Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, July 25, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Ongoing devastating famine in Gaza due to Israeli blockade

Continued devastating famine in Gaza, which has led to the death of scores of people, including many children, due to acute malnutrition and hunger due to the choking Israeli siege, which also brought down the health care system. More are expected to die as international organizations appeal to open border crossings to allow aid entry. (English/MENA team from Istanbul/possible breakings, stories/features translated from Arabic)

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap talks

Developments after Hamas said it had delivered to mediators its response to the ceasefire proposal and the Israeli team returned from Doha, where indirect talks were held between the two parties, “for additional consultations.” (English/MENA team from Istanbul/ breakings, stories)

Freedom Flotilla vessel approaches Gaza to break Israeli blockade

Updates as aid ship Handala, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is approaching Gaza to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. The ship is expected to reach Gaza on Sunday – unless intercepted by Israeli forces, as happened last month with the aid ship Madleen in international waters. (English/MENA team from Istanbul/possible breakings, stories)

US

US defense chief to host Baltic counterparts

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to host talks at the Pentagon with Baltic defense ministers, including Estonia's Hanno Pevkur, Latvia's Andris Spruds, and Lithuania's Dovile Sakaliene. Meeting will reportedly focus on regional security, defense cooperation, support for Ukraine, and US military presence in Europe.

Rubio to meet with Pakistani foreign minister

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at State Department. In the first official meeting between the two, Pakistan has said agenda will include the situation in the Middle East, Iran, and ties with India following a brief armed conflict with Pakistan earlier this year.

UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine

UN Security Council to hold meeting on peace and security in Ukraine.

California governor to address reporters on Texas congressional redistricting

Gavin Newsom, governor of California, to hold press availability on recent moves in Republican stronghold Texas to redraw state’s congressional districts and possible similar moves in the Golden State. Critics say Texas Governor Greg Abbot is trying to increase the number of seats for Republicans in next year's midterm elections. Newsom is seen as a potential Democratic frontrunner in 2032 presidential election.

EUROPE

US President Trump’s Scotland visit

US President Donald Trump expected to arrive in Scotland for a five-day private visit to his luxury golf resorts. He is expected to open a new 18-hole golf course at Trump International near Balmedie and a memorial garden to his mother, who was born in Scotland. Anti‑Trump protests expected in some cities. (UK team, from office, possible breaking, no visuals expected from English wire)

‘Stop Starving Gaza’ - London protest

Pro-Palestine demonstrators outside prime minister’s office at 10 Downing Street in London to protest ongoing Israeli attacks and blockade of aid delivery into Gaza. Rally organizers, including Palestine Solidarity Campaign, called on Brits to bring pot or pan as they are planning to “lay a pot outside Downing Street for every Palestinian killed while queuing for aid in Gaza.” (UK team, in field, no breaking, visuals expected)

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

As UN releases list of topics shortly before briefing, focus will be based on this. (Europe team, in field, possible breaking, visuals possible via official feed)

TÜRKİYE

Turkish foreign minister's meeting with European commissioner for enlargement

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with visiting European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in the capital Ankara.

(With video/photo)

2nd round of meeting of delegations from Iran, UK, France, Germany on nuclear issue

Delegations from Iran, the UK, France, and Germany to hold second round of meetings to discuss Iranian nuclear issue in Istanbul.

EURASIA

Georgia to host NATO Agile Spirit 2025 military exercises

Georgia to host NATO military exercise Agile Spirit 2025, set to take place from July 25 to Aug. 6. Exercise, co-led by the Georgian and US sides, focuses on enhancing interoperability and cooperation between participating nations. It involves a large number of personnel from various countries, although the exact number is not known, and will be held at multiple training areas within Georgia. Eurasia desk will follow official statements via media reports and official statements. (To be followed by Elena, no flashes, no photo/video)

More reactions on 3d round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye

More reactions from Moscow and Kyiv will be closely monitored following third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. In the third round, Moscow and Kyiv exchanged ideas, including on the establishment of 3 working groups and preparing a presidential meeting, and pledged to give responses. Eurasia desk will follow comments and developments surrounding the talks via media reports and official statements. (To be followed by Elena, possible flashes, no photo/video)

