Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Aftermath of Israel’s recovery of last captive’s body in Gaza

Developments following Israel’s recovery of the body of its last captive in Gaza, with expectations of increased international pressure on Israel to move forward with accelerated steps to implement the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and reopen the Rafah border crossing.

Iraq’s parliament to convene to elect new president

The Iraqi parliament is set to hold a session to elect the country's new president, with 19 candidates running for the post, a long-awaited step also to pave the way for the largest bloc to nominate a candidate to form a new government.

Security situation in northern Syria amid SDF ceasefire violations

Developments in implementation of ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and YPG/SDF terror group, which was extended for 15 days until Feb. 8, amid continued violations by SDF.

Jordanian, Egyptian foreign ministers hold talks in Amman

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi is holding bilateral talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty at Foreign Ministry in capital Amman on Tuesday. The meeting is expected to address coordination of positions on current regional crises, foremost among them rapidly evolving developments in Syrian file and Palestinian cause, in addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Turkish president to welcome Nigerian counterpart in Ankara

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to welcome his Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Complex in the Turkish capital Ankara, where they will hold talks on bilateral and regional issues.

The leaders are expected to sign several agreements to boost cooperation. They will also hold a news conference following the signing ceremony.

Türkiye-France talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, who is paying a working visit to Türkiye. The ministers will discuss bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues.

Greenland-related political developments

European countries’ statements and reactions to recent developments in Greenland. US President Donald Trump bid to acquire Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. The move met strong opposition, with Europe backing Denmark’s sovereignty.

After Trump threatened tariffs last week, the EU pledged countermeasures. The US leader softened his stance following a meeting with NATO chief, discussing a Greenland deal to address security concerns and counter Russian and Chinese influence.

Trump to deliver remarks on US economy in Iowa

US President Donald Trump will deliver a speech focused on energy and the economy during a visit to the city of Des Moines, Iowa.

Tensions in Minnesota

Protests are expected to continue in the US state of Minnesota after the second American citizen in a month was killed by federal immigration enforcement forces in the city of Minneapolis.

Border czar Tom Homan, the architect of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, is expected to meet with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

UN Security Council to vote on final mandate renewal for Yemen mission

The UN Security Council will vote on a draft resolution extending the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) for a final two-month period, until March 31.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service holds biweekly press briefing. Most pressing issues around the world, from conflicts to health, are expected to be discussed.

European Space Conference to be held in Brussels

The 18th European Space Conference will take place in Brussels under the theme Delivering on Europe’s Space Ambition: Sovereignty, Security, and Industrial Transformation, with an opening address by European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, alongside Director General of the European Space Agency Josef Aschbacher.

Merz to speak at Berlin economic summit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will address the annual Welt economic summit in Berlin on Jan. 27. The conference brings together senior representatives from major German corporations. Merz will deliver a speech and participate in discussions with business leaders.

Russian foreign minister to meet with ambassadors of Commonwealth of Independent States

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with the ambassadors of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow. The meeting will take the form of a business breakfast and focus on reviewing cooperation within the regional format during 2025.

Putin to take part in events devoted to liberation of Leningrad from Nazi Germany troops

Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in memorial events marking the Day of the Complete Liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi Blockade. The 872‑day siege during World War II was one of history’s longest and most devastating, resulting in over a million deaths. The liberation of Leningrad was a major turning point in the war.

Chinese president hosts Finland’s premier

China's President Xi Jinping hosts Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing. Orpo, who is on a four-day visit to China, is also expected to hold talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top lawmaker Zhao Leji.

India-EU hold trade talks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts EU Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the 16th EU-India summit in New Delhi. The visiting EU officials and Modi are expected to sign a free trade pact.

Election campaign for Feb. 8 polls begins in Japan

Election campaign officially kicks off in Japan for snap polls to be held on Feb. 8.

THE ECONOMY

European car market statistics

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association to release monthly statistics for European car market.

US consumer confidence

The US Conference Board to release monthly consumer confidence index data for January. In December, the index was down to 89.1 points.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Indispensable new pole’: Is Poland reshaping Europe’s security map?

Report on Poland’s military buildup and how it is transforming the country into a key European military actor amid the backdrop of Russia-Ukraine war.

The story charts Poland’s transformation into a regional security hub through massive arms procurement from the US and South Korea, including tanks, artillery, air defense, and fighter aircraft, alongside plans to expand its armed forces toward 300,000 troops in peacetime and far higher in wartime mobilization.

The report includes comments from Jacek Tarocinski, chief military analyst at the Centre for Eastern Studies, and Malgorzata Zachara-Szymanska, an associate professor at Jagiellonian University, on the strategic logic behind Warsaw’s buildup, and the benefits and limits of its growing military weight in a more security-driven EU.

EXPLAINER - New arena in the race for rare earths, but what’s at stake?

Report on the accelerating push for deep-sea mining as competition over rare earths and critical minerals expands beyond land, with the US framing seabed extraction as a national security and economic priority.

The story examines Washington’s recent steps to fast-track the industry, including Trump’s April 2025 executive order, and emerging commercial interest, and explores how these moves are pushing a long-theoretical concept closer to the first commercial operation.

The report also highlights growing international resistance, with more than 40 countries urging a pause, moratorium, or ban until stronger global safeguards are in place, and outlines the scientific stakes, detailing warnings that mining could trigger long-lasting ecological damage.