ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, May 2, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
2-month-plus Israeli closure of crossings pushes Gaza toward famine and health crisis
Over two months into Israel’s closure of Gaza’s crossings – in force since March 2 – the blockade continues to choke the flow of essential supplies into the enclave, worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis amid growing reports of famine and widespread deprivation.
The prolonged lack of food, clean water, and medical aid will lead to a sharp rise in preventable diseases, with children – already suffering from acute malnutrition – facing the highest risk of death, long-term health complications, and developmental setbacks.
Israel battles worsening wildfires amid heat wave, emergency measures underway
Latest developments as central Israel remains under strain as wildfires, driven by an extreme heat wave, continue to spread – prompting emergency officials to warn that this could become the worst wildfire event in the nation’s history, with 20,000 dunams of forestland already scorched.
If high temperatures and dry winds persist, the wildfire situation in central Israel may deteriorate further in the coming days.
However, some regional assistance – such as firefighting aircraft or equipment from neighboring countries – may help contain or extinguish the fires.
Sudan’s El-Fasher endures intensified RSF attacks amid rising civilian death toll
Ongoing developments as heavy shelling by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher continues to claim civilian lives, deepening the humanitarian crisis in North Darfur’s last remaining major city not yet under RSF control.
Clashes in El-Fasher could escalate further in the coming days, potentially placing additional pressure on humanitarian access routes. The use of heavy weaponry raises concerns of rising civilian casualties and displacement, especially in areas with limited medical and logistical infrastructure.
President Donald Trump to release his budget for 2026 fiscal year
Document will be the first indication of Trump’s priorities and how he seeks to fund the government as he continues efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to outline his government’s priorities following election win.
Under an executive order signed last month by President Donald Trump, on Friday new duties of $75 or 90% of the value of low-value imports from China and Hong Kong are set to go into effect.
The order was signed to close a loophole which allowed e-commerce companies like Temu, Shein, and many Amazon merchants to bypass tariffs and cut costs.
UN request for ICJ opinion on Israel's obligations to assist Palestinians - Public hearings in The Hague (final day)
Public hearings to end at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as it hears UN request for an advisory opinion on the “Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The final day will see China, Senegal, Slovenia, Sudan, Switzerland, Comoros, Tunisia, Vanuatu, the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and African Union making submissions.
UK local election results
Following results of Thursday’s local elections and political developments
Local elections took place Thursday in England and Wales. Elections this cycle include: all 21 county councils, 10 unitary authorities and one metropolitan borough council in England; Isle of Scilly and City of London councils; mayoralty elections in the West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Doncaster and North Tyneside, all currently held by the ruling Labour Party, and new mayoralties in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire.
German Chancellor Scholz to speak at church event
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will join panel discussion at Protestant Church Congress (Kirchentag) in Hannover. At the session "Confidence in Challenging Times," he will address both domestic and international matters.
Scholz's panel discussion will be followed via live online stream. The coverage will focus on Scholz’s possible statements on foreign policy issues.
UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva
Coverage focused on agenda of briefing announced beforehand.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to hold working lunch with Japanese foreign minister
Jean-Noel Barrot to meet Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya for working lunch.
Meeting, scheduled for 12.30 pm local time, is expected to focus on bilateral cooperation and international security issues. No major announcements anticipated.
Russia-Ukraine war
War between Russia and Ukraine continues with more airstrikes, frontline clashes, and renewed international discussion of military and economic support for Kyiv.
The desk will track battlefield updates, Ukrainian defense responses, and reactions to ongoing aid and reconstruction talks.
DR Congo, Rwanda expected to draft peace deal to end conflict in eastern Congo
The Democratic Republic Congo and Rwanda are expected to finalize a draft peace agreement to end hostilities in conflict-hit eastern Congo.
Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart Olivier Nduhungirehe recently signed a US-brokered declaration in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance. The parties pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and work toward a peace accord.
Diplomatic contacts to dial down tensions between Pakistan, India continue
Following developments as diplomatic contacts with India and Pakistan continue from their allies and other UN member states to reduce tensions between the nuclear armed rivals.
Tensions including small arms cross-border fire in Jammu and Kashmir have been on the rise since last week when unidentified gunmen shot 26 people dead in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22.
Turkish banking sector figures
Turkish banking watchdog BDDK to release sector data for the first quarter of 2025.
Eurozone inflation
Eurostat to release inflation figures for April. It was at 2.2% on average on a yearly basis in March and a slight decrease is expected for April.
US factory orders
US to release factory orders figures for March. They rose by 0.6% in February on a monthly basis but a 4.2% increase is expected for March.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Australian election: Trump, economy, foreign policy define ballot
Report on Australia’s May 3 federal election and the main issues shaping the polls, including economic pressures, housing costs, and uncertainty over the second Trump presidency’s global impact.
The story details the positions of major parties and their proffered strategies to address these burning issues, with a focus on economic measures and Australia’s potential foreign policy path.
The report includes commentary from Charles Miller, a political science and international relations expert at Australian National University, and Nathan Fioritti, a politics and international relations lecturer at Monash University.
Preserved in exile: Gaza’s rescued treasures on display in Paris
Report on exhibit at the Arab World Institute in Paris showcasing archaeological treasures from across the Gaza Strip.
Story presents details of the exhibit, which aims to offer a window into Gaza’s 5,000-year history, and highlight the threats its faces due to Israel’s continued occupation and violence.
The report highlights how the archaeological pieces – from Byzantine mosaics and wine amphorae to syncretic statuettes – tell Gaza’s rich history as a crossroads of civilizations, while also documenting the catastrophic destruction of cultural heritage by Israel’s ongoing war.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Report on Australia’s May 3 federal election and the main issues shaping the polls, including US President Trump and domestic economic pressures, with comments from Charles Miller, a political science and international relations expert at Australian National University.