Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, March 17, 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 were not extended yet, as Israeli and mediator responses to resuming indirect talks in Doha to resolve ongoing disputes.

On Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minster Office said the Israeli negotiating team met in Egypt with senior Egyptian officials to discuss the issue of the hostages.

Despite Hamas agreeing to a mediator-backed proposal to release an Israeli-American soldier and the bodies of four dual nationals to restart negotiations on the deal’s second phase, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff rejected on Sunday the group's response as “unacceptable,” without elaborating.

Witkoff’s remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his negotiating team to prepare for renewed talks based on the mediators' response to Witkoff’s proposal for the immediate release of 11 living captives and the remains of half of those killed.

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.

Two Palestinians were killed Sunday in separate Israeli drone attacks on Juhor ad-Dik near Al-Kuwait Junction in central Gaza, according to medics and witnesses.

Municipal authorities in Gaza warned of a looming severe water crisis that could lead to widespread thirst amid Israel’s continued closure of border crossings and threats to cut water supply.

Palestinian medics recovered 15 more bodies from the rubble in Gaza, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 47,572, the Health Ministry said.

Reactions to US strikes on Yemen

More developments and reactions to American airstrikes that pummeled residential areas across multiple Yemeni cities, killing 31 people and injuring 101, mostly women and children on Sunday.

The attacks marked the first US military action in Yemen since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold in Gaza in January.

President Donald Trump ordered the “strong and decisive” strikes against Houthi targets, warning that “hell will rain down” if the group continues attacking ships.

On Sunday, the Houthi group announced that it had targeted a US aircraft carrier with ballistic missiles and drones in retaliation for the American aggression against Yemen.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi on Sunday in the Omani capital, Muscat, to discuss US airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Israeli premier's decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief

Reactions to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Sunday decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, citing a lack of trust between them.

“I have decided to propose to the government the dismissal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar,” Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office.

The Israeli government will discuss Netanyahu's decision during a meeting next Wednesday, according to Channel 12.

Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, slammed Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Bar, stating that Netanyahu “has declared war on Israel.”

Tensions between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet escalated in recent days following the agency’s internal investigation into the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Netanyahu dismissed the report’s findings, saying they failed to answer key questions.

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.

On Sunday, the Israeli army has forced additional Palestinian families to flee their homes in the Tulkarm camp and surrounding areas. The military also set fire to more houses in the Jenin camp.

Two Palestinians were shot by Israeli forces in Hebron and Ramallah, while a girl and a child were arrested during a series of raids across various parts of the West Bank.

The Israeli army has continued a deadly military offensive in the northern West Bank since Jan. 21, killing at least 71 Palestinians and displacing thousands.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement, the Health Ministry said.

On Sunday, an Israeli drone attack targeted a car in the town of Yater in Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon, killing one person and injuring another.

In another attack, an Israeli drone strike killed one person after targeting a vehicle in the town of Mays al-Jabal in Marjayoun district also in southern Lebanon.

Developments in Syria under new administration

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

The death toll from a Saturday explosion in the coastal city of Latakia, northwestern Syria, rose to 16, the Syrian Civil Defense said on Sunday.

The former leader of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party warned of a "Zionist ideological infiltration" to use the Druze to divide Syria.

Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army in recent days has gained against paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states.

The Sudanese army claimed Sunday to have gained control of strategic locations in central Khartoum from the paramilitary RSF.

A military statement said that army forces seized the Nile Towers, a high-rise residential-commercial building, and the Al Mansheiya Bridge in the heart of the capital.

The army said its forces also secured the Sherwani Bus Station, the largest transportation hub in central Khartoum.

EU hosts 9th international conference on Syria

The European Union will convene its 9th international Conference in support of Syria on March 17 in Brussels. It marks a historic moment following the fall of the Assad regime, focusing on Syria’s transition and recovery. High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner Dubravka Suica, and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib will co-chair the ministerial event, which includes, for the first time, Syrian interim authorities alongside UN and regional representatives. Discussions will cover international support for Syria’s transition, socio-economic recovery, and ongoing humanitarian needs.

EU Foreign Affairs Council

The EU Foreign Affairs Council, to be chaired the union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, will convene to discuss latest global issues, including war in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East and the relations with the US.

NATO chief meets Lithuanian foreign minister

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will meet with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys on Monday at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The meeting will focus on regional security, NATO’s deterrence posture, and Lithuania’s role in the alliance.

WHO briefing

The World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with other experts and officials from the agency, will hold a virtual press conference on global health issues.

