Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

OIC emergency meeting in Saudi Arabia over Israel’s Gaza reoccupation

An emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of foreign ministers to coordinate a joint response to Israel’s plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip. The gathering will take place at its headquarters in the Saudi city of Jeddah and focus on coordinating positions regarding genocide, starvation, and forced displacement in the enclave. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will chair the emergency gathering.

US envoy expected to visit Lebanon

An expected visit by US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack to Lebanon, according to media reports. He is expected to meet senior Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in the capital Beirut amid a government plan under which non-state actors, including the Hezbollah group, would hand in their weapons by the end of the year.

Trump to host South Korean counterpart

US President Donald Trump will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for talks at the White House focused on setting out the details of an unwritten trade agreement in July, involving South Korea buying $100 billion in US energy and investing $350 billion in the US economy. This will be Lee’s first visit to the US as president.

Trump to sign executive orders

US President Trump will sign executive orders. No other details have been provided.

UN General Assembly to hold plenary session

The UN General Assembly will hold its 87th plenary session, where delegates will consider a range of issues, including reports on global health policy, UN reform, and cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the residual phase of Cambodia’s special tribunal.

Turkish president to chair Cabinet meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair the Cabinet meeting at the Ahlat Presidential Complex in Bitlis.

Europe-wide developments on Russia-Ukraine war

Monitoring political developments, official statements, and decisions from European governments and institutions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war amid intensified discussions around potential peace process, future security guarantees, and territorial exchanges.

European reactions to Gaza famine, Israel’s settlement plan

Public, political reactions including official statements and decisions from European governments and institutions regarding the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, crippling famine and controversial E1 settlement plan in the occupied West Bank.

Jordanian king to visit Uzbekistan

Jordan's King Abdullah II to conduct a two-day official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The main events surrounding King Abdullah II's visit will take place in the city of Samarkand, and will include talks on bilateral and international issues.

Top Benelux officials to visit Moldova

Top officials from the Benelux countries to conduct an official visit to Moldova with an aim to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen multilateral cooperation between Chisinau and the economic union. Belgium and Luxembourg will be represented by their foreign ministers, while the Netherlands' delegation will be led by Dutch Vice Minister for European Cooperation Heleen Bakker.

Zambia to host WHO Africa regional committee conference

Zambia to host 75th World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee Conference for Africa in the capital Lusaka. The three-day summit, held under the theme “Building a healthier Africa, together,” is expected to draw over 600 delegates, including 47 African health ministers, global and regional health leaders, development partners, and key stakeholders.

Top Russian lawmaker to visit China

Vyacheslav Volodin, head of Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, and an accompanying delegation, began two-day visit to China at the invitation of China's National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.

German business climate

German economic research institution Ifo to release monthly business climate index figures for August. In July, the index rose to 88.6 points.

US new home sales

US to share monthly new home sales figures for July. In June, the sales increased 0.6% on a monthly basis to 627,000.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel’s illegal E1 settlement plan: What does it mean for a future Palestine?

Report on Israel’s recently approved plans to build another controversial illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

The story explains the impact of the East 1 or E1 settlement that Israel intends to build on land east of Jerusalem, which several countries, international law experts and rights groups are warning will render a future two-state solution for Palestinians impossible.

The report includes comments from Yonatan Mizrachi, director of the Settlement Watch project for Israeli advocacy group Peace Now, and Fakhri Abu Diab, a researcher on Jerusalem affairs.

‘No longer rare disasters’: Experts urge adaptation after devastating Pakistan floods

Report on climate change-driven floods that have killed hundreds of people across northern Pakistan this month, with experts warning that such disasters are now routine shocks rather than rare events.

The story has insights from environmentalists and disaster management specialists who stress that Pakistan can reduce the devastation by addressing manmade vulnerabilities such as unplanned urbanization, deforestation, blocked waterways, and weak governance.

The story includes comments from Karachi-based ecologist Rafi-ul-Haq, Islamabad flood control expert Ahmed Kamal, and climate governance analyst Imran Saqib Khalid, who highlight the urgency of resilience-building and adaptation through better land use planning, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based solutions.

South Korea’s outreach to North: Trust-building or a risky gamble?

Report on South Korea’s measures to restore dialogue with North Korea, exploring whether Pyongyang will respond to President Lee Jae Myung’s overtures, which have included halting propaganda campaigns and dismantling loudspeakers at the DMZ.

The story explains the need for careful US-South Korea consensus, the challenges posed by North Korea’s ties with Moscow, and the limited leverage Seoul currently holds.

The report includes comments from Jingdong Yuan of SIPRI, Christopher Green of the International Crisis Group, and a statement from South Korea’s Unification Ministry.