ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Israeli blockade triggers famine in Gaza
The Israeli blockade of Gaza, in place since March 2, has pushed the territory into a state of famine, with over 2 million residents facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.
The crisis escalated Tuesday when thousands of starving Palestinians rushed a US-run aid distribution center in southern Gaza, prompting the evacuation of American workers and leaving several Palestinians injured as Israeli forces opened fire.
There is growing international pressure on Israel to lift the blockade and allow full-scale humanitarian access. Aid organizations warn that without immediate action, famine-related deaths will continue to rise sharply.
Gaza ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel
Uncertainty surrounds the status of a proposed Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal after reports on Monday suggested that Hamas had accepted a US-brokered proposal led by envoy Steve Witkoff. The envoy, however, has since denied that Hamas accepted the proposal.
Sudan’s cholera deaths surge as RSF attacks cripple health services
Sudan’s cholera outbreak has sharply worsened with 172 deaths reported in just one week, bringing the total to nearly 61,000 cases — 90% in Khartoum State, where RSF-army clashes have crippled water and energy access.
Zelenskyy's expected Berlin visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to visit Berlin for talks with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to multiple German reports.
EU report on racism and intolerance
The Council of Europe's human rights monitoring body publishes annual report on racism and intolerance in Europe.
Briefing on human rights in Palestine
Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, will brief reporters in Geneva regarding the latest situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine holds a virtual press conference to launch a new report on “Russian forces’ systematic drone attacks targeting civilians in Kherson Province.”
ILO press conference in Geneva
Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo will hold a press breakfast for UN-accredited media ahead of the International Labour Conference. Houngbo will also brief on the new ILO World Employment and Social Outlook: May 2025 Update (WESO) report.
Macron's Indonesia visit
French President Emmanuel Macron continues his three-nation visit to Asia. On Wednesday he is in Jakarta, where his schedule includes talks with President Prabowo Subianto. He will visit the island of Java on Thursday.
Trial of man charged over alleged Quran burning outside Turkish consulate in London
A suspect, charged with a religiously aggravated public order offense, appears at court after a video circulated on social media showing a man burning a Quran outside of the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge on Feb. 13.
Verdict expected in landmark Le Scouarnec child sex abuse trial in France
Final verdict expected in trial of French ex-surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, accused of sexually abusing 299 children over 25 years, one of France’s biggest child sex abuse cases. Victims and activists call for stronger protections, urge government to set up cross-ministry committee to prevent future abuse.
Turkish President Erdogan's visit to Azerbaijan
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Azerbaijan on the occasion of the country's Independence Day to hold bilateral talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, and also attend the second meeting of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan trilateral summit. Erdogan also is expected to participate the inauguration ceremony of the Lachin International Airport.
Top Russian diplomat to address 13th International Meeting on Security Matters
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to participate in the 13th International Meeting of Senior Representatives on Security Matters.
Lavrov is scheduled to deliver a speech at the plenary session on the topic, "Shaping an Architecture of Equal and Indivisible Security: Challenges and Opportunities for the States of the Global South and East."
Italian premier to visit Uzbekistan ahead of regional summit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to conduct a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, ahead of a regional summit with Central Asian states later this week.
The prime minister will be visiting the city of Samarkand, where she is expected to meet President Shavkat Mirziyoyev before the 1st Central Asia-Italy summit to be held in neighboring Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijan marks Independence Day
Azerbaijan to mark Independence Day, a national holiday honoring the date on which the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was founded back in 1918.
As part of the holiday, celebratory events will take place across the country.
Trump to sign executive orders
US President Donald Trump will sign unspecified executive orders in the Oval Office. The event is currently listed as closed press, but is likely to be opened to the in-house pool.
UN Security Council to discuss Gaza
UN Security Council to meet for a briefing followed by consultations on the Middle East, with a focus on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza caused by Israel’s war on the coastal enclave. UN officials, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have strongly rebuffed Israel’s decisions to resume its military campaign, and halt humanitarian aid deliveries.
