ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, July 28, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Devastating famine in besieged Gaza amid ongoing genocide by Israel
The ongoing and devastating famine in the Gaza Strip, which keeps claiming the lives of scores, including children, following Israel’s announcements of a humanitarian pause in three areas from 10 am to 8 pm for an unidentified timeframe, allowing only a trickle of aid into the already besieged enclave.
Israel’s detention of Gaza-bound aid ship crew
Latest developments after Israel detained 21 crew members of the Gaza-bound aid ship Handala, a vessel Tel Aviv intercepted in international waters and towed to Ashdod Port before reaching Gaza with the aim of breaking the illegal Israeli blockade. The activists are expected to be deported to their home countries after being questioned. International and regional reactions to be followed.
Reactions to Sudan’s RSF forming a parallel government
More international and regional reactions to the Sudanese Founding Alliance, led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announcing the formation of a parallel government chaired by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo -- a move rejected both by the recognized government and the Sudanese army.
UN to hold conference to operationalize two-state solution for Israel, Palestine
UN to convene high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution on July 28-29. Ministers to convene in the morning and hold a wrap-up session on work being conducted by working groups. Member states will then convene in the afternoon for a plenary meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expected to deliver remarks.
UN Security Council to address Syria
UN Security Council to receive a briefing on the Middle East followed by consultations on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria. Geir Pedersen, UN chief's special envoy for Syria, will brief the council. Meeting comes after Israel and Syria agreed to further talks to de-escalate conflict.
Ghislaine Maxwell attorney deadline
Lawyers representing convicted Jeffrey Epstein and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell face deadline to file their final written brief as part of her appeal to the US Supreme Court over her December 2021 conviction on child sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, has maintained her innocence.
Trump's Scotland visit
US President Donald Trump continues five-day visit to Scotland, with stops in Turnberry and Aberdeen. Trump is expected to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. According to reports, the bilateral meeting was framed by officials as a relationship building opportunity ahead of Trump’s official state visit in September.
US-China trade talks in Sweden
Trade talks between the US and China, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, take place in the Swedish capital. The talks will last until July 30.
Russian foreign minister to attend youth forum in Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to attend the "Territory of Meanings" All-Russian Youth Educational Forum scheduled to be held in the town of Solnechnogorsk in the Moscow region. During the forum, Lavrov is expected to address participants about the priorities of Russia's foreign policy and the current situation in global politics. Lavrov is also expected to answer questions from the forum's participants during the event.
Russian official to brief media on Ukraine, Iran
Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, to hold an online press briefing on issues related to Ukraine and Iran in the context of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Ulyanov is expected to touch on the situation surrounding nuclear plants in Ukraine, particularly developments around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant under Moscow's control since March 2022. Regarding Iran, Ulyanov is expected to touch on the recent regional tensions.
Possible reactions to latest sanctions decision by Ukraine
Reactions, particularly from Moscow, will be followed as Ukraine adopted new sanctions against Russia, coinciding with sanctions from the EU and the G7. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday signed off on two decrees, once to synchronize sanctions against Russia with the EU and G7, and another imposing restrictions on more than 90 Russia companies involved in extracting rare-earth and critical metals.
Ethiopia hosts 2nd UN Food Systems Summit
Ethiopia, in partnership with Italy, hosts the Second UN Food Systems Summit through Tuesday in the capital Addis Ababa. Marking nearly four years since the inaugural 2021 gathering, the summit serves as a global platform to assess progress, strengthen international collaboration, and mobilize financing to accelerate the transformation of food systems worldwide.
US Africa Command to hold news conference on US-Africa security cooperation
US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan and the deputy to the commander for civil-military engagement, Amb. Robert Scott, to hold a virtual news conference on AFRICOM’s security partnerships in Africa. The two AFRICOM leaders will also discuss their engagements in Angola and Namibia.
Thai-Cambodia premiers to meet in Malaysia as border conflict drags on
Thai and Cambodian prime ministers, Phumtham Wechayachai and Hun Manet, to meet in Malaysia as the deadly border conflict entered 5th day. The warring sides have agreed to mediation by Malaysia. At least 33 people have been killed while thousands have been displaced on the two sides of the border.
South Korea tariff talks continue amid Aug. 1 deadline
South Korea continues its tariff negotiations with the US as it rushes to finalize an agreement before the Aug. 1 deadline. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol is scheduled to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week in an effort to prevent a 25% tariff on Korean exports, including automobiles.
Chinese Foreign Ministry's news conference
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing.
Turkish President Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
SPECIAL REPORTS
‘We don’t want to be among the dead’: Gaza students trapped due to Canadian visa limbo
Report on Palestinian students admitted to attend Canadian universities but still stranded in Gaza and neighboring countries due to visa delays that critics say are political obstacles created by Ottawa.
The story highlights the adversities faced by students such as Meera Falyouna of Gaza, who remains unable to travel to Canada despite her academic achievements. She speaks in detail about her family’s suffering in Gaza and her current academic predicament, calling for global attention to the plight of Palestinian students caught up in Israel’s ongoing war.
The report also includes an interview with Nada El-Falou, director of student services at the Canada-based Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk (PSSAR), and comments from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
How street rappers are rewriting Tanzania’s cultural script
Report from Dar es Salaam spotlighting a new generation of underground rappers who are redefining Tanzanian hip hop by fusing traditional Swahili poetry with socially conscious lyrics and global beats.
The story explains how these artists, including rising female lyricists and youth-led collectives, are using music to confront inequality, amplify Indigenous identity, and foster civic consciousness.
The piece profiles key voices such as 22-year-old Mbwana Rashid, who goes by the stage name Majivu, Hashim Rubanza, a street rapper and artist mentor, and Tanzanian musician and activist Vitalis Maembe.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Meera Falyouna, a Palestinian student from Gaza who has secured admission to a Canadian university but remains unable to travel due to visa delays.