Diary
ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, August 1, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Devastating famine in Gaza Strip amid Israeli blockade
Worsening and expanding famine across the Gaza Strip under ongoing Israeli siege and ineffective aid distribution leading to multiple malnutrition-related deaths, including children, prompting widespread international condemnation and urgent calls for intervention to stop Tel Aviv's policy of starving Gazans.
US Mideast envoy’s visit to Israel
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff’s open-ended Israel visit for talks with Israeli officials on finalizing a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. He is expected to visit aid distribution sites run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the Gaza Strip amid an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, according to Israeli media.
German foreign minister’s visit to Israel and West Bank
Second and last day of German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s two-day official visit to Israel and the West Bank, which started on Thursday, to meet with top Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Tel Aviv is facing a political firestorm with many Western allies considering the recognition of a Palestinian statehood in September. He is also set to meet in Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
EUROPE
European court ruling on Italy/Albania asylum agreement
European Court of Justice to rule on joined cases against the Italy/Albania asylum agreement, which allows Italy to send asylum-seekers to Albania while their asylum claims are processed. The agreement has already been rejected by several Italian courts.
UN agencies hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva
UN Information Service to hold biweekly press briefing for UN bodies headquartered in Geneva. Briefing includes updates from UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNRWA, and WHO. Pressing issues from around the world from conflicts to health. including the latest updates from Gaza, are expected to be discussed.
US
US tariffs take effect
US President Donald Trump’s higher tariffs take effect Friday. President Donald Trump announced a slew of new levies Thursday evening on dozens of countries. In recent days the US has concluded trade deals with several nations, and Trump has said he remains open to striking new agreements.
Panama to assume rotating UN Security Council presidency
Panama to assume rotating UN Security Council presidency from Pakistan for the month of August. Panama’s representative to provide briefing on work program for August
EURASIA
Kazakh, Kyrgyz foreign ministers to hold talks
Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu to hold talks in Bishkek with his visiting Kyrgyz counterpart Jeenbek Kulubayev. The talks are aimed at further strengthening Kyrgyz-Kazakh political, trade/economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties, among other areas. Eurasia desk will follow the talks via official statements and media reports.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Ex-South Korean president forcibly brought in for questioning
Ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol forcibly brought in for questioning by prosecutors. He refused two summonses before court allowed prosecutors to forcibly take him in for questioning. Yoon is being investigated over his alleged meddling in 2022 parliamentary by-election.
Thailand expected to hand over 20 Cambodian soldiers
Thailand is expected to hand over 20 Cambodian soldiers, dead or alive, to Cambodia. The soldiers were taken into custody at the height of 5 days of cross-border clashes which left dozens dead and injured.
China’s Foreign Ministry news conference
Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. Beijing likely to react to US sanctioning Palestinian Authority as well as Palestinian Liberation Organization.
THE ECONOMY
Eurozone inflation
Eurostat to share monthly consumer inflation figures for July. In June, consumer prices rose 2%. Markets expect inflation to ease to 1.9% in July.
US employment data
US to announce monthly non-farm payroll data for July. In June, the US economy added 147,000 jobs. Markets expect the figure to come in at 108,000 for July.
SPECIAL REPORTS
EXPLAINER – Israeli-imposed famine in Gaza draws growing backlash from US lawmakers
Report highlighting growing criticism from US lawmakers of Israel’s blockade and starvation campaign in Gaza.
Story details bipartisan calls from a small but growing number of Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lance Gooden, and a broader coalition of Democrats and independents, for urgent US action to end the famine and reconsider military aid to Israel.
Report presents statements from key figures including Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and Democratic senators Chris Coons, Adam Schiff, Brian Schatz, and Jacky Rosen, as well as independent senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King, who sharply condemned the humanitarian crisis and criticized the US-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation for making the situation even worse.
Volunteers tackle Geneva’s plastic crisis, highlighting pollution ahead of UN treaty talks
Report on volunteer-driven cleanup campaign at Lake Geneva, highlighting ongoing concerns about plastic pollution.
Story describes efforts by more than 50 volunteers organized by the Green Earth Action Foundation to remove plastic waste from the shores of Lake Geneva, which receives nearly 100 tons of plastic annually despite daily city cleanup efforts.
Report includes interview with Baptistelle Paldino, head of the foundation’s Geneva office, who discusses the growing impact of microplastics on ecosystems and human health, stressing the urgency of behavioral change and responsible waste management.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Baptistelle Paldino of the Green Earth Action Foundation about volunteer-driven cleanup campaign at Lake Geneva, highlighting ongoing concerns about plastic pollution and growing impact of microplastics on ecosystems.
