Diary

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, March 13, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Latest developments after phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which began on Jan. 19, ended on March 2 and has not been extended yet.

An indirect round of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, began on Tuesday in Doha.

Hamas said it is awaiting new steps from the negotiations to move forward with implementing the second phase of the agreement.

Witkoff met in Doha the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan, as well as the UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee. The meeting focused on the Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction and efforts to mobilize funding.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel escalated its attacks across Gaza after the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Three more Palestinians were wounded by Israeli artillery shelling in southern part of the enclave on Wednesday, medics said.

Hamas has decried Israel’s continued cut of electricity and food supplies to the Gaza Strip as a “war crime.”

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 army on Wednesday blew up the house of a Palestinian accused of carrying out a shooting attack last year.

Security forces also raided the towns of Qabatia and Arraba in southern Jenin and destroyed several facilities, witnesses said.

Several Palestinians were held during the raids for field interrogation while a number of houses were turned into military outposts.

Israeli forces have continued a deadly military offensive in the northern West Bank since Jan. 21, killing at least 69 Palestinians and displacing thousands.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following partial withdrawal

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Israeli drones violated Lebanese airspace on Wednesday, in the latest violation of the November ceasefire agreement.

Drones flew at low altitude over the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs and the town of Hermel and its surrounding villages in eastern Lebanon, state news agency NNA reported.

The violations came a day after Israel handed over four Lebanese citizens held by Tel Aviv to the Red Cross on Tuesday.

Lebanon continues to demand Israeli withdrawal from five border outposts and the release of Lebanese prisoners who were taken during the recent conflict with Hezbollah.

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Israeli actions in Syria

Israel’s action and steps in the aftermath of the Assad regime's downfall in Syria.

On Wednesday, the Israeli army established two military posts on the top of Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh) in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, Israeli media said.

According to Israeli Army Radio, one of the posts was an abandoned Syrian site that Israel had occupied.

⁠Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in Sudan, where conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues.

At least 10 civilians were killed and 23 others injured in artillery shelling by the RSF in North Darfur State, the army said on Wednesday.

Trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Greece, Greek Cypriot administration and Israel

The foreign ministers of Greece, Greek Cypriot administration and Israel will hold a trilateral meeting in Athens. Focus is expected to be on energy and security cooperation, and developing common initiatives regarding Syria, Lebanon and Turkiye.

NHS key services performance data, incl. waiting times

NHS England to publish monthly datasets covering its most important areas of care: A&E, Referral to Treatment Times, cancer, diagnostics, ambulances, NHS111 and delayed transfers of care.

⁠Annual discussion on rights of the child

UN human rights chief Volker Turk to speak at the annual discussion on rights of the child as part of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council.

Turkish president to attend iftar event in parliament

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to have iftar (fast-breaking meal) dinner with members of parliament at Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Russian, Belarusian presidents to meet in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with visiting Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow, who will conduct his first international visit since being re-elected as the head of the Belarusian state.

The two presidents are expected to discuss the key aspects of further developing bilateral ties, the outlook for their integration cooperation within the framework of the Union State, as well as current issues on the international agenda. A number of joint documents are expected to be signed following the talks.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow. She will also hold a Q&A session. Anadolu will ask about implications of European support for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine following US-Ukrainian talks in Saudi Arabia.

Donald Trump and Mark Rutte meeting

US President Donald Trump will host NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. The meeting comes days after Elon Musk, a Trump ally, publicly supported the US withdrawing from the military alliance.

Confirmation hearing for CDC director

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee holds hearing to consider the nomination of David Weldon to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Confirmation hearing for US ambassadors to Canada and Mexico

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold hearing to consider the nominations of Peter Hoekstra for ambassador to Canada, and Ronald Johnson for ambassador to Mexico. Also appearing is George Glass, nominee to be US ambassador to Japan.

G7 foreign ministers' Quebec meeting

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly chairs the first meeting of G7 counterparts in Canada as part of the country's presidency.

Sessions on China, the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, Middle East as well as Maritime Security and Prosperity to be monitored. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Quebec on Wednesday.

