Diary
ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, May 19, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Indirect talks on Gaza ceasefire in Doha
The latest developments in the region follow the beginning of a new round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha to reach a cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the negotiating team is working to exhaust all options for reaching a deal based on US envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal "for a short-term ceasefire and limited hostage exchange or an agreement to end the war, including the release of all hostages, the exile of Hamas fighters, and the demilitarization of Gaza."
Israel insists on Witkoff's plan, developed two and a half months ago, which calls for Hamas to release 10 hostages and half of the deceased hostages' bodies as a condition for negotiations and a 45-day ceasefire, with no commitment to end the war, terms Hamas rejects.
Israel, Qatari officials, and US and Egyptian mediators are expected to provide updates and statements, and Hamas may make announcements regarding the outcome of the talks.
Israel intensifies its genocide in Gaza amid deepening humanitarian situation
Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip has intensified, as Palestinians continue to face daily nonstop attacks on all areas of the enclave, killing hundreds, amid a dire humanitarian crisis caused by Tel Aviv's border closure, which prevents aid delivery.
The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it would launch an expanded ground operation in several areas of the Gaza Strip as part of a larger military campaign known as "Gideon's Chariots."
More Israeli attacks on Gaza will be monitored, as will the resulting casualties. The humanitarian implications, including food, water, and medical supply shortages, as well as rising famine and malnutrition rates, will be closely monitored.
Retaliatory attacks between Israel and 365bet体育在线世界杯’s Houthis
The tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and 365bet体育在线世界杯's Houthis continue after the group launched repeated missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets, and the Israeli army responded with airstrikes on vital Houthi-controlled areas.
Expected Israeli airstrikes on 365bet体育在线世界杯 after the Houthi group said on Monday that it targeted Ben Gurion Airport twice in the past 24 hours with two ballistic missiles.
British premier hosts EU-UK summit
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa for a leadership summit on the EU-UK relationship. A Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and the EU to restore some freedom of movement, as well as a new defense and trade agreement that would include negotiations over French fishing rights, are among the topics of discussion.
World Health Assembly opens in Geneva
The 78th World Health Assembly kicks off and will run through May 27 under the theme One World for Health.
France to hold 8th Choose France summit to attract foreign investors
France hosts the 8th Choose France summit, bringing together business leaders from around the world to discuss investment opportunities in France. French President Emmanuel Macron expects more than €20 billion in foreign investment to be announced at the summit.
European election results in Romania, Poland, and Portugal
The results of Romanian and Polish presidential elections, as well as Portugal's snap parliamentary election, will be monitored.
Turkish foreign minister to visit Serbia
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay an official visit to Serbia.
Trump speaks with Russian, Ukrainian presidents
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will talk on the phone, and Trump will follow up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to the US president, Trump and Zelenskyy will later speak with 'various members of NATO'.
Telephonic Hearings
A telephonic status hearing has been scheduled in the case filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in Pennsylvania, which challenges the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act in deportations. The case centers on an unnamed Venezuelan man known as A.S.R, who is facing deportation under the 1798 law.
Chinese vice premier arrives in Russia for 4-day visit
Vice Premier of China's State Council Zhang Guoqing will arrive in Russia on a four-day official visit. According to a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, Zhang is expected to attend the 5th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission, which deals with cooperation and development in Northeast China and Russia's Far East and Baikal Region.
Uzbek president visits Hungary
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a three-day official visit to Hungary's capital, Budapest, at the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The visit will include high-level talks and meetings with officials and heads of leading Hungarian companies, as well as issues concerning the further expansion of practical cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries. Mirziyoyev is also expected to attend an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Budapest on May 21.
Top Moldovan diplomat visits Latvia
Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihal Popsoi will make a two-day visit to Latvia following a three-day visit to neighboring Estonia. Popsoi is expected to hold talks with his Latvian counterpart, Baiba Braze, while the agenda of his visit also includes meetings with deputies from the country's parliament.
Reactions to Moldovan president's visit to Montenegro
Reactions, particularly from Chisinau, are expected as Moldovan President Maia Sandu makes an official visit to Montenegro at the invitation of her counterpart Jakov Milatovic. Sandu will hold talks with Milatovic during his visit, which will be the first by a Moldovan president to the Balkan country. They will then make public statements and attend other events.
Inaugural Africa security conference kicks off in Rwanda
Rwanda will host the first two-day International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) in the capital, Kigali. The event is expected to bring together senior figures from around the world, including policymakers, security experts, and researchers.
Pakistan, India ceasefire continues
Following developments as India and Pakistan continue to maintain the cease-fire. Dozens of people have been killed on both sides of Pakistan's divided Kashmir, including soldiers from rival militaries, in the most recent military escalation.
Mongolian top diplomat visits Philippines
Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh will make a two-day official visit to the Philippines. Foreign Secretary Manalo of the Philippines will host Battsetseg, and the two are expected to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties and diplomatic relations. Battsetseg is also scheduled to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Chinese, Pakistani top diplomats meet in Beijing
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing to discuss bilateral ties, regional peace and stability in South Asia. The trip comes amid recent military escalation between Pakistan and India, which are now observing a US-mediated ceasefire.
THE ECONOMY
Eurozone producer prices
Eurostat will share producer inflation figures for April. Prices rose by 2.2% in March on a yearly basis.
Islamic Development Bank Group annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Islamic Development Group will begin in Algeria's capital, with officials, ministers, experts, and private sector representatives from dozens of countries attending under the theme "Diversifying Economies, Enriching Lives."
SPECIAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW – Canada’s Nakba Bill offers ‘blueprint’ for Western nations backing rules-based order, says rights group head
Interview with Stephen Brown, head of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, on a newly proposed Canadian bill aiming to shift the country’s stance on Palestine and its foreign policy toward human rights and international law in the Middle East.
The story presents details of the measures proposed in the bill, which include a call for Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood, ban Israeli army recruitment in Canada, expand arms embargoes on Israel, sanction Israeli leaders, and build a federal definition of anti-Palestinian racism.
Brown speaks about the growing public and legislative support for the build, and explains why it is a “blueprint” for other Western nations seeking to align foreign policy with justice, amid growing outrage over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Stephen Brown, head of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, on the newly proposed Nakba Bill in Canada, which aims to shift the country’s policies on.
