Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, March 14, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

The latest developments after phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which began on Jan. 19, ended on March 2 and was not extended yet.

On Thursday, the Palestinian group Hamas announced the resumption of negotiations with mediators in the Qatari capital Doha on a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel.

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing unnamed Israeli sources, reported “a positive atmosphere” in the talks amid optimism about reaching an agreement.

The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has presented a new updated proposal that includes extending the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for 50 days.

An indirect round of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Witkoff, began on Tuesday in Doha.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel escalated its attacks across Gaza last week after the expiry of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Gaza’s death toll from Israel’s destructive war since October 2023 has reached 48,524 as more bodies of Palestinians were found in the rubble, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

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.

Two Palestinian brothers were beaten, humiliated, and threatened with sexual assault by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank, Israeli media said on Thursday.

The assault came as the Israeli army has continued a deadly military offensive in the northern West Bank since Jan. 21, killing at least 70 Palestinians and displacing thousands.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Thursday, the Lebanese army announced that it had received a soldier abducted by Israel on March 9 through the International Committee of the Red Cross. This marks the fifth Lebanese prisoner released by Israel within three days, following the release of four others on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a political meeting is scheduled for Friday at the residence of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Tripoli, northern Lebanon. The meeting will focus on the current political developments in Lebanon and the impact of events in Syria on the Lebanese situation, particularly in the northern region.

Israel’s actions following Assad's downfall in Syria

Israel’s reactions and steps in the aftermath of the Assad regime's downfall in Syria.

Israel claimed on Thursday that its warplanes struck a building of the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in the Syrian capital Damascus.

An Islamic Jihad spokesman, for his part, denied the Israeli allegations, saying the hit site was “an empty building, not a command center.”

According to the Syrian news agency SANA, three people, including an elderly woman, were injured in the Israeli strike, which caused substantial damage to a residential building and partially damaged two adjacent buildings.

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar al-Assad administration.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a draft constitutional declaration on Thursday, establishing a five-year transitional period for the country.

An expert committee tasked with drafting the document presented it to Sharaa, outlining key provisions for the post-Assad era.

The committee said the declaration was based on the outcome of the National Dialogue Conference held last month.

Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in Sudan where the Sudanese army in recent days has gained ground against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states.

The Sudanese army announced Thursday that five children were killed and four women injured due to random gunfire by the RSF targeting areas in El Fasher, North Darfur.

Meanwhile, during a speech in Omdurman, west of Khartoum on Thursday, Sudan's Sovereign Council chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said the army is determined to liberate the country from "mercenaries and traitors" and eliminate the RSF.

⁠⁠UN briefing

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

Tension in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Developments related to the detention order by the prosecutor in Sarajevo for the detention of President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodic, Serb-majority entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, which led to further tension.

G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada concludes

The March 12-14 meeting of G7 counterparts in Charlevoix, Quebec, hosted by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, concludes with a press conference planned to discuss the outcome of the meeting. The meeting has addressed key geopolitical challenges, including the situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine, stability in the Indo-Pacific, crises in Haiti and Venezuela, and peace and security in Africa.

Germany’s national election results to be officially announced

The Federal Election Committee is set to announce the official final results of Germany’s national election on Friday. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance secured victory with 28.6% of the vote, followed by the far-right AfD at 20.8% and the SPD at 16.4%. The distribution of Bundestag seats suggests potential coalition scenarios, with CDU/CSU possibly forming a government with the SPD or a three-way alliance including the Greens. The announcement may lead to objections or legal challenges.

Turkish President Erdogan to receive member of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive Denis Becirovic, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace.

Trump to address US Justice Department

US President Donald Trump will sign a series of executive orders at the Oval Office. In the afternoon, he will deliver remarks at the Department of Justice.

US Senate vote on averting government shutdown

Developments after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he plans to vote in favor of the Republican funding bill passed by the House earlier this week, reducing the likelihood of a government shutdown. The Senate is set to vote on advancing the measure Friday afternoon.

US CMS administrator nominee Mehmet Oz - confirmation hearing

Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Mehmet Oz to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Islamophobia session at UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly will hold an informal meeting to commemorate International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Canada's new Cabinet, led by Mark Carney, to be sworn in

Canadian Premier Mark Carney and his Cabinet will be sworn in by Governor General Mary Simon after Carney won the Liberal Party's leadership race to succeed Justin Trudeau.

China, Russia, Iran to hold nuclear talks in Beijing

China to host the Beijing meeting between China, Russia, and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue. The meeting is Beijing’s latest diplomatic effort aimed at finding a solution to the issue. Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will chair the meeting, which will also be attended by Russian and Iranian deputy foreign ministers, Sergey Ryabkov and Kazem Gharibabadi. The three parties will exchange views on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues of mutual interest.

⁠Shanghai Cooperation Organization chief to visit Tajikistan

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev to visit the Tajik capital Dushanbe, where he will hold meetings with the leadership of countries and foreign policy agencies, take part in round tables at leading political science centers and other public events.

Reactions to Russia-US contacts in Moscow

Reactions on the part of Moscow and Kyiv to be followed as senior officials from the US and Russia held talks in Moscow on the topic of finding a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

UN chief visits largest Rohingya shelter camp in Bangladesh

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is visiting Dhaka, will travel to Cox's Bazaar, which hosts 1.2 million Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar. He will have iftar, the fast-breaking meal, with around 100,000 refugees.

Philippines' ex-president faces trial at ICC

Philippines' ex-President Rodrigo Duterte is facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity during his "war on drugs." The ex-president was brought to The Hague to face trial at the ICC on Wednesday after being arrested at the Manila airport on his arrival from Hong Kong.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on recent regional and global developments.

THE ECONOMY

UK GDP

UK to release monthly gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures for January. UK's economy grew 0.4% in December.

UK industrial production

UK will release monthly industrial production figures for January. Industrial production grew 0.5% monthly in December.

UK foreign trade balance

UK to release foreign trade balance statistics for January.

German inflation

Germany's Destatis to release inflation figures for February. Monthly inflation fell 0.2% in January. Market expects 0.4% for February.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Elbows up’: Canada’s incoming prime minister readies for tough Trump test

Report on the policies of Canada’s newly elected Liberal Party leader Mark Carney and his approach to key challenges, particularly navigating tensions with US President Donald Trump.

The story covers the political shift in Canada as Carney takes over as prime minister from Justin Trudeau, leading a newly energized Liberal Party against a resurgent Conservative opposition. It examines Carney’s economic strategy, including retaliatory tariffs, trade diversification, and fiscal discipline, while addressing domestic political challenges.

The report also explores Canada’s stance on Ukraine, interprovincial trade reform, and has insights from experts on the economic and geopolitical stakes in the escalating US-Canada standoff.

‘Some states attempting to shield Israel from accountability’: UN rapporteur on failure of Palestine conference in Geneva

Interview with Ben Saul, UN special rapporteur on counterterrorism and the protection of human rights, on the reasons for the failure to hold a planned international conference on the occupied Palestinian territories in Geneva.

Saul discusses the deep political polarization over the conference, attributing the deadlock to sharp disagreements between Israel’s allies and the broader international community.

The UN official also draws attention to the efforts of some states to shield Israel from accountability and obstruct international mechanisms aimed at enforcing humanitarian law, warning about how that could embolden Israel to continue its violent policies against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.