Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel amid conflicting reports

Unconfirmed Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas after reports surfaced Monday suggesting that the Palestinian group accepted a proposed deal put forward by US presidential Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The American official has denied these reports, telling Axios news outlet that “Hamas has so far failed to accept his proposal.”

Neither Hamas nor Israel has issued official statements to confirm or refute these reports.

Key developments to monitor include official statements, confirmation or denying from Hamas and Israel to clarify their positions, further comments from Witkoff regarding the US proposal’s status, and any indications of whether negotiations are advancing or faltering.

Potential updates from diplomatic sources or mediators that could provide insight into the ongoing talks will be tracked.

Israel continues obstructing aid into Gaza amid deepening humanitarian catastrophe

Israel continues obstructing aid into the war-torn enclave, severely restricting the flow of essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and fuel since early March. Over 300 deaths have been linked to starvation and lack of medical care amid warnings of mass famine.

Watch closely whether the Israeli aid distribution plan through US-contracted companies will actually be implemented.

More calls are expected for international humanitarian intervention and accountability over the reported use of starvation as a weapon. Aid agencies may escalate pressure on Israel and international actors to open crossings immediately and allow full-scale humanitarian access.

Iran’s president visit to Oman amid nuclear talks with US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian begins a two-day visit to Muscat, Oman, to discuss regional and international developments with Omani officials amid nuclear talks with the US mediated by Muscat.

According to the Omani Royal Court, the talks will cover a host of areas and issues of mutual concern in light of regional and international developments, though specific topics were not disclosed.

Official statements from Iranian and Omani authorities following the meetings and potential announcements of bilateral agreements or initiatives.

Expected statements or indications regarding progress in Tehran’s indirect nuclear negotiations with Washington will be followed.

Arab Media Summit in UAE

The Arab Media Summit in Dubai, UAE continues its second day of a three-day event, attracting thousands of participants from 26 countries.

The summit, held on May 25-27 focuses on the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on content creation, the film and gaming industries, and digital and social media platforms.

Major announcements or insights from summit sessions, statements from high-profile guests, and potential collaborations or initiatives proposed during the event.

EU General Affairs Council - stripping Hungary's voting rights discussed

EU ministers gather. Agenda includes a proposal to strip Hungary of its voting rights under the Article 7 procedure. The move comes amid fears that Hungary could block Ukraine’s accession to the EU, prompting Brussels to consider alternative measures.

Germany foreign minister to speak at WDR European Forum

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will deliver remarks at the 27th International WDR European Forum in Berlin. The annual gathering of European politicians and decision-makers will focus on the theme "What Now? Europe and the Attack on Democracy." Minister Wadephul will address the new German government's foreign policy priorities, diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, and plans to strengthen European defense capabilities through increased military spending.

German chancellor to meet Finnish premier

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo during his second day in Finland. The leaders will discuss bilateral relations, security issues, and regional developments, followed by a joint press conference. The chancellor will then meet with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at his summer residence.

Canadian parliament - King Charles III delivers Speech from the Throne

King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne to Canadian lawmakers today after Mark Carney and the Liberal Party won the April 28 snap election. The visit comes a short time after US President Donald Trump’s remarks that Canada should be annexed to the USA as a new state. As well as being the UK’s head of state, the King is also head of state in 14 other Commonwealth Realms – independent states which are constitutional monarchies, including Canada.

Emmanuel Macron - Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore visits

French President Emmanuel Macron continues his three-nation visit to Asia.

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

The Service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing, therefore the focus will be based on this agenda.

Top Russian diplomat to meet with secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

During the meeting, the two officials will discuss a wide range of issues related to cooperation between the Russian Federation and the CTBTO. As part of his five-day visit which began on May 24, he will also participate in the opening ceremony of training courses for Russian-speaking operators of International Monitoring System waveform stations, as stipulated by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Visit of Yemeni leader to Russia

Ali Abdullah Saleh al-Alimi, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman, to visit Russia, during which he is expected to hold negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting is expected to address bilateral issues, as well as regional issues concerning the ongoing conflict in the war-torn country.

Developments concerning the meeting and the Yemeni leader's visit.

