Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Recent Israeli airstrike in Gaza

The Israeli army said early Tuesday that it has conducted airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, the largest since a ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas took effect on Jan. 19, killing at least 200 Palestinians, including women and children.

"This follows Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators," Israeli Prime Ministry said in a statement.

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

The latest developments after phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which began on Jan. 19, ended on March 2 and was not extended yet.

On Monday, Hamas accused Israel of continued violations, closing border crossings, and imposing a blockade that deprives Palestinians in Gaza of food and water. The group called on mediators to intervene to halt these measures.

As of 7 p.m. Istanbul time, neither Hamas, Israel, nor the mediators had issued an official statement regarding the resumption of indirect negotiations.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

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

On Monday, the Israeli military killed five Palestinians in central Gaza, raising the death toll to around 160 since the ceasefire agreement took effect.

The new casualties along with retrieving three bodies from under the rubble pushed the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 47,577, the Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, during a meeting in Cairo with foreign ambassadors, embassy representatives, and international organizations on rehabilitating Gaza’s healthcare sector, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty unveiled a proposal for the UN Security Council to consider establishing an international presence in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

US aggression on Yemen

Updates on the clashes between the US and Yemen’s Houthi group after Washington pummeled residential areas across multiple Yemeni cities, killing 53 people and injuring 89, mostly women and children on Sunday.

On Monday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a second missile and drone attack within 24 hours on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea.

The escalation comes amid widespread protests in Yemeni cities condemning recent US airstrikes.

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.

On Monday, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation during clashes with Israeli forces in Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, local media reported.

The Israeli army has continued a deadly military offensive in the northern West Bank since Jan. 21, killing at least 71 Palestinians and displacing thousands.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Monday, Israel carried out an airstrike on a vehicle in Lebanon’s southern Nabatieh province, killing one person and injuring three others, in the latest violation of the ceasefire that has been in place since Nov. 27, 2024. The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.

Security developments in Syria

Security tensions along the Lebanon-Syria border after Syria’s Defense Ministry accused Sunday Hezbollah of kidnapping and killing three Syrian soldiers, an allegation the Lebanese group denied.

On Monday, the media office in Syria’s Homs province reported that a journalist and a photographer were wounded in a missile strike near the frontier.

The Lebanese army announced it is coordinating with Syrian authorities to restore stability, following the handover of the three soldiers’ bodies to Damascus.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that the ongoing border clashes “cannot continue” and said he had ordered the army to respond to “sources of fire.”

Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief triggers protests

Israel’s political and constitutional crisis escalated following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, triggering widespread outrage.

Public protests are being organized ahead of a government meeting set for Wednesday to discuss the dismissal, as opposition figures warn of the move’s potential repercussions.

Jordanian king’s visit to Italy, France

The second day of King Abdullah’s indefinite working visit to Italy and France. On Monday, he met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome. They discussed the long-standing friendship between the two countries and regional developments.

The king also held a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, stressing the need for intensified international efforts to achieve a comprehensive de-escalation in the Middle East, according to a statement from the Royal Court.

UAE national security advisor's visit to US

The second day of the UAE national security advisor and deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, Tahnoun bin Zayed, visiting the US to hold official meetings at the White House with senior US officials to enhance the strategic partnership between the two nations and address regional challenges.

As of 7 p.m. Istanbul time, no official statements had been issued from Abu Dhabi or Washington regarding the details of the visit.

Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army in recent days has gained against paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states.

The Sudanese military continues to block RSF troops at the presidential palace in central Khartoum, as tensions persist.

Meanwhile, in North Kordofan, RSF shelling of the city of Al-Obeid, the capital of the state, killed three civilians and injured 20 others on Monday.

Germany’s Scholz hosts French President Macron

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will host French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin for talks on EU and international matters. They will prepare for the upcoming EU leaders' summit on March 20-21, according to a German government spokesman. Their agenda includes discussions on the future of transatlantic relations, support for Ukraine, and potential peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

German parliament to decide on defense investments

Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, is expected to vote on motions filed by the Christian Democrats and Social Democratic Party to boost defense procurement and accelerate infrastructure investments. The proposal seeks to reform the constitutional “debt brake” which would allow borrowing hundreds of billions of euros for infrastructure investments, and creating a special fund for defense procurement. Currently, Germany follows strict fiscal rules—its constitutionally mandated "debt brake" restricts government borrowing to 0.35% of GDP during normal economic conditions.

Cyprus talks in Geneva

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will bring together Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders and foreign ministers from the guarantor powers—Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom—for an informal meeting. The talks aim to explore possibilities for resuming diplomatic negotiations toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus dispute. Following the meeting, Ersin Tatar, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is expected to hold a press conference.

EU ministers meeting

European affairs ministers will gather in Brussels to prepare for the EU leaders' summit scheduled for later this week. They will also discuss the current state of EU-UK relations.

UK defense secretary visits Brussels

UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin will meet with Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to discuss international security issues, UK-EU defense cooperation, and ongoing support for Ukraine.

UN briefing in Geneva

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

Putin to take part in Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Congress

Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in the 34th Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) in the capital Moscow. According to the RSPP, the main topics of the event include key areas of interaction between business and government and proposals for the participation of the business community in achieving national development goals for the country and implementing national projects. The Russian president is expected to address the event.

