Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, May 16, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Trump concludes Gulf tour in UAE

US President Donald Trump is set to conclude his Gulf tour Friday in the United Arab Emirates, marking the end of a four-day visit that included stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

President Trump and UAE leader are expected to issue key statements reaffirming strategic ties, highlighting cooperation in defense, AI technology, and major economic investments, and are also expected to sign a series of bilateral agreements.

Gaza ceasefire talks

Latest updates as mediators in Qatar are working to broker a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Resumption of the talks comes after Hamas on Monday handed over Israeli American captive Edan Alexander as part of broader efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate humanitarian aid access.

However, Hamas warned Thursday that failure to implement US-brokered understandings on aid and a ceasefire would harm negotiations.

Expectations remain for a broader agreement to end the war if aid enters and talks progress.

Escalation in Sudan’s conflict amid RSF shelling

Latest updates after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched drone attacks on key power stations in Omdurman, causing widespread blackouts across Khartoum and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

More attacks by the RSF are expected with Sudanese army responses and the potential for further civilian casualties. Humanitarian fallout, international responses, and statements from global organizations will be closely monitored.

MENA desk will cover all the topics based on official statements, releases, translations, flashes, or lives lost/affected.

Palestinian flag to be raised in city hall of US state capital

Providence, capital of the US state of Rhode Island, to raise Palestinian flag at its city hall in what local officials have said is a move to recognize the city’s diverse ethnic and cultural makeup. Elected officials and community members are expected to deliver public remarks.

Hearing on mistakenly deported El Salvadoran Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Hearing scheduled to take place this afternoon in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident from El Salvador who was mistakenly deported last month. The federal government argued that Garcia was an MS-13 gang member, but the allegation was based on an informant's 2019 claim that Garcia was a member of a chapter in New York, a state he never lived in. Since then, the White House has described Garcia's deportation as an “administrative error.”

European Political Community - Albania hosts summit

Albania hosting the sixth European Community Summit. Includes leaders from the 27 EU member states as well as Türkiye, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the UK.

Topics to be discussed include “supporting Ukraine in its pursuit of a just and lasting peace – and longer-term challenges, including safeguarding democratic processes from foreign interference and reinforcing Europe’s collective defense capabilities,” how to enhance competitiveness and economic security, and the complex dynamics of migration, mobility, and youth empowerment.

French, German, Polish, Italian, and British defense ministers - Rome meeting

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to host his counterparts from Germany, Poland, Italy, and the UK. The meeting is expected to focus on European defense, regional, and international issues.

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

Focus will be based on UN agenda as announced beforehand.

Russia-Ukraine negotiations to begin in Istanbul

Negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations to begin in Istanbul. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, leading his country’s delegation, said the team is fully authorized and aims to find constructive solutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will lead his country’s delegation. Desk is closely following the meeting and possible reactions from the both sides.

Ukrainian president to travel to Albania

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Albania, where he is expected to hold several meetings on the sidelines of the 9th meeting of the European Political Community seeking more military, financial, and political support.

Reactions to 9th meeting of European Political Community

Reactions particularly from Ukraine will be followed as Albania is scheduled to host 9th meeting of the European Political Community. The meeting, with the theme "New Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action," will touch on topics such as Europe’s security and democratic resilience, including the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as competitiveness and economic security.

Among Eurasian officials invited to take part in the event, only Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has confirmed his participation.

South Korea’s trade minister meets US trade representative

South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. South Korea seeks to negotiate with the US on new tariffs.

Ceasefire between Pakistan, India

Following developments as India and Pakistan continue to observe ceasefire. Borders remain silent. However, India and Pakistan accused each other of insensitivity over nuclear arsenals. Dozens of people have been killed on two sides of divided Kashmir, in Pakistan, including soldiers of the rival militaries in latest military escalation.

Turkish president to attend European Political Community Summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the opening ceremony of the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Albania, appear in the family photo, and take part in the summit’s main session.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul

Turkish, US, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations will hold talks in various formats as part of Istanbul peace talks hosted by Türkiye.

THE ECONOMY

House sales in Türkiye

Turkish Statistical Institute to share number of houses sold in April.

Japanese GDP

Japan will share GDP figures for the first quarter of 2025. While the Japanese economy expanded by 2.9% on a yearly basis in the last quarter of 2024, negative figures are expected for this quarter.

Eurozone foreign trade

Eurostat will share foreign trade figures for March. The balance of foreign trade in February posted a surplus of €24 billion ($26.9 billion).

SPECIAL REPORTS

Romania election: What to know about high-stakes presidential runoff

Report on round two of presidential runoff in Romania, scheduled for May 18, where voters are facing a choice between far-right candidate George Simion and centrist technocrat Nicusor Dan.

Story provides a summary of first-round results, shedding light on various factors that fueled Simion’s victory, and also has profiles of both candidates vying for the presidency.

Report features interview with Alexandru Damian, program director at Bucharest-based think tank Romanian Center for European Policies, who shares his thoughts on the expected results and potential implications for Romania’s domestic and foreign policies.

INTERVIEW – Gaza and Sudan facing critical hunger as agriculture decimated, aid blocked: Expert

Interview with Conor Elliott, team leader at Global Network Against Food Crises, about its Global Report on Food Crises 2025.

Elliott speaks about increasingly dire food security situation in places such as Sudan and the Gaza Strip, where he warns that local agriculture capacity has been almost completely decimated, leaving the population solely reliant on humanitarian aid and at critical risk of famine.

He also warns of deepening famine risks in various conflict zones due to the impact of shrinking donor funding, which is forcing humanitarian agencies to scale down their operations, and calls for a shift from short-term food aid to long-term resilience through strategies such as emergency agriculture.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Romanian political analyst Alexandru Damian about expectations and major issues in the country’s second round presidential election this Sunday.

VIDEO – Interview with humanitarian expert Conor Elliott about the stark findings of the Global Report on Food Crises 2025, particularly the critical risk of famine in the Gaza Strip and Sudan.