Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, April 28, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

The rapidly collapsing humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to block the entry of humanitarian aid since March 2, leaving nearly 2.4 million Palestinians without access to essential food, water, and medical supplies.

The hunger crisis has deepened especially after the UN agency for Palestinian refugees declared Sunday that its flour supplies in the enclave have run out this week.

Rising malnourished children and overwhelmed hospitals running out of fuel for generators. Humanitarian implications such as communicable disease outbreaks will be highlighted. Testimonies from civilians and medical personnel will be included and diplomatic responses will be tracked.

Sudan’s El-Fasher reels under deadly RSF shelling as civilian casualties mount

Intensified shelling of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, Sudan, claims civilian lives and deepens the humanitarian crisis in North Darfur’s last major non-RSF-controlled city.

More expected human cost and the humanitarian implications, such as the collapse of healthcare and rising malnutrition. The effectiveness of international responses monitored, as well as the potential for war crimes investigations, with reports of targeted civilian infrastructure.

Testimonies from survivors, medics, and emergency workers, with updates expected from aid agencies and international monitors.

Trump to meet House Speaker Johnson

US President Donald Trump to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House as Congress returns to Washington following two-week recess. Sit-down is currently listed as closed press, but could change. Johnson all but certain to address reporters at the executive mansion after meeting with Trump.

US president to sign executive orders

Trump to sign a series of executive orders regarding what the White House is calling “restoring law and order and securing the homeland." The event is currently listed as closed press, but is likely to change.

Refugee chief holds briefing at UN Security Council

UN Security Council to hold a briefing by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi as part of the annual meeting on displaced persons and refugees.

UN request for ICJ opinion on Israel's obligations to assist Palestinians - public hearings in The Hague

Public hearings open at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as it hears a request from the UN for an advisory opinion on the "Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

CDU party conference on coalition deal

The German center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) will hold a party conference on Monday to endorse the coalition agreement with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD).

The CDU party conference via online stream, Friedrich Merz's remarks, and delegates to approve the agreement. If all three parties approve the coalition agreement, the German parliament could elect Merz as the new chancellor in early May, replacing Olaf Scholz. The agreement's signing ceremony is scheduled for May 5, with the parliamentary vote following on May 6.

Poland to host Three Seas Initiative Summit

Poland hosts the 10th edition of the Three Seas Initiative Summit (3SI). Leaders from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are expected to attend.

The summit is expected to see discussions about the development of infrastructure in the energy, transport, and digital sectors. It targets new investments, economic growth, and energy security.

NB8 foreign ministers - Denmark meeting

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to host a two-day meeting of counterparts from NB8 nations (which includes the other Nordic nations of Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Ministers from Poland, France, and Germany will also participate in the meeting. A joint press conference to take place at 2.15 pm local time (1215GMT) on Tuesday.

Lavrov to attend BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the full-scale BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Lavrov is expected to address international crises, including Ukraine and Gaza, and discuss ways to enhance the role of the Global South in international governance. Lavrov's statements, joint declarations, and key outcomes of the meeting.

Iranian president to visit Azerbaijan

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to Azerbaijan's capital Baku at the invitation of his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

Pezeshkian's visit comes amid years of strained ties between Azerbaijan and Iran, largely over Baku's close relations with Israel and the 2023 embassy attack in Tehran. Official meetings, joint statements, and announcements regarding regional cooperation and security will be followed.

Georgian president to visit Armenia

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili paying an official visit to Armenia on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Georgian presidential administration.

Kavelashvili's visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral economic ties. Official meetings, joint statements, and possible agreements to be signed, especially in trade and regional cooperation.

Military exercises to begin in Georgia

Georgia will host multinational military exercises on April 28-May 8 at the NATO Joint Training and Assessment Center.

Troops from Azerbaijan, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Poland, Slovakia, the US, Türkiye, and France will participate. Opening ceremonies, key drills, and official remarks on the purpose and significance of the exercises.

Uncertainty prevails across India, Pakistan

Uncertainty prevails amid continued tensions between India and Pakistan over now-suspended water-sharing pact.

New Delhi continues search and cordon operations in the Indian-administered Kashmir to look for perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack which killed 26 people on April 22 and triggered the latest cross-border tensions. Dozens of people have been detained while at least 10 houses belonging to suspected militants have been demolished since the attack.

Japanese premier continues his visit to Vietnam

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba continues his official visit to Vietnam to boost bilateral relations.

The trip comes amid US threat of tariffs and as a part of Ishiba's four-day official visit to Vietnam and the Philippines to enhance security and economic relations with Southeast Asian nations. After meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, Ishiba will fly to Manila.

China hosts inaugural navigator meeting of Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Beijing Xiangshan Forum, with the theme Opportunities and Challenges Facing Global Security, begins in the Chinese capital with the participation of more than 200 experts, scholars, and media representatives from 30 nations.

Through several seminars and dialogues, the meeting aims to enhance the effectiveness of international participation and contribute insights to global security governance.

Turkish president chairs Cabinet meeting

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘We sowed the seeds’: Just Stop Oil activists reflect on legacy as direct action era ends

Report on the final demonstration of climate group Just Stop Oil, marking the close of three years of high-profile, disruptive activism aimed at halting fossil fuel expansion.

The story features interviews with activists including Diana, a longtime environmentalist, who said the group has sown the seeds of resistance, and Oxford academic Tristram Wyatt, who explained the movement will now shift its focus to targeting the enablers of fossil fuel industries.

The report also captures growing concerns among members like Philip, who expresses deeper alarm for future generations and stresses the need for evolving strategies in the fight for environmental justice.

Türkiye’s vision taking it to new heights in 2025, says head of World Travel & Tourism Council

Interview with Julia Simpson, the CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, about the organization’s new report that shows Türkiye’s sector booming to a new record in 2025.

Simpson evaluates the reasons for the country’s continued success in travel and tourism, citing government vision, Türkiye’s strong international connectivity, domestic tourism appetite, and natural and cultural attractions as the key drivers of growth.

She also speaks about the sector’s environmental challenges, global turbulence linked to trade conflicts, and Türkiye’s resilience amid shifting travel patterns, stressing that while global uncertainties pose risks, the Turkish tourism market remains robust and well-positioned for future expansion.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with members of Just Stop Oil, including Oxford academic Tristram Wyatt, about the group’s decision to end their disruptive activism, their views on the future of global fossil fuel expansion, and the need for evolving strategies in the fight for environmental justice.