Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, April 19, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Developments in the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, as Palestinians continue to experience daily deadly attacks on all areas of the Palestinian enclave.

On Friday, at least 49 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting residential areas across the northern and southern Gaza Strip, including two major attacks that killed two entire families.

Petitions, letters call on Netanyahu to end war

Israelis continue to sign petitions and letters demanding Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu to strike a deal with Palestinians to end Gaza's war, release captives from Gaza.

Since last week, thousands of Israelis representing various professional sectors have joined thousands of military personnel in signing dozens of petitions demanding Gaza war end.

The number of Israelis signing petitions demanding the return of captives from Gaza, even if that means halting the ongoing war on Palestinians, has swelled to 128,000, with nearly 50 petitions currently circulating.

Mass protests across Israel demanding prisoner swap on Saturday

Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza on Friday announced plans for mass demonstrations and large-scale events across Israel on Saturday to pressure the government into securing a deal that guarantees their return, even if it requires ending the war.

Protests coincide with growing dissent over Netanyahu’s war policies, as the Palestinian Hamas group on Thursday declared its readiness to immediately begin "comprehensive package negotiations" with Tel Aviv to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

US airstrikes in Yemen

US warplanes continue to strike targets in the Houthi-controlled areas across Yemen. In latest attack, a US airstrike target Ras Isa oil port in Yemen’s Al-Hudaydah province late Thursday, killing at least 74 people, including five health workers.

Houthis on Friday also announced targeting Israel's Ben Gurion airport and two US aircraft carriers in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

Developments in war-torn Sudan

Clashes intensify between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in different areas across Sudan, exacerbating humanitarian conditions.

On Friday, the Sudanese army announced that at least 35 civilians were killed and 40 others wounded after the RSF shelled residential neighborhoods in the city of El-Fasher, North Darfur.

Beijing hosts world's 1st humanoid robot half-marathon

In a first such race, humanoid robots join humans in a marathon hosted by Chinese capital under the theme of Beijing Yizhuang Half-Marathon.

Erdogan to attend KADEM Assembly, open new hospital in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the 5th Ordinary General Assembly of KADEM, to be held at the Ataturk Cultural Center, and will inaugurate the Bagcilar Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Istanbul.

Turkish parliament speaker to meet counterparts at Palestine Support Summit

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will hold bilateral meetings with guest parliamentary speakers as part of the "Parliaments Supporting Palestine Group Meeting" in Ankara.

Pakistan foreign minister’s visit to Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visits Kabul with high-level delegation, meets acting prime and foreign ministers.

Patriarch Kirill to lead festive service at Moscow's Christ Savior Cathedral

On the eve of Orthodox Easter, Patriarch Kirill is set to lead a festive religious service at Christ the Savior Cathedral, the main cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials are expected to attend the ceremony.