ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, March 27, 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, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.
At least 39 Palestinians were killed and others injured during the past 24 hours in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting homes, tents sheltering displaced persons, and civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has killed 830 Palestinians and injured 1,787 others -- mostly children and women -- since it resumed its genocide on March 18 until midday Wednesday, the Gaza Ministry of Health also announced.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees stated in a press release that Israel has rejected most attempts by humanitarian organizations to deliver essential supplies to the Gaza Strip, which is on the brink of an unprecedented famine.
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.
At least 20 more Palestinians were rounded up in fresh Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, according to prisoners’ affairs groups.
The Israeli army conducted drills simulating airstrikes on dozens of targets in the occupied West Bank, along with scenarios mimicking emergency situations, coinciding with its ongoing assault on the northern West Bank since Jan. 21.
Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where at least 938 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.
Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan
The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country of Sudan as the army recaptured the capital, Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces.
On Wednesday, Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived at the presidential palace in the capital late Wednesday and declared Khartoum “free” after the expulsion of the paramilitary forces.
“It’s over. … Khartoum is free,” Al-Burhan, who is also the army’s commander, said at the presidential palace surrounded by dozens of soldiers, according to local media.
Saudi Arabia to host meeting between Lebanese, Syrian defense ministers
Saudi Arabia is set to host a meeting on Thursday between the defense ministers of Lebanon and Syria, scheduled to take place in the city of Jeddah, to discuss all outstanding issues.
The meeting follows the postponement of a planned visit on Wednesday by Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa to Damascus to meet with his Syrian counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra.
The visit was intended to address border control matters following recent clashes that resulted in deaths and injuries in the border town of Hosh al-Sayyed Ali.
US aggression on Yemen, Houthis' strikes against Israel
Developments in US aggression against Yemen, as well as the Houthi military operations against Israel.
The Houthis announced that the “US aggression” carried out 17 airstrikes on Saada province in northern Yemen during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.
Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout
Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese people reject any normalization of relations with Israel, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Wednesday.
Local media reports have emerged about US pressure on Lebanon to reach “an agreement that is less than normalization and more than an armistice” with Israel.
Trump to attend iftar dinner at White House
US President Donald Trump will sign a series of executive orders at the Oval Office. In the evening, he will participate in the White House Iftar Dinner.
Rubio visits Guyana, Suriname; press conferences will be held
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Guyana and Suriname. In the capital Georgetown, he will meet with President Irfaan Ali and sign a security cooperation memorandum with Foreign Minister Hugh Todd before a joint press conference with Ali. In Suriname's capital Paramaribo, he will meet with Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and hold a press conference.
International Day of Zero Waste at UN General Assembly
UN General Assembly will hold observance of International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles, organized by UNEP and UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Turkish mission in UN and Zero Waste Foundation. Türkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan is expected to attend the event.
Kristi Noem - Colombia visit
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will visit Colombia, where she will meet with Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez, National Police General Carlos Fernando Triana, Migration Director Nigeria Renteria, and President Gustavo Petro.
Turkish president to meet with Somali counterpart
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmud at the Presidential Complex in Ankara and gather with representatives of religious minorities for iftar.
Turkish vice president to attend Ukraine meeting in Paris
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz will attend the Meeting on Peace and Security for Ukraine in the French capital Paris.
Macron hosts Ukraine summit
French President Emmanuel Macron will convene a crucial meeting in Paris, bringing together key international allies to reinforce their commitment to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend the summit. The leaders will discuss military support and security guarantees for Ukraine, and review progress in the latest negotiations for a possible ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Estonian foreign minister in Berlin
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is visiting Berlin for a meeting with outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. They will discuss regional issues, political and military support for Ukraine. Following their discussions, the ministers will hold a joint press conference.
Global Conference on AI
The UN Institute for Disarmament Research will organize the inaugural Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics, set to take place on Thursday and Friday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
UK ‘fuel poverty’ report
UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero releases analysis of the number of households living in fuel poverty, along with projections for 2025.
Reactions to Ukraine summit to be hosted in Paris
Reactions particularly from Kyiv will be followed as France to host another Ukraine summit in the city of Paris to discuss the situation surrounding the war-torn country, as well as security in Europe. The meeting was announced by French President Macron, who said the leaders of the "coalition of the willing" will seek to finalize plans to secure a possible truce with Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy traveled to the French capital to take part in the event.
