ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire talks in Egypt
Latest developments in Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh, as positive progress has been made in Wednesday's talks, with the participation of high-level US, Qatari, and Turkish delegations, in addition to Palestinian factions.
Legal situation of detained activists aboard Gaza aid convoy
Possible deportation of 145 activists detained by Israeli naval forces from 9 vessels of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in international waters, along with six activists of the previously attacked Global Sumud Flotilla who are still held in Israeli prisons.
Europe, Arab, regional states meet in Paris to discuss Gaza
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend a meeting in Paris with European, Arab, and other states to discuss the transition in Gaza, diplomatic sources told Anadolu. The meeting aims to show joint support for ongoing ceasefire talks in Egypt and to coordinate efforts with the US on post-war plans for Gaza.
It is part of the Franco-Saudi initiative promoting a two-state solution, which resulted in the New York Declaration and supported the US plan.
Participants include the European Quint (France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain), the EU foreign policy chief, the Arab Quint (Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan), as well as Indonesia, Canada, and Türkiye.
Arraiolos Group meeting in Tallinn
Estonian President Alar Karis hosts counterparts from the Arraiolos Group of non-executive presidents for high-level talks. Members of the grouping also include Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, and Slovenia. The talks are expected to focus on democracy, unity, and shared values.
EU Parliament votes on motions of censure against commission chief
European Parliament members vote on two motions of censure against EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Two political groups submitted motions of censure against the European Commission and its president.
While the Left Group’s motive is the EU’s inaction on Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the Patriots accused von der Leyen of undermining Europe’s economic strength and strategic autonomy following a trade deal with US President Donald Trump.
Riga Conference on foreign policy and security issues
The diplomats and defence experts meet in Riga, the Latvian capital, as part of a three-day annual event. The conference is expected to address current foreign policy and security issues by developing meaningful and long-term discussions among global leaders and decision-makers.
2025 Nobel Prize in Literature
Winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature to be announced during a press conference by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Last year, it was awarded to Han Kang of South Korea “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.”
Tajikistan to host 2nd Russia-Central Asia summit
Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe to host the second edition of the Russia-Central Asia summit, the first of which had taken place in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in October 2022.
The agenda of the summit will include further strengthening cooperation between Russia and regional countries in various sectors, including trade and economy. Regional security in light of the situation in both Afghanistan and the Middle East is also expected to be addressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be taking part in the event, on the sidelines of which he is expected to meet some of his regional counterparts.
Turkish president's agenda
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
Trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Turkish defense ministers in Ankara
Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col. Gen. Zakir Hasanov is on a visit to Türkiye to take part in the 12th trilateral meeting of the Azerbaijani-Georgian-Turkish defense ministers.
Within the framework of the visit, Hasanov is expected to hold both bilateral and trilateral meetings with his Turkish and Georgian counterparts in Ankara, focusing on regional security and defense cooperation.
Vietnamese leader, Chinese premier begin trip to North Korea
Top Vietnamese leader To Lam and Chinese Premier Li Qiang began official visit to North Korea to attend celebrations marking the 80th founding anniversary of the ruling party.
This visit marks the first for the two foreign leaders since they assumed office. Both To Lam and Li are expected to hold separate meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Top Afghan diplomat begins India visit
Interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visits New Delhi, in first such visit by any top Afghan diplomat since the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021. Muttaqi is expected to meet with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
Bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investmentsis expected to be discussed. Hundreds of Afghans live in India, which might be included in the meeting agenda.
THE ECONOMY
Germany's foreign trade
Destatis to announce monthly foreign trade figures for August. In July, Germany's foreign trade balance posted a surplus of €14.7B. Markets expect a surplus of €15.1B for August.
US initial jobless claims
US to announce initial jobless claims figures for last week. Due to federal government shutdown, data releases may be delayed.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Caracal cats vanishing from Pakistan’s deserts and highlands
Report on Pakistan’s disappearing caracal cat, whose dwindling numbers reflect the growing pressures of habitat loss, human encroachment, and retaliatory killing.
The story explains how the caracal – a medium-sized, nocturnal wild cat native to Pakistan’s arid regions – now faces a critical risk of extinction due to threats such as expanding farmland, overgrazing, urbanization, and hunting for the illegal pet trade.
The report includes comments from conservationists and experts including Jamshed Choudhry of WWF-Pakistan and Zohaib Ahmad of the Indus Fishing Cat Project.
Tanzania’s farmers battle drought, turn to agroforestry for survival
Report exploring how prolonged drought and water scarcity are reshaping farming in southern Tanzania and how agroforestry offers a pathway to climate resilience.
The story has narratives from farmers like Anna Mbwambo, who lament lost harvests and drying rivers, while others such as Mary Gasper Mkwama explain different techniques being used to restore soil and diversify incomes.
The report also includes comments from experts such as climate researcher Pius Yanda and Agriwezesha director Deograsia Ignas, calling for adaptation funding, fair trade, and stronger national support ahead of COP30.