Russian, Tajik presidents to hold talks in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks in Moscow with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, who will be in Russia on an official visit. The discussion will focus on prospects for further development of the strategic partnership and allied relationship between Russia and Tajikistan, with an emphasis on cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian affairs. Additionally, the leaders are to have an exchange of views on current regional issues.

Trump to attend Kennedy Center Board meeting

US President Donald Trump will participate in a Kennedy Center Board meeting and tour.

Developments in wake of US strikes on Yemen's Houthis

Developments after first US strikes on Yemen's Houthis under Trump administration, which reportedly killed more than 30 and injured over 100, mostly women and children. In response, Houthis targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its accompanying warships in the northern Red Sea.

Security Council meeting to discuss Afghanistan, Hezbollah-Israel issues

UN Security Council will meet to adopt a resolution related to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and in afternoon will hold consultations on the implementation of Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, on ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

Trump's reinstatement of federal probationary employees

Developments as Trump administration has until today to reinstate federal probationary employees fired as part of large-scale layoffs implemented since Jan. 20.

Canadian premier's first overseas visit

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit France and UK to strengthen economic and security partnerships. In France, he will meet President Emmanuel Macron and in London he will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization chief to visit Kyrgyzstan

Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev to conduct a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan. Yermekbayev's visit is part of a tour of Central Asia since early month. According to the SCO, Yermekbayev's regional visit notably includes meetings with the leadership of countries and foreign policy agencies.

African blocs to discuss situation in eastern DR Congo

Foreign ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community to convene in Zimbabwean capital of Harare. The regional blocs will discuss the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the M23 rebels control the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. The meeting comes after the SADC moved to end its peacekeeping mandate in eastern Congo.

Indian premier to inaugurate multilateral conference

The Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference held annually in India, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be the chief guest of the event, which will host over 3,500 participants from about 125 countries.

South Korea's Constitutional Court likely to rule on ex-president's impeachment

South Korea's Constitutional Court is set to rule on ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment this week amid heightened political tensions. The ruling party has already announced that it will accept "whatever " Constitutional Court rules on impeachment. If upheld, there will be a snap presidential election within next 60 days. If dismissed, Yoon will return to his duties.

Political temperatures escalate in Philippines as ex-president faces ICC

Thousands rallied in Philippines to demand release and return of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who stands trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for his alleged crimes against humanity. Back home, political temperatures are escalating with Duterte's supporters plan further protests in days to come.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's budget balance

Turkish Finance Ministry to release budget balance figures for February. The budget posted a deficit of $139.2 billion in January.

Chinese unemployment

China to release unemployment rate for February. It was 5.1% in January.

US retail sales

US to release retails sales figures for February. It declined 0.4% monthly in January.

OECD economic outlook

OECD to release Interim Economic Outlook report to present analysis of the major short-term global economic trends and prospects.

SPECIAL REPORTS

US overestimates its trade leverage and risks losing global influence, warns expert

Interview with Simon Evenett, an expert on trade, investment, and geopolitical dynamics, about how the Trump administration’s tariff policies are undermining US credibility in global trade.

Evenett argues that Washington is overestimating its economic leverage, warning that its aggressive tariff strategy will push trade partners to diversify exports and seek more stable markets. He highlights the growing uncertainty among global economies, the shift toward regional trade blocs, and the long-term consequences of US protectionism.

The report also examines the domestic impact of tariffs, including rising prices and questionable long-term effects on manufacturing jobs, with Evenett, citing past trends, skeptical about claims that these moves will boost foreign investment.

Fasting in the Arctic: A Palestinian’s unique Ramadan in Greenland

Interview with Racan Mansoor, a 24-year-old Palestinian living in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on the challenges of fasting in one of the world’s northernmost cities, where daylight hours shift drastically and the Muslim community is nearly nonexistent.

Mansoor shares his experiences of observing Ramadan, with fasting hours varying from 12 to 23 hours depending on the time of year. He describes his experiences in Greenland as the only Muslim among his peers and how his ties with the local community have grown.

The report also explores Mansoor’s connection to his Palestinian heritage, his upbringing in Denmark, and his efforts to maintain Muslim traditions while building a business in Greenland.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with economist and trade expert Simon Evenett about the Trump administration’s tariff wars and how they could undermine US credibility in global trade.

VIDEO - Interview with Racan Mansoor, a Palestinian living in Greenland’s capital Nuuk, on the challenges of fasting in one of the world’s northernmost cities.