News from March 23, 2025 at 2 PM

Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip continue to escalate, with Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel and his wife killed in an airstrike, resulting in at least 30 deaths. The Israeli military has called for the evacuation of Rafah residents and launched ground operations. Negotiations have stalled following the expiration of a ceasefire agreement. Israel launched a major attack citing Hamas' refusal to extend the ceasefire and release hostages. The Palestinian Liberation Organization urges Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza. Gaza residents face severe survival crises. Meanwhile, Israel's conflict with Yemen's Houthi rebels is also intensifying, with the Houthis threatening Israeli airspace security.

On March 22, Russian strikes in the eastern Donetsk region killed at least two people and wounded three. On March 24, Russia, the US, and Ukraine are set to hold talks in Saudi Arabia, with Russia hoping for progress. Russia rejected a US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire but suggested halting aerial strikes on energy facilities. Despite this, both sides continued aerial attacks ahead of the negotiations. On the night of March 21, a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia killed a family of three. On March 23, Kyiv was hit by drone attacks, killing at least two and injuring seven. US negotiators will meet separately with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia. Despite diplomatic efforts, a breakthrough remains elusive. Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin stated they aim to resolve at least one issue.

Protests have continued for a fourth night in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption and aiding terrorist groups charges. Imamoglu, a political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was set to be selected as a 2028 presidential candidate. Demonstrations have erupted in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Authorities arrested 343 people nationwide on Friday night. Erdogan condemned the unrest, blaming the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) for disturbing peace. Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu's degree, casting doubt on his eligibility to run for president.

Heathrow Airport closed on Friday due to a power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers. Nearby homes were evacuated and some schools shut down. The airport announced it would restart some flights later on Friday and aimed for full operation on Saturday, advising passengers not to travel to the airport without airline confirmation. Flights already in the air were diverted or returned to their departure points, causing chaos. British Airways, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic cancelled or adjusted flights, offering affected passengers options to rebook or receive full refunds. Some stranded passengers expressed concerns about extended return times, feeling tired, frustrated, and angry.

Pope Francis plans to make his first public appearance in over five weeks on March 23 by greeting and blessing from the window of his room at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection. During his hospital stay, the public has only seen him once in a photo released by the Vatican. This appearance will mark his first since being hospitalized. The Vatican stated that Francis, who is still recovering from pneumonia, will not deliver his usual Sunday noon-time prayer in St. Peter's Square. Prone to lung infections due to a past pleurisy and lung surgery, this hospitalization is the most serious health issue in his 12-year papacy. Recent updates indicate he has reduced high-flow oxygen use, but full recovery may take time.

On Saturday, severe wildfires in South Korea resulted in at least two deaths and the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Two firefighters were found dead in Sancheong County in the southeast, with two others reported missing. The Korea Forest Service reported multiple fires across the country. A state of national disaster was declared at 18:00 local time (09:00 GMT), encompassing Ulsan city and North and South Gyeongsang provinces. Over 200 residents in Sancheong County were ordered to evacuate. Acting President Choi Sang-mok urged all efforts to extinguish the blaze by sunset, but strong winds hindered operations 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Additionally, more than 400 residents were displaced due to a wildfire in Uiseong county, North Gyeongsang Province. The forest service issued a serious wildfire warning in 12 locations, including Busan and the central city of Daejeon.

Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, is expected to announce snap elections on March 23, seeking a stronger mandate amid a trade war and annexation threats from US President Donald Trump. Chosen by the centrist Liberal Party to replace Justin Trudeau, Carney has never faced the broader Canadian electorate, but this will change on April 28 if he announces early elections as anticipated. Government sources indicate he will make the announcement at 12:30pm local time. The Liberal government, in power for a decade, had become deeply unpopular, but Carney hopes to ride a wave of Canadian patriotism to a new majority due to Trump's threats. Trump has dismissed Canada's sovereignty and imposed tariffs, threatening its economy. In a speech in Edmonton, Carney emphasized the need for a strong mandate during this crisis. Polls have shifted dramatically in Carney's favor since he took over, making the election outcome uncertain.

According to a report by Tourism Economics, influenced by President Trump's policies, foreign traveler arrivals in the United States are expected to decline by 5.1% in 2025 compared to the previous year, against an earlier projected increase of 8.8%. Tourist spending is anticipated to fall by 10.9%. The Trump administration's tariffs and stringent immigration policies have raised concerns, potentially discouraging organizations and tourists from visiting the US. A survey revealed that 35% of respondents from Europe and Asia are less likely to visit the US under Trump. The tourism industry in places like New York has already been affected, with a noticeable decline in Canadian visitors. The US tourism sector could lose approximately $64 billion in revenue in 2025.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum in a significant advance during their recent offensive, marking a major progress in the two-year civil war. The palace, which includes the historic Republican Palace, symbolizes power and sovereignty. The army has taken control of much of Khartoum's city center, pushing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) out of key sites. Although RSF fighters remain in parts of the city and airport, they have effectively lost control of the capital. Bloody fighting is expected to continue as the army tries to corner remaining RSF units. The UN describes Sudan's humanitarian crisis as the world's worst, with 12 million people displaced and parts of the country facing famine.

