Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, April 21, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Growing dissent in Israel over ending the war on Gaza

Developments, as tens of thousands of Israelis, including academics, military veterans, and former soldiers, have signed petitions calling for the immediate release of hostages, even at the cost of ending the war – reflecting growing public pressure on the government.

More dismissals are expected, especially after the army removed former Air Force Chief Nimrod Sheffer from military reserve service for signing a petition.

The number of petitions is likely to increase, with over 140,000 Israelis having already signed letters. Large-scale protests are anticipated, especially if the government dismisses or ignores petitions.

Clashes between Sudanese army, paramilitary RSF in El-Fasher

Intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

More clashes and casualties are expected as the fighting intensifies, with the RSF targeting populated areas housed by displaced civilians.

Personal accounts from civilians, displaced individuals, aid workers and statements from emergency response teams are expected with international reactions.

Macron to start Indian Ocean visit with Mayotte

French President Emmanuel Macron visits Mayotte following on from a visit last year in the wake of Cyclone Chido that killed 39 people. Macron is expected to speak with local officials about the next steps for recovery from the natural disaster, which caused extensive damage too.

His Indian Ocean visit will include French overseas territory of Mayotte, followed by the French island of La Reunion on Tuesday, then Madagascar on Wednesday and Mauritius on Friday. The trip will also see Macron attending the fifth summit of the Indian Ocean Commission in Madagascar.

The French parliament adopted a bill earlier in April to limit birthright citizenship in its overseas department of Mayotte. The bill proposed by the conservative Republican party looks to restrict birthright citizenship in the French archipelago in the Indian Ocean between the coast of Mozambique and the island of Madagascar.

According to data, the living standards of Mayotte residents are seven times lower than the French and 77% of residents live below the poverty line. Last year’s cyclone has badly affected already hard living conditions in Mayotte. The disaster ravaged crops and caused ongoing drinking water problem go worse.

Iran’s top diplomat to address Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragachi to address the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference in Washington. This comes as Iran and the US continue nuclear talks after both sides hailed progress in a second meeting on Saturday.

UN Security Council on Haiti

UN Security Council to address the crisis in Haiti as a coalition of armed gangs closes in on the Caribbean island nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Haiti continues to face emergency levels of food insecurity amid rampant instability.

Easter Egg Roll at White House

US President Donald Trump to host annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. Reports have indicated that Trump sought corporate sponsors for the event in what would mark a major departure from tradition.

Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group meeting

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to take part in a meeting that will bring together senior officials from the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group and ambassadors from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) accredited in Moscow.

Humanitarian assistance of the Islamic countries in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, situation in Gaza will be among the topics on the agenda of the meeting.

Top Russian diplomat to meet Laotian counterpart in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet his visiting Laotian counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith in Moscow.

They are expected to discuss the current state and prospects for comprehensive advancement of bilateral relations, trade, taking into account the new global economic situation amid US tariffs.

China, Indonesia hold 1st joint meeting of foreign, defense ministers

China and Indonesia hold their 1st joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Beijing.

The meeting signifies growing partnership between Beijing and Jakarta amid global changes in economic, foreign and military affairs.

South Korea’s ousted President Yoon attends trial over insurrection charges

Ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea attends his 2nd criminal hearing over insurrection charges after his failed bid to impose martial law.

If proven guilty, Yoon may face death sentence. Yoon previously denied charges of insurrection during his first criminal hearing.

US vice president pays official 4-day visit to India

US vice President JD Vance is on 4-day official visit to India.

Vance to hold meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others and the two sides are expected to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues.

UAE foreign minister visits Pakistan

UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan arrives on a two-day visit to Pakistan. He will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart and others leaders.

The visiting top diplomat is likely to discuss a variety of bilateral and regional issues, including Gaza and Afghanistan.

Turkish foreign minister's ongoing visit to Algeria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will continue his contacts during his visit to Algeria and attend the third meeting of the Türkiye-Algeria Joint Planning Group.

