Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, March 31, 2025

⁠Israel continues genocidal war on Gaza

Latest developments as Israel continues its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.

On Sunday, which also marks the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, at least 33 Palestinians, including 13 children, were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes across the enclave including Khan Younis and Gaza City.

More than 920 people have been killed and over 2,000 others injured since Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip since March 18, shattering the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that it retrieved 14 bodies in Rafah, southern Gaza, following an Israeli airstrike about a week ago, including eight of its medics, five civil defense workers, and a UN agency employee.

The death toll in Gaza since October 2023 has crossed 50,270, according to the Health Ministry.

⁠More Islamic countries celebrate Eid al-Fitr

More Muslim countries will start Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on Monday, including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco.

Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh will also welcome the festival on Monday.

On Sunday, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon, among others, celebrated the holiday.

⁠Reactions to new Syrian government formation following Assad’s ouster

More local, regional, and international reactions following the announcement of a new Syrian government consisting of 23 ministers following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the formation of the new government on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan welcomed Syria’s new government, expressing their hopes for cooperation with the newly formed administration.

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Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Friday killed at least five people and injured 18 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

On Sunday, the Israeli army fired five artillery shells at orchards on the outskirts of Wazzani in southern Lebanon, the country’s official news agency reported.

Meanwhile, an Israeli drone dropped a bomb on a group of residents in the Mahallet Sabih area of Huola.

⁠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 Sunday, Israeli forces spread across the streets and neighborhoods of Tulkarem on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, imposing restrictions on residents, including children, according to Palestine’s official news agency WAFA.

Illegal Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian community of Wad al-Sumsum in the southern West Bank, assaulting residents and setting property on fire in the latest wave of settler violence.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where over 940 Palestinians have been killed and over 7,000 injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since the start of the Gaza onslaught on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

⁠US aggression on Yemen, Houthis' strikes against Israel

Developments in US aggression against Yemen, as well as Houthi military operations against Israel.

On Sunday, the Houthis reported that four US airstrikes targeted the Jidar area in Bani al-Harith district, north of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

The Israeli army claimed that it had successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it could breach Israeli airspace.

Separately, Yemen’s Houthi group confirmed the attack, saying that it had “successfully targeted Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel with a ballistic missile.”

It also said it engaged the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and accompanying warships three times within 24 hours in the Red Sea.

⁠Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country of Sudan as the army recapture more areas in the capital Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On Sunday, the leader of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, vowed to return to Khartoum “stronger than ever.”

He dismissed any notion that the war was nearing its end, saying: “This is just the beginning. We are determined to win.” He also ruled out any negotiations with the army.

Talks to form coalition government in Germany

Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) are continuing negotiations toward forming a coalition government.

Security issues and migration remain key areas where the leaders must bridge differences. Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who leads the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, has stated he aims to establish the coalition government before the Easter holiday (April 20–21).

He cited pressing domestic economic challenges and escalating international security concerns that require immediate governmental action.

European foreign ministers meet in Madrid

Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from several European countries are gathering in Madrid for security talks. The "Weimar+" format brings together representatives from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the UK, along with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

French court to deliver verdict in Le Pen's case

A French court is expected to rule on far-right leader Marine Le Pen's alleged misuse of European Parliament funds to pay party staff in France. Prosecutors are seeking a five-year ban from public office for Le Pen.

⁠Top Chinese diplomat to arrive in Russia on official visit

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to conduct a three-day official visit to the Russian capital Moscow. Wang is expected to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit. According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the two sides will hold "in-depth discussions on the future of China-Russia relations, as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern."

⁠Slovenian president to visit Kazakhstan

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar to pay a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan. According to the Kazakh presidential press service Akorda, Musar is scheduled to meet his counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during which they are expected to discuss key issues of mutual cooperation in trade, economic, investment, transport and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

Tajikistan to host trilateral summit with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

Tajikistan to host the first-ever trilateral summit with neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the city of Khujand. The summit, which will be held at the level of heads of state, is expected to ink an agreement between the three countries on the junction point of their state borders.

German president to meet Armenia's leadership

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to hold talks with Armenia's political leadership during an official visit to the South Caucasus nation. Steinmeier, who arrived in Armenia's capital Yerevan on Mar. 30, will hold talks with his counterpart Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The visit marks the first time that a German president visited Armenia.

India, Russia conduct joint military drills

14th edition of the India-Russia bilateral naval exercise "INDRA" begins in Bay of Bengal. The event will see advanced naval drills, live weapon firings, anti-air operations, and underway replenishment.

Rescuers run against time to locate missing people in Myanmar

Rescuers backed by teams from several countries are running against time to locate and rescue possible survivors of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.

With death toll touching 1,700, some 300 people are still missing, stoking fears of increase in death toll.

Massive flooding may isolate communities for weeks in Australia

Several areas in New South Wales and Queensland are facing rains-driven flooding, which, authorities fear isolate communities for weeks in Australia.

Top court likely to announce date of S.Korean president impeachment trial verdict

South Korea’s Constitutional Court likely to announce date for its verdict in impeachment case of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was impeached over his failed bid to impose martial on Dec. 03.

ECONOMY

Germany’s Import Prices and Inflation

Germany will release import prices index for February. Prices rose by 3.1% year-on-year in January. The country will also release provisional inflation data for March. It was at 2.3% on yearly basis.