Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025

Ongoing Israeli military assaults in the Gaza Strip

Latest developments in Gaza Strip, as the Israeli army intensified strikes on the residential neighborhoods of Gaza City under a plan to occupy the city by displacing nearly 1 million of its residents. The Israeli Security Cabinet convened on Sunday to mainly discuss the military operations in the northern city, without addressing a proposal presented by mediators to reach a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza, according to local media reports.

Largest flotilla sails for Gaza

Developments as a new humanitarian flotilla, involving activists from over 40 countries, heads toward Gaza after departing from Barcelona, Spain on Sunday. The "Global Sumud Flotilla" is the largest civilian maritime mission ever organized to challenge Israel's siege on Gaza. It brings together grassroots organizers, doctors, artists, and solidarity activists from around the world responding to the ongoing Palestinian crisis.

Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting in Kuwait

The 165th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to be convened in Kuwait City with the attendance of the foreign ministers of the member states. The meeting will focus on the GCC's strategic relations with other international actors, along with the latest regional and international developments. The meeting will be followed by the 2nd GCC-Japan Joint Ministerial Meeting, which will be chaired by the Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi in Cairo.

G20 meeting on food security in Egypt

Egypt to host an official G20 meeting for the 1st time in Cairo between Sept. 1 and 3. Representatives from the member states are expected to participate to discuss food security and its global multifaceted challenges. The final statement from the meeting is expected to be launched as one of the official documents of the G20 leaders’ summit, which is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg in November 2025.

International Middle East summit in Bahrain

International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Middle East Summit to take place in Bahrain on Sep. 1-2, with discussions focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in marketing strategies and business models.

Palestinian foreign minister visits Italy

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian will visit Italy for talks with her Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. The ministers will also visit a hospital in Rome, which is treating injured Gazan children. Following their hospital visit, both ministers will issue press statements.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization to release joint statement

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is expected to release a joint statement following the end of the 25th SCO Heads of State Council meeting in China. The summit convenes amid escalating geopolitical tensions, including Israel's war on the Gaza Strip, the Ukraine conflict and international tariff disputes, with the participation of more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations.

Turkish president attends SCO summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council summit in Tianjin, China.

Putin's visit to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold contacts with various heads of state and government in China, where he will be taking part in the SCO summit. Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov stated last week that the Russian president will hold talks notably with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indonesia struggles to contain violent protests

Developments as Indonesian authorities are struggling to contain mounting violent protests that began in Jakarta last week over lawmakers’ perks. Escalating protests, which left 4 people dead, have also forced President Prabowo Subianto and his allies to reduce perks for parliamentarians.

Earthquake in Afghanistan

Situation in Afghanistan after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Kunar province, killing over 250 people and injuring more than 500 others.

Labor Day protests expected in US

Protests are expected to be held in the US due to Labor Day. Public offices, including the UN, will be closed on the public holiday.

EU Commission chief in Lithuania

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Lithuania, as part of her seven-country tour focusing on security issues and Russian threats. She will meet with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and together they will visit the country's border with Belarus. The two presidents will observe the preparations against hybrids and conventional threats.

Quadriga 2025 military exercises

Germany’s top military commander Gen. Carsten Breuer and navy chief Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack to hold a news conference on the ongoing Quadriga 2025 military exercises. In the Quadriga 2025 exercise series, the Bundeswehr, together with armed forces from 13 further countries, is conducting training in defending the Baltic Sea Region in times of crisis and war.

Senegal to host annual Africa Food Systems Forum

The Africa Food Systems Forum to hold its annual summit in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. The summit will bring together leaders, policymakers, researchers, and youth to discuss Africa’s youth-led transformation of agri-food systems through innovation, collaboration, and practical implementation strategies.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's GDP growth

TurkStat to release GDP growth figures for the second quarter. In the first quarter, the Turkish economy grew 2% year-on-year.

Eurozone unemployment

Eurostat to announce monthly unemployment rate figures for July. In June, the rate was at 6.2%.

SPECIAL REPORTS

NASA’s lunar reactor push: Science, security, and the space race

Report exploring NASA’s plan to install a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, an initiative experts say is linked to efforts for sustaining long-term human presence and scientific exploration.

The story has insights from lunar scientists explaining why such a reactor could be useful, while also discussing other issues such as its most likely location and other challenges ahead. The analysts also speak about the renewed global “space race” and address questions over safety, timeline, and NASA’s already stretched budget.

The report includes comments from former NASA technologist Bhavya Lal, lunar scientist Simeon Barber of the Open University, and planetary geophysicist Lionel Wilson.

Obesity epidemic: What’s driving it and why economies should care

Report examining how rising obesity rates are no longer just a health issue but a growing economic burden projected to cost trillions worldwide.

The story presents an overview of how adult obesity has doubled since 1990 and adolescent rates have quadrupled, with more than 2.5 billion adults now overweight. It details the current economic fallout and provides projections, along with expert insights on the epidemic’s link to “obesogenic environments” shaped by ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and weak regulation.

The report has data and comments from the World Health Organization, Angie Jackson-Morris of the World Obesity Federation, and Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina.