Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar

Developments in ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha after Qatar said that there are no fixed schedules for the talks, which will continue “until positive results are reached,” while an Israeli political source said that the negotiations are likely to take “longer than expected.”

Israel’s targeting of Gazan aid seekers

The Israeli army’s ongoing targeting of Palestinians gathering near aid distribution centers run by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation amid relentless genocide across the enclave and a worsening humanitarian crisis under a continued Israeli blockade that restricts critical supplies.

Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon despite ceasefire

The Israeli army's nearly-daily strikes on Lebanon, in defiance of an existing ceasefire, target several areas, especially the south, resulting in several casualties.

Netanyahu continues visit to Washington DC

On the third day of his visit to Washington DC, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold talks with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. He is later expected to attend a gala event for Jewish and Evangelical community leaders.

Trump to host African leaders

US President Donald Trump will welcome the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal as a three-day summit at the White House is set to begin. The leaders will hold bilateral discussions and a working lunch.

Rubio to attend ASEAN foreign ministers’ meetings

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend a US-ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting will also include counterparts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

UN Security Council meeting on Yemen

The UN Security will hold its monthly open briefing and closed consultations on Yemen. The meeting comes on the heels of renewed Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

North Carolina racial gerrymandering trial expected to end

A trial over allegations that Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina violated federal law when they enacted new electoral maps in the state is set to end. Plaintiffs accuse the lawmakers of unconstitutionally drew districts to weaken the power of minority voters.

NATO chief visits Berlin

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to visit Berlin for celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Germany’s joining the NATO defense alliance. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to host the event at the defense ministry headquarters in Berlin. Possible statements of Rutte and Pistorius will be followed.

Macron’s UK visit continues

French President Emmanuel Macron will have lunch with British Premier Keir Starmer. Macron and his wife to also visit tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II during their stay in Windsor.

Press conference by Muslim organizations on Israel’s Gaza attacks

11 Muslim umbrella organizations in Europe will hold a press conference in Brussels on Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow on current issues of foreign policy.

Turkish president to attend AK Party's parliament group meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting.

Turkish foreign and defense ministers visit Pakistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and National Defense Minister Yasar Guler to hold official talks in Pakistan.

Indian prime minister to visit Namibia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Namibia at the invitation of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Modi’s first-ever visit to the Southern African country will mark the conclusion of his five-nation tour, which started with Ghana, and will be the third-ever prime ministerial visit from India.

Taiwan holds annual military drill

Taiwan holds 2nd phase of the 41st Han Kuang military exercise, including live fire drills and will run for 10 days.

South Korea’s ousted president faces possible arrest

South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol likely to be arrested over his martial law bid as court hears arrest warrant request. Some 2,000 policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order.

Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing addressing current global and regional events. Beijing likely to react to Ukraine’s sanctions on Chinese firms over war with Russia.

China's inflation

China to announce consumer price index figures for June. In May, the consumer inflation in China was at minus 0.1% annually, and at minus 0.2% monthly.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW - Swiss lawmaker urges government to scrap F-35A deal over US price hike

Interview with Swiss lawmaker Pierre-Alain Fridez from the Social Democratic Party, who is urging the government to cancel its planned F-35A fighter jet purchase from the US due to Washington’s demand for additional payments.

Fridez labels the acquisition a “mistake,” saying the aircraft was never suitable for Switzerland’s defense needs, and criticizes the procurement process.

The report also outlines the cost dispute between the two governments, and Switzerland’s potential strategy as it seeks a diplomatic resolution to the issue.

Defense, trade, and more: How China and Egypt are drawing closer than ever

Report on increased corporation between Egypt and China as Chinese Premier Li Qiang undertakes a visit to Cairo.

The story explains how military and economic ties between China and Egypt have strengthened over recent years, including debt relief agreements and potential trade deals for Chinese fighter jets.

It also focuses on growing trade and economic ties, with comments from William Yang, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, and Andrea Ghiselli, a lecturer at the University of Exeter and head of research at the TOChina Hub’s ChinaMed Project.

INTERVIEW – UK confident about Typhoon Eurofighter talks with Türkiye: British diplomat

Interview with Kenan Poleo, the British consul general in Istanbul, about ongoing discussions over the potential sale of Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Türkiye.

Poleo expresses optimism about the deal, emphasizing that all four partner nations involved in the Eurofighter program are supportive of Türkiye receiving the jets.

He also highlights Türkiye’s vital role as a key NATO ally and delves into possible areas of increased cooperation going forward, particularly in defense and security.

Trump hosts quintet of African leader: What’s on the agenda?

Report exploring the scope of US President Donald Trump’s Wednesday meeting with leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, with the parties expected to discuss “commercial opportunities” at the White House.

The story includes an interview with Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst at Control Risks, and lays out the five nations’ resources as well as their ongoing relations with Washington and other partners.

Ochieng warns if US investments appear exploitative or exclude local stakeholders, tensions over local regulations could hinder domestic industry development, and says further geopolitical rivalries could unfold in Africa, with African countries likely leveraging them to maintain strategic ties.

INTERVIEW – US-EU trade standoff harmful to both sides, German business leader says

Interview with German business leader David Deissner on the potential fallout for Germany as US President Donald Trump pushes for a new trade deal with the EU.

Deissner, managing director of a Berlin-based foundation representing Germany's family-owned companies, says Trump's tariff threats and ongoing uncertainty are harming companies on both sides of the Atlantic, calling for a well negotiated agreement to maintain vital economic ties.

He explains how continued uncertainty would inhibit business decisions, delay investments, and burden bilateral trade in both regions, while also sharing suggestions for a way forward.

After nearly 3 decades, father to bury son killed in Srebrenica genocide

Report on the story of Husejin Avdic, who will finally bury his son Senajid nearly 30 years after he was killed during the 1995 Srebrenica genocide.

The story follows Avdic’s decades-long wait, from clinging to hope that his son had survived, to the painful identification of partial remains found in Suljici.

The report includes powerful testimony from Avdic, and situates his son’s burial within the broader history of the genocide and ongoing efforts to find over 1,000 still-missing victims.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with David Deissner, a German business leader, on the potential fallout for Germany as US President Donald Trump pushes the EU for a new trade deal.