ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, April 5, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israel continues genocidal war on Gaza
Latest developments as Israel continues its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.
Israeli airstrikes early on Friday morning killed 23 Palestinians and wounded several others in Gaza, while also targeting a water desalination plant.
Witnesses told Anadolu that the Israeli military struck the Ghabayen water desalination plant in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City, as part of its ongoing "war of thirst" against Palestinians.
The overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 has surged to 50,609, the Health Ministry said.
Israel's violations in southern Lebanon
Developments in Lebanon after partial Israeli army withdrawal.
Israel on Friday claimed killing Hassan Farhat, commander of Hamas' western sector in Lebanon, in an airstrike on the southern Lebanese city of Sidon.
According to Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, the attack, which took place Thursday night, targeted Farhat, who was accused of “orchestrating several attacks against Israeli forces.”
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, confirmed the death of Farhat, along with his daughter Janan and son Hamza.
Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on Nov. 27, Israel has committed nearly 1,400 violations, resulting in at least 117 deaths and 366 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official data.
Israeli raids in West Bank
Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in the northern parts of the territory.
In the latest Israeli settlers violent assaults across the occupied West Bank, a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, on Friday attacked Palestinian shepherds in the wilderness of Al-Maniya village, east of Bethlehem, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israeli forces arrested over 100 Palestinians in the occupied territory last week, including women, children, and former detainees.
Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where over 940 Palestinians have been killed and over 7,000 others injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since the start of the Gaza onslaught on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
US strikes on Yemen
Latest developments related to US airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthi group claimed on Friday to have thwarted two planned aerial American attacks on Yemen by targeting the US warships in the Red Sea.
Military spokesman Yahya Saree said Houthi forces "targeted the hostile US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its affiliated warships in the Red Sea, using several cruise missiles and drones.
According to the Houthi-run Health Ministry, at least 61 civilians have been killed and 139 others injured in US airstrikes across Yemen since March 15.
Developments in Syria
Latest developments in Syria, including its efforts to maintain control of all the Syrian territory, as well as Israel's continues attacks on the country after the fall of the Assad regime.
Syrian activists in the southern city Suwayda, where a majority are from the Druze religious community, staged a rally on Friday to protest Israeli ground aggression on Syria's Daraa province, which killed at least nine people.
Nearly 100 people detained by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in Aleppo were released on Thursday as part of a deal reached with the Syrian government. In exchange, the Syrian regime released 97 PKK/YPG members.
Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan
The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country of Sudan as the army recaptures more areas in the capital Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The army on Friday engaged in heavy clashes with the RSF in its last strongholds in the city of Omdurman.
Tajikistan to Host Forum of the Olympic Council of Asia
Dushanbe will host the Forum of the Olympic Council of Asia from April 5-8. According to Tajik authorities, 65 representatives from 18 countries have confirmed their participation.
The forum will cover key topics, including the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh in 2026, and the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, also scheduled for 2026.
Discussions will also focus on reviewing the programs of the International Olympic Committee and preparing athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The event will feature meetings between the heads of the Olympic committees from various countries.
Russia-US talks
Latest developments in the Russia-US negotiation process to normalize ties and end the Ukraine war.
Rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Myanmar continues
Amid last stages of search and rescue a week after two devastating earthquakes hit Myanmar, rehabilitation of victims continues. The death toll, currently 3,145, is likely to climb while the US has sought increased flow of international aid to the conflict-ridden nation.
In neighboring Thailand, search for 70 people buried under a skyscraper's rubble continued, while 22 were declared dead.
Taiwan launches annual wargames
Taiwan launches largest-scale annual military drills, the Han Kuang exercises, which will include two weeks of computerized tabletop wargames and 10 days of live-fire drills. The Han Kuang exercises are held annually in two stages and the first stage is scheduled to conclude on April 18.
Sri Lanka president hosts Indian prime minister
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, known as AKD, hosts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for talks to review bilateral relations in Colombo.