Diary

ANKARA

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, March 5, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Regional escalation amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliation

Escalating regional tensions as ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran trigger retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israel and alleged "US military assets" across Arab and Gulf states, while airspace, airports, and land and sea crossings across the region face closures and disruptions as the conflict widens.

⁠Israeli attacks on Lebanon amid regional escalation

Deadly Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon amid escalating tensions, as the Israeli army vowed to eliminate Hezbollah’s "threat" and issued Tuesday a 24-hour ultimatum to what it described as "representatives of the Iranian regime" to leave the country or face attacks.

Trump to host Inter Miami CF football club

US President Donald Trump will host Inter Miami CF football club at the White House. Inter Miami were the champions of the 2025 Major League Soccer tournament. Trump may take questions from reporters during the event, including on the US’ joint strikes with Israel against Iran.

US House of Representatives to vote on Iran war powers resolution

The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on a war powers resolution seeking to halt US strikes against Iran over the lack of congressional approval for the military action. A similar resolution was voted down in the Senate on Wednesday.

US Pentagon chief to visit CENTCOM, host Latin American counterparts in Florida

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to Florida to host a conference with Latin American counterparts focused on countering drug cartels in the region. The event will take place at the US Southern Command Headquarters in the city of Doral. Hegseth will later go to Tampa to visit the headquarters of the US Central Command.

UN Security Council to discuss energy, critical minerals, and security

The UN Security Council will hold a briefing on energy, critical minerals, and security. US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is expected to chair the meeting. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo is to brief the Council.

US Senate to vote on bill to end Department of Homeland Security shutdown

US Senators are scheduled to vote on a bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since Feb. 14 after its funding lapsed.

Reactions to joint US-Israel attacks on Iran, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks

European reactions and statements on developments across Middle East after US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation.

EU home affairs ministers gather in Brussels

EU member states’ home affairs ministers to meet in Brussels to discuss, among other issues, Schengen, migration, and the future of Europol, and to approve conclusions on the new drugs strategy.

EU foreign policy chief travels to Zurich

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to visit Zurich, Switzerland, where she is expected to deliver a speech at a special event marking the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s historic address at the University of Zurich. She will also hold a press conference with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

German students to protest against military service

Several youth groups are planning to skip class 5 and protest the government's military service reform. The new law requires all 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire about their qualifications, fitness, and interest in serving, followed by mandatory medical exams. Service itself remains voluntary, but if recruitment targets aren't met, parliament must review the policy in future years -- potentially introducing demand-based conscription or even mandatory service as a last resort.

Ukraine, US-Israeli-Iranian conflicts

Developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where a new round of talks is expected to be held in early March. Also, reactions from Eurasia regions regarding the escalation in the Middle East will be closely followed.

Putin to meet with CAR president in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera in Moscow. Currently, military-technical cooperation forms the basis of relations between the two countries, so issues related to it are expected to be on the meeting's agenda.

Lavrov to speak with foreign ambassadors about Ukrainian conflict

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to participate in a roundtable at the Diplomatic Academy of MGIMO University, titled "The Ukrainian Crisis: Digital Threats and International Information Security." Lavrov will present Russian approaches to various aspects of international information security and answer questions from ambassadors.

China’s national legislature convenes for annual session in Beijing

China’s National People’s Congress, the parliament, opens in Beijing for annual ‘Two Sessions’ events. Thousands of deputies from the world’s 2nd most populous nation hold deliberations on legislative pieces, particularly 15th Five-Year Plan which charts course of world’s 2nd largest economy through 2030.

Developments as Iranian warship sinks off Sri Lanka after US attack

Following developments after an Iranian warship was attacked by US forces off Sri Lanka. At least 101 sailors are missing, with some dead bodies found and 78 others wounded. It comes amid US-Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliation by Tehran on US-linked bases in the Middle East.

Canada’s Carney addresses Australian parliament

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses both Houses of Australia’s Parliament. Carney is on official trip to Australia to boost trade and defense ties. He will fly to Japan for his last leg of 3-nation Asia trip which began with first stop in India.

Nepal holds general elections, 1st since Gen Z protests

Nepal holds general elections, first time since mass protests led by young generation ousted government of Oli Sharma last year. Nearly 19 million people are eligible to cast ballot to elect 275-member parliament.

THE ECONOMY

Eurozone retail sales

Eurostat to release monthly retail trade data for January. In December 2025, the retail sales fell 0.5% month-on-month.

US foreign trade

US to share monthly foreign trade statistics for January. In December, the US posted a trade deficit of $70.3B.

US factory orders

US to announce monthly factory orders data for January. In the previous month, the factory orders were down 0.7% on a monthly basis. The country will also share weekly initial jobless claims data.

SPECIAL REPORTS

UK divided and facing US backlash over role in Iran war

Report examining the political and diplomatic backlash in Britain after Prime Minister Keir Starmer permitted the US to use UK military bases for limited "defensive" strikes during the escalating conflict with Iran.

The story explores how Starmer initially refused US access for the first wave of attacks, citing international law and rejecting "regime change from the skies," before later approving restricted use of bases following Iranian retaliatory strikes that threatened British forces and regional allies. The decision has sparked criticism from US President Donald Trump, political opposition at home, and civil society groups warning that Britain risks being drawn into another Middle East war reminiscent of the Iraq conflict.

The report includes analysis from Neil Melvin, director of international security at the Royal United Services Institute; Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations; and Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, a British-Iraqi researcher and analyst.