Diary

ISTANBUL 

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Developments in Syria’s Aleppo amid SDF attacks

Field developments in northern Syria’s Aleppo, as SDF continues shelling residential neighborhoods from areas under its control in the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud districts, leaving several people dead and wounded.

Amman to host Jordan–EU Summit

Amman will host the Jordan–European Union Summit on Thursday, to be chaired by King Abdullah II, along with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

EU foreign policy chief to visit Egypt

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, is visiting Egypt, where she is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo.

Developments surrounding Yemen’s southern issue as STC chief flees

Rapidly unfolding developments in southern Yemen, as the STC influence continues to sharply decline, with government forces nearing control of the temporary capital, Aden.

The Saudi-led Joint Forces Coalition said Thursday that the Southern Transitional Council chief, Aidarus Al-Zoubaidi, has escaped southern Yemen.

Iranian foreign minister visits Lebanon

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Lebanon on Thursday, accompanied by an economic delegation, where he is set to meet government officials and the deputy head of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib.

US Senate to vote on Venezuela war powers bill

The US Senate will hold a key procedural vote on a resolution blocking further military action against Venezuela. The resolution invokes congressional authority under the 1973 War Powers Act. It will require a majority to pass the Republican-held Senate.

UN Security Council to discuss chemical weapons in Syria

The UN Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the verification and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles. An official from UN Disarmament Affairs is expected to brief council members.

Trump to receive US attorneys, attend briefing, policy meeting

President Donald Trump will receive US attorneys at the White House ahead of an intelligence briefing at the Oval Office. He will later participate in a policy meeting in the afternoon. All events are currently listed as closed to press.

US defense chief to hold talks with defense industry leaders in Los Angeles

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to the city of Los Angeles for talks with defense industry leaders. He is also expected to meet troops and administer the oath of enlistment to new recruits. The trip is part of his “Arsenal of Freedom” tour.

Deadly Minneapolis shooting by immigration enforcement agent

Following escalating tensions in the US state of Minnesota after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident during an enforcement operation. Minnesota and local officials demand a state-level investigation into the incident, which came amid a surge of federal immigration officers in the state, while federal authorities maintain the officer involved was acting in self-defense. The incident sparked significant protests, which are expected to continue on Thursday.

European reactions to US strikes on Venezuela

Monitoring statements from European countries on US strikes on Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The US strikes have drawn mixed reactions from European governments, which cite international law over the strikes.

Political, diplomatic developments over Greenland amid US takeover threat

Monitoring statements from European countries on renewed discussions on Greenland following US President Donald Trump’s remarks that the island is vital for US security due to rising Russian and Chinese activity. He argued that controlling the Danish territory would protect broader Western interests, including the EU. The EU and European countries reaffirmed Greenland’s sovereignty as an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Reactions from Russia to US seizure of Russian-flagged tanker

Reactions from Moscow will be followed after Russia demanded that the US ensure the safety, rights, and immediate return of Russian crew members aboard the tanker Marinera, which was seized by US forces in the North Atlantic.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the vessel was boarded in open waters, outside the territorial jurisdiction of any state, resulting in a loss of communication with the crew. Moscow argued that the action violates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and stressed that the ship had been legally sailing under the Russian flag with a temporary permit issued in late December.

The seizure was confirmed by US officials, who cited alleged violations of sanctions related to Venezuelan oil shipments.

Chinese foreign minister to begin Africa tour in Ethiopia

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Ethiopia to begin a four-country African tour that continues a long-standing tradition of Beijing’s foreign minister starting the year on the continent, as China marks 70 years of diplomatic ties with Africa. The trip will also include Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho.

Zambia to host regional defense ministers for talks on eastern DR Congo security

Zambia to host a three-day meeting of regional defense ministers and military chiefs, to discuss the worsening security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 rebel group controls the cities of Goma and Bukavu.

Taiwan continues search for missing pilot, crashed F-16 jet

Taiwanese authorities continue search for 3rd day after an F-16 jet crashed over the sea and the pilot remains missing.

Japan-China tensions over trade restrictions

Monitoring developments as Japan and China see renewed tensions over new trade restrictions after China banned dual-use items to Japanese military users, triggering criticism by Tokyo. Tensions between China and Japan have persisted since November, when Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a ‘survival-threatening situation,’ potentially allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

Türkiye-Oman meeting

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will meet his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, in Ankara.

THE ECONOMY

German factory orders

Destatis to release monthly factory orders data for November. In October, the orders rose 1.5% month-on-month.

Eurozone unemployment

Eurostat to share monthly unemployment rate figures for November. In October, the joblessness rate stood at 6.4%.

US foreign trade

US to announce monthly foreign trade statistics for October. In September, the US posted a foreign trade deficit of $52.8B.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Trade, debt and shifting ties: How is China’s relationship with Venezuela?

Report on China’s long-standing economic, energy, and defense ties with Venezuela, which have drawn renewed attention following the US military operation in Caracas and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

The story looks at China’s role as Venezuela’s second-largest trade partner, and Beijing’s investments and loans estimated at about $63 billion, much of it oil-backed, alongside more than 600 bilateral cooperation agreements spanning infrastructure, energy and security.

It features analysis from Chile-based academic Francisco Urdinez and political analyst Paul Dobson, who say sanctions, corruption and debt defaults have sharply reduced Chinese engagement over the past decade, pushing Beijing to redirect investment toward Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina while Washington moves to challenge China’s influence in the region.

INTERVIEW – Trump must be taken 'seriously' on Greenland, EU should respond with action, says Danish lawmaker

Interview with Danish MEP Per Clausen on renewed tensions between the EU and the US following President Donald Trump’s remarks about acquiring Greenland.

Clausen says the comments pose a direct challenge to European sovereignty and reflect a broader pattern of US pressure, pointing to recent American military action in Venezuela as evidence that rhetoric can turn into action when Europe fails to respond firmly.

He urges the EU to move beyond statements and draw a clear “red line” on Greenland, calling for concrete measures including trade pressure and possible sanctions to assert the bloc’s political and economic leverage.