Diary

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

Palestine, Yemen speeches at UN General Assembly

The speeches of Palestine and Yemen at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Arab officials will meet with counterparts from around the world on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Israel’s Netanyahu flies to New York for UN General Assembly

Departure of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Wednesday to New York for the UN General Assembly amid protests by families of captives near Ben Gurion Airport demanding a prisoner exchange.

Gaza Sumud Flotilla sailing to Gaza

Developments in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is seeking to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, with more vessels expected to join before continuing toward the enclave, as drones attacked at least 10 ships in anticipation of further Israeli strikes.

Relentless Israeli onslaught in Gaza

Israel's army is advancing from multiple directions and continues to bomb and demolish residential buildings and facilities in Gaza City, forcibly displacing Palestinians.

European leaders deliver speeches at UN General Assembly

The major European leaders will deliver speeches at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, including European Council President Antonio Costa, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever. The most important parts of their speeches will be European statements on the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza, and recognition of Palestine.

NATO chief's speech in New York

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will address cadets at the West Point Military Academy. He is expected to discuss issues such as European security, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and transatlantic ties. Rutte will speak separately at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Putin to participate in the World Atomic Week

President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend World Atomic Week, which Russia is hosting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of its nuclear industry. The event will include a plenary session attended by leaders from Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Armenia, and Ethiopia.

⁠Palestinian ambassador's press conference

Palestinian Ambassador Abdel Hafiz Nofal will hold a news conference to address recent developments regarding the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Turkish President Erdogan visits US capital for talks with Trump,

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Washington, DC, where he will be hosted by Donald Trump, his US counterpart, for talks at the White House. Trump is expected to greet Erdogan before the two leaders hold talks in the Oval Office, followed by a working lunch. The agenda includes bilateral relations, regional issues, trade, investment, and the defense industry.

UNRWA meeting at UN

Jordan, Spain, and Brazil will co-host a minister-level meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on the key role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in human development, regional stability, peace, and providing a platform for global aid. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to deliver remarks. A news conference is expected to follow the event with the participation of the UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Spain and Brazil.

UN Security Council to continue meeting on AI

The UN Security Council will hold the second day of a high-level open debate on artificial intelligence. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will continue to chair the debate, which will focus on the implications of AI for international peace and security.

Bolivia to address UN General Assembly

Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora will address the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York as the event continues for a third day.

Top Russian diplomat to meet with UN secretary-general

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where they will discuss the conflict in Ukraine, among other issues.

Seychelles to begin 3-day general election.

Seychelles will hold three days of presidential and legislative elections, with around 77,000 registered voters expected to cast ballots. President Wavel Ramkalawan, who has been in office since 2020, is running for reelection as his Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party defends its majority in the Indian Ocean island nation's 35-seat National Assembly, which has a population of over 120,000.

Philippines foreign affairs chief to address UN General Assembly

Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro will address the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

THE ECONOMY

European car statistics

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association is set to release car sales statistics for various European countries.

US GDP growth

The US will release final gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures for the second quarter. The preliminary data showed that the GDP grew 3.3%.

US initial jobless claims

The US is to announce initial jobless claims figures for last week. The country will also share existing home sales and durable goods orders figures for August.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Corruption scandal sparks mass protests: What’s ahead for Philippines?

Report on spiraling protests in the Philippines over a corruption scandal involving flood control projects that are believed to have cost billions of dollars.

The story explains the reasons for the unrest and the allegations of massive fraud in nearly 10,000 flood-control projects, which have led to clashes in the capital, forced high-level resignations, and exposed rifts between the Marcos and Duterte political camps in the Philippines.

The report also presents the Marcos administration’s point of view on the issue, along with comments from Georgi Engelbrecht, senior analyst for the Philippines at the International Crisis Group, and Filipino lawmaker Renee Louise Co, who speak about the possible trajectory of the demonstrations and their political fallout.

INTERVIEW – Israel’s actions in Gaza are ‘genocide, annihilation, extermination’ of Palestinians: British historian

Interview with James Robins, an award-winning British journalist and historian, who has recently published his collection of essays, titled ‘Blowing up everything is beautiful – Israel’s extermination of Gaza.’

Robins asserts that the destruction in Gaza and explicit statements by Israeli leaders are enough to call the war genocide even before international courts rule.

He emphasizes that the war’s real goal is occupation and expulsion of Palestinians, enabled by US military and diplomatic backing, warning that the Trump administration remains committed to supporting Israel.​​​​​​​

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with British journalist and historian James Robins, who has recently authored a book on Gaza, about Israel’s actions against Palestinians, which he sees as “genocide, annihilation, and extermination.”