Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israel continues genocidal war on Gaza

Latest developments as Israel continues its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, breaking the January ceasefire agreement with Palestinian group Hamas.

At least 28 Palestinians, including a journalist and a doctor, were killed in a series of airstrikes on Khan Younis, Deir Al-Balah, Gaza City and Jabalia on Monday.

According to a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 65% of the Gaza Strip’s total area has been designated as inaccessible by the Israeli military, classified as so-called “buffer zones” or placed under evacuation warnings.

The overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 has surged to over 50,700, the Health Ministry said.

Israeli premier's US visit

The third day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington to address issues including Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the ongoing war, Iran’s nuclear program, and US tariffs on Israeli goods.

Netanyahu has so far met President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, Vice President JD Vance and US presidential envoy on Middle East Steve Witkoff.

It is Netanyahu's second visit to the White House since Trump took office in January.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in the northern parts of the territory.

On Monday, Israeli forces arrested at least seven Palestinians during a series of overnight incursions into several areas, including Balata Refugee Camp in Nablus, Jalazone and Al-Am’ari camps near Ramallah, and Qalandia Camp north of Jerusalem. Raids were also reported in Qalqilya and various surrounding towns.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where over 944 Palestinians have been killed and over 7,000 others injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since the start of the Gaza onslaught, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Developments related to Yemen's Houthis

Developments in US attacks on Yemen, as well as Houthi military operations against Israel.

On Monday, US warplanes launched six fresh airstrikes in Yemen targeting the Al-Ammar area in the northern Saada province and three others in the Bani Hassan area in Hajjah province in northwestern Yemen, according to Houthi media.

According to the Houthi-run Health Ministry, at least 76 civilians have been killed and 182 others injured in US airstrikes across Yemen since March 15.

Latest in Syria

The latest developments in Syria, including its efforts to maintain control of all the Syrian territory, as well as Israel's repeated attacks on Syrian territory after the fall of Assad regime.

On Monday, Syrian security forces in Homs arrested a former political security officer from the ousted Assad regime, transferring him to judicial authorities after he confessed to committing multiple crimes, according to a statement from the Homs Governorate.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon

Developments in Lebanon after incomplete Israeli army withdrawal.

On Monday, a Lebanese citizen was killed and another sustained injuries following two Israeli airstrikes on the towns of Taybeh and Beit Lif in southern Lebanon, with Israel asserting it assassinated a Hezbollah military official.

Separately, two Syrian nationals were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle on Al-Dardara road in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s news agency.

Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on Nov. 27, Israel has committed nearly 1,400 violations, resulting in over 120 deaths and more than 360 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official data.

French President Emmanuel Macron visits Egypt

The third and final day of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Cairo, during which he held a trilateral summit with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Jordanian King Abdullah II regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip.

On Monday, Sisi and Macron signed a joint declaration upgrading relations to a strategic partnership.

French foreign minister's Algeria visit

Second day of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's visit to Algeria aimed at addressing the ongoing diplomatic rift between the two countries. His visit is the first by a French official since months of heightened tensions.

The Algerian presidency said in a brief statement that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received Barrot and his accompanying delegation.

Iran's foreign minister visit to Algeria

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Algeria.

On Monday, he arrived in Algeria leading a political delegation to discuss bilateral ties and address key regional and international developments, according to Iran’s official news agency IRNA.

Araghchi is scheduled to meet senior Algerian officials to discuss mutual interests and expand cooperation.

Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country of Sudan as the army recapture more areas from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On Monday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said artillery shelling by the RSF on the Abu Shouk displacement camp in North Darfur forced the displacement of 530 families from two nearby villages and left three civilians injured.

German coalition talks

The Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) have entered the final stage of coalition government negotiations. Teams are working to resolve differences on migration and economic policy. Once an agreement is reached, the draft coalition deal will go to party organs and delegates for final approval.

Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor and leader of the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, aims to form the coalition government before the Easter holiday on April 20-21. He stressed that pressing domestic economic challenges and rising international security concerns demand swift government action.

UK prime minister to face key parliamentary committee

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will appear before the House of Commons Liaison Committee, which brings together chairs of parliament's specialized committees. The session will examine crucial topics including economic growth, international affairs and defense, welfare reforms, healthcare, and will feature questions from the UK Youth Parliament.

EU foreign policy chief visits Balkan countries

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will travel to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina for high-level diplomatic talks.

