Morning Briefing: May 15, 2025
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including Taiwan detecting several Chinese military aircraft and naval ships around its territory, the foreign ministers of Iraq, Egypt and Jordan meeting in Baghdad ahead of an Arab League Summit, and Qatar’s Emir hailing Trump’s "historic" visit, signaling deeper bilateral ties.
TOP STORIESċċċ�
- Taiwan detects several Chinese military aircraft, ships around its territory
Taiwan said it tracked many Chinese military aircraft and naval ships around its territory over the past 48 hours.
The Ministry of National Defense said it tracked 29 sorties of Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels and two ships, the Central News Agency reported.
It added that 18 of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the island's northern and southwestern Air Defense Zone.
In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval vessels and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.
There was no immediate reaction from Beijing to the statement.
- Foreign ministers of Iraq, Egypt, Jordan meet in Baghdad ahead of Arab League Summit
The foreign ministers of Iraq, Egypt and Jordan met in the Iraqi capital ahead of an Arab League Summit which Baghdad is set to host on Saturday.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said during a news conference that there is a harmony of the three countries' visions on the Palestine issue, adding they also discussed oil and energy matters.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi noted that the meeting discussed ways to develop cooperation between the countries, adding the security of the countries as well as the threats they faced are common.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed appreciation for Iraq's preparation of the Arab League Summit, saying "the convening of the Arab Summit in Baghdad is evidence of Iraq's stability and security."
- Qatari Emir hails Trump’s ‘historic’ visit, signals deeper bilateral ties
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hailed US President Donald Trump’s visit to Doha as “historic,” affirming that it marks a turning point in the strategic relationship between the two countries.
“We had a couple of hours of a great meeting with the president, and we discussed many issues on our great bilateral relationship and the situation in the region,” Al-Thani said during the signing ceremony for several agreements between the two countries.
“I think after signing these documents, we are going to another level of relationship between Qatar and the US.”
The two countries signed a number of key agreements in various fields, particularly in the defense and aviation sectors.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- At least 31 people have died so far this year in northern Australia from an outbreak of a tropical disease linked to heavy rainfall and flooding.
- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed a federal judge’s order to release Georgetown University postdoctoral scholar Badar Khan Suri, calling it a critical victory for free speech.
- The Philippines Commission on Elections (COMELEC) website and precinct finder apps recorded over 3 million cyberattacks aimed at taking over the systems and to inject malicious information during this week's crucial mid-term polls, local media reported.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that the core values of peace and stability that NATO defends are "under unprecedented threat in places like Ukraine and Gaza."
- Israel summoned the Spanish ambassador after Spain's prime minister called it a “genocidal state.”
- US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times in recent days, urging him to broaden the mandate of his negotiating team and be more flexible in talks with the Palestinian group Hamas, Israel’s Haaretz daily reported, citing an unnamed source.
- Sudan’s electricity provider said two power stations were targeted in a drone attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing fires and a power outage in the capital.
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hailed US President Donald Trump’s “bold” decision to lift longstanding sanctions on Syria, declaring it a turning point for the country’s future.
- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reiterated his country's goal of becoming a member of the European Union by 2030.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Türkiye's Antalya province to "coordinate positions."
- US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib introduced a resolution to recognize the Palestinian Nakba, the term referring to the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland during the creation of Israel in 1948.
- Germany welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria.
- NATO's top military officials reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and reinforced their commitment to strengthening the alliance's deterrence and defense posture during the 193rd Military Committee in Chiefs of Defense Session held in Brussels.
- US Sen. Lindsey Graham hailed Türkiye's role in the region, saying the country is a "major ally" of the US.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Hyundai breaks ground on 1st Middle East plant in Saudi Arabia
South Korean automaker Hyundai announced that it has broken ground on a production plant in Saudi Arabia, its first manufacturing base in the Middle East.
A groundbreaking ceremony for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East (HMMME) was held Wednesday at the King Salman Automotive Cluster, located within King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia, marking a key milestone for the company's global expansion, Yonhap News Agency reported.
HMMME is a joint venture between Hyundai and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund established under a 30-70 stake scheme.
Production is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2026 with an annual capacity of 50,000 units, including both electric vehicles and internal combustion engine models.
�
