Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Implementation of ceasefire, integration deal between Syria government and SDF

The implementation of the ceasefire and integration deal between the government and the SDF in northeastern Syria, announced by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, stipulates SDF withdrawal east of Euphrates and transfer of administration, oil fields, and border crossings to state control. The local, regional, and international reactions. SDF leader Mazloum Abdi is expected to be in Damascus to follow up on the ceasefire agreement.

Effects of a new low-pressure system in Gaza

The effects of a new low-pressure system, expected to hit the Gaza Strip through Wednesday, bringing rain and thunderstorms, amid warnings of the dangers of flash floods in low-lying areas, likely to worsen the conditions of the displaced people.

UK premier holds press conference on Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to give an “emergency” speech about US President Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including the UK, over Greenland. The eight European nations -- Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland -- issued a joint statement on Sunday, denouncing the US threat and reaffirming their commitment to Arctic security.

Statements expected from other European countries. After Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on goods, starting on Feb. 1, European leaders reiterate their full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

Developments on deadly train accident in Spain

Developments after at least 21 people were killed and more than 100 injured following a collision Sunday night between two high-speed trains in southern Spain. The accident occurred when two high-speed trains derailed following a collision near Adamuz, in Cordoba province.

NATO chief meets Danish, Greenlandic ministers

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will meet with Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Greenland’s minister for foreign affairs and research, Vivian Motzfeldt, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions following Washington’s statements on Greenland. No media opportunity is expected.

European Parliament to vote on motion of censure against EU Commission

The European Parliament will vote on a motion of censure filed by the Patriots for Europe group over the EU’s trade agreement with the South American trade bloc Mercosur. If adopted, the motion would force the European Commission to resign, though analysts say it is unlikely to pass.

Turkish president's agenda

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the inauguration ceremony of Esenboga Airport’s 3rd runway, new control tower, and auxiliary facilities in the capital Ankara.

He will then chair the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex.

Merz to meet Draghi on competitiveness

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi at the chancellery in Berlin. The meeting will focus on strengthening European competitiveness, building on Draghi's 2024 report. Merz has repeatedly cited Draghi's report as crucial for Europe's economic future.

Developments amid ongoing US-mediated peace consultations on Russia-Ukraine war

US-mediated peace consultations on the Russia-Ukraine war continue, with developments expected from Moscow and Kyiv.

Ahead of a reported visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold "international contacts this week." Putin is also scheduled to convene the Russian Security Council to coordinate Moscow’s position ahead of talks.

Trump to return to White House after weekend in South Florida

US President Trump is expected to return to the White House after spending the weekend and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday in South Florida. He will also attend the college football national championship game in Miami.

Possible statements by Trump on major issues, including the US’ escalating push to take control of Greenland, potential strikes on Iran, and ongoing tensions between protesters and federal immigration agents in the state of Minnesota.

UN Security Council to receive ICC briefing on Sudan

The UN Security Council will convene to receive a briefing from the International Criminal Court on Sudan.

Japanese premier likely to announce snap polls

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to announce snap elections, which can be held as early as Feb. 8.

South Korean president hosts Italian premier for summit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung hosts Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a summit in Seoul. It is the first such trip by a European leader since Lee took presidential office last June.

India, UAE leaders hold talks

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

THE ECONOMY

China's GDP

China to release quarterly economic growth data for the last quarter of 2025. In the third quarter, the Chinese economy grew by 4.8% annually.

Türkiye's short-term foreign debt

Turkish Central Bank to share monthly short-term foreign debt statistics for November. In October, the debt was $165.7 billion.

SPECIAL REPORTS

TIMELINE - Trump’s 1st year targets sweeping overhaul of US domestic status quo

Report on US President Trump’s first year back in office, tracking how his administration has pursued a rapid overhaul of American governance and society through executive power, institutional shakeups, and hardline enforcement priorities.

The timeline charts Trump’s domestic agenda from mass pardons and an aggressive immigration crackdown to federal workforce cuts driven by the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), battles over elections and civil liberties, and escalating confrontations with courts, universities, and Democratic-led cities.

The report also examines the political and legal turbulence surrounding his presidency, including shutdown brinkmanship, scandals linked to the Epstein files, National Guard deployments to US cities, and widening questions about democratic guardrails, federal authority and what Trump’s second-term transformation means heading into 2026.

TIMELINE - Trump’s 1st year back rewrites US foreign policy through tariffs, force, and expansion

Report on President Trump’s first year back in the White House, exploring how his second-term agenda has rapidly reshaped US foreign policy through an aggressive mix of economic pressure, hard power, and transactional diplomacy.

The timeline traces how Trump moved from day one to withdraw from global agreements, tighten immigration, pressure allies, and confront adversaries, including sweeping tariff measures, threats of expansion in the Western Hemisphere, and military action ranging from Yemen to Venezuela.

The report also breaks down his revived Monroe Doctrine-style posture, replacing multilateralism with direct leverage and leader-to-leader deal-making, charting all major decisions that he has taken so far during his second term in office.