ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, May 12, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza faces catastrophic famine and thirst as Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid continues
The humanitarian situation on Gaza which is teetering on the edge of a full-scale humanitarian collapse, with the entire territory now effectively classified as a “famine zone” due to Israel’s ongoing blockade of border crossings.
Malnutrition among children is surging, and relief organizations are warning of a spike in preventable deaths. According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the blockade is causing “irreparable harm” to the lives of countless Palestinians.
Sanitation infrastructure is failing, increasing the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases -- especially among children and displaced families -- as access to safe water dwindles.
The UN and humanitarian groups continue to call for immediate and unhindered access to Gaza to prevent a total humanitarian collapse. Additional updates, including Arabic-language testimonies, are expected to shed further light on the worsening crisis.
Escalation of Sudan’s conflict with RSF drone strikes and civilian casualties in El-Fasher
Sudan’s conflict has escalated as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeting the strategic city of Port Sudan with drones, alongside deadly shelling in El-Fasher, North Darfur.
More attacks by the RSF are expected with the Sudanese army’s responses and the potential for further civilian casualties. Humanitarian fallout, international responses, and statements from global organizations will be closely monitored.
US president to sign executive order on prescription drug costs
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign a new executive order that he says will reduce US prescription drug costs by up to 80%. Trump has said the announcement will be “earth shattering” and is expected to entail a “most favored nation” plan to cut Medicare drug prices.
US Democratic senator to speak about Trump administration's 'violations of due process'
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen to speak at the Center for American Progress about the Trump administration’s "violations of due process.” Democratic senator expected to lay out a path forward that involves pushing back on the Trump administration’s agenda.
1st group of South Africans to arrive in US after Trump's Feb. executive order on their resettlement
A first group of white South Africans classified by the Trump administration as refugees could arrive in the US as soon as Monday, according to multiple reports. Dozens of Afrikaners are expected to land at Dulles Airport in Virginia. Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 7 which, in part, promoted the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees.
German president receives Israeli counterpart in Berlin
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will receive Israel's President Isaac Herzog with military honors at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. On Tuesday, Steinmeier and Herzog will travel to Israel together. During his visit, Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hold discussions with members of the Knesset.
UK to publish Immigration White Paper
Government publishes new proposals for tackling illegal immigration.
Britain’s “failed immigration system will be radically reformed so the system is controlled, managed and fair under a landmark White Paper” to be published. The government “inherited a chaotic immigration system that saw net migration soar to record levels -- driven by a huge increase in overseas recruitment since 2020,” the government said.
UK hosts G5+ ministerial meeting
UK hosts ministerial gathering of counterparts from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Spain. Grouping is also referred to as G5+.
Pope's meeting with press
New pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, meets with members of the press following his election by the College of Cardinals on May 8. The new pontiff is the first American-born head of the Catholic Church.
Greek premier to visit Rome
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Rome and meet with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on the occasion of the meeting of the Greek-Italian Supreme Cooperation Council.
The Greek side is expected to raise the issue of deepening Turkish-Italian defense cooperation, particularly the deal between the Turkish drone maker Baykar and Italian aerospace giant Leonardo, and ask for tangible support for energy projects in the Eastern Mediterranean.
European Commission chief to open Strategic Dialogue on Future of European Defense Industry
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opens the Strategic Dialogue on the European Defense Industry in Brussels.
Failure to focus on COVID-19 suppression led to avoidable UK deaths - report
The failure of UK government advisers to follow WHO guidance early during the COVID-19 pandemic caused avoidable UK deaths, according to a study published in The BMJ. The study suggests that advisors ignored WHO advice and evidence from East Asia which showed that following suppression, a strategy which aimed to avoid national lockdowns by introducing surveillance systems to bring new outbreaks under control quickly, was an effective way of controlling the virus. The report suggests up to 180,000 UK deaths could have been prevented.
Reactions to latest developments in Russia-Ukraine peace process
Reactions from both Moscow and Kyiv amid the latest developments concerning the settlement of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year.
Recently, Kyiv and key European nations urged Moscow to agree to a "full and unconditional" 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting on Monday, and warned that "stronger sanctions" should be imposed on Russia if it did not agree. Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct peace negotiations with Ukraine in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul, starting on Thursday, which his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said Kyiv is ready to do once Moscow confirms a “full, lasting, and reliable” ceasefire.
Ivory Coast to host Africa CEO Forum
Two-day CEO summit to start in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s former capital and largest city. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are among the high-level participants.
2nd EU-Kenya Business Forum to kick off in Nairobi
Kenya to host the 2nd EU-Kenya Business Forum in its capital Nairobi. The two-day forum will be officially opened by Kenyan President William Ruto with the participation of EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and European Investment Bank Vice President Thomas Ostros as part of the EU delegation.
