ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Gaza aid blockade deepens humanitarian catastrophe
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is rapidly deteriorating as Israel continues to block the entry of humanitarian aid since March 2, leaving nearly 2.4 million Palestinians without access to essential food, water, and medical supplies.
Sudan’s El-Fasher reels under deadly RSF shelling as civilian casualties mount
A surge in RSF artillery bombardment on El-Fasher — a scene of mounting civilian deaths, mass displacement, and infrastructural collapse.
Further civilian casualties are anticipated as RSF shelling intensifies in areas housing displaced families.
Hearing against Trump's executive order
Hearing to take place in a challenge brought by Perkins Coie law firm against a March 6 executive order signed by President Donald Trump over the firm’s alleged involvement in “partisan lawsuits against the United States.”
Hearing on Palestinian activist's deportation
Hearing to take place in the case of Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident who led Gaza war protests at Columbia University. The Trump administration has sought to deport Mahdawi over his pro-Palestinian activism.
Deadline on Venezuela deportation block
Trump administration faces deadline imposed by District Court Judge James Boasberg for government lawyers to either 'purge their contempt' or identify all individuals with knowledge of his restraining order who made the decision not to halt the transfer of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to Honduras and on to El Salvador in mid-March.
Last day to challenge April 11 ruling in Mahmoud Khalil case
Lawyers representing detained pro-Palestinian Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil have until today to make filings challenging a judge’s April 11 preliminary finding in favor of the Trump administration’s claim that Khalil’s presence in the US poses “adverse foreign policy consequences.”
Trump to sign more executive orders
US President Donald Trump to sign unspecified executive orders in the Oval Office. The event is currently listed as closed press by the White House, but the house rules will likely change before it begins.
Mexican president's news conference
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to deliver weekly press conference amid ongoing rows with the Trump administration over trade, migration, flow of illicit fentanyl across US border.
Pope Francis’ death, reactions, funeral preparations
Funeral preparations, reactions and preparatory work into election of the new Pope to be followed after Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The funeral will be held at 0800 GMT on Saturday, April 26, and the process to elect a new pope to begin on May 6.
Senior US and European officials - London talks on Ukraine
Senior US and European officials meet for further significant talks in London following on from Paris talks last week. Officials are expected to finalize a deal to end Ukraine-Russia war.
President Donald Trump last week said Russia and Ukraine will be able to "do big business" with the US if they secure a peace deal shortly after threatening to withdraw support if either Russia or Ukraine caused negotiations to stall.
UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons. Questions may include domestic and international issues, including the Ukraine war and humanitarian situation in Gaza after a new blockade on aid was placed more than 50 days ago by Israel.
Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Russia and Iran
Russian and Iranian senior officials to meet in Moscow to discuss the development of bilateral trade and the implementation of joint projects.
Russia and Iran are trying to adjust national payment systems to ensure transactions independent from the Western sanctions hindering bank cooperation. The two countries are also working on the North-South transport route.
Turkish Trade Minister Bolat pays official visits to Japan
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat to pay an official two-day visit to Japan to strengthen economic and commercial ties.
Bolat is likely to meet officials from both the government as well private sectors. The Turkish delegation will also attend the opening ceremony of the Türkiye's pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025 Osaka to introduce Turkish cultural and technological vision to the international community.
US vice president continues India trip
US Vice President JD Vance continues his four-day trip to India, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.
His trip to the South Asian natoion comes amid tariff threats by US President Donald Trump on Indian imports. Washington and New Delhi are also negotiating a trade deal.
China prepares for crewed space mission
China is expected to launch Shenzhou-20 crewed space mission.
The mission will launch off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in northwestern China. The three-member crew will join Chinese astronauts at their indigenously- built Tiangong space station.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang hosts Iranian counterpart Araghchi
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing amid ongoing negotiations over its nuclear program.
Iran continues Oman-mediated talks with the Trump administration. A third round of the talks is set to be held in Muscat later this week.
National Sovereignty and Children's Day, and 105th anniversary of Turkish Grand National Assembly
Türkiye celebrates National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, and the country’s parliament marks the 105th anniversary of its foundation.
Turkish president to celebrate Children's Day
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin and accompanying children at the presidential complex in Ankara, and attend the 47th TRT International April 23rd Children's Festival at Bestepe Millet Exhibition Hall.
THE ECONOMY
Eurozone's trade balance
Eurostat to share foreign trade statistics for the eurozone for February. Foreign trade balance in the euro area posted a surplus of €1 billion in January.
SPECIAL REPORTS
No ‘one-fits-all solution’ for AI and intellectual property conundrum: Expert
Interview with intellectual property (IP) law expert Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan about the issue of IP protection particularly with generative AI and the growing dominance of digital platforms.
The expert raises concerns over the unchecked influence of profit-driven intermediaries like YouTube, warning that unresolved copyright issues around AI training data – now under litigation globally – expose deep legal gaps in the current system.
He emphasizes the need for context-specific legal approaches across countries, also calling for flexible IP frameworks that respect national needs while acknowledging the limits of global consensus in a fractured trade environment.
Habitat loss, illegal hunting pushing Great Indian bustard to extinction in Pakistan
Report on the rapid decline of the Great Indian bustard population in Pakistan, which is being driven to local extinction, sparking calls for greater protection efforts.
The story presents comparative data to chart the decline of the species, which has been declared “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and has insights from experts about the combination of factors – habitat loss, agricultural expansion, predation, and targeted poaching – that has decimated the population.
The report features interviews with Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, senior manager research and conservation at WWF-Pakistan; Ali Usman Bukhari, an official of the Punjab Wildlife Department; and independent wildlife expert Rab Nawaz.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with legal expert Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan about the growing issue of intellectual property protection with the boom of generative AI platforms and growing dominance of digital platforms.