Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Developments in phase one of Gaza ceasefire agreement. The phase, which includes prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to end on Saturday.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his negotiating team to travel to Egypt to continue talks about a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

An Israeli source said Thursday that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border. Israel is supposed to withdraw from the corridor on Saturday under the Gaza deal.

Tel Aviv is ready to extend a Gaza ceasefire agreement in exchange for the release of more captives, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Thursday.

Israel released 642 Palestinian prisoners overnight after Palestinian resistance group Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives under the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

With the transfer of the four more bodies late Wednesday, Hamas completed the release of 33 Israelis, including eight bodies, under the first phase of the ceasefire in exchange for 2,351 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli figures estimate that 59 Israelis are still held in Gaza, with at least 20 of them alive, who are supposed to be set free in the second phase of the ceasefire, which would require Israel to fully withdraw its forces and end the war permanently.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza amid ceasefire

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire.

Gaza’s death toll from Israel’s destructive war since October 2023 has reached 48,365, the Health Ministry said Thursday.

A ministry statement said the bodies of 17 Palestinians were recovered from the rubble in the last 24 hours.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, with the army deploying tanks in the northern parts of the territory for the first time in over two decades.

A Palestinian youth was killed by Israeli fire on Thursday as army forces raided the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank, in an expansion of its ongoing offensive in the occupied territory.

On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched a military offensive on the northern West Bank, which has resulted in at least 64 fatalities and thousands of displacements.

Israel has killed at least 927 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.

Tel Aviv continued its violations of the ceasefire, with the latest incident occurring Thursday, when an Israeli drone struck a vehicle on the outskirts of Hermel in eastern Lebanon, killing two people.

Meanwhile, Israeli drones were seen flying at low altitude over the city of Baalbek and its surrounding areas.

Sighting of crescent moon for Ramadan in Arab countries

Arab countries to observe the crescent moon to announce the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Trump hosts Ukrainian president

US President Donald Trump will host his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House to sign a minerals deal between their countries. The two leaders will also discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine. In the afternoon, they will hold a joint news conference.

US secretary of state, Greek counterpart to meet

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosts Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis at the State Department.

First batch of Epstein files released

Developments after the Department of Justice released the first batch of more than 100 pages of documents related to late financier and disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. The documents released by Attorney General Pam Bondi include flight logs, a redacted contact book and masseuse list, and an evidence list.

Security Council meeting on peace in Africa

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on peace and security in Africa.

Mexico extradites 29 drug traffickers to US

Developments after Mexico extradited 29 alleged drug traffickers to the US, including former Guadalajara cartel leader Rafael Caro Quintero, wanted for the 1985 murder of US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique Camarena.

Macron’s visit to Portugal

French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a joint news conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro during the second and final day of his visit to Portugal. The two countries are expected to sign several agreements to enhance cooperation in various fields.

General strike in Greece

A comprehensive 24-hour national strike will affect services across Greece as major labor organizations unite in protest. The strike commemorates the second anniversary of the devastating Tempi rail accident and is expected to significantly disrupt normal operations across multiple sectors throughout the country.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.

UN high commissioner's update on Myanmar

Annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Myanmar will be shared.

Pope's treatment in Rome hospital

Latest updates on Pope Francis' health condition as he undergoes treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican released a statement on Thursday reporting that the pontiff's condition has shown slight improvement over the past couple of days. The 88-year-old has been at the hospital since Feb. 14 and is being treated for pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.

Cargo ship launch to International Space Station

The Progress MS-30 cargo ship is scheduled for launch aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress is delivering tools and equipment for station systems, supplies for scientific experiments, clothing, food, and medical and sanitary products for the crew. It is also transporting fuel, drinking water, and nitrogen to replenish the ISS atmosphere.

Türkiye- North Macedonia talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues. Following talks, Erdogan and Mickoski are expected to hold news conference.

Tensions rise in eastern DR Congo following explosion at M23 rally

The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains volatile after explosions hit an AFC/M23 rebel groups’ rally in Bukavu, a city recently seized by the rebels.

M23 accused the Congolese government of plotting the attack, while Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi deplored the casualties. The M23, one of dozens of armed groups active in eastern DRC and that resurfaced in late 2021, captured Bukavu last week after seizing Goma in January.

Mauritius, Reunion Island on high alert due to Cyclone Garance

Indian Ocean islands Mauritius and Reunion are on high alert as intense tropical storm Cyclone Garance a "direct threat" to the tourist destinations and wreaks havoc. Mauritius and nearby French colony Reunion have shut their main airports.

Political crisis in South Korea

Political crisis in South Korea, where Constitutional Court dismissed a request to confirm the appointment of its ninth justice withheld by acting President Choi Sang-mok.

Currently, eight judges are hearing imprisoned President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial. According to Constitution, six out of total nine judges' nod is required to uphold the impeachment.

Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on China-Russia relations, Ukraine war, and US tariffs.

European Commission president to hold talks with Indian premier

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in national capital Delhi.

Australian tropical cyclone continues

Australia's Queensland state continues to experience Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which intensified Thursday into a category three system.

Firefighters struggle to douse forest fire in Japan

Firefighters are struggling to put out a forest fire in the Japanese city of Ofunato. The blaze has so far burned at least 84 buildings and forced 2,000 residents to evacuate.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's GDP

TurkStat to release GDP growth figures for the fourth quarter of 2024. It grew 2.1% in the third quarter.

Türkiye's unemployment rate

TurkStat will reveal unemployment rate figure for January. It was 8.5% in December 2024.

German retail sales

Germany's Destatis to release retail trade data for January. Retail sales declined 1.6% in December 2024.

Germany's inflation

Destatis will reveal consumer price index reading for February. In January, consumer prices declined 0.2% on monthly basis, but increased 2.3% on yearly basis.

US foreign trade balance

US to release goods trade balance statistics for January. It stood at a deficit of $122.1 billion in January.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Power plays and military gains: What’s next for Sudan?

Report on the latest developments in the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The story lays out the recent key events shaping the course of the conflict, including the RSF signing a charter with allied groups to establish a parallel government, and the recent advances made by the Sudanese army in wresting back control of areas besieged by the RSF.

The report also discusses the possibilities of an end to the war and highlights the role of the international community, with comments from Sudanese political analyst and researcher Jihad Mashamoun and Alan Boswell, Horn of Africa project director at the International Crisis Group.

EU act ‘seeks to set an ambitious global standard’ for AI regulation: Expert

Report on the latest developments regarding the EU’s first artificial intelligence regulation that was adopted by the bloc last fall.

The story focuses on the law’s salient features and its implications for users, businesses, and states, delving into the pressing questions of implementation and enforcement, as well as the law’s potential for creating another point of friction with the Trump administration.

The report includes an interview with Adonis Bogris, an associate professor at the Department of Informatics and Computer Engineering at the University of West Attica.