Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Emergency Arab League summit in Egypt on Gaza

An emergency Arab League summit is set to be held in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Tuesday to formulate a unified Arab stance on the Palestinian issue and present an Arab counterproposal to US plans for the displacement of Gaza's population.

Arab leaders began arriving in Egypt on Monday to attend the summit, including Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also arrived in Cairo ahead of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is expected to lead Syria’s delegation.

Tunisia’s delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti, while Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf will represent Algeria after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune opted out, citing concerns over limited participation in shaping the meeting’s final outcomes, according to Algeria’s official news agency.

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah is set to arrive in Cairo on Tuesday to lead his country’s delegation.

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

The latest developments after the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which began on Jan. 19, ended on March 2 and was not extended, nor did it move into the second phase.

Hamas called on mediators on Monday to intervene to prevent the collapse of the agreement and start negotiations for the second phase of the deal.

Senior Hamas leader Osama Hamdan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging efforts to start negotiations for a second phase of the deal.

Hamdan urged the international community “to pressure the occupation to open the Gaza crossings and allow the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid."

On Sunday, the Israeli government halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, hours after the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement expired.

Tel Aviv tried to legitimize its move by claiming that after the first phase of the agreement ended, Hamas rejected a draft proposal for continuing negotiations put forward by US President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and accepted by Israel.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel escalated its attacks across Gaza since Sunday, shortly after the expiry of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

On Monday, two people were killed in a drone strike in central Rafah city, according to medics. Three more people were injured in a missile attack in western Khan Younis.

The overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 rose to nearly 48,400, the Health Ministry said Monday.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank with the army deploying tanks in the northern parts of the territory for the first time in over two decades.

The Israeli military has sustained its assault on the city of Jenin and its refugee camp for the 42nd consecutive day, resulting in 27 deaths, dozens of injuries, and widespread destruction, according to local sources.

Israeli forces sealed off all entrances to the Jenin refugee camp with dirt barriers on Monday, preventing residents from reaching their homes, according to Palestine’s official news agency.

Troops have also deployed bulldozers and armored vehicles around the camp while reinforcing their military presence in the area.

The escalation came amid a deadly Israeli military onslaught in the northern West Bank since Jan. 21, killing more than 60 Palestinians and displacing thousands.

Israel has killed at least 927 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured nearly 7,000 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Reactions to Netanyahu ordering his army to ‘prepare to defend’ Druze in Syria’s Jaramana

More repercussions and reactions after Israeli Premier Netanyahu on Saturday ordered the military to prepare for the defense of Jaramana, a Druze neighborhood on the outskirts of Damascus.

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt on Monday accused Zionism of using Druze “to suppress Palestinians and seeking to expand into Jabal al-Arab in Syria. He warned that “certain weak-willed individuals” were pushing for civil war.

Jumblatt made his remarks after an emergency meeting of the General Assembly of the Druze Sectarian Council at the sect’s headquarters in Beirut, where members discussed developments in Lebanon and Syria.

For days, Israel has been working to incite the Druze community against the Syrian government. On Friday, tensions escalated in Jaramana when clashes broke out, resulting in the killing of a Syrian security officer by an armed militia known as “Jaramana Shield,” which is linked to the previous regime.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Monday, a Lebanese civilian was injured by Israeli army fire in the border town of Kfarkela, according to the state news agency NNA.

An Israeli drone has hovered over the towns of Mansouri and Bayt al-Siyad in southern Lebanon and aired an “inciting message,” without giving any details, the broadcaster said.

Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in Sudan where the Sudanese army in recent days has gained ground against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in key areas and states.

On Monday, the International Organization for Migration said more than 3,450 families have fled villages in Sudan’s North Darfur state within two days due to worsening insecurity.

Greece's new armament plans

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will present the "Agenda 2030" armed forces reform and armament program in parliament. He is expected to outline new military equipment acquisitions, the purchase of modern fighter jets, navy fleet enhancements, and reforms to modernize the armed forces.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.

Pope's treatment in Rome hospital

Latest updates on Pope Francis's health condition as he undergoes treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican said in its latest update that the pontiff has suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency caused by an accumulation of mucus, which was aspirated both times, while he remained "alert, oriented and cooperative" at all times. The 88-year-old has been at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14 and is being treated for pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.

Putin to meet Myanmar's junta leader in Russian capital

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who will embark on an official visit to Moscow. According to the Kremlin, the meeting will touch on the prospects for further developing bilateral cooperation and address current international issues. Following the talks, it is expected that the two sides will adopt a joint statement and sign a number of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents.

