Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, October 23, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Implementation of Gaza ceasefire deal

Developments in ongoing implementation of phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas as the Palestinian group is expected to hand over more bodies of Israeli hostages, as it now retains 12 remains, while Israel maintains its closure of the Rafah crossing.

US secretary of state visit to Israel

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio paying two-day visit to Israel to discuss implementation of ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Rubio’s visit follows the visits to Israel of US Vice President JD Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also to discuss the deal.

Israeli reactions to ICJ ruling on facilitating relief to Gaza

More Israeli reaction after International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Tel Aviv is obliged under the Geneva Convention to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by third states and impartial humanitarian groups to ensure that sufficient aid reaches the Gaza Strip, as Israel severely restricted the entry of aid and even blocked the delivery of humanitarian and medical supplies to the enclave.

More reaction to Israeli bill to annex West Bank passing first hurdle

More international and regional reaction to Israeli Knesset’s passage of bill in preliminary reading to annex the occupied West Bank. The bill still must pass three additional readings to become law.

UK royal couple to visit Vatican

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla to pay state visit to the Vatican, including a meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Along with the pontiff, the royal couple are also expected attend a special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, focused on the theme of “Care for Creation” in line with the king and pope's shared interest in the environment.

European Council leaders' summit

EU heads of state and government to convene in Brussels for European Council summit. Council set to tackle issues of Ukraine, the Middle East, European defense and security, competitiveness, housing, and migration.

Turkish president to hold meetings in Oman

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold bilateral and inter-delegation meetings with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman at Al Alam Palace and attend signing ceremony of agreements.

Trump to make announcement

US President Donald Trump set to make announcement on unspecified subject.

UN Security Council to hold open debate on Mideast

UN Security Council to hold its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.” Ramiz Alakbarov, deputy special coordinator and resident coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), is expected to brief the council.

Putin to hold meeting, attend congress in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend meeting of Presidential Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy, set to include proposals for addressing housing issues faced by families with children.

Putin also set to attend meeting of Congress of the Russian Geographical Society, then chair meeting of the group's board of trustees.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly news briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold regular weekly news briefing via teleconference at 10 am Moscow time, including possible Q&A with the media.

The briefing was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but was rescheduled due to a meeting between the Russian and Kazakh foreign ministers in Moscow.

Zelenskyy's expected participation at European Council meeting in Brussels

Developments on Ukrainian side as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend European Council meeting in Brussels.

Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy on Wednesday visited Norway and Sweden. According to an invitation letter from European Council President Antonio Costa, the meeting will include a discussion of how the EU can step up its support to Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

Indonesian President Prabowo to host Brazil’s Lula for bilateral talks

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to host Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva for bilateral talks. Lula is on a two-day state visit to the Southeast Asian nation and is next set to fly to Malaysia to attend summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

North Korea likely to issue statement on missile launch

Monitoring possible statement from North Korea on its missile launch ahead of a summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea.

Cambodia, Thailand to hold border meeting ahead of peace deal

Cambodia and Thailand to hold second border committee meeting in Malaysia as the neighbors are set to sign peace accord following deadly July clashes. US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of a summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s consumer confidence

Turkish Statistical Institute to announce consumer confidence figures for October.

Turkish interest rate decision

Turkish Central Bank to release its latest interest rate decision. It is currently at 40.5% but markets expect a cut of around 100 basis points.

SPECIAL REPORTS

'No safe haven for torturers': Calls mount for Switzerland to add torture offense to penal code

Report on growing pressure for Switzerland to clearly define torture as a specific offense in its criminal code ahead of key parliamentary decision later this month.

Story explores absence of a standalone provision criminalizing torture, the government’s argument that existing provisions already meet UN standards, and a growing push from advocates who say the reform is essential to restore Switzerland’s human rights credibility.

Report features insights from Etienne Cottier of ACAT-Switzerland and the Federal Council’s official position, as well as reactions from Amnesty International and other rights groups.

Will Africa’s nuclear quest bring development or new foreign dependence?

Report on Africa’s growing push toward nuclear energy as countries seek low-carbon power and energy independence in the face of surging demand.

Report examines whether nuclear expansion can close Africa’s energy gap or risks deepening foreign dependence, highlighting concerns over cost, safety, and external control alongside hopes for cleaner, more stable power generation.

Report features perspectives from Kenya’s Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA), South African activist Makoma Lekalakala, and nuclear engineer Emmanuel Montwedi.