Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, March 20, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

⁠⁠Israel resumes genocidal war on Gaza

Latest developments as Israel resumed genocidal war on the Gaza Strip for the third day, violating the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

On Wednesday, the Israeli army launched a “pinpoint” ground offensive in central and southern Gaza, claiming it aims to expand the security zone and create a buffer zone between the north and south of the strip.

Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua described Israel's closure of Salah al-Din Road as a complete overturn of the ceasefire deal and an escalation of the siege on Gaza, further tightening the blockade on its residents, and said any proposal based on entering negotiations for the second phase and permanent cessation of war is welcomed and open for discussion.

Meanwhile, the displacement of Palestinians from several areas in the Gaza Strip has resumed after the Israeli army renewed its evacuation warnings on Wednesday. The army ordered Palestinians to evacuate Beit Hanoun in the northern governorate, as well as Khuza’a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Jadida in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 surged to 49,547 people, according to the Health Ministry on Wednesday.

⁠US aggression on Yemen

Developments in US aggression against Yemen. Houthi group said US airstrikes hit multiple governorates in Yemen on Wednesday night.

The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported that American warplanes targeted several locations in the capital, Sanaa, as well as Saada in the north and the As-Sawadiyah district in Al-Bayda Governorate in central Yemen.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank especially in the northern parts of the territory.

Jenin Governor Mohammed Jarrar declared the city’s refugee camp in the northern West Bank a “disaster area” on Wednesday as the Israeli army continued a deadly raid in the occupied territory.

The Israeli army has demolished entire residential neighborhoods in Tulkarem city amid a deadly military offensive in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian official said on Wednesday.

⁠Israeli attacks on Syria

Repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory after the fall of Assad regime.

The death toll from Monday’s Israeli airstrikes in Syria’s southern Daraa province has risen to four, the civil defense agency said on Wednesday.

The toll increased after an injured young Syrian breathed his last, while 18 other people were injured in the attacks, including four children and one woman, it added.

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⁠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.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Wednesday, a Lebanese citizen was wounded by Israeli army gunfire in the Tel al-Nahhas area of Marjayoun district, southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that Tel Aviv has rejected all proposals submitted by Beirut for the evacuation of the five points and continues to hold several Lebanese detainees.

Trump - executive order signing

US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order aiming to shut down the Education Department. The White House justifies the department's closure, claiming that the Department has spent over $3 trillion without improving student achievement.

AP lawsuit over 'Gulf of America' - hearing on preliminary injunction request

Hearing on a preliminary injunction request that will take place in a case brought by the Associated Press against three Trump administration officials over access to presidential events. Case centers on the row over AP's decision to continue referring to the Gulf of Mexico instead of calling it the Gulf of America.

UN Security Council meeting on occupied Palestinian territory

UN Security Council will meet for a briefing on Resolution 2334 on Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Consultations on the Middle East follow.

Protests expected in Argentina by retirees over insufficient adjustment of their pensions

Retirees in Argentina are expected to hold a protest over insufficient adjustment of their pensions. Last week, a group of retirees joined by football fans held a demonstration which turned violent after police intervention.

EU leaders summit in Brussels

Heads of state and government from EU member states will meet in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss economic, energy, defense, and foreign policy issues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate virtually to brief leaders about his recent phone call with US President Donald Trump regarding ceasefire negotiations with Russia. The European leaders will also hold a working lunch with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss multilateral cooperation and global challenges.

‘Coalition of the Willing' military meeting

Military chiefs from the Coalition of the Willing -- following their leaders' Saturday videoconference -- will gather in London to discuss plans for supporting a potential peace deal in Ukraine and security guarantees. The coalition includes the UK, France, and several other European nations, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Syria briefing

UN Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi will hold a press briefing with the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the United Nations in Geneva.

⁠Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow on current issues of foreign policy. She will also hold a Q&A session.

