Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israel continues genocidal war on Gaza

Latest developments as Israel continues its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.

On Tuesday, the last day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed a Palestinian journalist and his family in Khan Younis, the Al-Aqsa local radio reported. His death brought the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, to 209.

The Israeli army issued evacuation orders for Palestinians Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip ahead of a strike in the area.

The Gaza death toll since October 2023 has reached to nearly 50,400, according to the Health Ministry.

Israeli premier's visit to Hungary despite ICC arrest warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Hungary on Wednesday till Sunday, marking his first visit to a member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the court issued an international arrest warrant against him and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, according to his office’s statement on Sunday.

During the five-day visit, he is expected to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Theoretically, ICC member states are obligated to enforce the arrest warrant.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following incomplete pullout

Developments in Lebanon after incomplete Israeli army withdrawal.

On Tuesday, four people, including a woman, were killed and seven others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb.

An Israeli military statement claimed that it targeted a Hezbollah member posing an “immediate threat to Israeli civilians.”

Hezbollah confirmed that two of its members were killed by Israeli forces, including senior commander Hassan Ali Bdeir.

The Lebanese army said that Israeli forces opened fire on its troops while they were removing earth barriers erected by Israel in the town of Odaisseh, in the Marjeyoun district of southern Lebanon.

Since the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel came into effect, Israel has committed 1,362 violations, resulting in at least 117 deaths and 362 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in the northern parts of the territory.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army claimed on Tuesday that it uncovered an explosives laboratory in Tulkarem, a city in the northern occupied West Bank, and arrested dozens of Palestinians during a series of raids.

Israeli forces also stormed towns and ordered Palestinians to evacuate homes in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem, intensifying a months-long campaign.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where over 940 Palestinians have been killed and over 7,000 others injured in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since the start of the Gaza onslaught on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

US aggression on Yemen, Houthis' strikes against Israel

Developments in US aggression against Yemen, as well as Houthi military operations against Israel.

The Yemeni group said Tuesday that US warplanes conducted 22 raids recently in areas in the northern provinces of Sanaa and Saada.

The US has intensified airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen in recent days at an unprecedented rate, resulting in casualties and property damage, according to the group.

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar al-Assad administration.

On Tuesday, Syrian security forces killed two in clash with former regime remnants in the town of Najha, located in the Sayyida Zainab area south of Damascus, according to the Interior Ministry.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed his country’s support for the Syrian people’s choices and rejected Israeli incursions into Syrian territory during a phone call Tuesday with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.

Outrage in Israel

Public anger against Netanyahu’s government continues, with protests demanding the return of Israeli captives through a cease-fire in Gaza to enable negotiations with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rescinded the appointment of former navy chief Eli Sharvit as head of the Shin Bet following Ronen Bar just 25 hours after announcing it, sparking a political storm and accusations that he caved to political pressure.

Military, humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country of Sudan as the army recaptures more areas in the capital Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Fierce clashes were reported Tuesday between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary RSF in the strategic city of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in southern Sudan.

Developments after Trump’s threats to bomb Iran amid standoff over nuclear deal

Latest updates following US President Donald Trump’s threat of bombing Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Tuesday rejected threats directed at Iran, reaffirming Baghdad’s commitment to supporting the security and stability of its eastern neighbor.

In his first response to Trump’s threat of “bombing” Iran, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any “external aggression” would be met with “firm retaliation.”

Iran also summoned the Swiss envoy in Tehran to deliver a formal warning to the US “against any hostile actions.”

Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, warned that any US or Israeli military strike on Iran under the pretext of its nuclear program would drive Tehran to pursue nuclear weapon development, according to The Iranian TV.

Türkiye-France foreign ministers' meeting

Türkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot in France.

EU defense ministers meet in Warsaw

Defense ministers from EU member states are gathering in the Polish capital for a two-day meeting. They will discuss Europe's rearmament efforts and plans to strengthen its defense industry amid current security challenges. The agenda includes discussions on continued support for Ukraine and the EU's potential role in securing peace. Ministers will also address the broader geopolitical situation and conflicts in the Middle East. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will chair the meeting.

NATO chief to hold press conference

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to hold a news conference ahead of this week’s NATO foreign ministers meeting. Top diplomats from NATO countries will gather at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels on April 3-4 for discussions on defense spending and support for Ukraine. Led by Rutte, the discussions will center on raising defense spending targets above the current 2% GDP benchmark, following US President Trump's call for higher commitments. Press briefings by Rutte are scheduled for both days of the meeting.

UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons.

German coalition talks

The Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) are continuing negotiations toward forming a coalition government. Security issues and migration remain key areas where the leaders must bridge differences. Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who leads the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, has stated he aims to establish the coalition government before the Easter holiday (April 20–21). He cited pressing domestic economic challenges and escalating international security concerns that require immediate governmental action.

