Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Deadly famine in Gaza amid choking Israeli blockade

A deadly and devastating famine strikes the Gaza Strip, leading to the deaths of tens of people, including children, due to acute malnutrition, critical food shortages, and a collapsing health system amid Israel's ongoing blockade. As hunger worsens, Israel's army continues to target Palestinians near aid distribution points, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Freedom Flotilla vessel 'Handala' on its way to Gaza to break Israeli blockade

The advancement of "Handala," a new Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat that is on its way to the Gaza Strip to break Israel's illegal blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. It is staffed by about 20 international participants, including European lawmakers, rights activists, and journalists. The vessel left Italy on Sunday and is expected to arrive in Gaza in the coming days, unless it is intercepted by Israel, which seized a previous vessel, the "Madleen," in international waters last month.

Situation in Syria’s Suwayda amid ceasefire

The security and humanitarian situation in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, where a ceasefire between Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups is still in effect, and the government is nonetheless evacuating tribe families from the city.

Lebanese president's official visit to Bahrain

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is on the second and final day of a two-day official visit to Bahrain, which began on Tuesday, to strengthen bilateral relations and explore opportunities for cooperation in a variety of sectors. Aoun is accompanied by Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and is scheduled to meet with King Hamad and senior Bahraini officials to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in an array of sectors.

Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul

Russian and Ukrainian delegations to meet in Istanbul for third round of talks to end war.

Narendra Modi's UK visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in the UK on a two-day visit at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. ​During the visit, Modi and his British counterpart will discuss bilateral relations. They will also discuss issues of regional and global importance. The two sides also planned to review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)'s progress, with a particular emphasis on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate, health, education, and people-to-people relations.

WHO virtual press briefing

The World Health Organization’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will hold a press briefing on global health issues.

Developments surrounding potential new round of renewed Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye

Developments in Moscow and Kyiv will be closely monitored, as Russia and Ukraine are expected to hold a new round of peace talks in Türkiye. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the talks will take place on Wednesday, while the Kremlin expressed hope that the talks will take place this week. Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's presidential aide, will lead the delegation, while Rustem Umerov will lead Ukraine's.

Putin to hold government meeting via videoconference

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with government members via videoconference. The talks will center on the development of rural programs, with deputy premiers Tatyana Golikova and Dmitry Chernyshenko delivering reports. During the meeting, the Russian president may discuss regional and global issues, as well as the next round of renewed Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

Mongolia president's landmark visit to Tajikistan

Mongolian President Ukhnaagin Khurelsukh will pay a historic visit to Tajikistan following a four-day trip to Kyrgyzstan. The visit, which will last until July 26, will be the first by a Mongolian president to the Central Asian country since the establishment of diplomatic relations. As part of the visit, Khurelsukh is scheduled to meet his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon. Several documents regarding bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit.

Trump to attend AI event

US President Donald Trump will deliver a keynote speech at the AI Summit event at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. He is also expected to sign multiple executive orders. The event is hosted by the Hill & Valley Forum and the All‑In Podcast, co-hosted by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks.

Rubio to host Jordanian foreign minister

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at the Department of State.

UN Security Council to discuss Middle East

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold its quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the “Palestinian question.” Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will preside over the discussion, which is expected to focus heavily on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Several speakers are likely to bring up an incident on July 20 in which Palestinians were shot at by Israeli soldiers while near a World Food Programme (WFP) food convoy in northern Gaza.

ASIA–PACIFIC

Tokyo hosts Japan-EU summit of leaders

Tokyo hosts a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, visiting EU Council President Antonio Costa, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Security, trade, rare earths, supply chains, defense, tariffs, and regional issues are expected to be discussed at the summit, which is expected to conclude with a joint statement. Later, EU leaders will fly to Beijing for a summit with Chinese leaders.

Japanese Premier Ishiba likely to step down next month

Developments follow reports that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will step down next month after the ruling coalition lost a majority in both chambers of parliament.

China’s Foreign Ministry news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conferences in Beijing.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's consumer confidence

TurkStat to release monthly economic confidence figures for July. In May, the confidence rose 85.1 points.

US existing home sales

US to share monthly existing home sales figures for June. In May, the sales rose 0.8% month-on-month to 4.03M.

Major tech event IDEF 2025

The 17th edition of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), a major technology event, continues in Istanbul. Hundreds of domestic and international companies are expected to attend, showcasing their products in the defense, aviation, and aerospace sectors.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW – Israel deliberately starving Gaza to destroy Palestinian generations: UN rapporteur

Interview with Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, about Israel’s deliberate strategy of inducing starvation and famine in Gaza.

Fakhri explains how Israel is implementing specifically crafted policies to deprive Palestinians of access to any sort of food and sustenance, which he says are part of a wider objective to eliminate current and future Palestinian generations.

The UN expert also shares his views on the international community’s failure to stop Israel’s ongoing genocidal war, stressing the need for urgent steps to help Palestinians in Gaza and hold Israel accountable for its crimes.

Roots of rivalry: History of Bedouin-Druze clashes in Syria’s Suwayda

Report tracing the historical origins of the Druze-Bedouin conflict in southern Syria, culminating in the recent clashes that left dozens dead and injured.

The story explores tribal dynamics, land disputes, and shifting alliances from the early 20th century to the present, offering context for the recent violence in Suwayda. It also examines how the Syrian civil war and regional power shifts have deepened local fault lines between the Druze community and Bedouin groups.

The report also presents details of the recent violence in Suwayda, including casualty figures and insights into the ceasefire agreement that brought a halt to the fighting.

Germany’s ambitious defense plans collide with staffing and spending realities: Expert

Report analyzing Germany’s defense ambitions amid shifting transatlantic relations.

The story features insights from senior security policy expert Matthias Dembinski, who explains why Germany faces significant challenges in fulfilling its ambitious plan to become Europe’s strongest military power.

The report outlines Germany’s current military spending goals and reforms, while Dembinski assesses Berlin’s capacity as it aims to overcome hurdles ranging from severe personnel shortages to defense procurement shortcomings and escalating costs.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, about Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza, focusing particularly on its deliberate strategy of inducing starvation and famine.