During her visit to Albania, Kallas will meet President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, she will inspect EUFOR Althea troops and hold discussions with presidency members. Her agenda also includes meetings with Council of Ministers Chairwoman Borjana Kristo and Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic.

Launch of another crewed spaceflight to ISS

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, along with Russian state Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexander Zubritsky, will launch aboard the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome en route to the International Space Station.

Trump signing executive order on energy production

President Donald Trump to sign executive order on energy production. He has largely relied on executive action to execute his agenda since coming to office three months ago.

Trump to address National Republican Congressional Committee

President Donald Trump to deliver remarks at National Republican Congressional Committee dinner as he seeks to maintain party unity around his agenda after enacting sweeping tariffs that have sent global markets reeling.

UN chief's remarks on Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to address reporters at the world body’s New York headquarters regarding the situation in Gaza as Israel escalates its offensive on the Palestinian territory.

Pentagon chief visiting Panama

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to participate in the Central American Security Conference, co-hosted by the US and Panama, to discuss regional security challenges and objectives. Hegseth is also expected to meet with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and other officials.

US-Morocco talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio to host Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita at the Department of State. Meeting comes as President Donald Trump continues to push for the US to take ownership of the besieged Gaza Strip and displace the coastal enclave’s Palestinian residents to regional countries.

National Climate Report

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration release the monthly National Climate Report alongside an update to the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters dashboard.

Hearing for Mahmoud Khalil

Detained Palestinian Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil to have a hearing with an immigration judge Tuesday morning in Louisiana as he seeks to have the court transfer him back to New York where he was arrested by immigration authorities. Khalil is one of dozens of people facing deportation by the Trump administration after participating in pro-Palestinian student protests.

Philippines receives UAS from Australia

The Philippines receives 20 units of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) from Australia. The UAS will be used by the Filipino coast guard and the addition in its armory comes amid maritime tensions between Manila and China in disputed South China Sea.

Economic Cooperation Organization secretary general visits Pakistan

The Economic Cooperation Organization's Secretary-General Asad Majeed Khan begins three-day official visit to Pakistan.

During the visit, he will meet Pakistani leadership including the president and the prime minister. He will also join the permanent representatives of ECO member states for the 294th meeting of the ECO Council of permanent representatives in Lahore from April 12-15.

NATO secretary general visits Japan

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pays official visit to Japan, where is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as well as Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. Rutte will also visit Yokosuka Naval Base and the Mitsubishi Electric Kamakura Works.

Japan ships aid to earthquakes-hit Myanmar

Japan on Tuesday was due to send medical aid to quake-hit Myanmar. About 3,600 people have died while dozens are missing after two strong earthquakes rocked the Southeast Asian nation on March 28. Search for missing people in neighboring Thailand is still continuing.

Dubai crown prince visits India

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to hold talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra.

Turkish health minister to attend Organization of Turkic States meeting

Turkish Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu to attend meeting of health ministers of the Organization of Turkic States in Kazakhstan. He will address a press conference after the approval of the 2025-2026 action plans, the signing of the joint ministerial declaration and memorandums of understanding.

Turkish energy minister to attend forum in Pakistan

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar to attend Pakistan Mining Investment Forum in Islamabad.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish Treasury's cash balance

Turkish Treasury to share cash balance figure for March. The cash balance posted a deficit of $10.9 billion in February.

SPECIAL REPORTS

US economist likens Trump tariffs to 1930 measures that ‘set off Great Depression’

Interview with leading US economist Barry Eichengreen, who warns that President Trump’s sweeping tariff policies could spark a global recession and cause lasting harm to international trade systems.

Eichengreen, a University of California, Berkeley, professor draws comparisons to the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930, saying today’s tariffs are already raising recession risks, particularly in the US, but all around the globe.

He explains why the global economy may be entering a dangerous phase of retaliatory trade barriers and long-term instability, emphasizing that without a coordinated global response, the consequences could echo well beyond 2025.

WWF seeks urgent action as rocket crash sparks environmental alarm in Norway

Report on environmental concerns raised by WWF-Norway following the crash of a German-built rocket into sensitive Arctic waters off Andoya island, highlighting fears over fuel spillages and the lack of marine protections in Norway.

The story features insights from marine biologist Fredrik Myhre, who warns of potential harm to spawning fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, and calls for urgent marine spatial planning and stricter oversight of aerospace activity near ecologically fragile zones.

Myhre also emphasizes the need for greater transparency, accountability, and a more holistic ocean management strategy to mitigate environmental dangers posed by such incidents in the fragile Arctic ecosystem.