Germany's crime statistics

Acting Interior Minister Nancy Faeser will hold a press conference in Berlin to present Germany's 2024 crime statistics.

Trump's tariffs

US President Donald Trump expected to implement worldwide reciprocal tariffs in long-promised action that has sent markets sharply lower for the past two months. A one-month pause on tariffs covered under the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement is also slated to expire.

UN Security Council debate

UN Security Council to hold open debate on protection of civilians in armed conflict amid multiple global crises, and as Israel resumes its offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to address General Assembly on missing persons.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani at the Department of State.

US House Committee hearing

US House Committee on the Judiciary's Subcommittee on Oversight holds hearing, fully titled Inside the Biden FBI: Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and a Bureau Leadership in Decline. Witnesses include former FBI special agents.

US Supreme Court rulings

US Supreme Court to announce series of rulings on multiple cases seeks as Trump administration to have the high court intervene on three cases it argues are hampering Trump from executing his agenda.

Top Russian, Vietnamese diplomats to hold talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to engage in talks with his visiting Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, in the Russian capital Moscow. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two ministers plan to exchange perspectives on various bilateral issues, including future high-level interactions. The ministers will also deliberate on critical international and regional concerns. A joint press conference is expected following the talks.

St. Petersburg to host 9th International Labor Forum

Russia's city of St. Petersburg to host the 9th edition of its International Labor Forum, which serves as the largest Eurasian platform addressing labor relations. The event, which will take place until April 4, explores labor market challenges, economic trends, staffing strategies, HR innovations, modernization of public employment services, and the creation of a unified labor market among CIS (Commonwealth of independent states, a regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia) member states. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to deliver remarks at the event.

German president to meet Azerbaijani counterpart amid official visit

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev amid an official visit to the South Caucasus nation. Steinmeier's visit to Baku comes following a visit by the German president to neighboring Armenia, marking the first time that a German president visited either country. A joint press conference is expected following the meeting.

Outgoing German foreign minister to visit Moldova

Outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to embark on a two-day visit to the Moldovan capital Chisinau. According to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, Baerbock's agenda in the country includes meetings with President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean. The discussions will focus on Germany's support for Moldova, bilateral cooperation and Chisinau's European path. Baerbock's visit comes a day after a visit to neighboring Ukraine.

China continues military drills in East China Sea

A day after launching massive joint military involving its army, navy, air force and rocket force around Taiwan, China is holding Strait Thunder-2025A exercise in East China Sea. The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities, and have achieved desired effects.

Developments in impeachment case against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol

New developments, including protest rallies and political statements, are expected as South Korea's Constitutional Court is set to issue verdict in impeachment case against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on April 4. Yoon was impeached by parliament Dec. 3 following his attempt to impose martial law.

Death toll of 7.7 magnitude Myanmar earthquake expected to rise

Rescuers continue to search for survivors of the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. With the death toll approaching 3,000, hundreds still missing and thousands injured the count is expected to rise on the sixth day of the disaster.

India proposes changes to Waqf laws governing Muslim public properties

Amid protests, Indian government to propose amendments to Waqf laws in parliament that would expand government control over the Muslim public properties in the country.

6th BIMSTEC senior officials meet in Bangkok

Senior officials of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meets in Bangkok. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are the seven members of the initiative. The meeting will be followed by summit of leaders of these nations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on recent regional and global developments.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish banking sector data

Turkish banking watchdog to release sector statistics for February.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Power struggle and party splits: Why is Zimbabwe’s president under fire?

Report on the growing political unrest in Zimbabwe, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is under mounting pressure as calls for his resignation grow within the ruling party, fueled by corruption scandals, economic failures, and fears he may seek to extend his rule beyond 2028.

The story details recent developments that have led to Mnangagwa facing possible ouster, as war veteran Blessed Bombshell Geza and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga openly criticize his leadership, while recent protests and internal party disputes expose deep fractures.

The report includes insights from political analysts Stanford Nyatsanza and Zivaishe Zhou, who explore the reasons for Mnangagwa’s troubles and the impact on Zimbabwe’s political and economic stability.

Israel’s AI-driven Gaza assault normalizing mass civilian casualties: Expert

Interview with Heidy Khlaaf, chief AI scientist at AI Now Institute and former systems safety engineer at OpenAI, about Israel’s use of artificial intelligence in its deadly ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip.

Khlaaf outlines how AI models such as Lavender, Gospel, and Where is Daddy? are embedded in almost every stage of Israel’s military operations, automating target selection with error-prone algorithms based on historical and probabilistic data.

She also highlights how tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are not merely passive providers of cloud services but active collaborators in tailoring AI tools for Israeli military purposes, despite well-known accuracy flaws.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with AI expert Heidy Khlaaf about how Israel’s use of AI in its Gaza assault risks normalizing mass civilian deaths and evading accountability for potential war crimes.