ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, April 18, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Israel’s Supreme Court blocks government bid to dismiss Shin Bet chief
The developments as Israel’s top court rejected a government request to lift a freeze on the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, ruling that it did not infringe on national security or separation of powers.
Expect further strain between the Netanyahu government and the judiciary. Officials may renew efforts to push Bar out or challenge the court’s authority. Public and political backlash could intensify as the Gaza war amplifies scrutiny of Israel’s leadership.
Israel’s strike plan on Iran’s nuclear sites blocked by Trump
The latest updates as Israel claimed it finalized plans for a major airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites, only to be blocked by US President Donald Trump. The plan aimed to delay Tehran’s nuclear program by at least a year.
Israeli frustration with Washington's veto may resurface in future security debates, especially as Iran ramps up its nuclear activity. Israeli officials may renew warnings that Israel will not tolerate a nuclear Iran, possibly hinting at unilateral action.
Iranian leaders are likely to respond with strong rhetoric defending their right to nuclear energy and vowing retaliation against any aggression.
US president to participate in swearing-in ceremony of Medicare and Medicaid Services head
President Trump to participate in a swearing-in ceremony of Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz. The event is currently listed as closed press, but press coverage is likely to change.
Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil's case
US attorneys representing detained Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil have until the end of the day to submit an amended complaint as attorneys seek to block Columbia University and Barnard College from sharing his disciplinary records with the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
US secretary of state continues his visit to Paris
Marco Rubio is expected to hold talks with European counterparts to advance Trump’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war and stop the bloodshed. He is also expected to discuss Gaza and Trump tariffs with European officials. On Wednesday, Rubio met with French President Macron and a high-level Ukrainian delegation.
Italian premier to host JD Vance in Rome
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosts talks with US Vice President JD Vance, who is visiting Italy. The meeting comes a day after Meloni met with Trump at the White House.
Meloni and Vance are expected to focus on Trump’s tariffs, Ukraine, and Middle East. The EU-US relations also expected to be among the topics to be covered in the meeting.
Meloni is expected to voice the EU approaches in an effort to soften the soured relations with US.
Turkish president to attend Palestine meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the Meeting of the Parliamentary Group in Solidarity with Palestine and the 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial.
Top Iranian diplomat to meet with his Russian counterpart amid Moscow visit
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov amid an official visit to Moscow, which began on April 17.
On the first day of his visit to Moscow, Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and conveyed a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
During the meeting, the two diplomats are expected to discuss a wide range of regional and global issues, including those related to the Iranian nuclear program, as well as developments in Syria, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian region.
Xi concludes 3-nation trip to Southeast Asia
China's President Xi Jinping concludes a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia after he paid state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
The trip assumes significance as Xi pledged to work with regional nations to oppose unilateralism in the face of US tariffs. Xi's team signed a plethora of pacts with the three nations including joint declarations on disputed South China Sea.
Japanese police hold joint patrol with US forces
Japanese police hold patrol with US military in southern Okinawa province to prevent sexual assault cases involving American troops
The patrol, first of its kind in the province since 1974, is held in Okinawa, where 31 US-exclusive military facilities are situated and 61% of the criminal cases, including sexual assault, involving US military personnel in Japan were recorded in 2023.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's short-term debt
Turkish Central Bank will release short-term external debt figures for February. The debt increased 0.9% month-on-month in January.
Tariff issue
The ongoing tariff issue, with new steps and statements. In the latest move, the US said China now faces tariff up to 245% due to its retaliatory actions. Countries began negotiating with the US to get better deals.
SPECIAL REPORTS
‘War doesn’t respect anything’: Sudan Red Crescent head warns of extreme risks for humanitarian workers
Interview with Aida al-Sayed Abdullah, secretary-general of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), on the growing dangers faced by humanitarian workers in Sudan as the war enters its third year.
Abdullah underscores the extreme risks being faced by SRCS staff and volunteers amid widespread violence and the collapse of Sudan’s health system. She warns that humanitarian symbols and international law offer no protection in a conflict that respects neither, and that volunteers remain motivated solely by their dedication to their communities.
She also details the devastating toll of the war, including the destruction of 80% of health facilities and weeks-long electricity outages, while highlighting SRCS efforts and challenges such as funding shortfalls and fading global attention to Sudan’s plight.
British Steel crisis exposes fragility of UK’s industrial backbone
Report on the UK government's emergency takeover of British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant, marking a rare state intervention to preserve the country’s last virgin steelmaking capability and highlighting the long-term vulnerabilities in the country’s industrial policy.
The story explains the main drivers of the crisis, including mounting financial losses, and how the government move has sparked renewed scrutiny over the UK’s reliance on foreign capital in strategic sectors.
The report explores the economic and geopolitical stakes, the transition to green steel under climate goals, and the urgent need for structural reforms, with comments from experts including Chrysa Glystra, director of trade and economic policy at UK Steel.
FACTBOX - How does China dominate global rare earth sector?
Report on China’s decision to restrict exports of seven more rare earth elements in response to US tariffs, spotlighting the global dependency on Beijing for materials critical to high-tech and defense industries.
The story explains the strategic role of rare earths like dysprosium, yttrium, and lutetium, and details how China controls a vast share of global production and refining capacity.
The report also details China’s dominant reserves and the US’ dependence, while outlining the broader implications for clean energy, geopolitical leverage, and global trade.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Aida al-Sayed Abdullah, head of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, on the threats to medics and rescue workers, along with the overall critical humanitarian situation in Sudan as the war enters its third year.