Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Growing military dissent in Israel

Hundreds of military and security personnel and veterans have signed petitions urging the government to end the war in Gaza to secure the release of hostages.

Further anticipated statements, petitions, potential resignations, and their impacts on the Israeli decision to either continue or end the war. Disciplinary actions are also expected especially after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to dismiss active-duty soldiers who signed the petitions.

Potential special productions include an infographic or fact box tracking the timeline and the number of petitions since Thursday.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip escalates as Al-Shifa Hospital struggles to cope with the fallout from the Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, the last fully functional hospital in northern Gaza.

More coverage to highlight the humanitarian implications, including the impact on over a million Palestinians in northern Gaza now without adequate medical access.

Statements from medical staff or aid organizations on the growing strain are expected to emerge, with updates on whether alternative medical facilities can absorb patients, the status of victims from ongoing strikes, and any international response to the hospital’s destruction.

Illegal Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa mosque during Passover

Tensions escalate as illegal Israeli settlers enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem during the Jewish Passover holiday.

More groups of illegal settlers are expected to storm the Muslim holy site, reportedly numbering 765 on Monday alone, and the role of Israeli police facilitating access. Monitor statements from the Islamic Endowments Department and provocative sentiments from far-right Israeli officials for updates.

Updates through April 20, when Passover concludes, for potential escalation.

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap talks

Developments on Gaza ceasefire and hostage swap agreement following Israel’s resumption of its genocidal war on March 18.

Expected response by Hamas after Israeli media reported Monday that the US has pledged that Israel would enter negotiations for a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire if Hamas agreed to release more than 9-10 living hostages and hand over the remains of 10 dead captives.

Anticipated public reactions in both Israel and Gaza, depending on the outcome of the talks.

Egyptian president’s Gulf tour

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi continues his diplomatic tour for unspecified period in the Gulf region with a visit to Kuwait coming from Qatar.

His meetings with the Amir Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other Kuwaiti officials to strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. Expected economic collaborations or agreements to booster investments in Egypt as Cairo seeks to bring more foreign investments.

Sudan paramilitary RSF targeting civilians in El-Fasher

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks against civilians in Sudan are intensifying amid growing humanitarian crisis.

More casualties are expected as the group targets more areas that were populated by displaced civilians, and the humanitarian effects of the attack, New reports

Statements from emergency response teams are expected as the violence continues with international reactions and potential diplomatic statements for El-Fasher’s role as a humanitarian hub and the growing global concern.

Possible comments of legal experts on the expansion of RSF’s attack patterns and the possibility of these acts being framed as war crimes, with visuals and witness testimonies from the ground.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon

Developments in Lebanon after incomplete Israeli army withdrawal.

Israeli military operations, including airstrikes, ground incursions, and reported shootings, in southern Lebanon, and the expected civilian casualties. International responses could involve calls for de-escalation.

US, Houthi group reciprocal attacks

Developments in US aggression against Yemen, as well as Houthi military operations against US warships in the Red Sea and against Israeli targets.

Almost daily US airstrikes on several Houthi-controlled Yemeni cities with reported civilian casualties and infrastructure damage after US President Donald Trump ordered last month “decisive and powerful military action” against the group.

Houthis reciprocal attacks on US warships in Red Sea and on Israeli targets in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Turkish Cabinet meeting

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting and later to address nation on domestic and international issues, including Gaza.

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

The Service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing, therefore the focus will be based on this agenda.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to co-host in London a high-level conference on humanitarian crisis in Sudan

The high-level conference alongside the EU, France and Germany on the humanitarian situation in Sudan to be followed through official statements, official social media accounts.

Members of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) begin voting on a deal to form coalition gov't with center-right CDU/CSU alliance

After party leaders reached an agreement last week, roughly 358,000 SPD party members will start casting their postal votes on the coalition agreement. We will be monitoring and reporting on any significant statements from key figures and internal party groups that could influence the voting outcome. We will also report polling data from survey companies regarding SPD members' voting intentions.

The SPD's postal vote for party members runs through April 29, with results to be announced on April 30. Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) will vote on the coalition agreement at a small party conference on April 28 -- approval is widely expected. The CSU, their Bavarian sister party, has already endorsed the agreement last week. If all three parties approve the agreement, the German parliament could elect Merz as chancellor as early as May 6.

Reactions to Black Sea talks in Turkish capital Ankara

Reactions from Moscow and Kyiv expected as the Turkish capital Ankara is scheduled to hold a two-day meeting on maintaining peace in the Black Sea following a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The meeting, which will be held with the participation of foreign military representatives at the Naval Forces Headquarters in Ankara, is expected to discuss the maritime dimension of military plans that can be made to maintain peace in the Black Sea. Neither Russian nor Ukrainian officials have confirmed their participation in the meeting, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denying contacts between Moscow and Kyiv at the talks.