Putin to address International Arctic Forum plenary session
Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the plenary session of the 6th International Arctic Forum taking place in the city of Murmansk. The forum was established to serve as a platform for exploring pressing socio-economic challenges facing Arctic regions while fostering multi-level cooperation to unlock the vast resource potential of the Arctic. No details have yet been given regarding the overall participation at the event. The Arctic is a polar region in the northernmost part of the globe, and includes parts of Russia, the US, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Top Armenian diplomat to visit Kazakhstan
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to conduct an official visit to Kazakhstan. According to Yerevan, Mirzoyan will hold talks with his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu, and has other high-level meetings and discussions planned. No further details were released about the visit.
Taiwan holds ‘whole of society’ civil defense drill
Taiwan holds ‘whole of society defense resilience’ drill across the island. The drill aims to test the island’s emergency responses such as during military conflict and natural disasters.
Top French diplomat pays 2-day trip to China
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot pays two-day official trip to China where he will hold talks with his counterpart Wang Yi. The trip comes amid tariff wars initiated by the US on the EU and China. It also comes as Washington negotiates with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and normalize bilateral ties.
Brazilian president pays visit to Vietnam
Brazilian President Lula da Silva pays an official visit to Vietnam until March 29. In Hanoi, Lula will hold talks with the ruling Communist Party's Secretary General To Lam, besides other state officials.
Raging wildfires continue to spread in South Korea
Raging wildfires have caused hundreds of people to relocate to safer places in southeastern South Korea. At least 24 people have been killed as flames engulfed houses including 15 heritage sites as well as old-age facilities.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry holds news briefing in Islamabad
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry to hold weekly news conference in the capital Islamabad. The ministry is likely to comment on the ongoing situation in Gaza, tensions with Afghanistan, and other important issues.
Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing in Beijing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing. The ministry is likely to comment on US Defense chief’s trip to the Philippines as well as Japan this week besides other regional and international issues.
South African foreign minister to hold consultations with his DR Congo counterpart
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and his Congolese counterpart Therese Kayiwamba Wagner to hold talks in Pretoria. The ministers are expected to discuss bilateral ties between South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo. South Africa holds substantial investments in Congo and it is the second-largest import source of the Central African country.
African health body to hold its weekly press briefing on ongoing outbreaks across Africa
Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to hold its weekly press briefing on ongoing outbreaks. Updates from the Africa CDC will cover the mpox outbreak in various countries, cholera outbreaks in Southern Africa, and the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s foreign trade
The Turkish Statistical Institute to release foreign trade figures and unemployment data for February. In January, exports increased by 5.8% compared to the same month last year and reached $21.16 billion, while imports increased by 9.6% to $28.7 billion and the foreign trade deficit increased by 21.9% to $7.54 billion.
US GDP
The US will release GDP figures for last quarter of 2024. It expanded by 3.1% in Q3 and market expectation was 2.3% for Q4. The country will also release jobless claims data.
SPECIAL REPORTS
What Israel’s widening political schism means for Gaza
Report on Israel’s growing political turmoil and sweeping leadership changes, analyzing the underlying reasons and impact on military strategies in Gaza.
The story outlines growing friction within Israeli politics over the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, with experts warn of a growing crisis in civil-military relations and breaking down how the recent shifts could lead to long-term occupation and even ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.
The report includes comments from Ahron Bregman, a political scientist and former Israeli military officer, and Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London.
UK defunding Islamophobia monitor shows unwillingness to confront anti-Muslim hate: Rights lawyer
Interview with prominent human rights lawyer Tasnime Akunjee on the British government’s controversial decision to cut funding to Tell Mama, a leading Islamophobia watchdog in the UK.
Akunjee analyzes the reasons for the halt in funding, which have left the organization facing the possibility of closure, and warns that the government move signals a broader unwillingness to confront rising anti-Muslim hate.
Akunjee also highlights the dramatic spike in Islamophobic attacks in the UK, particularly since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza, criticizing the government for ignoring these trends and taking measures that appear more symbolic than substantive.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with British human rights lawyer Tasnime Akunjee on the government’s decision to defund leading Islamophobia watchdog Tell Mama, which he warns is a move indicating a broader unwillingness to confront rising anti-Muslim hate in the UK.