Diary
ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Israel resumes genocidal war on Gaza
Latest developments as Israel resumed genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.
Since early Tuesday, at least 31 Palestinians have been killed and others wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting homes, tents of displaced people, and civilians across the Gaza Strip.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israel has killed 730 Palestinians and injured 1,367 others -- most of them women and children -- since it resumed its genocidal war on March 18 through Monday.
The latest fatalities raised the overall death toll in the enclave since Oct. 7, 2023 to 50,144.
The Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip announced that the Israeli army had abducted 15 paramedics and civil defense personnel while they were carrying out their duties in the city of Rafah.
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 Tuesday, at least 25 more Palestinians were detained in fresh Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank, according to prisoners’ affairs groups.
Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where at least 938 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.
Growing protests in Israel amid calls to negotiate hostages deal with Hamas
Mounting outrage against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continues to increase as calls grow to end the war in Gaza and negotiate with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages.
Ahead of Tuesday’s vote on the 2025 state budget, scores of protesters gathered outside the Knesset (Israeli parliament) building in west Jerusalem to protest the sacking of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the withdrawal of confidence from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
US aggression on Yemen, Houthis' strikes against Israel
Developments in US aggression against Yemen, as well as the Houthi military operations against Israel.
The Yemeni Houthi group said Tuesday that it targeted Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel with two missiles as regional tension continues to spike over ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout
Aftermath of the incomplete Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The Israeli army claimed Tuesday to have killed a Hezbollah commander in an airstrike in southern Lebanon.
A military statement said Hassan Kamal Halawi was killed in the strike that targeted the Nabatieh district on Monday.
Israeli attacks on Syria
Repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory after the fall of Assad regime.
Syria condemned the Israeli bombing of the western Daraa province on Tuesday, demanding an international investigation into Tel Aviv’s violations of its sovereignty and crimes against its citizens.
At least six people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli incursion and shelling in the town of Koya in western Daraa on Tuesday.
The Israeli army also attacked the Tadmur city and T4 military bases in central Syria for the second time in days, under the pretext of "eliminating military capabilities."
Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan
The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country of Sudan.
The Sudanese army continues to expand its areas of control in central Khartoum, advancing toward the eastern and southern parts of the city to expel remaining Rapid Support Forces pockets from the capital.
Following all topics through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, and relevant websites in addition to giving breakings about related possible important developments.
Macron, Zelenskyy to meet before Paris security summit
French President Emmanuel Macron will host his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday's "coalition of the willing" summit in Paris. At the summit, European leaders will discuss military support and security guarantees for Ukraine, as well as review progress in the latest negotiations for a potential ceasefire agreement with Russia.
NATO chief to deliver speech in Warsaw
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to give a lecture on Euro-Atlantic Security at the Warsaw School of Economics in the Polish capital. He is expected to address current tensions in US-Europe relations, the ongoing military support for Ukraine's defense capabilities, and broader security challenges in Eastern Europe.
Climate conference in Berlin
Germany’s acting Chancellor Olaf Scholz to deliver a speech at the 16th Petersberg Climate Dialogue meeting. The meeting will bring together high-level representatives from various countries to discuss concrete steps toward overcoming the climate crisis and prepare for the 2025 UN climate conference -- COP 30 -- to be held in Brazil in November.
UK premier to respond to questions from lawmakers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons. Questions may include domestic and international issues.
Top Russian diplomat to meet with head of Cuban National Assembly
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to host Esteban Lazo Hernandez, head of the Cuban National Assembly in Moscow. The two officials will discuss the current state of and prospects for promoting bilateral cooperation in trade and economy, along with scientific, technical, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the implementation of top-priority joint physical projects.
International Arctic Forum begins in Russia's Murmansk
The Russian city of Murmansk to host the International Arctic Forum, a platform established to discuss current questions relating to the socioeconomic development of the Arctic region. The event, set to take place through Thursday, brings together government representatives, international organizations, scientific and business communities for a focused discussion and comprehensive exchange of views on opportunities for sustainable growth in the Arctic region.