Reactions to 11th anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea

Official reactions from both Russia and Ukraine will be followed amid the 11th anniversary of Moscow's illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol from Ukraine. Russia formally annexed Crimea and Sevastopol on March 18, 2014, just two days after an illegitimate referendum was held in the peninsula. The referendum and the subsequent annexation of Crimea is condemned by Ukraine and many other countries, including Türkiye.

Reactions to planned phone call between Putin, Trump

Official reactions from both Moscow and Kyiv will be followed amid the Kremlin's announcement that a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump is "being prepared" for Tuesday. The Kremlin statement came a day after The New York Times reported Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he plans to speak with Putin as part of ongoing efforts to secure a temporary halt to fighting in Ukraine.

Statements from Trump administration regarding renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza

Monitoring statements from Trump administration regarding the renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza that killed more than 200 people, including women and children.

Trump-Putin phone call

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to hold phone talks focused on proposals for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

Kennedy files to be released

Monitoring developments after President Donald Trump said some 80,000 pages of files on the 1963 assassination of former President John F. Kennedy will be released on Tuesday afternoon.

US secretary of state, New Zealand foreign minister meeting

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters at State Department.

Security Council meeting on Gaza

UN Security Council will hold briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher is expected to brief on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Vance addresses American Dynamism Summit

Vice President JD Vance will speak at the third American Dynamism Summit, focusing on "supporting American industry and workers."

Court decision on Trump's ban on transgender people in military

US Judge Ana Reyes is expected to issue a decision on March 18 or 19 on a legal challenge brought by a group of transgender servicemembers against President Donald Trump's proposed ban on transgender people in the military.

Premier Mark Carney's Arctic Canada visit

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visits Iqaluit to "reassert Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic." Carney meets with members of the Iqaluit Patrol of 1 Canadian Rangers Patrol Group, which helps safeguard Arctic security and stability, and also holds talks with Nunavut Premier PJ Akeeagok.

Direct talks between DR Congo, M23 rebels to begin in Angola

Peace talks between Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group to begin in the Angolan capital of Luanda. The talks were brokered by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, the African Union peace mediator for the conflict in eastern Congo. The rebel group intensified its territorial control in eastern Congo since December, seizing the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. Rwanda cut its diplomatic ties with Belgium on Monday, while the EU announced sanctions against an M23 leader and Rwandan army commanders.

South Korea's top court likely to announce date of impeachment ruling against ex-president

South Korea's Constitutional Court is likely to announce date to issue verdict on former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial. The verdict is likely to be issued this week amid heightened political tensions. The top court held trial of Yoon over his failed bid to impose martial law on Dec. 3. If the top court upholds impeachment, there will be a snap presidential election within next 60 days. If dismissed, Yoon will return to his duties.

Pakistan, Afghanistan reopen Torkham border

After remaining closed for several days, Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened critical Torkham border crossing allowing businesses to resume as well as movement of people. The border was closed following dispute over construction of a military post by Kabul.

ICC trial of Philippines ex-President Duterte continues in The Hague

The trial by International Criminal Court of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte continues in The Hague triggering protests back home which are expected to continue. However, human rights groups and victims of Duterte’s war on drugs have welcomed the arrest of the 79-year-old Filipino statesman. Victims of the so-called war on drugs also hold news conference in Manila.

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on recent regional and global developments.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's short term foreign debt

Turkish Central Bank will release short-term debt stocks for January. It was at $172.3 billion in December.

German economic sentiment

Research company ZEW to release economic confidence measures for March. It was at 26 points in February.

Eurozone trade balance

Eurostat to release foreign trade statistics for January. Trade balance posted a surplus of €15.5 billion in December.

US housing statistics

US will release building permits and housing starts measures for February.

US industrial production

US to release industrial production figures for February. Production rose 0.5% monthly in the previous month.

SPECIAL REPORTS

How Trump’s climate regression threatens US and the world

Report on the continuing sweeping climate policy reversals under US President Donald Trump, examining the global and domestic consequences of his administration’s withdrawal from key agreements, funding cuts, and fossil fuel expansion.

The story explores how Trump’s climate regression could weaken global cooperation, with experts warning that his policies set back climate action, exacerbate environmental risks, and undermine efforts to curb emissions. It delves into the US withdrawal from climate financing mechanisms and the implications for vulnerable nations.

The report also examines the economic and environmental consequences for American households, as experts warn that weakening climate policies will leave the US more vulnerable to extreme weather events.

It includes comments from Patrick Schroder, senior research fellow at the Environment and Society Centre of Chatham House; Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment; and climate activist Harjeet Singh.

EXPLAINER – India’s delimitation push sparks concern among southern states

Report on the mounting opposition from India’s southern states to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed delimitation exercise, which seeks to redraw parliamentary constituencies after a 50-year freeze.

The story explores concerns that population-based delimitation – or redrawing and reallocation of parliamentary constituency boundaries – will disproportionately benefit northern states with higher birth rates, reducing the political influence of southern states that have successfully controlled population growth.

The report also examines whether the proposed changes would consolidate the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s dominance by increasing representation in its northern strongholds while weakening regional parties in the south.

It features comments from researcher and political analyst Miheer Karandikar; Ezhilan Naganathan, spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party that governs the southern state of Tamil Nadu; and ANS Prasad, a BJP leader and spokesperson from Tamil Nadu.​​​​​​​