Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025 (subject to change depending on developing/breaking stories):

⁠Relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza

Developments surrounding Israeli threats of further escalation in the Gaza Strip after US President Donald Trump said Tel Aviv was ready for a ceasefire deal in the enclave, issuing what it described as a final warning for Hamas to accept—a proposal that Hamas welcomed.

⁠Security situation in occupied West Bank

The security situation in the West Bank after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned of “severe consequences” following a shooting incident in Jerusalem that left six Israelis dead and 30 others injured.

⁠Global Sumud Flotilla

Statements and developments surrounding preparations for the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is set to depart Wednesday from Tunisia toward Gaza in a bid to break the blockade amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught.

⁠Iran’s foreign minister, IAEA chief to visit Egypt

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA’s Director General Rafael Grossi, are set to visit Egypt on Tuesday in a diplomatic move aimed at creating conditions for the resumption of stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, according to the Egyptian National Media Authority.

25th anniversary of Neo-Nazi murder

Germany commemorates on Sept. 9 the 25th anniversary of Turkish immigrant Enver Simsek's murder by the neo-Nazi terror group NSU. A memorial ceremony in Nuremberg will bring together family members, rights groups, politicians, and local authorities to honor his memory.

European Parliament to discuss Ukraine, Gaza

Members of the European Parliament continue the plenary session with debates focusing on Ukraine and Gaza, along with an address by Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

Ukraine Defense Contact Group

UK Defense Secretary John Healey is due to co-chair a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attends the meeting in-person in London. It is unclear whether US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to attend or participate virtually.

UK premier to meet NATO chief

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in London for discussions on European Security and Ukraine.

Israeli president visits UK amid protests

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is paying three-day visit to London where he is expected to meet with UK lawmakers, public representatives, and media figures. Some British politicians have already called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to avoid meeting with Herzog due to ongoing Israeli assaults on Gaza. Meanwhile, a pro-Palestine rally is expected to take place in London to protest Herzog’s visit under the theme of “Genocide president not welcome!"

Trump to sign proclamation

US President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation in the Oval Office. Details on the content of the document have not been disclosed.

UN chief to present report on international security

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will present a report on international security titled “The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future.”

80th session of UN General Assembly opens

The 80th ordinary year-long session of the UN General Assembly will open. Annalena Baerbock, former German foreign minister, will take office as the assembly’s president and address reporters.

US Pentagon chief to host Singaporean defense minister

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose title will change to secretary of war after President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order in this regard, will sit down with Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing at the Pentagon.

⁠Top Russian diplomat to meet president of Bosnia's Serb entity in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the capital Moscow. During the meeting, Lavrov and Dodik will discuss urgent issues on bolstering Russia’s partnership with Republika Srpska, as well as issues within Bosnia and the Western Balkans.

Nepalese capital shrouded in curfew after violent protests leave 19 dead

Situation after violent protests left at least 19 people dead amid protests over ban on social media and alleged corruption in Nepal. Military has been deployed, as well as curfew imposed, to stem the demonstrations in Kathmandu.

Taiwan holds nuclear emergency drill

Taiwan holds a 3-day nuclear emergency drill at Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung. The local government, the military, and Taipower personnel will attend the exercise.

Bangladesh holds student union polls amid political uncertainty

Bangladesh holds student union election, first such polls under the interim government amid political uncertainty. The polls at Dhaka University student body likely to serve as a test case before general elections scheduled to be held coming in February.

Ethiopia to inaugurate Africa’s largest hydroelectric project

Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to be officially inaugurated. The GERD, a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile River, has sparked regional tensions, particularly with Egypt and Sudan, over water security and resource sharing. The project, with construction starting in April 2011, aims to generate 5,150 MW of hydroelectric power.

SPECIAL STORIES

‘Suicide coach’: Are chatbots fueling self-harm?

Report examining the growing cases of suicide and self-harm worldwide that are being linked to AI chatbots, sparking global concern and debate on regulations.

The story details the recent lawsuit filed against OpenAI by the parents of a California teen who died by suicide, and lays out examples of similar cases where chatbots have been accused of encouraging self-harm.

The report focuses on issues of AI regulations, ethical responsibilities and usage, with insights from Scott Wallace, a Canada-based behavioral health scientist and technologist, and Elvira Perez Vallejos, a professor of Digital Technology for Mental Health at the University of Nottingham.

INTERVIEW – ‘Makes us feel worthless’: Family, lawyer of Turkish victims reject German neo-Nazi terrorist’s early release

Interview with a family member and a lawyer for Turkish victims about convicted neo-Nazi terrorist Beate Zschaepe’s acceptance into a deradicalization program that could lead to her early prison release in Germany.

Semiya Simsek, daughter of the Nationalist Socialist Underground (NSU) terror group’s first victim, Enver Simsek, expresses the family’s opposition to the reprieve for Zschaepe, explaining how the situation impacts them and dents the credibility of Germany’s justice system.

Lawyer Seda Basay-Yildiz, who represented the victims’ families during the NSU trial, stresses that they are closely monitoring Zschaepe and her legal team’s activities, vowing to utilize all available legal tools to protect victims’ rights.