Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, May 29, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal talks

The developments as uncertainty still surrounds Gaza ceasefire efforts after the Palestinian group Hamas said Wednesday it reached a framework agreement with US envoy Steve Witkoff for a Gaza ceasefire, but Israel rejected the announcement, calling the proposal “unacceptable.”

Israeli media, citing an official source, stated that Israel has no knowledge of any agreement between Hamas and the US to halt the war in Gaza.

The framework includes a full Israeli withdrawal, unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, the release of 10 Israeli hostages and the remains of others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the formation of a professional committee to manage Gaza post-war.

Meanwhile, Witkoff said negotiators are “on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet” on temporary ceasefire in Gaza, as well as “a long-term resolution.”

Key developments, including official confirmations or denials from US officials, further statements from Israeli and Hamas leadership, and possible updates from Egyptian and Qatari mediators on whether talks are advancing or again at an impasse.

Aid suspended in Gaza as blockade drives famine and civil unrest

The developments as the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, a private group backed by Israel and the US, halted temporarily its aid operations after thousands of starving Palestinians rushed its distribution center.

The group cites “civil disorder,” while the ongoing Israeli blockade continues to push the territory toward full-scale famine.

Growing international pressure is expected on Israel to lift the blockade and allow unrestricted humanitarian access. Aid groups warn that famine-related deaths will rise sharply without immediate relief.

RSF accused of detaining 178 civilians for forced recruitment in east Darfur

The latest updates as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to a Sudanese medical group, detained 178 people, including a healthcare worker, in El Daein as part of a forced recruitment campaign.

Detainees were allegedly given the choice to fight or pay ransom.

International pressure is expected to mount on the RSF to halt these practices, with rights groups likely to call for urgent intervention to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian law.

Trump to participate in swearing-in ceremony of chief of protocol

US President Donald Trump to participate in swearing-in ceremony for the Chief of Protocol of The United States Monica Crowley in the Oval Office. The event is currently listed as closed press, but is subject to change.

Rubio to host Mucunski

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski at the Department of State.

Hearing in case of Trump administration’s effort to halt Harvard’s enrollment of international students

Preliminary injunction hearing to take place in Harvard University's legal challenge to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's announcement on May 22 that she was revoking the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification with immediate effect. Hearing to take place in the US District Court of Massachusetts.

Hearing for student that Trump administration seeking to deport for involvement in pro-Palestine protest

Hearing scheduled in the case of Columbia University student Yunseo Chung, who is fighting efforts by the Trump administration to deport her. Chung, whose family moved to the US from South Korea when she was 7, has been told by federal law enforcement that her lawful permanent resident status was being revoked due to her participation in "a pro-Hamas protest at Barnard College."

UN Security Council's Ukraine meeting

UN Security Council to meet for consultations on the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.

Harvard graduation

Harvard University to hold commencement ceremony amid the ongoing row with the Trump administration over handling of pro-Palestinian campus protests and admissions of international students. Princeton scientist Abraham Verghese to deliver commencement address. Developments, including student protests, speeches by university president and the valedictorian.

MIT graduation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology to hold commencement ceremony. Youtuber and novelist Hank Green to deliver commencement address. Developments, including student protests and speeches.

Canada

Canadian NGOs to brief reporters on alarm caused by Israel's new aid plan

Representatives of four Canadian and international NGOs will brief reporters on Parliament Hill to address concerns over Israel's new aid distribution plan for Gaza.

EU Commission president to receive Charlemagne Prize

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be awarded the 2025 International Charlemagne Prize at a ceremony in the western German city of Aachen. The board of the Charlemagne Prize awarded this year's prize to von der Leyen, stating that "she has represented Europe's interests with determination and strategic vision and set a decisive course for the future." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to attend the ceremony.

Gerry Adams libel case against BBC - jury deliberations begin in Dublin

Jury is due to begin considering verdict in libel case brought by former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams against the BBC. The High Court in Dublin case concerns a 2016 Spotlight program which alleged that Adams had sanctioned the murder of IRA informer Denis Donaldson in 2006, as well as in an online article about the program. Adams said he had sought a retraction and apology but that the BBC had refused.

Heysel Stadium disaster - Juventus memorial unveiled on 40th anniversary of the tragedy

Juventus unveil a new memorial at the Allianz Stadium to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster. On May 29, 1985, 39 people were killed and around 600 injured when fans were crushed by a collapsing wall at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels during the European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool.

