Morning Briefing, Jan. 18, 2025
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe

ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including the Israeli government’s approval for a ceasefire deal in Gaza; Trump's remarks on his inauguration ceremony to be held in doors and Marcron's calling for a ‘complete’ withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon
TOP STORIES
- Israel greenlights Gaza ceasefire deal
The Israeli government approved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in the Gaza Strip during an hours-long Cabinet meeting.
A statement by the prime minister's office noted the timeline for the release of prisoners is set to begin Sunday.
The agreement was brought up for discussion in a ministerial Cabinet meeting, after being approved by the Security Cabinet.
- Trump says Monday's inauguration will be held indoors due to frigid temperatures
US President-elect Donald Trump announced that his inauguration next week will be held indoors due to what forecasters are predicting will be exceptionally frigid temperatures.
"It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows," Trump said on his proprietary social media network.
"Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol," he added.
- Macron calls for ‘complete’ withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon
French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "complete” withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, emphasizing the need for accelerated efforts to secure Lebanon’s sovereignty.
“The Lebanese Armed Forces must be strengthened as a pillar of sovereignty," Macron said at a news conference with his Lebanese counterpart in Beirut.
It is Macron’s first visit to Lebanon since Joseph Aoun was elected president after more than two years of a political deadlock.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the need for eliminating terror organizations either "peacefully or by force.”
- A car bomb attack in Syria's Manbij city left four injured, according to initial reports.
- The Supreme Court upheld a law that will ban TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company divests from the popular social media app which is used by nearly 200 million Americans.
- The UN human rights office urged parties to do everything possible to prevent a ceasefire agreement in Gaza from being derailed amid "heavy bombardment" and killing of Palestinians.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) said the target is getting 500 - 600 aid trucks into Gaza per day once the ceasefire takes effect.
- Israeli airstrikes have killed 101 Palestinians since the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, according to an official tally.
- A Pakistani court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to jail for a graft case related to the Al Qadir University Trust.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, Russian news agency TASS reported.
SPORTS
- Harden moves into 15th spot on NBA all-time scoring list
James Harden is now the 15th leading scorer in NBA history.
The 35-year-old All-Star from the Los Angeles Clippers has scored 26,700 points in the regular seasons during his NBA career, which began in 2009.
LeBron James, the 40-year-old star of the Los Angeles Lakers, ranks first on the list with 41,301 points; Kevin Durant, 36, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, is eighth with 29,737 points.
- Eintracht Frankfurt stun Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt stunned Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in a German Bundesliga week 18 match.
French striker Hugo Ekitike drew first blood in the 18th minute with a shot from close range at Deutsche Bank Park.
Danish midfielder Oscar Hojlund made it 2-0 for the hosts with a late goal in the 92nd minute
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Fed withdraws from climate coalition
The US Fed announced it has withdrawn from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
"While the Board has appreciated the engagement with the NGFS and its members, the work of the NGFS has increasingly broadened in scope, covering a wider range of issues that are outside of the Board's statutory mandate," the bank stated.
The network launched in 2017 during the Paris One Planet Summit on a voluntary basis to share "best practices and contribute to the development of environment and climate risk management in the financial sector and to mobilize mainstream finance to support the transition toward a sustainable economy."
- Trump’s economic team set to push ‘America First’ policies
President-elect Donald Trump’s economic team is expected to quickly implement policies in coordination with what he calls his “America First” policies.
Trump put economic policies at the center of his election campaign last year and promised to lower inflation, impose additional tariffs on countries, increasing fossil fuel production and tax cuts for the rich. After his victory in November, Trump tapped his Cabinet members and laid out his economic plans.
Trump said his “favorite word in the dictionary” is “tariff” and displayed a protectionist stance in his upcoming administration, threatening China, Canada, Mexico, the BRICS bloc and the EU with tariffs.
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