Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, July 4, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Expected Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas is expected to respond to the mediators' latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, offered by Egypt and Qatar, within 48 hours, a Palestinian official told Anadolu.

The latest development comes after US President Donald Trump's announcement that Israel has agreed to "necessary conditions" for a 60-day ceasefire, urging Hamas to accept the deal.

The official Hamas response to the proposal, as well as Israel's confirmation of Trump's announcement, will be closely monitored, as will statements from mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, including Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff.

Israel’s relentless genocide in Gaza fuels humanitarian disaster

The unabated Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip is marked by daily shootings and attacks on Palestinian civilians, including at food distribution centers, as the humanitarian crisis worsens amid the Israeli blockade.

Casualty figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry and local medics, alongside details of airstrikes and attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, will be tracked along with responses from human rights organizations.

Trump phone call with Zelenskyy

US President Donald Trump is expected to hold a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This comes after Trump said a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ‘didn’t make any progress’ toward a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

Spending bill signing ceremony

Trump will host a signing celebration at the White House for the expected passage of massive tax-cut and spending legislation known as the so-called “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” The bill was approved Thursday in the House of Representatives and was sent to Trump’s desk for his signature.

Independence Day events

Official celebrations to mark Independence Day will take place at the White House, with President Trump and first lady Melania Trump to host a military family picnic, followed by Fourth of July celebrations and an Airforce flyover featuring F-22, B-2, and F-35 aircraft.

Heat wave and wildfires across Europe

The heat wave across Europe, from Britain to Greece, with its severe consequences, including floods in Italy and blazes in Germany and Greece, will continue to be monitored.

UN agencies to hold biweekly briefing in Geneva

UN agencies will hold a biweekly briefing in Geneva. The Service reveals its agenda shortly before the event.

Chisinau to host inaugural Moldova-EU summit

The first-ever EU-Moldova summit will be held in Moldova's capital, Chisinau. Moldovan President Maia Sandu will host António Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, at her residence. Moldovan authorities hope to join the European Union by 2030 and intend to discuss prospects and necessary measures to achieve this goal with top EU officials.

Turkish President Erdogan to attend 17th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to the city of Khankendi in Azerbaijan to attend the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Following the official welcome ceremony and the family photo session, Erdogan will participate in the summit session and attend a reception hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Pakistani Premier Sharif addresses ECO summit in Azerbaijan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) hosted by Azerbaijan in Khankendi.

Pyongyang likely to respond to Seoul’s push for inter-Korean dialogue

Following the likely reaction from North Korea to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s push for inter-Korean dialogue. Lee, in the second month of his presidency, has vowed to pave the way for "peace and coexistence" on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese Foreign Ministry holds briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold a regular news conference in Beijing addressing current global and regional events.

THE ECONOMY

Germany factory orders

Germany's official statistics bureau, Destatis, is to release factory order figures for May. In April, the orders rose 0.6% month-on-month.

SPECIAL REPORTS

​​​​​​​Britons voice alarm over UK decision to ban Palestine Action

Report on the UK government’s controversial move to ban activist group Palestine Action as a “terrorist” organization.

The story gathers views from activists and citizens opposing the ban, who warn that the crackdown could expand to other activist groups and jeopardize broader protest rights in the UK.

The report also includes wider political and rights-based concerns over the implications for free expression and civil liberties, with interviewees emphasizing the need for sustained pressure on the Labour government.

Echoes from Nagasaki: Survivors warn against devastation of nuclear war

Interview with Japanese activists and survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bombing.

The report includes interviews with Chiyoko Motomura, Masao Tomonaga, and Tomoko Otaki, who are part of a group of ‘Hibakusha,’ or survivors of the atomic bomb, that is associated with Nihon Hidankyo, the organization that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

The interviews focus on a mix of their personal experiences and journeys as activists, with all three sharing their own stories of struggle and suffering and also reflecting on the major geopolitical issues of the day.

‘Landmark moment’: Could Africa free trade deal entry boost Ethiopia’s fortunes?

Report on Ethiopia’s formal entry into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with the country officially beginning trade under the mechanism earlier this week.

The story outlines Ethiopia’s motivations and strategic goals in joining AfCFTA, hailed as a major step toward regional economic integration and trade liberalization across Africa. It also reviews key elements of the agreement, expected trade benefits, and implementation challenges.

The report includes comments from senior Ethiopian economist and politician Abdulqadir Adem on the need for peace, political will, and infrastructure to ensure success.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Chiyoko Motomura, Masao Tomonaga, and Tomoko Otaki, who are Japanese activists and survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bombing, about their personal experiences and the growing danger of another nuclear conflict.