Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Developments of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threat to cancel the deal if Israeli hostages in Gaza are not released by noon next Saturday.

The first phase, which includes a prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.

On Tuesday evening, Israeli officials conditioned the continuation of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas on the group's release of three detainees next Saturday as originally planned.

On Monday, Hamas’ Al-Qassam spokesperson said the release of Israeli hostages scheduled for Saturday was postponed until further notice due to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Sixteen Israeli captives and five Thai workers have so far been released under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire.

Israel has killed 92 Palestinians and injured 822 others in direct attacks since the ceasefire agreement took effect in the enclave on Jan. 19, the Gaza Strip’s Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Israel’s genocidal has killed nearly 48,200 people and left the enclave in ruins since October 2023.

Israeli raids in West Bank, particularly in its northern area

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.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian was killed and three others were injured by Israeli army gunfire, including a child, during a raid on the town of Sa'ir, east of Hebron in the southern West Bank.

The latest raids in the West Bank were part of a broader offensive launched by the Israeli army in Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas since Jan. 21, killing more than 30 Palestinians.

Israel has killed at least 911 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Jordanian king's meeting with US president

The fourth day of an open-ended visit by Jordan's King Abdullah II to the US, during which he met with President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.

The Jordanian Royal Court stated on Tuesday that during his meeting with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in Washington on Monday evening, King Abdullah emphasized the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state.

Egyptian foreign minister’s visit to US

The fourth day of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty's indefinite visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet with several senior officials from the new US administration and members of Congress.

In separate statements on Tuesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that Abdelatty emphasized the importance of the two-state solution and the implementation of the phases of the Gaza agreement during his meetings on Monday with US officials.

US envoy Witkoff anticipated visit to Israel

US Envoy Steve Witkoff's expected visit to Israel in light of the stumbling of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

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 Tuesday, the Israeli army committed at least three violations in border villages in southern Lebanon, including carrying out bulldozing operations at Tallet Al-Hamamos and burning homes in Markaba.

This brings the total number of violations to 882, according to a tally compiled by Anadolu Agency based on Lebanese reports.

World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai

The second day of the World Government Summit 2025, hosted in Dubai, which aims to discuss major global trends and future transformations.

The summit features participation from over 30 heads of state and government, 140 government delegations, and more than 80 international and regional organizations.

On Wednesday, the summit will address several key topics, including: "Digitalization and the Productivity of Arab Governments.”

Military situation in war-torn Sudan

The security situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army gains against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states in recent days.

On Tuesday, Darfur Governor Arko Minawi confirmed that the Zamzam displacement camp in Al-Fashir, western Sudan, was "raided by the RSF militia in what marks the 10th attack on the overcrowded camp, home to both longtime and newly displaced people."

Mark Rutte - Pre-ministerial press conference in Brussels

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte holds a news conference ahead of Thursday's meeting of NATO defense ministers, which is preceded by a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting today, convened for the first time by the UK instead of the US. Rutte is expected to lay out issues to be discussed Thursday’s defense ministers meeting. US officials approach to NATO contributions from member countries are likely to be discussed.

EU-Canada summit in Paris

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen host summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The summit comes weeks before a trade tariff on Canada by the new US administration under President Trump kicks in. Trump has introduced tariffs after he suggested that Canada should become a new state of the US. Trudeau is also expected to meet NATO chief Rutte.

Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels - UK convenes meeting for first time

UK Defense Secretary John Healey convenes the 26th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the first time the US has not convened the grouping. New US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth takes part in the meeting. US President Trump’s plan to end Ukraine-Russia war is likely to be among issues to be discussed alongside other issues including military support to Ukraine.

Ukraine - French foreign minister hosts Weimar+ meeting in Paris

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot hosts meeting of Weimar+ counterparts for a meeting on European security and Ukraine. Previous meetings in this format have included counterparts from Germany, Poland, Italy, the UK and Spain. Trump’s plan to end Ukraine-Russia war, military support to Ukraine likely to be discussed.

European Parliament - Strasbourg plenary; US withdrawal from Paris accord and WHO discussed

Members of European Parliament continue plenary session. Wednesday's agenda includes a key debate on the murder of Alexei Navalny and a debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organization.

Viktor Orban and AfD leader Alice Weidel - joint news conference in Budapest

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban holds a joint news conference with German far-right, anti-immigrant party leader Alice Weidel following their talks today in the Hungarian capital. The news conference comes 10 days before Germany’s general election to be held on Feb. 23.

European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic - Strasbourg press conference

European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and European Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis hold a press conference to discuss the Commission's 2025 work program, though they are likely to also face questions about the latest tariffs announcement from US President Trump.

UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers in London

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons. Questions may include situation in the Middle East, Gaza ceasefire, and latest situation in Syria, as well as UK support to Israel and the war in Ukraine. Starmer may also face questions on Trump’s trade tariffs.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi - UK visit

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits the UK for talks with Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The pair are due to hold the first UK-China Strategic Dialogue since 2018. Besides bilateral talks, the two sides are expected to discuss international issues including Gaza situation, Ukraine war, as well as ongoing tariff war initiated by the US President Trump by raising tariffs.

Trump's warning to Hamas and plan to relocate Gazans

Statements from US President Trump regarding Gaza after he issued a warning against Hamas to release all hostages by Saturday noon and his controversial plan to take the Palestinian enclave and relocate its residents.