Russian Foreign Ministry to hold press briefing in Dagestan

The Russian Foreign Ministry to hold an off-site press briefing in the city of Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian Republic of Dagestan. The briefing, which will be held by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, will touch on current foreign policy issues.

Turkish foreign minister continues talks in Russia

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will continue talks on the second day of his visit to Russia. President Vladimir Putin received Fidan on Monday to address recent initiatives aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as developments following peace talks held in Istanbul on May 16.

Turkish President Erdogan to chair meeting of provincial leaders

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair a meeting with provincial leaders of his Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Moscow to host 13th international meeting on security matters

Russia's capital Moscow to host the 13th international meeting of high representatives in charge of security issues on May 27-29. Invitations have been sent to more than 150 countries of the Global South and East, the countries of the CIS, CSTO, EAEU, SCO, as well as to heads of more than 20 international organizations, to attend the meeting, which will be chaired by Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoygu.

Top Hungarian diplomat to visit Armenia

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to conduct a working visit to Armenia's capital Yerevan, where he is expected to meet his counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan. According to a statement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Szijjarto will take part in a panel discussion under the 2nd Yerevan Dialogue international forum. The Developments concerning the meeting and Szijjarto's visit.

UN Security Council to elect new member to International Court of Justice

UN Security Council scheduled to hold elections to fill the vacancy in the International Court of Justice as international court continues to weigh a case of genocide against Israel for its conduct in Gaza.

Court hearing in Harvard international students case

Status conference to take place today in Harvard's legal challenge to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's announcement on May 22 that she was revoking Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification with immediate effect.

Malaysia hosts 1st ASEAN-GCC-China summit

Malaysia hosts inaugural summit between Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. The joint summit is expected to discuss headwinds in global affairs, economy, raging technological competition, as well as conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. As the current chair of the Southeast Asian bloc, Malaysia also hosts 2nd ASEAN-GCC summit.

Southern China braces for this year’s strongest rainfall

China’s southern regions are bracing for this year’s strongest rainfall. The three-day heavy rainfall predicted by the country’s National Meteorological Center risks disasters including flood, as well as landslides. Many people have died in weather-related incidents this month.

Election campaign continues in South Korea

Election campaign for June 3 snap presidential polls continues in South Korea. Preliminary figures show that overseas voter turnout for the upcoming election has hit a record high of 79.5%. Economy, artificial intelligence, relations with North Korea as well as trade ties with US are among issues that have taken center stage in the campaigning.

Chinese Foreign Ministry holds news conference in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on China’s foreign policy affairs, as well as conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Japanese government holds news conference in Tokyo

Japanese government spokesman holds regular news conference in Tokyo. The spokesman is expected to deliver statements on national and international issues, including North Korea’s failure to launch warship, as well as tariff negotiations with the US.

THE ECONOMY

European car statistics

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association will release car sales statistics for European countries.

German consumer climate

Market research firm Gfk will release Germany’s consumer climate figures for June. The figure improved by 3.9 points to minus 20.6 in May.

US durable goods orders

US will share durable goods orders figures for April. The orders rose by 7.5% month-on-month in March.

US consumer confidence

The Conference Board will release its Consumer Confidence Index for May. The index fell by 6.9 points to 86 in April.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Ruin to recovery: Experts see Syria on path to economic revival as sanctions lift

Report on Syria’s economic future following the lifting of sanctions, focusing on political and other factors crucial for recovery after years of devastation.

The story discusses the main avenues of international assistance that Syria could benefit from in its plans to revive the economy, while detailing the positive impacts of sanctions and debt relief from various countries.

The report also lays out the scale of the challenges in efforts for economic revival, with insights from Omer Ozkizilcik, non-resident fellow for the Syria Project in the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, and Baraa Khurfan, a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

Serbian minister credits family-focused policies for fertility rate success

Interview with Tatjana Macura, Serbia’s minister without portfolio in charge of gender equality, prevention of violence against women, and the economic and political empowerment of women.

Macura speaks about how targeted family support policies have helped Serbia increase its fertility rate after years of population decline, explaining the impact of measures such as financial and social incentives.

The minister also emphasizes the importance of rethinking gender roles to support working mothers, and the dangers of modern pressures on families, particularly from digital technology.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Serbian minister Tatjana Macura about how targeted family support policies, including financial and social incentives, have helped the country increase its fertility rate after years of population decline.