Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, April 7, 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 Sunday, at least 36 more Palestinians were killed and several others wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Jabalia, Zawayda area in central Gaza and Khan Younis, medics said.

Israeli forces continued to demolish residential buildings in northern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to witnesses.

The Israeli military has destroyed an area of roughly 12,000 square meters (129,167 square feet) in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, erasing 90% of the city’s residential neighborhoods since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Government Media Office in Gaza.

The overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 has surged to nearly 50,700, the Health Ministry said.

Jordan, Egypt, and France summit talks on Gaza in Cairo

The leaders of Jordan, Egypt, and France will hold summit talks in Cairo on Monday to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip amid renewed Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave, according to a statement by the Jordanian Royal Court.

The summit comes as the Israeli army escalated its attacks on the Palestinian territory, where more than 1,300 people have been killed and 3,200 others injured in airstrikes since March 18, despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

Israeli premier's US visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's open-ended visit to Washington, DC with meetings expected to include US President Donald Trump and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

A joint statement by Netanyahu and Trump is expected in the Oval Office following their meeting.

A broader meeting on Monday is also expected to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza, as well as the situation of Israeli hostages, Iran’s nuclear program, and US tariffs on Israeli goods.

The visit marks Netanyahu’s second trip to Washington, DC since Trump took office in January.

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.

Three Palestinian workers were injured in Israeli army fire after Israeli forces attacked a group of workers in the Wadi Abu Hummus area, east of Bethlehem city, as they were trying to reach their work site in East Jerusalem, according to the official news agency Wafa.

Separately, more than 500 illegal Israeli settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied Jerusalem under heavy protection from Israeli forces.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank, where over 944 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, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Developments related to Yemen's Houthis

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

On Sunday, US warplanes launched nine airstrikes in Yemen’s coastal province of Al-Hudaydah on Sunday, the Houthi group said.

According to the Houthi-run Health Ministry, at least 61 civilians have been killed and 139 others injured in US airstrikes across Yemen since March 15.

Latest in Syria

The latest developments in Syria, including its efforts to maintain control of all the Syrian territory, as well as Israel's repeated attacks on Syrian territory after the fall of Assad regime.

Syrian Druze leaders held separate meetings on Sunday with Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra and Suwayda Governor Mustafa Al-Bakour to reaffirm their national allegiance and reject foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs.

The meetings marked the second consecutive day of talks between Druze leaders and Syrian officials.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon

Developments in Lebanon after incomplete Israeli army withdrawal.

On Sunday, Israel carried out an airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Zbqine, killing two people.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted two Hezbollah members in the area. However, Hezbollah has not issued a statement regarding the incident.

Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on Nov. 27, Israel has committed nearly 1,400 violations, resulting in at least 119 deaths and 366 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official data.

Outrage in Israeli against Netanyahu

Public and political protests against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu continues, with demonstrators pressing for a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian factions in Gaza to secure the release of Israeli captives.

Protesters also voice strong opposition to reported efforts to remove Shin Bet director Ronen Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara from their posts, moves critics view as politically motivated.

1-day general strike to protest Gaza genocide in West Bank

Palestinian factions and political forces have one-day general strike across the occupied territories to demand an end to Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The strike comes as tensions escalate and civilian casualties rise amid continued Israeli military operations in the enclave.

Meanwhile, Younis Al-Khatib, the president of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, is scheduled to hold a press conference in the city of Al-Bireh.

He is expected to present new documentation related to the killing of eight Red Crescent paramedics in Rafah, southern Gaza, allegedly targeted by Israeli forces.

14th Annual Investment Meeting in UAE

Abu Dhabi is hosting the 14th edition of the Annual Investment Meeting from Monday to Wednesday, with the theme The Investment Gateway to the Future: Shaping a Balanced Global Investment Landscape.

The summit gathers high-level participants, including heads of state, over 60 ministers and central bank governors, 30 city mayors, and 16 heads of global stock exchanges.

French foreign minister's Algeria visit

Second day of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's open-ended visit to Algeria, aimed at addressing the ongoing diplomatic rift between the two countries. His visit is the first by a French official since months of heightened tensions.

The Algerian presidency has said in a brief statement that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received Barrot and his accompanying delegation.

Czech president to visit Mauritania

The second day of Czech President Petr Pavel's three-day visit to Nouakchott during which he will hold talks with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.

The talks are expected to address security and economic cooperation, amid a growing rapprochement between Nouakchott and Prague over the past year.

UN Security Council to hold annual briefing on international body’s peacekeeping operations

Trial to continue in the case of Nadine Menendez, wife of US Sen. Bob Menendez, who is accused of bribery. The trial was paused last week, reportedly due to Menendez's breast cancer diagnosis. Sen. Menendez was found guilty on 16 corruption charges in July 2024.

UN press briefings

The United Nations to hold press briefings.

German coalition talks

The Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) continue negotiations to form a coalition government. CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei stated that negotiations may conclude this week. Following an agreement between negotiation teams, the draft coalition deal will be submitted to relevant party organs and delegates for final approval.

Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor and leader of the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, intends to establish the coalition government before the Easter holiday on April 20-21. He emphasized that urgent domestic economic challenges and escalating international security concerns require prompt government action.

EU ministers to discuss trade relations with US

Trade ministers from EU members states to meet in Luxembourg to discuss a united response to US tariffs and the future of trade relations, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to hold a press conference after the meeting.

War crimes complaints against 10 Britons

Top UK barrister Michael Mansfield and a legal research team will submit war crimes complaints against 10 Britons who served with the Israeli military in Gaza. Dozens of legal and human rights experts have signed a letter of support urging the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team to investigate any and all complaints regarding involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Polish President Duda's Estonia visit

Polish President Andrzej Duda begins his three-day state visit to Estonia, which will focus on security cooperation, military support for Ukraine, and recent developments in the region. During the visit, Duda will meet with Estonian President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Top Russian diplomat to take part in photo-exhibition opening

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to deliver opening remarks at the presentation of the Tass photo exhibition, Their Immortal Heroism, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition, based on the agency’s photo archives, will be held in Moscow. The ceremony will be attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Moscow, the academic community, NGOs, and media outlets.

Belarusian premier to visit Moscow

Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin to pay an official visit to Russia, where he is set to hold talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The talks are expected to address issues regarding the further integration of the two countries, as well as deepening bilateral relations and cooperation.

Rwanda to commemorate 31st anniversary of 1994 genocide

Rwanda to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. About 1 million people, mostly of the Tutsi community and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists in a span of 100 days during the genocide in 1994.

Rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Myanmar continues

Amid scant flow of international aid due to restrictions imposed by junta regime, rehabilitation of earthquake victims continues in Myanmar. There are last ditch efforts to find any possible survivor after two strong earthquakes rocked the Southeast Asian nation on March 28. Over 3,400 people have been declared dead and hundreds of others injured. In the neighboring Thailand, search for 70 people buried under a skyscraper's rubble continues.

Malaysia hosts dialogue on Cosmopolitanism, Collaboration across Civilizations

Malaysia hosts dialogue on Cosmopolitanism and Collaboration across Civilizations in the Indian Ocean where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver his statement. The dialogue is being organized at International Islamic University Malaysia against the backdrop of rising global populism, unilateralism, and geopolitical tensions, and when civilizational connectivity has assumed importance.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on recent developments on the global or regional dimensions including the raging tariff war with the US.

Controversial changes to Waqf laws triggers protests in India

Protests and demonstrations are expected across India against controversial changes made to Waqf laws in India, home to nearly 200 Muslims. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has declared nationwide protest and legal battle to overturn the "unjust legislation," after the Indian parliament last week passed the controversial bill governing Islamic charitable endowments, known as waqf.

Political developments in South Korea ahead of snap presidential elections

South Korea moves toward snap presidential elections after former President Yon Suk Yeol was removed from office by the Constitutional Court over his failed bid to impose martial law. While Yoon’s supporters are seeking his return, a tentative date for the polls has been set as June 3.

US Air Force conducts joint flight exercises with the Philippines

The air forces of the Philippines and the US conduct Cope Thunder Philippines Exercise. The exercise is aimed at fostering air and ground ops in the Indo-Pacific region amid Manila’s maritime tensions with China in South China Sea. The Cope Thunder bilateral military exercise aims to strengthen cooperation and interoperability between the US and Philippines Air Forces.

THE ECONOMY

German industrial production

Destatis will release industrial production figures for February. It increased by 2% monthly in January.

Germany's foreign trade statistics

Destatis will share foreign trade statistics for February. Foreign trade balance posted a surplus of €16 billion in January.

Eurozone retail sales

Eurostat to release retail sales figures for February. Retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.3% monthly in January.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Are we going to be the 53rd state?’: Fear and dismay over Trump threats at London demo

Report from a London protest part of the global mobilization against Donald Trump’s policies, highlighting the rising sense of urgency around the world about the US president’s global agenda.

The story features comments from demonstrators criticizing former Trump’s foreign policies, environmental actions, and threats to invade Greenland, calling for international resistance and economic retaliation.

The speakers warn that Trump’s actions pose security threats to European allies, could make countries like the UK subservient to US interests, and be a catalyst for global instability and erosion of democratic norms.

Corruption conviction: Blow for Le Pen, opportunity for French far right?

Report on the political fallout following Marine Le Pen’s conviction for embezzlement, which bars her from public office and removes her from the 2027 presidential race.

The story focuses on the political strategies at play in France following the initial shock of Le Pen’s conviction and ban, with analysts examining how the French far right is framing it as a “political verdict” and fueling anti-judicial rhetoric echoed by global far-right leaders.

The report explores Le Pen’s continued influence in the National Rally and the rise of her protege Jordan Bardella, with insights from journalist Diane de Vignemont and King’s College London lecturer Georgios Samaras.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with protesters at a London protest part of the global mobilization against Donald Trump’s policies, who criticize his disruptive diplomatic, economic, and environmental actions, and call for international resistance and retaliation.