Morning Briefing: May 20, 2025
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe

ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including Gaza toll nearing 53,500, Russian and US presidents discussing ceasefire and Ukraine conflict in a phone call, and UK, France, and Canada threatening concrete actions against Israel.
TOP STORIES
- Gaza death toll nears 53,500 amid unabated Israeli attacks
At least 53,486 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
A ministry statement said that 136 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, while 364 people were injured, taking the number of injuries to 121,398 in the Israeli onslaught.
“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.
- Putin discusses ceasefire, Ukraine conflict resolution with Trump in 2-hour call
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that he discussed a potential ceasefire in Ukraine and the prospects for resolving the conflict in a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, which lasted approximately two hours.
Speaking at a press briefing in Sochi, Putin described the conversation with Trump as "frank and substantive," saying that Trump acknowledged Russia's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Trump said “some progress has been made” in efforts to end the war in Ukraine following the phone call.
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- UK, France, Canada threaten 'concrete actions' if Israel does not end Gaza offensive, lift aid blockade
The UK, France, and Canada issued on Monday a stern warning to Israel, calling for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid or face “further concrete actions.”
In an unusually strong statement, the three countries condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, which have killed more than 53,000 people since October 2023, describing them as “wholly disproportionate” and raising concerns over potential breaches of international humanitarian law.
“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s (Sunday's) announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate,” the joint statement read.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
- Israel has not allowed any humanitarian aid into Gaza for nearly 80 days, the Gaza Media Office said Monday, warning that a crippling blockade and systematic starvation threaten the lives of 2.4 million Palestinians.
- A meeting of the Türkiye-US working group on Syria will be held on Tuesday in Washington, DC, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
- More than 97,000 Palestinians have been displaced in the Gaza Strip over the past four days, the International Organization for Migration said Monday, warning that displacement is a "constant" in Gaza.
- Algeria’s Foreign Ministry criticized France on Monday for its “flagrant breach” of a 2013 agreement exempting diplomatic passport holders from visa requirements, warning of a reciprocal response.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that his army will take over “all of Gaza,” admitting that mounting pressure has forced Israel to resume humanitarian aid into the blockaded Palestinian territory.
- Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced on Monday that he had ordered the suspension of flights from Colombia, alleging individuals arriving from the neighboring nation were involved in plots to carry out attacks aimed at destabilizing Venezuela.
- US Vice President JD Vance scrapped plans to visit Israel over concerns his presence would validate Israel's expanded military operations in Gaza, the news website Axios reported Monday.
SPORTS
- Francesco Farioli leaves Ajax after ‘careful consideration’
Francesco Farioli on Monday mutually agreed to part ways with the Dutch club Ajax after what he described as “careful consideration.”
“The management and I have the same goals for the future of Ajax, but we have different visions and timeframes about the way we should work and operate to achieve those goals,” Farioli said in a statement. “Given these differences in the principles and foundations of the project, I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways.”
Assistant coaches Daniele Cavalletto, Felipe Sanchez Mateos, and goalkeeping coach Jarkko Tuomisto will also depart the club.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Nvidia unveils new ecosystem to keep it at center of AI development
The US-based technology company Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang on Monday announced the new NVLink Fusion program, which will allow customers to install competitors' chips in data centers constructed on its own technology.
Nvidia's NVLink Fusion initiative will enable users and partners to use non-Nvidia central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) in conjunction with Nvidia's products and its NVLink, according to a statement by Nvidia.
- Islamic Development Bank holds 51st annual meeting in Algeria
The Islamic Development Bank Group opened its 51st annual meeting on Monday in Algiers, Algeria's capital, bringing together decision makers from 57 member countries to advance sustainable development and cooperation.
Held at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center in Algiers, the four-day gathering serves as a high-level platform for knowledge exchange and strategic dialogue under the theme Diversifying Economies, Enriching Lives.
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