Ceasefire sustains between Pakistan, India
Developments as a US-mediated ceasefire sustains between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan and India, following a week of heightened military escalation which included firing of retaliatory missiles across the border. At least 54 people have been killed on the two sides of divided Kashmir and Pakistan.
South Korea’s ex-premier attends trial over insurrection charges
Ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea attends court trial over insurrection charges for the third time. Yoon was ousted from office over his failed bid to impose martial law on Dec. 3 and has been accused of triggering insurrection with his acts.
Campaigning begins for snap presidential polls in South Korea
Campaigning for snap June 3 presidential polls by prospective seven candidates begins in South Korea. The polls were triggered by ouster of former President Yoon. Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party is being projected as the favorite among the candidates while Kim Moon-soo will represent the People Power Party after days of infighting among the conservatives to select their candidate.
China’s Xi hosts Brazilian President Lula in Beijing
China’s President Xi Jinping hosts Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva in Beijing as the two sides move to “establish new partnerships” amid the tariff wars initiated by the US. China remains Brazil’s top trading partner in Latin America as Beijing has called out Washington for “bullying” Latin America nations. Lula’s trip to Beijing coincides with a summit between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
US, Chinese officials discuss tariffs in Switzerland
US and Chinese officials are likely to announce the outcome of their discussions in Switzerland over staggering tariffs as Trump has claimed “great progress” between the two sides. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to represent Washington and Beijing, respectively.
Millions vote in the Philippines' mid-term elections
Voting is underway in the Philippines for crucial mid-term elections as millions of people head to polling stations to elect new mayors, governors, and lower house lawmakers. People will elect over 18,000 positions ranging from the House of Representatives to hotly contested municipal offices.
Türkiye-Jordan-Syria foreign ministers meeting
The Türkiye-Jordan-Syria foreign ministers meeting, hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, will be held in the capital Ankara.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s retail trade
The Turkish Statistical Institute will release retail trade and turnover indexes for March.
SPECIAL REPORTS
FACTBOX - Türkiye’s diplomacy during 3 years of Russia-Ukraine war
Report on Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022.
The story presents an overview of Ankara’s measures for mediation between Moscow and Kyiv, which include several critical meetings of top officials over the past three years that have led to significant outcomes.
The report lists key events such as the March 2022 meeting of the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers in Antalya, the landmark grain deal hailed around the world, and exchanges of prisoners of war mediated during times of heightened tensions.
How Türkiye became a trusted global mediator in conflict zones
Report on Türkiye’s emergence as a key mediator in global diplomacy, highlighting its strategic efforts in conflicts including Russia-Ukraine, Somalia-Ethiopia, and prisoner exchanges between the US and Russia.
Experts break down the reasons for Ankara’s credibility as a neutral actor, analyzing how Türkiye’s mediation success stems from decades of multilateral initiatives, impartial diplomacy, and long-term engagement, particularly in Africa. They also examine Türkiye’s mediation strategies and the significance of resources, geographic advantage, and consistent foreign policy goals.
The report includes interviews with Esra Cuhadar, a former senior mediation advisor and associate professor at Bilkent University, and academic Elem Eyrice-Tepecikliolgu of the University of Ankara.
Trump’s high-stakes Gulf tour: What’s on the agenda?
Report on US President Trump’s upcoming tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where economic ties, Iran diplomacy, and Israel’s genocide in Gaza are expected to dominate the agenda.
The story presents an assessment of possible discussions on key issues, while experts outline what Trump’s visit signifies about US reliance on Gulf partnerships and the implications for regional geopolitics.
The report includes interviews with Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington; Annelle Sheline, a research fellow in the Middle East program at Quincy Institute; Giorgio Cafiero, head of Gulf State Analytics; and Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy.
INTERVIEW - ‘Expose them’: Viral Palantir protester warns all complicit in Gaza horrors
Interview with Sumer Mobarak, the Palestinian American activist who interrupted Palantir CEO Alex Karp at a Washington tech forum, accusing the company of aiding Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza through AI-powered targeting systems.
Mobarak says she aimed to “expose” Palantir’s deepening involvement in the genocide, criticizing its January 2024 contract signed in the midst of Tel Aviv’s devastating campaign against Gaza to provide the Israeli military with critical artificial intelligence models to aid the campaign.
She speaks about the importance of efforts being made by pro-Palestine protesters around the world, emphasizing the need for sustained campaigns to hold people and companies accountable for their complicity in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Sumer Mobarak, the Palestinian American activist who went viral with her recent protest against Palantir head Alex Karp for the tech company’s complicity in the Gaza genocide.