Turkish President Erdogan to attend TURKSAT 6A commissioning ceremony

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the TURKSAT 6A commissioning ceremony to be held at the TURKSAT Golbasi Campus in capital Ankara and will chair the Central Decision and Executive Board meeting of Justice and Development (AK) Party at the party's headquarters.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish central government debt stock

Turkish Central Bank to share central government debt statistics for March. At the end of February, the Turkish central government's gross debt stock amounted to $272.2 billion.

Türkiye's international investment position

Turkish Central Bank will release Türkiye's external assets and international investment position figures for February.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Ex-South African foreign minister, diplomat call for global reform to enforce ICJ Gaza ruling

Interview with veteran South African diplomats Naledi Pandor and Ebrahim Rasool on the need for institutional reform to ensure enforcement of International Court of Justice rulings, including the provisional measures ordered against Israel over its genocide in Gaza.

Pandor, who was foreign minister when South Africa filed the genocide case against Israel, and Rasool, former ambassador to Washington, argue that bodies like the UN need restructuring to prevent powerful states from flouting international law. They describe the ICJ ruling as a legal milestone that remains toothless without implementation mechanisms.

The diplomats also link growing strains in US-South Africa ties to the latter’s stance on Palestine, citing Rasool’s ousting and financial penalties under the Trump administration as politically motivated retaliation for the genocide case.

Canada’s Muslim voters demand ‘real commitments’ on Islamophobia

Report on Muslim Canadians’ growing demands for concrete action against Islamophobia as the federal election campaign enters its final stretch, with groups like the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) urging party leaders to go beyond rhetoric and commit to bold policies.

The report explains how Muslims in Canada, numbering around 1.8 million, are increasingly alarmed by rising hate crimes, political inaction, and the broader suppression of pro-Palestine voices.

It includes an interview with NCCM official Reem Sheet, who urges all parties to commit to a national strategy on Islamophobia, uphold free speech, and take a principled stance on Gaza, emphasizing that Muslim voters are watching closely to see which party will take meaningful action.

Replacing US nuclear shield a complex challenge for Europe, warns expert

Report on Europe’s growing anxiety over its nuclear security, following signals from the Trump administration that US military presence and nuclear guarantees in Europe may be scaled back in favor of Indo-Pacific priorities.

The story includes an interview with Tomas Nagy, a senior research fellow at think tank GLOBSEC, who explains how the shift has reignited European debates on self-reliance and deterrence, with France’s proposal to extend its nuclear umbrella emerging as a key but complex option with logistical, legal, and political hurdles.

He identifies other potential hosts for nuclear deterrence expansion but also cautions that, in the absence of credible extended deterrence, some European states might eventually consider independent nuclear programs, posing major risks to the global non-proliferation regime.

‘Lost’ Ottoman masterpiece set for bumper London auction sale

Report on an upcoming auction at Sotheby’s that will feature ‘Preparing Coffee,’ a long-lost 1881 painting by Ottoman master Osman Hamdy Bey, that has re-emerged after more than a century in private European collections.

The story presents details of the artwork, estimated to be worth over £1 million, and how it showcases Hamdy Bey’s East-West synthesis through a richly detailed interior scene steeped in Ottoman cultural symbolism.

The report includes an interview with Sotheby’s expert Claude Piening, who hails the piece as a “bridge between cultures,” underscoring the Ottoman artist’s global legacy.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and Ebrahim Rasool, the country’s ex-ambassador to the US, about Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the need for UN reforms to protect international law.

VIDEO – Interview with Tomas Nagy, a senior research fellow at think tank GLOBSEC, about Europe’s possible strategies for its nuclear security as the Trump administration recalibrates US priorities.

VIDEO – Interview with Sotheby’s expert Claude Piening about the upcoming auction of ‘Preparing Coffee,’ a long-lost 1881 painting by Ottoman master Osman Hamdy Bey.