Top Russian diplomat to open exhibition involving Latin American nations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to open an exhibition dedicated to the anniversaries of Moscow's establishment of diplomatic relations with numerous Latin American countries in Moscow.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps, scientific, public and business circles have been invited to the event, and will feature copies of documents from Russian archives related to the issue, as well as those demonstrating the development of multifaceted cooperation with regional countries. The Russian foreign minister is expected to make remarks at the event.

Trump to sign executive orders

US President Donald Trump to sign unspecified executive orders in the Oval Office. The event is currently listed as closed press, but that is subject to change. Trump will also host a Commander-in-Chief Trophy Presentation for Navy Midshipmen.

US-Jordan talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio to host Jordanian Prime Minister and Defense Minister Jafar Hassan at the Department of State. Meeting comes as the Trump administration seeks to pressure regional governments to accept Palestinians from Gaza under President Donald Trump's widely panned proposal to take ownership of the coastal territory.

UN Security Council meeting

UN Security Council to hold pair of closed sessions on situations in Yemen and Sudan. Remarks expected from UN officials, ambassadors at stakeout regarding both sessions.

China’s Xi pays state visit to Malaysia

Chinese President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Malaysia to meet King Sultan Ibrahim as well as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The raging tariffs war initiated by the US is likely to dominate the discussions besides tensions in South China Sea. Xi is expected to discuss Southeast Asian bloc’s response to the US tariffs with Anwar, who is current chair of ASEAN.

The trip to Southeast Asia by Chinese president has assumed significance amid ongoing China-US trade war and can be explored further as how ASEAN navigates rivalry between two largest economies.

India, Uzbekistan hold military exercises

India and Uzbekistan 6th edition of the joint military exercise "Dustlik" in Pune city of the South Asian nation.

The drill brings together contingents from the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army to enhance collaboration and strengthen military ties.

Exploring India’s ties with Central Asian nations, including its military relations.

Government holds news conference in Tokyo

Japanese government holds regular news conference in Tokyo.

Tokyo’s response and preparations for negotiating a deal with the US after the Trump administration gave a reprieve of 90 days to all nations, except China, from its wide-ranging tariffs. Tokyo, however, has said it is not in rush to strike a deal and won’t compromise with the US.

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s budget balance

Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry will release central government’s budget balance table for March. The budget balance posted a deficit of $8.4 billion in February. A similar figure is expected in March.

UK’s unemployment

The UK will release unemployment data for February. The unemployment rate was at 4.4% in January. The markets do not expect the figure to change in February.

Germany’s wholesale inflation

Germany’s Destatis will release wholesale prices for March. Wholesale prices rose by 1.6% year-on-year and 0.6% monthly in February. The markets expect the prices to increase by 0.2% in March

Eurozone industrial production

Eurostat will release industrial production index for February. The production rose by 0.8% in January. Markets expect it to increase by 0.1% in February.

Tariff developments

The ongoing tariff issue with new steps and statements. The US’ reciprocal tariffs are at 10% on all countries except China. Trump imposed 125% tariff on top of a 20% levy on China. China responded with imposing the exact same rate. In the latest move, the US exempted some tech devices from its tariffs but Trump later said there won’t be exclusions.

More exclusions, retaliations new tariffs or statement might come.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW - Rwanda wants peace and security, aiming to ‘get rid of development assistance’: Foreign minister

Interview with Foreign Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe about Rwanda’s domestic and foreign policies, focusing on the spiraling conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the impact of the second Trump administration.

Nduhungirehe shares insights about the dialogue process kicked off to resolve the Congo conflict, explaining the hurdles and setbacks that impeded successful outcomes in recent talks, while also emphasizing the impact it has had on Rwanda.

The minister also speaks about diplomatic tensions during a time of uncertainty caused by the Trump administration, while also conveying the reasons for Kigali’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with former colonial power, Belgium.

Two years of war: Tens of millions at risk as deadly conflict shatters Sudan

Report about the conflict in Sudan as it enters a third year with the country facing a mounting humanitarian crisis and continuing violence between the warring sides.

The data-driven story sheds light on the human toll of the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, with latest figures on the number of casualties, massive internal displacement, and the harrowing scale of sexual violence against women and children.

It also includes data on the alarming spread of hunger and disease, while also presenting an overview of the latest military situation on the ground, with the Sudanese army recently making major gains against the Rapid Support Forces.

‘Never seen anything like this’: British actor decries Israel’s Gaza genocide, Western complicity

Interview with British actor Juliet Stevenson about her views on Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which she denounces in the strongest terms.

Stevenson describes the death and destruction inflicted on Palestinians as “beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed,” citing the mass bombardment, starvation, and collapse of medical infrastructure as evidence of what she called “global sadism.”

She criticizes the UK, US, and much of Europe for turning away, urging immediate action to halt what she called “the most extreme humanitarian disaster of our time.”

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe about the country’s domestic and foreign issues, particularly the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

VIDEO - Interview with British actor Juliet Stevenson about her views on Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which she labels “the most extreme humanitarian disaster of our time” and a result of Western complicity.