Trump to address Women's History Month event
US President Donald Trump will participate in a Women's History Month event at the White House.
Rubio visits Jamaica
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Foreign Minister Johnson Smith in Kingston, Jamaica. Later he will hold a joint press conference with Holness. Rubio will also meet with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Stuart Young and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Kristi Noem - El Salvador visit
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to visit El Salvador, including a tour at the Terrorist Confinement Center CECOT with Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro and meeting with President Nayib Bukele.
US House committee hearing on security threats; intelligence agency directors testify
US House Intelligence Committee will hold a hearing on current security threats facing the country. Witnesses include: CIA Director John Ratcliffe, DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard; NSA Director General Timothy Haugh, FBI Director Kash Patel and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse.
Pete Hegseth - Guam visit
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected in Guam following a trip to Hawaii and ahead of visits to the Philippines and Japan.
Turkish president to address his party's parliamentary group meeting
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group meeting.
Turkish foreign minister's US visit
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to hold talks on the second day of his visit to the US.
UN Security Council - Ukraine discussed
UN Security Council will meet for a briefing on Ukraine. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya is the anticipated briefer.
Hearing on former Brazilian president’s coup charges
Developments after Brazil’s Supreme Court held its first hearing Tuesday to decide whether former President Jair Bolsonaro and some of his aides should be tried for allegedly attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat. If accepted, Bolsonaro and seven others would stand trial for running a conspiracy to overthrow the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Japanese premier hosts Brazilian president
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hosts Brazilian President Lula da Silva for official talks to boost bilateral ties. Lula is on a four-day state visit to Japan and the two nations are commemorating 130 years of diplomatic ties.
Bangladeshi interim leader pays 1st official trip to China
Bangladeshi transitional government head Muhammad Yunus pays first official trip to China since taking office last August. During his visit, Yunus to address the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia in southern Hainan province. Later, the South Asian leader to hold meetings with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping. Discussions, including water strategy, military cooperation expected to be on agenda.
Devastating wildfires wreak havoc in South Korea with evacuations, heritage sites damaged
Firefighters continue to battle out-of-control wildfires in South Korea which have triggered the evacuation of hundreds of people in southeastern parts of the country as raging flames damage heritage sites, including 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple. At least four people have been killed, so far.
Chinese Foreign Ministry holds briefing in Beijing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing in Beijing.
THE ECONOMY
UK inflation
UK to release consumer inflation figure for February. Consumer price index increased 3% in January year-on-year. The house prices index will also be released.
SPECIAL REPORTS
‘An incredible honor’: Filmmaker and activist Zuriel Oduwole hopes for greater impact after Nobel nomination
Interview with Zuriel Oduwole, a Nigerian-American filmmaker and activist, who has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting girls’ education, peace mediation, and positive storytelling through film.
Oduwole, 22, speaks about her journey from creating her first documentary at age 9, to influencing global policy, including her role in Mozambique’s 2019 ban on child marriage.
She also discusses her advocacy work, filmmaking, and her foundation’s educational workshops, which have reached hundreds of young people in several countries, and highlights her ongoing efforts to blend media with activism to create change.
New frontier: Pakistan’s space ambitions accelerate with China deal
Interview with Amer Ahsan Gilani, a senior official at Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), about the country’s recent space collaboration agreement with China.
Gilani speaks about the significance of the agreement, which will see China train Pakistan’s first astronaut for a mission aboard its Tiangong space station, calling it a milestone in deepening strategic cooperation with Beijing.
Gilani explains how the program is designed around national priorities rather than competition, and outlines Pakistan’s space achievements and its long-term goals, including launching indigenous satellites and advancing scientific research.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Nigerian-American filmmaker and activist Zuriel Oduwole about her nomination for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize and her work promoting girls’ education, peace mediation, and positive storytelling through film.