Developments around Russia-US normalization and Ukrainian settlement

Developments related to the recent Russia-US, and US-Ukraine contacts and efforts on finding a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Turkish president to chair National Security Council meeting

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair the country's National Security Council meeting at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.

Severe weather including snowfall across Japan

A developing low-pressure system is bringing rain, snow, and strong winds almost across Japan. Many parts of Japan are witnessing precipitation and the Japan Meteorological Agency has urged caution amid possible high waves and disruptions of traffic.

South Korea’s industry minister pays visit to US

South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun visits the US until Friday for talks with US officials on Washington's pending fresh tariffs and listing South Korea as a "sensitive" country. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on April 2.

Indonesia votes to revise its military law

Indonesian lawmakers voting to revise a military law after the changes were approved by a key parliamentary committee. The change allows military personnel to hold more civil positions in the government.

ICC trial of Philippines' ex-President Duterte continues in the Hague

The trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte continues in the Hague triggering protests back home which are expected to continue. However, human rights groups and victims of Duterte’s "war on drugs" have welcomed the arrest of the 79-year-old Filipino statesman. ICC announced Duterte’s legal team’s lead as British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman. Supreme Court hasn’t ruled about the writ of habeas corpus petitions for Duterte. If the petitions are accepted the former president would return to the Philippines.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

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

Pakistani Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Islamabad

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry to hold weekly news conference where the spokesman is expected to deliver statements on the country’s security situation, ties with Afghanistan, as well as the situation in Palestine and other conflicts.

African health body to hold weekly press briefing on ongoing health emergencies

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to hold its weekly press briefing on ongoing outbreaks. Updates on the mpox outbreak in various countries, cholera outbreaks in Southern Africa and the Ebola outbreak in Uganda will be covered in the press briefing.

Türkiye's unemployment rate

TurkStat to share unemployment rate figure for February. It was 8.4% in January.

Chinese interest decision

China will share interest rate decision. The loan prime rate stood at 3.10% in February. The market expects no change in the rate.

UK unemployment rate

The UK to share unemployment rate figure for January. It was at 4.4% in December. No change is expected.

German producer prices

Germany's Destatis will share producer price index for February. Producer prices fell 0.1% monthly in January. The market expects a monthly rise of 0.2% in February.

UK interest rate decision

Bank of England will share its interest rate decision. Policy rate stood at 4.5% in February. No change is expected in the rate.

US initial jobless claims

US to share initial jobless claims data for the last week. It decreased by 2,000 to 220,000 in the previous week. Market expects the figure to come at 222,000.

OECD global debt report

The Paris-based economic organization to share Global Debt Report for 2025.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Everyone is afraid but it ‘doesn’t mean we stop speaking out’: Cornell academic on US pro-Palestine crackdown

Interview with Amandla Thomas-Johnson, a journalist and PhD candidate at Cornell University who was suspended for his activism, about the Trump administration’s escalating crackdown on pro-Palestine individuals.

He speaks about the growing restrictions on free speech at US universities, particularly targeting pro-Palestinian activism, and the fear instilled among international students by President Donald Trump’s policies.

He also discusses various related issues, including the role of pro-Israel donors, the increasing level of surveillance on campuses, and the legal challenges ahead for the Trump government.

How Trump’s policies are reshaping Europe-China ties

Report on how the Trump administration’s new Europe strategy is influencing the EU’s approach to China, as European leaders weigh economic engagement against strategic de-risking efforts.

The story explores the growing divisions within the EU regarding China, with some member states, such as Spain and Italy, pushing for deeper engagement, while others remain wary of Beijing’s ties with Russia.

Analysts highlight how fractures in the transatlantic alliance under Trump are prompting some European nations to reconsider their geopolitical alignments, potentially offering China new leverage.

The report features insights from Sari Arto Havren, China analyst and associate fellow at the Royal Services United Institute; and George Tzogopoulos, senior expert on China and lecturer at the European Institute of Nice.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Amandla Thomas-Johnson, a PhD candidate at Cornell University who was suspended for his activism, about the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestine individuals in the US.