Diary

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

Ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza

Follow-up on the continuation of Israeli army operations and its escalating assault in neighborhoods of Gaza City as part of the second phase of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots.”

Lebanese Cabinet session on arms plan

A Lebanese Cabinet session is scheduled for Friday, during which the army is expected to present its plan for the implementation mechanism of the “monopoly of arms in the hands of the state” initiative, amid rising tensions over the plan and warnings of the consequences of failing to reach a consensus on it.

Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition

The 22nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, organized by ADNEC Group in cooperation with the Emirates Falconers’ Club under the theme “Heritage Renewed,” is being held at the ADNEC Center in Abu Dhabi and will run until Sept. 7.

Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla

Latest developments related to the Global Sumud Flotilla to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. Its departure from Tunisia has been postponed till Sunday.

European Council president visits Czechia, Netherlands

European Council President Antonio Costa wraps up the first week of his three-week tour of EU capitals to discuss political priorities and cooperation. On Friday he will meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Prague and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in The Hague.

Launch of Europe’s fastest supercomputer

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will attend the official launch of Europe's fastest supercomputer, Jupiter, at a research institute in northwestern Germany. The Jupiter features approximately 24,000 NVIDIA superchips, optimized for highly parallel applications such as AI model training and complex numerical simulations.

Gaza Tribunal in London

Two-day Gaza Tribunal continues, bringing together witnesses, experts, scholars, and political figures to examine and hear testimonies on “Britain’s complicity in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.” The Hague Group adviser Guillaume Long is among the experts and scholars scheduled to address the event.

Reactions after 'coalition of the willing' meeting

Reactions following a "coalition of the willing" meeting on Thursday in Paris, where 26 states promised to deploy troops in Ukraine after fighting stops.

Trump to change the name of Department of Defense to ‘Department of War’

US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order reverting the Department of Defense to the “Department of War,” a previous name that was abandoned in 1947. The move has been widely reported in the media and later confirmed by White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Trump is expected to announce the change roughly two hours after signing the decision.

Plenary session of Eastern Economic Forum

Plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Hongzhong.

Japan, Australia hold ‘2+2’ ministerial-level meeting in Tokyo

Japan and Australia held a 2+2 meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo, to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening security cooperation and aligning their policies.

Thai lawmakers vote on new premier

Parliament in Thailand votes to elect a new prime minister, after Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed over an ethics breach. The vote comes after Thai royal officials rejected a move by acting Premier Phumtham Wechayachai to dissolve the parliament and call snap elections.

THE ECONOMY

Eurozone GDP

Eurostat to share GDP figures for the second quarter of the year. It increased by 0.1% in the first quarter, and market expectations are at the same level for the second quarter.

US unemployment

US will share unemployment rate for August. The figure was 4.2% in July while market expectation is 4.3% for August. It is an important indicator for Fed’s possible rate cut decision in September.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW – ‘We will not stop’: Gaza flotilla activist defiant in face of Israeli threats

Interview with Yasemin Acar, an activist and member of the steering committee for the Global Sumud Flotilla that is sailing to Gaza to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.

Acar says Israeli intimidation and threats will not deter her or fellow participants from sailing toward Gaza, emphasizing that their mission is to “break the siege, open a humanitarian corridor, and deliver aid to Palestinians.”

She speaks about how the flotilla forms part of a broader global movement resisting “colonialism, apartheid, and genocide,” asserting that the effort is not only about bringing supplies but also about building lasting solidarity with Palestinians.

INTERVIEW – ‘A death sentence’: Palestinian journalist, British doctor recount horrors of Israel’s Gaza genocide

Interviews with Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed and British surgeon Nick Maynard about the harrowing conditions that they witnessed firsthand during Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.

Abed, who endured malnutrition before leaving the enclave, says journalism in Gaza “feels like a death sentence” as Israel continues to target media workers with impunity. He speaks about the immense challenges in reporting while exhausted and under attack, and searching in vain for medicines.

Maynard, a consultant surgeon at Oxford University Hospital who recently returned from Gaza, speaks about Israel’s deliberate devastation of hospitals and health care, warning that “a genocide is being carried out in front of our eyes.”

INTERVIEW – Aftershocks, blocked roads and more: Afghanistan quake relief facing grave challenges, warns UN

Interview with Amy Martin, head of office in Afghanistan for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about ongoing rescue and relief efforts in quake-hit eastern Afghanistan.

Martin explains how operations are being severely hampered by aftershocks, landslides, and blocked roads, and shares details of the devastation in areas such as Kunar province, where entire villages destroyed and families were wiped out.

She also discusses the needs of affected populations, including mobile health units, food, tents, and water support, and warns of looming winter hardships and risks of waterborne diseases.

One year on, family of Turkish-American activist killed by Israel still seeks justice.

Report on the continuing quest for justice of the family of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a year after Israeli forces killed her during a protest in the occupied West Bank.

The story includes an interview with Eygi’s husband, Hamid Ali, who says they remain without answers or accountability, stressing that there has been no investigation.

The report also has comments from Brad Parker, associate director of policy at the Center for Constitutional Rights and part of the legal team supporting Eygi’s family, who accuses Washington of inaction and “a deliberate choice to provide impunity” to Israel.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Yasemin Acar, an activist and member of the steering committee for the Global Sumud Flotilla that is sailing to Gaza to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.

VIDEO – Interviews with Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed and British surgeon Nick Maynard about the harrowing conditions that they witnessed firsthand during Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.

VIDEO – Interview with Hamid Ali, the husband of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli forces last year, about the family’s ongoing pursuit for justice.