Marco Rubio and King Abdullah - meeting

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host King Abdullah of Jordan, a day after President Donald Trump met with the Jordanian leader at White House.

Narendra Modi - US visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the US for talks with President Trump at the White House. Trump will host Indian prime minister for talks at the White House on Thursday.

US Senate agenda - Vote on DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard

Senate is due to vote on the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence.

Canadian provincial premiers - Washington, DC visit

Ontario Premier Doug Ford leads a mission of Canadian provincial premiers for meetings in US capital with members of Trump administration, Congress and American business leaders to advocate for maintaining strong Canada-US relations.

UN Security Council - Syria discussed

UN Security Council will meet for a briefing followed by consultations on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.

Brazil says no to trade war with US

Developments after Brazilian Foreign Minister Alexandre Padilha said that Brazil will not retaliate against President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, which affect Brazilian exports. Alexandre said trade wars are not good for anyone.

Top diplomats meet for the Executive Council of the African Union

Foreign Affairs Ministers and government representatives from the 55 African Union (AU) member states to meet for a two-day ordinary session of the executive council of the AU in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. They are expected to discuss the ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, terrorism in the Sahel and horn of Africa regions. The diplomats are also expected to address the impact of climate change among other issues. Their meeting comes ahead of the AU Heads of State and Government meeting.

Uganda’s opposition leader continues hunger strike in prison

Uganda's veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye continues a hunger strike for a third day at Luzira prison to protest his continued imprisonment. Besigye 68, was arrested in the Kenyan capital Nairobi together with his colleague Hajji Obeid and later charged in a Ugandan military court on allegations of possessing firearms and attempting to purchase weapons abroad . They have both denied the accusations.

Threats of M23 rebels to intervene in Bukavu, Eastern DR Congo

The M23 rebels who recently took control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have issued a threat to overrun and capture the city of Bukavu should government forces continue to allegedly abuse rights of civilians there. The M23 recently announced unilateral ceasefire and formed their administration in Goma.

Turkish President Erdogan holds high-level talks during Indonesia visit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds high-level talks with Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Bogor, south of the capital Jakarta. Erdogan is on a two-day official trip to Indonesia as part of his three-nation tour of Asia. Besides focusing on bilateral ties, the two sides are expected to discuss the situation in besieged Palestinian enclave Gaza. After concluding official engagements in Indonesia, Erdogan and his delegation will fly to Pakistan on the last leg of his trip. Earlier, the Turkish leader paid a two-day official visit to Malaysia.

Trial of imprisoned South Korean president

Trial of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Constitutional court has refused to make election watchdog as party to the trial against Yoon’s wishes who has raised questions on fairness of election outcomes. The imprisoned president had sent soldiers to raid the office of election watchdog on the night of Dec. 3 when he imposed martial law.

China hosts ASEAN officials for high-level bilateral discussions

China hosts 31st senior officials' consultation with member nations of Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Malaysia is current chair of the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc and the three-day meeting is being held in eastern Zhejiang province. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Malaysian leader Amran Mohamed Zin to co-chair the meetings. Among other issues including trade, the two sides are close to finalize a code of conduct in disputed South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry holds briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry will be holding a news briefing in the capital Beijing.

The first legs of the playoff round in the UEFA Champions League are set to conclude on Wednesday:

Monaco vs. Benfica

Feyenoord vs. AC Milan

SPECIAL REPORTS

From humanitarian to political, Africa braces for fallout of USAID freeze

Report on the impact of the Trump administration’s decision to pull the plug on US foreign funding, focusing on the fallout on different levels in African countries.

The story examines how the funding freeze has disrupted access to life-saving HIV treatment, maternal healthcare, and food assistance, with millions now at risk in various nations. It also details the broader effects on public health, infectious disease control, and economic stability across the continent.

The report features perspectives from African healthcare workers, including Dr. Julius Lymo in Tanzania and Dr. Andrew Kambugu in Uganda, alongside analysis from regional experts on the long-term implications of Washington’s policy shift.

Germany elections: Far-right AfD stoking fears but not offering any solutions, says expert

Interview with German political sociologist Ulf Bohmann on the rising popularity of far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its prospects in the upcoming Feb. 23 elections.

Bohmann speaks about the AfD’s strategic use of “agitation” tactics to exploit social fears, explaining how and why the far-right party deliberately stokes anxieties about immigration, economic security, and social status.

The story also examines latest polling trends, AfD’s expanding voter base, and concerns about its anti-democratic rhetoric, with insights from recent studies on its political strategies.

With Trump 2.0, question of UN’s survival more valid than ever: Analyst

Interview with Swiss-American political analyst Daniel Warner on the UN’s future amid declining US support for multilateralism.

Warner speaks about how Trump’s “America First” policy affects international cooperation, focusing on the UN’s financial sustainability, leadership dynamics, and the broader implications of American withdrawal from global institutions and diplomatic frameworks.

He also highlights the need for the UN to seek alternative funding from nations like China and Türkiye, and comments on strategies to stem the decline of multilateralism and rebrand the UN.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with German political sociologist Ulf Bohmann on the country’s upcoming elections, particularly the strategies and prospects of the far-right AfD party.

VIDEO - Interview with Swiss-American political analyst Daniel Warner on the UN’s future under the new Trump administration in the US and the larger issue of the global decline of multilateralism.