Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, May 5, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Potential Israeli response following Houthi attack near Ben Gurion Airport

Developments after Sunday's ballistic missile strike by the Yemeni group Houthi on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. The attack injured seven people and temporarily halted international flight operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned of a “sevenfold” response to any attacks, indicating that Israel may launch significant military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Escalating malnutrition crisis in Gaza amid prolonged Israeli blockade

Gaza faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe as the Israeli siege, in place since early March, continues to block all food, water, and medical supplies, severely worsening malnutrition and dehydration, especially among children.

Aid agencies and international organizations, including the Red Cross and UN bodies, are intensifying calls for urgent humanitarian access to deliver essential nutritional and medical aid. More malnourished children are expected.

German parties to sign coalition agreement

Leaders of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance and Social Democratic Party (SPD) will sign an agreement to form Germany's new coalition government. On Tuesday, German parliament will vote to elect conservative leader Friedrich Merz as chancellor. Following the vote, the new government will assume its official duties.

Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen to meet in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to deliver speeches at the Choose Europe for Science event. The pair will then hold talks at the Elysee Palace.

The two leaders are expected to focus on a potential Ukraine-Russia peace deal, latest situation in Gaza and Occupied Palestinian Territories, and other regional and international developments.

VE Day - UK commemorations begin

UK marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day with four days of commemorative events. Today's events include a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by flypast featuring military aircraft and the Red Arrows (attended by King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer), a street party on HMS Belfast, and community parties.

Victory in Europe Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. May 8 this year marks the 80th anniversary.

Turkish foreign minister to visit UAE

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit the UAE for talks expected to focus on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Vietnamese president to visit Kazakhstan

Vietnamese President To Lam to begin a three-day official visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of his counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to the Kazakh side, the two presidents will hold talks in Astana, and discuss prospects for developing Kazakh-Vietnamese trade, economic, investment, and humanitarian cooperation.

Trump's schedule

US President Donald Trump expected to deliver a sports announcement and also sign unspecified executive orders. He is also expected to welcome home an unnamed US citizen.

Security Council to meet on Lebanon

UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Lebanon. It will address the disarmament of militias operation in Lebanon, and the extension of government control over all Lebanese territory.

US defense secretary to host Peruvian counterpart

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to host Peruvian counterpart Walter Astudillo for talks. Meeting comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US is actively seeking additional nations to imprison deportees from the US.

US senators to hold press conference with small business owners

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats to hold a press conference with small business owners.

Weekly vigil at US universities

Faculty and staff at Columbia, Tufts and Georgetown universities to initiate a weekly vigil, holding photos of detained students, colleagues, and alumni -- Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Badar Kan Suri -- to demand their immediate release and return, and call for accountability and justice.

Malaysia’s parliament holds special session on US tariffs

Malaysian lawmakers discuss additional tariffs imposed by the US during a special parliamentary session. The Trump administration has imposed 24% tariffs on Malaysian exports but have been given a 90-day reprieve to reach a trade deal with Washington.

Indian defense minister hosts Japanese counterpart

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh holds bilateral talks with Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani in New Delhi. The two exchange will views on the current regional and international security situation and discuss ways to further deepen the bilateral defense cooperation.

India, Pakistan continue trade fire along disputed Kashmir border

Following the developments as India and Pakistan continue trade fire along the disputed Kashmir border. The two sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control amid ongoing tensions since unidentified gunmen shot dead 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22.

Iranian top diplomat visits Pakistan

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is on an official trip to Islamabad during which he is scheduled to hold meetings with Pakistani leadership. He is expected to travel to New Delhi after meetings in Islamabad.

Iran recently offered to mediate to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s inflation rate

The Turkish Statistical Institute will release inflation figures for April. The rate was 38.1% in March. Anadolu survey said economists' expectation was 38.2% for April.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Silent but lethal bomb’: Israel weaponizing water for Gaza’s destruction, warns UN expert

Interview with Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, about Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Arrojo-Agudo says the systematic targeting of Gaza’s water infrastructure by Israel amounts to weaponizing water against a civilian population. The UN expert warns that 70% of Gaza’s water system has been destroyed, leaving over 2 million people with just 5 liters of often contaminated water per day, as Israel blocks fuel needed to power desalination and sanitation facilities.

Arrojo-Agudo condemns it as an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, linking it to broader Israeli occupation policies, and calls for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and political accountability.

‘Climate crisis is our reality’: Nepal pays the price for global failures

Report on the escalating impacts of climate change in Nepal, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries despite its low emissions footprint.

The story highlights how glacial melt, erratic rainfall, deforestation, and floods are wreaking havoc on Nepal’s agriculture, water systems, and biodiversity.

It includes interviews with climate and food systems expert Prajal Pradhan and climate advocate Milan Sharma Pudasaini, who speak about the various challenges facing Nepal and the lack of global support and action for climate justice.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, about Israel’s systematic targeting of Gaza’s water infrastructure and the weaponization of water as part of its occupation policies.