AI aids caribou conservation in a changing Arctic - report

Artificial intelligence sea ice forecasting systems could help predict and protect the migration routes of endangered caribou in the Canadian Arctic, according to a study published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence journal. The research, by scientists led by the British Antarctic Survey, combines satellite observations, GPS tracking, AI forecasting, and local expertise to create AI-informed migration early-warning systems for Dolphin and Union caribou.

Expected visit of Turkish foreign minister to Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to conduct a two-day visit to Ukraine's capital Kyiv. According to Turkish diplomatic sources who spoke to Anadolu, Fidan is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha, as well as Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's Presidential Office. The talks are expected to address bilateral issues, as well as regional ones, including those concerning negotiations with Russia on a settlement in Ukraine.

Top Russian diplomat to take part in International Socio-Political Hearings

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will participate in international socio-political hearings devoted to the initiative proposed by President Vladimir Putin regarding the formation of a framework for equal and indivisible security and cooperation in the Eurasian space. The forum in the city of Perm is organized by the Russian parliamentary group Eurasian Dialogue, with the support of the political party United Russia, the Administration of the Governor of the Perm Territory, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Prominent political and public figures, diplomats, and business representatives from dozens of countries around the world will attend the event.

Kazakh capital to host 2-day Astana International Forum

The Kazakh capital to host the Astana International Forum, which will be held under the chairmanship of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two-day event will bring together world leaders, experts, investors and business representatives, and will cover the key challenges of our time, including through a plenary session and 25 discussion platforms. About 600 foreign guests from all over the world are expected to participate, including leading politicians and heads of international organizations.

France’s Macron begins trip to Singapore

French President Emmanuel Macron begins trip to Singapore as his last stop during 3-nation trip to Southeast Asia. Macron is expected to meet Singaporean leadership and deliver keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Earlier, he visited Vietnam and Indonesia.

Japan hosts Future of Asia forum

Japanese Premier Shigeru Ishiba and Bangladeshi head of government Muhammad Yunus address annual Future of Asia forum hosted by Nikkei group.

Early voting to elect new president begins in South Korea

Voters headed to some 3,568 polling stations across South Korea on Thursday as early voting began for the country’s snap presidential election. The main day of snap polls in South Korea is set for June 3.

South Korea's acting president delivers remarks about stability on Korean Peninsula

South Korea’s acting President Lee Ju-ho delivers keynote address at the 20th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity in southern Jeju Island. Nearly 4,000 participants from 60 countries gather to discuss peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, among other global challenges.

Pakistani premier visits Tajikistan

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif pays official visit to Tajikistan, where he is set to meet Central Asian nation’s leadership. Sharif to also attend International Conference on Glaciers.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s foreign trade

Turkish Statistical Institute will announce foreign trade figures for April. The foreign trade balance of the country was at minus $7.2 billion in March.

US GDP

The US will share GDP figures for the first quarter of 2025. It expanded by 2.4% at the previous quarter on a yearly basis. It is expected to post more than 3% figure at the first quarter. The country will also announce continuing jobless claims figures.

DevSecOps event in Istanbul

The two-day DevSecOps (development, security and operations) event continues at Borsa Istanbul. Leading experts, sector representatives, software engineers, and cybersecurity professionals come together to discuss the leading role of AI in improving development, security, and operational processes.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW - Indonesia eyes long-term population balance as fertility rate slows

Interview with Ukik Kusuma Kurniawan, Indonesia’s deputy minister of population and family development, about the country’s efforts to stabilize its birth rate and prepare for potential demographic challenges.

Kurniawan explains that while the country’s fertility rate has reached a stable 2.1, authorities are concerned about a shrinking proportion of young, productive citizens by 2045 if trends continue. He highlights urban overcrowding, uneven population distribution, and declining growth rates as key challenges.

Kurniawan also details how the declining birth rate is largely due to successful planning programs, not cultural shifts like child-free trends, which remain marginal in Indonesia.

Pakistan sees record decline in number of ‘guest birds’ as water levels recede

Report on the decline in migratory bird arrivals to Pakistan, especially in Sindh province, where their numbers have dropped by more than 50% in two years due to drought, receding wetlands, and human activity.

The story details the key causes for the decline, including drying lakes, climate change, and habitat degradation, and provides insights into the threats facing Pakistan’s Ramsar-protected sites, the fragility of the Indus Flyway, and the urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard wetlands.

The report has interviews with Sindh Wildlife Department official Mumtaz Soomro, ornithologist Zohaib Ahmed, and Muddasser Hasan, deputy chief of the Punjab Wildlife Rangers.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Ukik Kusuma Kurniawan, Indonesia’s deputy minister of population and family development, about the country’s efforts to stabilize its birth rate and tackle potential demographic challenges.