Trump attorneys face deadline over South Sudan deportations
Trump administration attorneys face an afternoon deadline to make further filings as part of a legal challenge over deportations to South Sudan.
Top US, German diplomats meet at State Department
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the State Department in Washington.
Xiamen hosts 3rd China-Pacific Island nations’ top diplomats’ meeting
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts counterparts from 11 Pacific Island nations in eastern Xiamen city of Fujian province. The two sides during third China-Pacific Island nations’ foreign ministers’ meeting discuss bilateral ties as well as regional issues
New Zealand’s foreign minister visits Nepal
New Zealand’s top diplomat Winston Peters pays visit to Nepal, a first by a Kiwi diplomat to the Himalayan nation. Peters will meet Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Sharma Oli as well as Foreign Minister Rana Deuba. Bilateral ties and regional issues are expected to be discussed during the visit.
Election campaign continues in South Korea
Election campaign for the June 3 snap presidential election continues in South Korea. In a recent poll, Lee Jae-myung still appears to be the front-runner. Economy, artificial intelligence, relations with North Korea as well as trade ties with US are among issues that have taken center stage in the campaigning.
ECOWAS to celebrate its 50th anniversary
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Nigeria’s capital Lagos. High-level figures, such as Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are expected to attend.
Namibia to mark Genocide Remembrance Day for first time
Namibia will observe Genocide Remembrance Day for the first time following its proclamation in 2024. Thousands of locals were killed under the German colonial rule between 1904 and 1908.
African Chiefs of Defense Conference to kick off in Kenya
Kenya, in collaboration with US Africa Command (AFRICOM), will host the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD25) in the capital Nairobi. Kenyan President William Ruto is expected to officiate the opening ceremony, which will bring together military leaders from across Africa.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s economic confidence
TurkStat will share the economic confidence figures for May. It fell by 4.2 points to 96.6 in April.
German unemployment
Germany will share unemployment figures for May. The rate stood stable at 6.3% last month.
DevSecOps event in Istanbul
The two-day DevSecOps (development, security and operations) event begins at Borsa Istanbul. Leading experts, sector representatives, software engineers, and cybersecurity professionals come together to discuss the leading role of AI in improving development, security and operational processes.
SPECIAL REPORTS
In Sudan, civilians returning home to deadly threat of unexploded ordnance
Report on the growing dangers facing displaced Sudanese civilians returning to cities devastated by war, where landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) now pose a “silent killer” risk, according to the UN Mine Action Program (UNMAS).
The story includes an interview with UNMAS chief Mohammad Sediq Rashid, who details how homes, hospitals, schools, and even UN offices in areas like Khartoum and Jazeera state are contaminated with UXOs, while public awareness of these threats remains dangerously low.
The report also has insights from Sudanese analyst Jihad Mashamoun, who explains that returnees are also facing other lethal threats, including criminal gangs armed with weapons abandoned by retreating forces.
TIMELINE – ECOWAS at 50: History of West African regional bloc
Report on the history of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the regional bloc marks 50 years of its existence.
The report traces the key milestones of ECOWAS since its founding in 1975, highlighting its efforts in economic integration, peacekeeping, and political mediation.
The story also presents an overview of the major challenges that ECOWAS has faced over the past five decades, including the recent withdrawal of three key member states that has reshaped its political significance.
‘Responsibility for next generation’: First Lebanese woman to summit Mount Everest on breaking barriers for women
Interview with Fatima Deryan, the first Lebanese woman to summit Mount Everest, about navigating identity and inequality in the worlds of mountaineering and extreme travel.
Deryan reflects on the unique hardships faced by women and the cultural resistance they encounter. She stresses how visibility and representation matter in a male-dominated space.
The report also has comments from adventurer Johnny Ward, the first Irish person to visit every country in the world, who shares his perspective on growing challenges such as overtourism, which has been negatively affecting many countries.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Mohammad Sediq, head of the UN Mine Action Program, about the growing dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance as displaced Sudanese civilians return to major cities.
VIDEO - Interview with Fatima Deryan, the first Lebanese woman to summit Mount Everest, about her trailblazing journey in the world of mountaineering and adventure travel.