Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, March 24, 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 sixth day, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.

Since early Sunday, Israeli strikes have killed at least 23 Palestinians in Rafah and Khan Younis, according to local reports.

Hamas announced that Israeli forces assassinated Salah al-Bardawil, a member of its political bureau and a Palestinian Legislative Council representative, in an airstrike on his tent west of Khan Younis.

The Israeli army killed 41 more Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, taking the overall death toll since October 2023 to over 50,000, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

US aggression on Yemen, Houthis' strikes against Israel

Developments in US aggression against Yemen, as well as the Houthi military operations against Israel.

On Sunday, Houthi group said it launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, marking its fourth such attack in 72 hours.

The movement also reported that US forces carried out airstrikes near Saada in northern Yemen. Washington has yet to comment on the claim.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military claimed it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace. Two Israelis sustained injuries amid air raid sirens in Tel Aviv.

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.

On Sunday, the Israeli military raided multiple cities, towns, and villages in the West Bank, detaining 13 Palestinians, as reported by Palestinian government media.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where at least 937 Palestinians have been killed and over 7,000 injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since the start of the Gaza onslaught on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Russia-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is hosting indirect technical talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, with US involvement, aimed at exploring the possibility of a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow.

As of 7:00 p.m. Istanbul time, no official statements have been issued by the parties involved or by Saudi Arabia regarding the level of representation at the talks.

Continued protests in Israel over government decisions

Ongoing protests are demanding an end to the war on Gaza and urging the Israeli government to negotiate with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages.

Demonstrators are also expressing dissatisfaction with the government's decision to dismiss Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, despite a Supreme Court ruling temporarily halting his removal.

International reactions are intensifying after Israel's Cabinet approved the expansion of 13 settlements in the West Bank, further escalating tensions.

Domestically, anger is mounting following a unanimous vote by the government to remove legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara. Calls for civil disobedience are rising in response to this move.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese Army reported Sunday that Israeli military vehicles crossed the border fence in southern Lebanon, conducting land clearing operations in a border town before eventually withdrawing.

Israeli airstrikes continued targeting several areas in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Labbouneh, Aita al-Shaab, and Yaroun, injuring two people.

The Israeli military claimed to have attacked the Aita al-Shaab area, resulting in the death of a Hezbollah member. No immediate comment was issued by Hezbollah in response.

⁠⁠Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army regained control of the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum for the first time since the war began with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) nearly two years ago.

The Sudanese army claimed new military gains in central Khartoum on Sunday amid fighting with the RSF.

A military statement said army forces continued to clear neighborhoods in central Khartoum from the RSF militants.

The army shared a video of its forces taking control of the Al-Waha Mall in central Khartoum’s commercial district. Footage also showed army forces deployed in Al Baraka Tower, Khartoum Grand Mosque, and Araak Hotel in the area.

German coalition talks

Joint committees from the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) will present their negotiation results to senior party leaders on Monday. The leaders will then work to resolve remaining policy disagreements.

The key sticking points—tax relief, budget cuts, and migration policy—have led to difficult negotiations, according to local media reports. Likely next chancellor, conservative leader Friedrich Merz has earlier said that he wants to build the coalition government before the Easter holiday (April 20–21), citing pressing domestic economic challenges and escalating international security concerns that require immediate governmental action.

UN press conference on HIV Funding

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the leading global organization coordinating action against HIV/AIDS, will hold a press conference in Geneva. Senior UNAIDS officials will present an analysis of how recent US funding cuts affect global HIV prevention and treatment programs.

Rohingya crisis: UN agencies launch aid plan

UNHCR and IOM are set to unveil their 2025-26 Joint Response Plan (JRP) to address the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. The first-ever multi-year funding plan brings together 113 partners, including Bangladeshi organizations, to reach some 1.48 million beneficiaries across refugee and host communities.

UK ministers face parliament on defense issues

Defense Ministry officials will appear before the House of Commons to answer lawmakers' questions about defense spending plans and Ukraine-related matters. The session is expected to focus on proposed military budget increases and ongoing support for Ukraine.

Trump delivers remarks at White House

President Donald Trump and Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry will deliver remarks at the White House. Later, Trump will participate in a Greek Independence Day celebration.

US, Russian, Ukrainian officials in Riyadh talks

US officials are due to meet for separate talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia following on the March 18 call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian officials present are not foreseen.