AFRICA

Togo to hold memorial march for victims of June protests

Citizens and civil society groups in Togo to hold memorial march to honor victims of June's deadly anti-government protests. Originally planned earlier, the march was postponed due to July 17 municipal elections. New date seeks to refocus attention on the unrest, which left at least seven dead and many injured. (English service / Africa desk from office / No visuals)

ASIA-PACIFIC

Thai-Cambodia border crisis escalates

Monitoring developments as border crisis between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated after fatal clashes involving artillery shelling, rocket fire, and airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people, including 15 Thais and one Cambodian. (Asia-Pacific team from office / flashes possible / photos via AA HAS)

Indian Premier Modi visiting the Maldives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying state visit to the Maldives. The two nations are commemorating 60 years of diplomatic ties and are set to sign agreements to deepen cooperation. (English service/ Asia-Pacific team in Istanbul as well as New Delhi/ photos possible via official sources)

Chinese Foreign Ministry news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. (English service/ Asia-Pacific team from Istanbul/ breaking/s possible/ no photos)

Japan continues to witness upheaval in domestic politics

Monitoring developments and statements amid reports that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to step down following electoral losses by ruling coalition. However, Ishiba has pushed back against such calls from within his own Liberal Democratic Party. (Asia-Pacific team from office / flashes possible / photos via AA HAS)

THE ECONOMY

UK retail sales

Office for National Statistics (ONS) to release monthly retail trade figures for June. In May, retail sales fell 2.7% on a monthly basis. Markets expect them to rise 1.2% for June. (English service / Economy team from Istanbul / no breakings / no photo, video)

Türkiye's capacity utilization

Turkish Central Bank to announce Turkish manufacturing sector's capacity utilization figures for July. In June, utilization rate was at 74.4%. (English service / Economy team from Istanbul / no breakings / no photo, video)

US durable goods orders

US to share monthly durable goods orders figures for June. In May, orders were up 16.4% on a monthly basis. Markets expect a 10.3% fall for last month. (English service / Economy team from Istanbul / no breakings / no photo, video)

Major tech event IDEF 2025

Major tech event International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 to continue with its 17th edition in Istanbul. Hundreds of domestic and foreign companies are taking part in the event – which wraps up on Sunday – showcasing their products in defense, aviation, and aerospace. (English service / Economy team from field / no breakings / possible photos, videos)

SPECIAL REPORTS

As Israel starves Gaza, famine experts warn of lifelong scars for Palestinian generations

Report on mass starvation and famine conditions that Israel has created in Gaza, including long-term consequences for Palestinians.

Leading scholar Alex de Waal warns that Israel’s blockade is fueling a man-made famine with irreversible effects on Gaza’s children. De Waal explains how Israel has brought about “societal collapse” in Gaza and compares it to other famines, stressing its uniquely human-engineered nature due to Israel’s blockade and siege tactics.

Story also includes analysis from famine historian Ingrid de Zwarte, who explains how starvation is deliberately used as a weapon of war.

(Rabia Ali, from office)

ISTANBUL, WITH VIDEO

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.

INTERVIEW – Paris Agreement under pressure as climate goals falter ahead of COP30: WWF climate lead

Interview with Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, the Worlds Wildlife Fund global climate and energy lead, about the state of international commitments and action related to climate change.

Pulgar-Vidal says geopolitical turmoil and broken climate finance promises have stalled progress ahead, calling on major emitters to commit to a fossil fuel phase-out before 2050.

He explains the WWF’s stance on various issues, particularly why it argues that replacing fossil fuels is essential, while urging leaders to seize 2025 as a tipping point.

(Beyza Donmez, from office)

GENEVA, WITH CARDS

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.

Sahel’s ‘gold nationalism’: African nations reclaim precious resources

Report examining recent push for gold mine nationalization in Sahel countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Story explains steps taken by military-led governments in these nations to reduce what they view as Western exploitation. It presents details about foreign companies who were engaged in the area and how their operations are being replaced.

Report includes insights from Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program in Mali for German think tank the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, on how nationalization efforts intersect with economic challenges, security concerns, and shifting international partnerships.

(Mevlut Ozkan, from office)

ISTANBUL, WITH CARDS

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with leading famine expert Alex de Waal on how Israel’s blockade is fueling a man-made famine with irreversible effects for current and future generations of Palestinians in Gaza.