Canadian countermeasures to US tariffs on steel/aluminum

Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said new tariffs on imports from the US would come into force today in response to the US decision to impose 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's Washington visit

Ontario Premier Doug Ford visits Washington DC to hold talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Protest in Argentina for higher pensions and improved living conditions

Situation in Argentina after security forces clashed with demonstrators in Buenos Aires. Police used tear gas and water cannons against protesters, including retirees, women, and young people.

The protest, organized by retirees and joined by football fans, unions, and progressive groups, demanded higher pensions and better living conditions.

President calls FARC dissident guerrillas 'private army' of Mexican cartels

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said FARC dissidents function as a "private army" for Mexican drug cartels, after an ambush resulted in the deaths of five military personnel.

8th EU-South Africa summit to kick off in Cape Town

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to co-chair the 8th EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The summit is expected to address key geopolitical and regional issues, including the Ukraine war, situation in Middle East, and crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in line with the South Africa’s G20 presidency. The parties will discuss bilateral cooperation in trade, security, energy, research, and governance.

Southern African bloc to hold extraordinary summit on eastern DR Congo crisis

Leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to hold an extraordinary virtual summit to review the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, amid intensified fighting in the east of the country.

The M23 rebels continue their offensive in eastern Congo after the capture of the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. Fighting since January has led to the deaths of more than 8,500 people, with at least 5,700 wounded, according to Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba.

African health body to hold news conference

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to hold its weekly news conference to address public health on the continent. The update will include the status of outbreaks including Marburg, Ebola, Cholera and mpox.

The center will also highlight the public health situation prevailing in Democratic Republic of Congo. An update is also expected on reforms responding to the suspension of USAID funding.

UN Secretary General Guterres visits Bangladesh

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will kick off his four-day visit to Bangladesh. He will meet transitional government head Muhammad Yunus, top diplomats, civil society leaders, as well as Rohingya refugees.

Philippine's ex-President Duterte faces trial at ICC

Philippine's ex-President is facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity during his "war on drugs." The ex-president was brought to The Hague to face trial at the ICC on Wednesday after being arrested at the Manila airport on his arrival from Hong Kong.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on recent developments, particularly US tariffs, which went into effect on March 12.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's house sales

TurkStat to release total number of houses sold in February.

Eurozone industrial production

Eurostat to release industrial production measures for January. It fell 1.1% monthly in December, and the market expects it to rise 0.8%.

US producer prices

US to release producer inflation index for February. It rose 0.4% in January month-on-month. Market estimates are a 0.3% rise for last month.

US initial jobless claims

US to release total number of initial jobless claims for the last week. The figure was 221,000 in the previous week.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Independence, Trump, and beyond: Greenland faces new political reality after election surprise

Report from on the ground in Greenland about the emerging political scenario after the Arctic island’s ruling coalition suffered a surprise defeat in Tuesday’s elections.

The story presents an overview of the reasons for the shift in voters’ choice, as nearly 30% backed the Demokraatit party – which favors a gradual path to independence from Denmark – and 25% chose the most pro-independence Naleraq.

The report also examines the possible policy path of the winning parties, particularly with regards to US President Donald Trump’s stated takeover goal, and has comments from politicians affiliated with various parties.

‘We will not fail them this time’: Tanzania seeks to revive wiped out white rhinos

Report on Tanzania’s initiative to reintroduce white rhinos to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for the first time in nearly 50 years, marking a significant step in restoring a species once wiped out by poaching.

The report examines the ecological and economic impact of the translocation of 18 rhinos from South Africa, part of a larger plan to relocate 36 individuals. It also analyzes the challenges, including security concerns, debates over historical ranges, and the need for local community engagement.

The story has comments from Tanzania’s Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Pindi Chana; Alfan Rija, a professor of ecology at Tanzania’s Sokoine University; conservationist Dale Wepener; and Kassimu Nyaki of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Report from Greenland about the reasons for and impact of the political shake-up after the ruling coalition’s election defeat, particularly on the island’s independence bid from Denmark and relations with the US.