Georgian premier to visit Uzbekistan

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to pay a two-day working visit Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He is expected to meet with several top Uzbek officials to discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization chief's to visit Uzbekistan

Shanghai Cooperation Organization chief Nurlan Yermekbayev to visit Uzbekistan on March 4-7. The official is scheduled to meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of these countries, and will take part in roundtable meetings at the leading analytical centers.

Trump's address to Joint Session of Congress

US President Donald Trump will deliver his first annual address to Congress of his second term. Trump's speech is expected to cover his second-term accomplishments, economy, border security, and global peace plans.

Canadian and Mexican exports to US - imposition of 25% tariffs

Developments as US is expected to begin imposing 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada. Both Mexico and Canada are expected to implement countermeasures if the tariffs are imposed.

Marco Rubio and Hungarian counterpart - meeting

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at the State Department.

Nominee to be US ambassador to NATO - US Senate committee hearing

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be the US ambassador to NATO. Key remarks amid calls for the US to withdraw from the alliance, including by Elon Musk and some Congress members.

Senator Sanders’ remarks following Trump's Congress speech

US Senator Bernie Sanders will deliver live-streamed remarks following President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.

UN General Assembly - Andrzej Duda address

Polish President Andrzej Duda delivers an address to UN General Assembly members.

Trudeau, ministers - press briefing in wake of US tariffs threat

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hold a press conference. He will be joined by the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, and Minister of Public Safety David J. McGuinty. His speech is expected to address US tariffs announced by President Trump.

Mexican president - daily press conference

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will hold her daily morning press conference. Her reactions regarding US tariffs announced by Trump for Mexico.

African Union to host online meeting for civil society organizations to discuss DR Congo

African Union’s Economic Social and Cultural Council to host an online meeting, bringing Congolese civil society organizations as well as those across Africa to discuss the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid M23 rebel offensive. The organizations will engage in discussions about the humanitarian crisis, security challenges, and the path to peace.

Uneasy calm returns to conflict-hit DR Congo as M23 rebels control eastern parts of country

Precarious calm prevails in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the M23 rebels dominate the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. Several countries, including US and UK, announced punitive measures against Rwanda. The EU is also reportedly planning to consider sanctions against Rwandan officials. Fighting in the eastern Congo has led to the deaths of more than 7,000 people this year, Congo's Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka said.

Annual session of China's top political advisory body kicks off

China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, is set to hold its annual session on March 4-10 in Beijing. During the conference, national political advisors will hear and deliberate on the government's performance.

Japanese atomic bomb survivors attend UN conference on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons

Japanese nuclear bomb survivors are attending a UN conference on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons that opened on Monday to last until March 7 at the UN headquarters in New York. Japanese government is not attending the conference.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold a briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on the Moscow-Kyiv war, US-Ukraine tensions, and US tariffs.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred could make landfall near Australia's Brisbane

Some 4 million residents of Australia's Queensland state have been warned to prepare for wild weather as Tropical Cyclone Alfred is likely to turn toward major population centers in southeast Queensland this week.

Japan's wildfire continues unabated

Firefighters are struggling to put out a fire which has already burned 21,000 hectares of land and is raging unabated in forested areas of the city of Ofunato in Japan.

THE ECONOMY

Eurozone unemployment rate

Eurostat to release unemployment rate data for January. Unemployment rate stood at 6.3% in December 2024. A similar figure is expected for January.

SPECIAL REPORTS

London’s Muslims mark Ramadan with faith, family, and reflection

Report on how Muslim communities in London are observing Ramadan, featuring insights from residents and business owners of various migrant backgrounds.

The story highlights key traditions, including home decorations, family gatherings, and spiritual preparations, providing a glimpse into how Muslims in the UK embrace their faith and traditions during the holy month, balancing cultural practices with the realities of life in a diverse metropolis.

The report includes personal narratives from several Muslim residents of London about their traditions and practices during the holy month.

Rolling through time: Pakistan’s vanishing camel carts

Report on the near disappearance of camel carts in Pakistan’s economic hub of Karachi, where they were once a vital mode of transportation but now limited to a few commercial streets.

The story details the history of camels as a mode of transportation and traces the reasons for the shifts away from it, while also taking a look at the socioeconomic impact with personal narratives of operators.

The report has comments from camel cart owners, camel breeders, and officials, including Mohammad Shahid Nabeel of the Punjab Livestock Department.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report on Muslim communities in London observing the holy month of Ramadan, featuring insights and personal narratives from residents and business owners.