Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 (subject to change depending on developing/breaking stories):

New phase of Israeli offensive in Gaza City

Developments in the Gaza Strip as Israel launched a new phase of its Gaza City offensive, advancing with a gradual ground push amid ongoing bombardments and issuing evacuation orders to force Gazans to flee the city heading to the south.

Global Sumud Flotilla sailing to Gaza

Developments surrounding Global Sumud Flotilla, which is sailing toward Gaza with dozens of ships, aiming to break Israel’s blockade while delivering aid and opening a safe humanitarian corridor to the besieged territory.

Qatar’s emir set to visit Jordan

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, will visit Jordan on Wednesday and meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

The two leaders will hold talks focusing on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them across various fields.

Israeli-Houthi retaliatory military attacks

Developments surrounding the Israeli aerial attack on Al-Hudaydah port in western Yemen, with Tel Aviv claiming the strikes targeted Houthi military infrastructure at the facility, while retaliatory attacks from the Houthis are anticipated.

US president’s state visit to UK

President Donald Trump pays a three-day state visit to the UK. The UK and the US are set to sign a security-focused tech agreement during Trump's visit.

‘Trump Not Welcome’ protest

Stop Trump Coalition stages a national demonstration in London against US President Donald Trump's state visit. Supporters gather at Portland Place at 2 pm local time before a rally at 5 pm. The Stop Trump Coalition staged protests in Scotland during Trump's visit in July.

European commissioners meeting on package of proposals on Israel

European commissioners gather for a weekly meeting in Brussels where EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic hold a press conference on a package of proposals on Israel. The proposals include the suspension of certain trade-related provisions of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the EU and Israel.

NATO chief meets Albanian premier

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte meets Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Brussels for discussion on the alliance’s defense and deterrence as well as European security. The pair is expected to hold a joint news conference at NATO headquarters.

FBI chief to appear before House Judiciary committee

FBI Director Kash Patel will testify at an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. On Tuesday, Patel was grilled on the FBI response to the fatal shooting of right-wing commentator and activist Charlie Kirk as well as the case of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein at a Senate Judiciary hearing.

UN Security Council meeting

The UN Security Council will convene for an open briefing on Afghanistan. Special Representative of the secretary-general and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva, is expected to brief. Several regional member states are also expected to participate in the meeting.

UN General Assembly president’s speech

President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, whose term began last week, will hold a hybrid news conference. Her remarks are expected to focus on the three priorities for the 80th session: UN values and a return to the UN Charter, reform and inclusivity.

Putin to discuss 'pressing issues' with government members

Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ‘a number of pressing issues’ with the government members at a meeting on Wednesday, according to the Kremlin.

Top Russian diplomat to attend roundtable discussion on Ukraine conflict

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to attend a roundtable discussion at the Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy focused on prospects for a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov is also expected to highlight Moscow's approach to reforming the UN.

China hosts South Korean top diplomat

China to host South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun for bilateral talks. Cho’s visit comes at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two sides are expected to discuss trade relations and regional cooperation ahead of the summit of leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation set for next month in South Korea.

Beijing hosts defense dialogue forum

The 3-day 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a high-level security and defense dialogue platform, opens. The forum is themed ‘Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development.’ Military officers, officials and academics from more than 100 countries and organizations gather in the Chinese capital for security and defense discussions.

Groundbreaking ceremony for Turkish Foreign Ministry HQ campus

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a new headquarters campus of the Foreign Ministry.

THE ECONOMY

Eurozone inflation

Eurostat to release final monthly CPI figures for August. The UK will also release inflation data.

US interest rate decision

Federal Reserve to announce its interest rate decision. In the previous meeting, the central bank kept the rate unchanged at the range of 4.25% to 4.5%. Markets expect a 25 basis point rate cut for this meeting.

Türkiye's premier tech event TEKNOFEST

The World's one of the biggest tech, aviation, and space events, TEKNOFEST, to kick off in Istanbul. The event will feature competitions, air shows, and innovative tech ideas, which bring awe to millions of visitors.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Poland-Russia drone tensions: What’s next?

Report on the latest fallout after last week’s drone incursion into Polish territory, which Warsaw suspects came from Russia though Moscow denies deliberate targeting.

The story outlines Poland’s immediate response and moves by other European states to reinforce surveillance and deterrence. It also places the incident within the broader context of Europe-Russia tensions, where spillovers from the Ukraine war keep straining security guarantees.

The report includes comments from Andrew D’Anieri of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, who provides analysis on possible next steps, including heightened NATO readiness, Poland’s potential calls for stronger allied air defenses, and the risk of further escalation if incursions recur.

Blazes subside but questions mount: Europe’s wildfire response under scrutiny

Report on the wildfires that swept across Europe, particularly Spain and Portugal, this summer, examining how authorities managed the crises and focusing on the question of the continent’s preparedness for future disasters.

The story provides a closer look at the shortcomings in firefighting efforts, the challenges faced by local and national authorities, and the reasons the fires proved so difficult to control.

The report also explores ideal prevention systems and ways to strengthen firefighting strategies, with comments from Victor Resco de Dios, a forestry engineering professor at the University of Lleida in Spain, and Domingos Xavier Viegas, director of the Forest Fire Research Centre at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.