UN Security Council debates UN peace operations

UN Security Council will meet for an open debate on ensuring adaptability in UN peace operations. Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Lokke Rasmussen is expected to chair the meeting, in addition to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Canadian snap election announced

Developments after Mark Carney, who has only been prime minister for 10 days, called for a general election to be held on April 28.

House of Commons opens

New session of the Canadian House of Commons opens. Parliament was prorogued on Jan. 6, when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. Governor General Mary Simon will deliver speech on the government's agenda.

Reactions to latest Russia-US, Ukraine-US talks in Saudi Arabia

Reactions from Moscow and Kyiv will be followed as a new round of Russia-US talks is scheduled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Russian delegation will be led by former deputy foreign minister and current lawmaker, Grigory Karasin, alongside Sergey Beseda, adviser to the Federal Security Service (FSB) director. The US delegation's meeting is scheduled to come a day after it is expected to hold talks with another delegation from Ukraine.

Top Russian diplomat to meet with Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund members

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to chair a meeting of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund in Moscow. The participants will outline the key accomplishments and outcomes of the ministry’s activities in 2024 and approve areas of focus for 2026.

Turkish president to chair Cabinet meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will lead a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

DR Congo to begin consultations to form national unity government

Democratic Republic of the Congo to begin political consultations to form a national unity government amid escalating security crisis in eastern part of the country.

Consultations are expected to draw the Sacred Union, the ruling parliamentary coalition, opposition parties within and outside parliament, civil society, and prominent figures such as former presidential candidates. In February, President Felix Tshisekedi announced plans to establish a government of national unity as part of efforts to address the conflict in eastern Congo.

Portuguese foreign minister pays visit to China

Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel pays official visit to China through March 28. Bilateral relations, Belt and Road Initiative cooperation as well as China-EU relations are expected to be discussed during the visit. Besides China’s Foreign Minister Wag Yi, Rangel is expected to meet senior Chinese officials to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore new areas of collaboration.

Developments after South Korean top court reinstates Premier Han

South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled against impeachment of Han Duck-soo. He was quickly reinstated as acting president. The verdict is likely to be a trailblazer in similar case against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. The impeachment motions against Yoon and Han were passed by lawmakers over the president’s Dec. 3 bid to impose martial law. No date has been given as to when Yoon’s case will be closed.

South Korea in grip of devastating wildfires

Wildfires, which have wreaked havoc in South Korea, are expanding further in the country’s southeastern region. At least 4 people were killed and hundreds evacuated from the affected region.

Evacuation in western Japan due to wildfires

Japan is battling mountainous wildfires in two western provinces from where people have been evacuated. Authorities are using firefighting ground as well as aerial vehicles to extinguish the blaze.

Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on ties with Japan, South Korea, the ongoing peace efforts in Ukraine by the US and Russia as well as trip to Beijing by dozens of global CEOs. It is also expected that ministry will shed light on visit to Beijing by a senior Trump ally and senator Steve Daines who met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Rough road ahead’: Where are US-South Africa ties headed?

Report on the escalating diplomatic fallout between South Africa and the US following Washington’s expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool – an unprecedented move signaling a major rupture in bilateral relations under Donald Trump’s new presidency.

The story details the series of recent escalations by the Trump administration, including a freeze on aid, widely debunked accusations of a “white farmer genocide,” and the broader geopolitical backdrop, including South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel and its alignment with BRICS.

The report has insights from South African political analyst Dale McKinley and academic Kedibone Phago on the potential unraveling of longstanding US-South Africa ties and undermining of multilateralism.

South Korea’s air quality breakthrough: From pollution crisis to record clean days

Report on South Korea’s successful efforts that have led to record-low air pollution levels, highlighting how domestic policies and regional collaboration have driven dramatic improvements in air quality that once ranked among the world’s worst.

The story examines government measures such as shutting coal plants, regulating industrial emissions, phasing out high-emission diesel vehicles, distributing eco-friendly boilers, and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure. Experts also elaborate on favorable weather patterns and other key factors behind the cleaner air, while also warning of long-term challenges posed by climate change.

The report includes insights from Saewung Kim, an associate professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of California, Irvine; Mark Jacobson, civil and environmental engineering professor at Stanford University; and Charles Driscoll, an environmental chemistry professor at Syracuse University.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with South African analysts about the potential ramifications of escalating diplomatic tensions with the US and Trump administration.

VIDEO - Interviews with atmospheric chemists and climate scientists about South Korea’s successful efforts in reducing air pollution, highlighting key policy decisions and the importance of regional collaboration.