ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israel’s ongoing deadly attacks on Gaza Strip
Intensifying Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip, characterized by daily shootings of Palestinian civilians, including at food distribution centers, amid a worsening humanitarian crisis and rapidly spreading meningitis outbreak.
Casualty counts from Gaza’s Health Ministry and medics, airstrikes, the targeting of civilian infrastructure across Gaza and meningitis cases will be followed along with regional and international reactions and responses from human rights groups.
Ongoing violence by illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank
Violent attacks by illegal Israeli settlers on Palestinians, their homes, and properties in the occupied West Bank.
Updates on the scale of violence, including shootings, arson, and vandalism, will be closely tracked alongside monitoring statements from Palestinian and Israeli officials, as well as international bodies and their reactions.
Chinese foreign minister’s Europe tour continues
EU and China to hold their 13th Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Heat wave across Europe
The heat wave across Europe, from Britain to Greece, with its severe consequences, including causing extreme weather events like floods in Italy, will continue to be monitored. A feature on this issue in being prepared for later this week.
Meeting of Russian, Kyrgyz presidents in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks in Moscow with his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov, in Russia on an official visit.
The leaders are to discuss pressing matters on the further development of the strategic partnership and allied relationship between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in politics, trade, and the economy, and cultural and humanitarian affairs. Eurasia desk will follow developments surrounding the talks via official statements, media reports, and live broadcast, if available.
Briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold press briefing in Moscow. She is expected to hold a Q&A session with journalists from domestic and international media. Eurasia desk will not be taking part in the briefing, but will follow via live broadcast, as available.
Possible Gaza ceasefire
President Donald Trump announced Israel had agreed "to the necessary conditions to finalize" a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Desk tracking progress of this story.
House vote on controversial Trump mega-bill
The controversial bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, narrowly passed the Senate on Tuesday and is set to be considered by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Trump praised the passage of the bill and urged House Republicans to unite before July 4.
Indian premier to visit Ghana
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ghana as part of five-nation tour. This will be Modi’s first visit to the West African country, as well as the first visit by an Indian prime minister, in three decades.
Authorities use AI to boost security of Hindu pilgrimage in Kashmir
Annual Hindu pilgrimage to begin in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides deploying troops and police, authorities this year have boosted security with high-tech surveillance, employing artificial intelligence to thwart any untoward incidents. This is the biggest event since 26 tourists were killed by unidentified gunmen on April at the Pahalgam tourist site, one of the routes for the annual Hindu pilgrimage inside the Himalayas.
Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing addressing current global and regional events. Trade talks with US, tensions in Middle East, situation on Korean Peninsula as well as South China Sea may be addressed.
THE ECONOMY
Turkish banking sector balance
Turkish banking watchdog to release sector figures for May. In April, the sector saw a total net profit of $6.9B.
Türkiye's foreign trade
Turkish Trade Ministry will announce preliminary foreign trade figures for June. The country's exports totaled $24.8 billion in May, up 2.6%, while imports amounted to $31.46 billion, up 2.7%, on a yearly basis.
SPECIAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW – Labour lawmaker urges F-35 arms vote, says UK government can no longer ‘hide behind courts’
Interview with Labour MP Richard Burgon, who is calling for Parliament to vote on halting UK exports of F-35 jet parts to Israel, following a High Court ruling that placed the responsibility on the government and MPs rather than the judiciary.
Burgon reiterates the warning that the UK risks complicity in Gaza atrocities if it continues the exports. He also demands equal treatment for Palestinians seeking refuge, like that afforded to Ukrainians, and backs a new Gaza family scheme.
The report also covers wider political reactions and legal implications of the ruling, as well as public calls to end arms sales to Israel.
‘Pandora’s box has been opened,’ EU lawmaker warns as Ursula von der Leyen faces no-confidence vote
Report on possibility of no-confidence motion for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over a past COVID-19 vaccine deal.
Story presents details of the allegations against the EU Commission chief and explores how the motion, led by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea, challenges the bloc’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law.
Report includes interview with Piperea, who warns the case could be open a Pandora’s box, and outlines what’s at stake for institutional accountability.
FACTBOX – How British arms, intelligence, and diplomacy fueled Israel’s Gaza genocide
Report examining how British military exports, surveillance flights, and intelligence-sharing have aided Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
The story details how the UK authorized arms shipments – including F-35 jet components and thousands of munitions – despite tens of thousands of Palestinians being killed by Israeli forces.
The report reveals details of surveillance missions over Gaza, raising questions about how British intelligence has been used, and also has legal and political reactions to the UK’s role.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with lawmaker Richard Burgon about UK’s controversial arms sales to Israel, with the Labour MP calling for a parliamentary vote on halting exports of F-35 jet parts to Israel.