Joint Commission was officially launched in Cameroon in 2023 headed by French historian Karine Ramondy and Cameroonian singer-songwriter Blick Bassy.
The initiative is part of French President Emmanuel Macron's push for a "new" relationship with Africa.
The ceremony will take place at the unity palace in the capital Yaounde.
Developments in South Korea as trial of impeached president progresses
Developments in South Korea amid ongoing trial of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol who was indicted in martial law probe. Yoon is facing a case of insurrection and abuse of power over short-lived martial law of Dec. 3.
South Korea braces for severe weather
High alert has been issued in South Korea which is bracing for heavy snow and rain. The severe weather is expected to cause possible disruptions in the country.
Millions take trip home on eve of Chinese New Year
Millions of people are traveling across China on Chinese New Year’s Eve which falls on Jan. 29. During the 40-day Spring Festival, locally known as "chunyun," travel rush is expected to reach an unprecedented 9 billion across the world’s second-largest populated nation.
THE ECONOMY
US house prices
US will reveal house price index for November. Prices rose by 4.5% in October on a yearly basis.
SPECIAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW - ‘Extremely Risky’: UNRWA urges exception to Israeli ban to continue Gaza aid
Interview with Jonathan Fowler, UNRWA’s senior communications manager, who warns of potential humanitarian collapse in Gaza as Israel's ban on the agency approaches its Jan. 30 implementation date, threatening critical aid operations.
The Fowler examines the severe implications of the ban, which could freeze UNRWA's financial accounts and halt operations, particularly impacting its 13,000-person staff presence in Gaza -- including 5,000 humanitarian workers -- compared to just 200 personnel from other UN agencies.
He emphasizes the long-term nature of the humanitarian crisis, highlighting northern Gaza as the epicenter of concern with famine-like conditions, while calling for streamlined aid delivery processes and sustained international funding to address "shocking" levels of human suffering.
FACTBOX - Trump 2.0 triggers week-long surge in US tech stocks, Bitcoin
Report on the impact of US President Donald Trump’s recent statements and policies on large technology companies and cryptocurrency markets in the week since his inauguration.
The factbox details Trump's announcements related Bitcoin, AI infrastructure development, and manufacturing initiatives, including the launch of “The Stargate Project” -- a $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure -- and explores how these developments have affected stock prices of major tech companies.
It includes remarks from Trump’s appearances at various events including his inauguration, the Bitcoin Conference, and the Davos summit, while also noting the presence major tech figures like Elon Musk leaders in his administration.
Coins and contaminants: How Delhi divers make a living in the polluted Yamuna waterway
The news report explores the lives of professional divers who work in New Delhi's heavily polluted Yamuna River, searching for coins and valuables discarded during Hindu religious rituals.
The story details the environmental challenges facing the Yamuna River and its divers, while examining the intersection of religious practices, urban development, and environmental degradation in India's capital city.
The report features interviews with divers Firoz Malik and Danny Kumar, who share their experiences, daily earnings, and concerns about increasing pollution, while also highlighting the Delhi government's pledge to clean the river by 2025.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Video featuring interviews with coin divers in the Yamuna River, which flows through the heart of New Delhi.
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