ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, April 17, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Dissent grows in Israel as army punishes doctors calling for ceasefire
The developments as the Israeli army begins dismissing reserve military doctors who signed a petition demanding the return of hostages from Gaza -- even if it means halting the war.
More dismissals and petitions are expected after at least one signatory was removed from service. Army leadership is likely to intensify pressure on other petitioners to withdraw support. Watch for reactions from Netanyahu’s office, as over 110,000 Israelis have now signed similar ceasefire petitions, including thousands from within the security and military establishment.
Gaza faces risk of mass deaths as siege deepens and famine spreads
The situation as Gaza’s Government Media Office warns of an imminent humanitarian collapse, with acute hunger, halted bakeries, and water stations out of service amid Israel’s ongoing siege.
Coverage to focus: Worsening famine conditions are expected to dominate humanitarian reporting. International pressure is likely to intensify as UN agencies and human rights groups call for urgent action to end the blockade.
Documentation of aid center attacks and stalled relief trucks at borders may feature in upcoming reports.
Trump to host Italian premier
US President Donald Trump to host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for White House talks that are expected to address the tariffs Trump has imposed on the EU. Trump will sign executive orders in the Oval Office after Meloni leaves the executive mansion.
US defense secretary to host French counterpart
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to host French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu at the Pentagon for bilateral talks. Meeting comes amid strained relations between Washington and Europe as Trump repeatedly questions Europe’s commitment to US security, and imposes sweeping tariffs on the bloc.
UN Security Council debate on Ukraine
UN Security Council to hold open debate on the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy during Palm Sunday celebrations that killed over 30 victims.
Paris visit of US secretary of state and special envoy to Middle East
US Secretary of State Rubio and US Ambassador-at-Large and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff are expected to visit France for "talks with European counterparts to advance President Trump’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war and stop the bloodshed." Rubio will also discuss ways to advance shared interests in the region.
He is expected to discuss Ukraine, Gaza, Trump tariffs, and other regional and international issues with European officials.
End of Russia-Ukraine moratorium on energy strikes
A 30-day US-brokered moratorium between Russia and Ukraine on strikes against each other's energy facilities is set to end.
Reactions from Kyiv and Moscow, particularly through official statements and media reports. Both countries' presidents and their foreign ministries are expected to address the situation concerning the moratorium, and whether an extension or further talks on the issue is on the agenda.
Russian president to hold talks with Qatari emir in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who will arrive in Moscow on an official visit.
The meeting will address key topics on the international agenda, including Qatar’s mediation role in the ongoing war in Ukraine, to be covered through live remarks and official statements.
Top Iranian diplomat's Moscow visit
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to arrive in the Russian capital Moscow on an official visit, where he will hold talks with officials on bilateral issues.
The foreign minister will brief his Russian partners on the ongoing talks on the restoration of the Iran nuclear deal, as well as Iran’s tensions with Israel. The minister is also expected to meet with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s senior advisor for Africa to hold news conference on recent trip
Massad Boulos, Trump’s new senior advisor for Africa, to hold a news conference on his recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
Boulos is expected to discuss ongoing efforts for lasting peace in eastern Congo, as well as opportunities to expand US private sector investment in Africa. US Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Corina Sanders will join Boulos as a speaker.
China’s Xi flies to Cambodia, concludes 3-nation tour
Chinese President Xi Jinping pays a two-day state visit to Cambodia, his first visit in nearly a decade to the Southeast Asian country. He will meet with King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet. Cambodia is the Chinese president’s last destination of a three-country state visit, including Vietnam and Malaysia.
During Xi’s visit, the two countries are expected to sign several agreements in different sectors, including trade and economy, amid the ongoing China-US trade war. Beijing has helped build a port in Cambodia which has generated interest in whether China will use it for military purposes.
Pakistan, Bangladesh hold political consultation after 13 years
Senior officials of the foreign ministries of Pakistan and Bangladesh hold political consultations after 13 years over a decade-long pause in bilateral ties, mostly during the government of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch is expected to meet with her Bangladeshi counterpart. The meeting may pave the way for higher-level contacts, besides easing people-to-people contacts and trade ties.
A possible special report exploring the warming of Islamabad-Dhaka relations amid global and regional changes.
India's top court issues verdict on changes made to Waqf act
The top Indian court directs the government on how to handle changes made to the existing waqf laws.
The Indian Supreme Court continues hearing petitions against the controversial changes to Waqf legislation. The changes to Waqf legislation have triggered protests in several parts of the country so far.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's interest rate decision
Turkish Central Bank to share its interest rate decision. The bank cut the one-week repo rate to 42.5% last month. The market expects no change in the rate.
ECB interest rate decision
European Central Bank will release its interest rate decision. The bank cut the deposit rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% in the previous meeting. Markets expect a cut of 25 basis points for this meeting.
Germany's producer inflation
Destatis to release producer price index figures for March. Producer inflation decreased by 0.2% monthly in February.
US housing statistics
The US will release housing statistics for March. It will also release the initial jobless claims figures for the last week.
OECD unemployment
The Paris-based economic organization OECD will release unemployment and employment figures for its member states.
Tariff developments
The ongoing tariff issue with new steps and statements. In the latest move, the US said China now faces a tariff of up to 245% due to its retaliatory actions. It also banned some Nvidia chips' exports to China.
SPECIAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW - Ivory Coast favors dialogue over confrontation in response to US tariffs: Foreign minister
Interview with Ivory Coast’s Foreign Minister Leon Kacou Adom, focusing on the country’s diplomatic approach to the recent tariff hikes imposed by the Trump administration.
Adom emphasizes Ivory Coast’s position in favor of talks, saying the three-month postponement of the tariff’s effective date offers a window for negotiations with Washington.
He also speaks about the country’s evolving ties with France following the withdrawal of French troops and the closure of its last military base in the country, stressing that Ivory Coast seeks continuity, not rupture, in its relationship with Paris.
INTERVIEW - Islamophobia threat: British politicians urge Muslims to invest in leadership, future generations
Interviews with Scotland’s former First Minister Humza Yousaf and British lawmaker Naz Shah on the increasing threat of Islamophobia in Western nations.
The two Muslim lawmakers share their insights on the reasons for the persistent rise in Islamophobia, including far-right and populist politics, and how Muslim communities need to coordinate their efforts and invest in their people to be leaders in politics and other fields to counter discrimination.
Yousaf and Shah also discuss Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Western complicity in the killings of tens of thousands of Palestinians, particularly the double standards witnessed over the past 18 months in comparison to the Ukraine war.
INTERVIEW - Health workers now targets in conflicts, not just ‘collateral damage’: International Council of Nurses chief
Interview with Howard Catton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses, on the increasing attacks on healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones, particularly Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Catton warns that recent incidents indicate a dangerous shift from healthcare workers being “collateral damage” at times to becoming deliberate targets in military strategies.
He raises deep concerns about violations of international humanitarian law and emphasizes the need for immediate investigations and state accountability to prevent the collapse of health systems in future conflicts.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Ivory Coast’s Foreign Minister Leon Kacou Adom on various issues, including the country’s approach to Trump’s tariffs and its evolving relations with France.
VIDEO - Interviews with Scotland’s former First Minister Humza Yousaf and British lawmaker Naz Shah on the reasons for increasing Islamophobia in Western nations and possible strategies that could better protect Muslim communities.
VIDEO - Interview with Howard Catton, head of the International Council of Nurses, on increasing attacks on healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones, particularly Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.