ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, May 15, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Trump visits UAE, concluding his Gulf tour
US President Donald Trump’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, concluding his tour of Gulf countries that began on Tuesday. The trip included stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where Trump signed a broad range of agreements.
During his visit to the UAE, Trump is expected to hold talks with Emirati leaders and oversee the signing of several new bilateral agreements. Joint statements from both sides are anticipated, alongside a press conference to outline the outcomes of the meetings.
Resumption of Gaza ceasefire talks
Developments as mediators in Qatar are working with Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza following the arrival of two Trump advisors and an Israeli delegation in Doha.
The 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.
Statements and updates are expected from Israeli, Qatari officials, and US and Egyptian mediators along with potential announcements from Hamas.
Palestinians mark 77th anniversary of Nakba
Palestinians around the world commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, where they were violently displaced and dispossessed of their land and property during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war by Zionist militants.
Marches, rallies, and exhibitions expected to took place in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Palestinian diaspora communities.
Special productions include a video, photos capturing the rallies. Expected translations of featured reports from Arabic.
Famine fears escalate in Gaza as Israeli aid blockade deepens humanitarian crisis
The Gaza Strip is facing an escalating risk of famine as Israel maintains its blockade on humanitarian aid, pushing the territory toward a full-scale humanitarian collapse. The entire region is now effectively classified as a “famine zone.”
Malnutrition rates, particularly among children, are surging. Humanitarian organizations warn that preventable deaths are rising sharply. The UNRWA called the malnutrition “man-made.”
Gaza’s sanitation infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating, heightening the threat of waterborne disease outbreaks – especially among displaced families and children – as clean water supplies run dangerously low.
The UN and aid groups continue to urge immediate, unrestricted access to Gaza to avert total humanitarian disaster.
Escalation in Sudan’s conflict amid RSF shelling
Developments after Sudan’s conflict escalated as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched deadly shelling in El-Fasher and Kordofan.
Anticipated RSF attacks, Sudanese army counteroffensives, especially in strategic El-Fasher will be followed along with the humanitarian situation. Statements from global organizations and international responses will be tracked.
German and British defense ministers meet in Berlin
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his British counterpart John Healey to meet in Berlin to discuss military cooperation. Their discussions will center on defense industry collaboration, protecting NATO's eastern flank, addressing capability gaps, enhancing interoperability, and maintaining military support for Ukraine.
EU defense chiefs meeting in Brussels
European Union Military Committee meeting at the level of EU chiefs of defense.
Agenda includes adapting to strategic and institutional changes under the European Preparedness Union Strategy and the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030, and EU military support to Ukraine and next steps.
Keir Starmer - Albania visit and immigration crime announcement
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to travel to Tirana ahead of Friday's meeting of European Political Community.
Starmer is expected to announces further measures to disrupt upstream migration and crack down on organized immigration crime.
US Supreme Court to hear arguments in Trump administration's emergency application to narrow preliminary injunctions issued by federal judges in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington blocking enforcement of an executive order that would greatly curtail birthright citizenship, in apparent violation of Constitution.
Members of Syrian government to address the Arab Center Washington-based think tank to address the challenges, policies, and prospects facing Damascus following ouster of the Assad regime.
UN Security Council to hold session on protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan due to appear in court for an arraignment after she was arrested on April 25 on charges of obstructing immigration agents after allegedly impeding efforts by federal agents to arrest Mexican immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz.
National Council of Canadian Muslims and community members and partners to gather on Parliament Hill to introduce Nakba Bill, proposed model legislation that advocates say will set the agenda for Palestinian human rights.
Developments concerning potential Istanbul peace talks
Developments between Russia and Ukraine in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul will be closely followed as the two countries are expected to hold their first direct talks since the early weeks of the war in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he will be in Türkiye, while Moscow said a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul, where they will be waiting for Ukraine's delegation.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold press briefing in Moscow plus Q&A. Turkish wire plans to ask the following question: Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to authorities in Kyiv to resume direct negotiations without preconditions. The dialogue is suggested to begin Thursday in Istanbul. Will the Foreign Ministry be represented at the negotiations? Will Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov take part?
Meeting between Turkish President Erdogan, Ukrainian president in Ankara
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will welcome his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an official ceremony at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara and will attend an inter-delegation working dinner following the bilateral meeting.
Day 2 of informal NATO foreign ministers meeting, hosted by Türkiye.
APEC trade ministers meet in South Korea
Trade ministers of 21-members Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation to meet in South Korea for two days. Artificial intelligence and free trade in the region are expected to be discussed. (Asia-Pacific reporter to follow from office. Visuals possible via official sources.)
Ceasefire continues between Pakistan, India
Following developments as India and Pakistan maintain US-mediated ceasefire. Borders remain silent. Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged two border security force personnel. Dozens of people have been killed on both sides of divided Kashmir, and in Pakistan, including soldiers of the rival militaries.
THE ECONOMY
UK’s GDP
UK will announce provisional GDP figures for the first quarter of the year. It was at 1.4% on a yearly basis in the previous quarter. The Office for National Statistics will also release industrial output and foreign trade figures.
Wholesale inflation in Germany
Germany’s Destatis will announce wholesale prices for April. In March, prices went up 1.3% on a yearly basis.
Türkiye’s budget balance
The Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry will share budget balance figures for April.
Eurozone GDP
Eurostat will share provisional GDP figures for the euro area for the first quarter of 2025. While the GDP growth rate in the previous quarter was at 1.2%, a similar figure is expected for this quarter. Eurostat will also share industrial production and employment figures.
US producer inflation
The US will announce annual producer prices for April. Prices rose 2.7% in March. The country will also share data on jobless claims, industrial production, and retail sales.
OECD unemployment
Paris-based international institution OECD will share unemployment figures for its area.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Istanbul peace talks: What’s on the agenda?
Report on Istanbul peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, presenting an overview of the major issues in the first direct talks between the two sides in over three years.
Story highlights the significance and importance of the negotiations and outlines the various demands from each side, with analysis on the broad range of issues on the table, from ceasefire conditions and territorial disputes to neutrality and sanctions.
Report includes interviews with Shelby Magid, deputy director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, and Oleg Ignatov, senior Russia analyst at the International Crisis Group.
Lemons, ciphers, and moles: MI5 lets public in for first time
Report on exhibition in London showcasing 115 years of the history of British spy agency MI5.
Story gives details of the landmark exhibit at The National Archives, which offers an unprecedented public look into the UK’s domestic spy agency, featuring original files, curious artifacts like a 110-year-old lemon used in spycraft, and documents from the Cambridge Five.
Report includes an interview with the exhibit’s curator Mark Dunton, who speaks about a range of issues, including the challenge of breaking cinematic spy stereotypes and the evolving nature of spycraft in today’s tech-dominated world.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interviews with Atlantic Council’s Shelby Magid and Oleg Ignatov of the International Crisis Group about the significance and key agenda issues of the Istanbul peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
VIDEO – Report on London exhibition showcasing history of the British spy agency MI5, including an interview with National Archives historian and exhibit curator Mark Dunton.