ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, July 24, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Deadly hunger crisis in Gaza amid Israeli siege
Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, with dozens, including children, dying from severe hunger and a collapsed health system due to Israel’s blockade.
Lebanese prime minister to visit France
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will pay a day-long official visit to Paris, his first trip to the European country since assuming office in February. Salam will discuss with the French side, including President Emmanuel Macron, the issue of support regarding the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate, which is due to be decided by the Security Council at the end of August, as well as the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Freedom Flotilla vessel on its way to Gaza to break Israeli blockade
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Handala vessel is en route to Gaza aiming to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.
The ship is expected to reach Gaza on Sunday—unless intercepted by Israeli forces, as happened with the Madleen vessel in international waters last month.
Trump to visit Fed headquarters
US President Donald Trump will visit the Federal Reserve’s headquarters, along with other administration officials. The visit comes after a request to tour the site amid rising scrutiny of the central bank’s ongoing $2.5 billion renovations and tensions with its chairman, Jerome Powell, over interest rates.
Rubio to host Austrian counterpart
US Secretary of State Rubio meets Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger at the State Department. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are on the agenda, as well as the Western Balkans, following recent visits by Meinl-Reisinger to the region. US tariffs on Europe are also expected to be discussed.
Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi meeting
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The pair are expected to sign a free trade deal that was agreed in May. Modi is also expected to call on King Charles and meet business leaders.
Reactions on 3rd round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye
Reactions as Russia and Ukraine held a new round of peace talks in Istanbul. Russia's delegation was led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine's delegation was represented by Rustem Umerov.
Cambodia-Thailand border crisis
Tensions escalated between Thailand and Cambodia with exchange of fire across the disputed border.
Controversial ‘recall vote’ triggers protests in Taiwan
The controversial “recall vote” has triggered protests in Taiwan with pro and opposing groups planning separate demonstrations. The vote, scheduled for weekend, targets 24 opposition lawmakers, who dominate legislature, and are accused of misdeeds, triggering fresh vote to end their term mid-way.
Beijing hosts summit of Chinese, EU leaders
Beijing hosts the 25th China-EU summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping also holds separate sitting with visiting EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside their summit with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Russia-Ukraine war, rare earths, and trade protection amid the Trump administration's tariffs are expected to be discussed during the meetings. A joint statement is expected after meeting, besides a news conference by EU leaders.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry briefing
The Foreign Ministry in Islamabad holds weekly news conference. Anadolu will ask the spokesperson about progress on Pakistan-US trade negotiations, and for details on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's maiden trip to Bangladesh.
Japan continues to witness upheaval in domestic politics
Monitoring developments and statements amid reports Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to step down in the wake of electoral losses by the ruling coalition. Ishiba has, however, pushed back such calls from with his own Liberal Democratic Party.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's interest rate decision
Turkish Central Bank to announce its interest rate decision. In the last meeting, the one-week repo rate was kept constant at 46%. Markets expect the bank to cut the rate by 250 basis points to 43.5% for this meeting.
ECB interest rate decision
The European Central Bank to release its interest rate decision. In the last meeting, the benchmark rate was slashed by 25 basis points to 2%. Markets expect no change in the rate for this meeting.
US initial jobless claims
US to share initial jobless claims figures for last week. In the previous week, the claims were down by 7,000, reaching 221,000, lowest level in 3 months.
Major tech event IDEF 2025
Major tech event International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 continues with its 17th edition in Istanbul. Hundreds of domestic and foreign companies are expected to participate in the event, showcasing their products in defense, aviation, and aerospace fields.
SPECIAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW – ‘No matter what Israel does to us, we keep going,’ says activist aboard Gaza aid vessel
Interview with Huwaida Arraf, an American lawyer who is aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition activist vessel Handala sailing from Italy toward Gaza in an attempt to break the Israeli siege.
Arraf shares details about the aid mission’s objectives, stressing that raising awareness about the suffering of Palestinians at the hands of Israel is just as important as getting aid into the Gaza Strip. She also explains how the activists intend to use their mission to push world governments to take concrete action against Israel.
She also discusses the indirect threats they have received from Israel and the risks of Israeli attacks, as well as their potential arrests and deportations.
INTERVIEW – Türkiye can lead by example in linking growth and climate action: UN climate body head
Interview with Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), about the major outcomes of his visit to Türkiye.
The official shares insights on climate change efforts in Türkiye, stressing that the country’s clean energy momentum could prove vital in boosting investor confidence and economic resilience.
Stiell says Türkiye’s wind and solar potential, young population, and dynamic private sector offer a clear “recipe for success,” while emphasizing the importance of retraining, community investment, and stronger adaptation plans in the face of growing climate risks.
In Italy, climate extremes revive fears of another dairy crisis
Report examining how recent heat waves in Italy have had an adverse impact on dairy farms and production in the country.
The story explains how soaring summer temperatures in Italy, especially in the dairy-producing region of Lombardy, have led to a 10-15% drop in milk yields, with nearly 1.8 million liters lost. It details why many in the sector are increasingly worried about a potential repeat of the 2022 dairy crisis.
The report also lays out how farmers are battling rising temperatures with cooling systems and fortified feed as fears grow of another drought-hit summer.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with American activist Huwaida Arraf, who is aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel Handala, focusing on the mission’s objectives and the hurdles it could face in its attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.