On March 22, 2025, US President Donald Trump revoked security clearances from several former Democratic election rivals, including Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, as well as other former officials and critics. Trump had previously announced in February the revocation of former President Joe Biden's security clearance, a decision confirmed in this order, extending it to other members of the Biden family. Trump stated that it was no longer in the national interest for these individuals to access classified information. This action impacts their ability to receive classified briefings and access government facilities. Those affected include top Biden administration officials, prominent political critics, and attorneys. Trump also targeted two of his own former officials from his first term, Fiona Hill and Alexander Vindman, as well as Republican critics Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had their clearances revoked. Trump had earlier revoked the security clearances of over forty former intelligence officials, accusing them of meddling in the 2020 election.

US President Donald Trump announced that Boeing will produce the next-generation stealth fighter, the F-47. On March 21, Trump, along with Defense Secretary Heather Wilson and top Air Force officials, met the media, stating that Boeing won the 'Next Generation Air Dominance' contract. The F-47 is touted as the most advanced aircraft ever, capable of coordinating with a large number of drones. Its experimental version has been secretly flying for nearly five years, equipped with advanced stealth technology. The project is expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars, with each aircraft costing over $3 billion. Boeing's stock rose by 5%, while Lockheed Martin's stock fell by nearly 7%. Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein stated that the F-47 is cheaper than the F-22 and better suited for future aerial threats.

Niger's defence ministry reported that at least 44 civilians were killed and 13 severely injured during an attack on a mosque in the village of Fombita, in the rural commune of Kokorou, southwest Niger, on Friday afternoon. The attack occurred during afternoon prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The attackers, identified as the EIGS group, an Islamic State affiliate, subsequently set fire to a market and houses before retreating. The government has declared three days of national mourning. The insurgency in West Africa's Sahel region, which began with Islamist militants seizing territory in northern Mali after the 2012 Tuareg rebellion, has spread to Niger and Burkina Faso, and recently to northern parts of coastal West African countries like Togo and Ghana. Millions have been displaced, and the failure of governments to restore security has led to coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023, with all three countries currently under military rule.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the New York Times that U.S. President Donald Trump's view that European countries should take on a greater share of collective defense responsibilities is valid. Starmer emphasized the need to think about defense and security more urgently. He is working to form a multinational military force, termed a 'coalition of the willing,' to secure Ukraine's skies, ports, and borders after any peace settlement. While noting a good personal relationship with Trump, Starmer acknowledged that the U.S. leader's actions, including imposing a 25% tariff on British steel and criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, had caused 'quite a degree of disorientation.'

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has largely accepted that Ukraine will not become a NATO member. In an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff said that for any peace deal, Ukraine's non-membership in NATO is widely accepted. He added that the key issue in the conflict is the status of the new Russian regions. Witkoff emphasized that Russia has no plans to attack European countries and noted that Ukraine has agreed to hold elections.

On March 22, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined President Donald Trump and other administration officials in criticizing federal judges, mocking US District Judge Ana Reyes for blocking a ban on transgender troops and suggesting she exceeded her authority. Judge Reyes ruled that Trump's January 27 executive order likely violated the US Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. Hegseth sarcastically called Reyes 'Commander Reyes' on social media, suggesting she should instruct military training. Tensions between the Trump administration and federal judiciary have escalated, with over 100 lawsuits challenging various administration policies. Since Hegseth took office, Trump relieved General C.Q. Brown and the first female Navy admiral. The military announced on February 11 it would no longer allow transgender individuals to join and would cease related medical procedures.

According to CNN, US military officials are racing to develop a 'Golden Dome' defense system aimed at protecting the country from long-range missile strikes. The White House has stated it will spare no expense to fulfill one of President Donald Trump's top Pentagon priorities. Currently, the project remains in the conceptual discussion phase, with estimated costs running into billions of dollars. The Trump administration has already directed military officials to ensure funding for the 'Golden Dome' is included in budget estimates for 2026 to 2030. However, experts have questioned the strategic feasibility of the project, noting the vast size of the US makes it challenging to provide comprehensive coverage similar to Israel's Iron Dome system.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told TASS in an exclusive interview that the US deep state and several European intelligence services are behind the protests in Serbia. He noted that these same actors are also responsible for attacks on President Dodik and Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Vulin emphasized that these simultaneous attacks aim to destabilize Serbia and bring to power politicians who will comply with Western demands, including sanctions against Russia. Anti-government protests began in Serbia following the collapse of a structure at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024, and continue to this day. Protesters blame the authorities for the tragedy. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that a color revolution similar to Kiev's 'Maidan' would not be possible in Serbia.