Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Saudi crown prince to visit US

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pays a three-day official visit to Washington - his first trip to the US in seven years - during which he is expected to meet President Donald Trump, according to Saudi media. The visit’s agenda has not yet been issued by the Royal Court.

Reaction to UN voting on Gaza plan

Reactions and statements by Israel, Hamas and mediators to the UN Security Council voting on implementing the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which includes deploying international forces in the enclave and outlining a pathway toward establishing a Palestinian state.

Syria’s foreign minister’s visit to China

The second day of an open-ended official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani to China. The minister arrived on Sunday on the first official visit by a senior official since the fall of the Assad regime. He is expected to hold talks with a number of Chinese officials, according to the state-run SANA news agency.

Developments in Sudan

The field updates in Sudan amid intensified battles between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across North, South, and West Kordofan region, as both parties seek to consolidate territorial control. Humanitarian developments will be followed too, as thousands of civilians have fled from the area.

Worsening weather conditions in Gaza

Field and humanitarian in Gaza after rainwater from a passing storm flooded hundreds of displacement tents and shelters, deepening an already dire situation created by two years of Israeli genocide.

Turkish president to chair Cabinet meeting

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in the capital, Ankara.

EU affairs ministers to gather in Brussels

EU member states’ EU affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on Nov. 17 to discuss the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), begin preparations for the December European Council meeting by reviewing an annotated draft agenda, and address EU-UK relations.

EU Commission, NATO chiefs to meet with Finnish president

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will separately meet with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Brussels on Nov. 17. Rutte is also expected to hold a joint press conference with Stubb.

UK government announces new asylum policy statement

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announces the Home Office's new Asylum Policy Statement, following discussion of the so-called 'Danish model' of migration control. The announcement is expected to include a new system for family migration, with contribution requirements, longer periods before newly-granted refugees can apply, and dedicated control arrangements for unaccompanied children and for those fleeing persecution who have family in the UK.

Merz speaks at business summit in Berlin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will deliver the opening speech at the Suddeutsche Zeitung Business Summit today. He is expected to address the government's plans to tackle economic challenges and comment on current domestic and international issues. Following his speech, Merz will participate in a question-and-answer session.

French president to host Ukrainian counterpart

French President Emmanuel Macron will host his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday with a news conference expected at around 9.30 am local time. During the meeting, two leaders are expected to formalize an agreement aimed at strengthening Ukraine's air defense.

UN Security Council to discuss conflict-related food insecurity

The UN Security Council will convene for a high-level open debate on conflict-related food insecurity, chaired by Sierra Leone’s president. Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, OCHA’s deputy chief Joyce Msuya and FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero will brief the council.

The council will later vote on a US-penned draft resolution hailing the establishment of a “Board of Peace” and “International Stabilization Force” as a “transitional governance administration” in Gaza.

Trump to attend meeting with White House 2026 World Cup task force, McDonald’s Impact Summit

US President Donald Trump will hold a meeting with the White House task force to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico in June and July next year. The task force coordinates the federal government’s security and planning for the tournament.

Trump will later deliver remarks at the McDonald’s Impact Summit in Washington, DC.

UN chief to hold talks at COP30 in Brazil

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will return to the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, for meetings with negotiating parties, including various regional groups and country ministers. He will also engage with representatives of civil society, indigenous peoples and youth. Guterres is expected to reiterate his call for the parties to provide a clear plan to accelerate the implementation of climate efforts amid significant gaps towards meeting Paris Agreement goals.

Also, the summit's high-level segment will begin.

Russia to host Shanghai Cooperation Organization heads of gov't meeting

Russia's capital Moscow to host the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will chair the 24th meeting of the council set to last until Tuesday, for which key representatives from member states will arrive in Russia, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet some representatives on the sidelines of the event.

Russian, Indian foreign ministers to meet in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to hold talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Russia's capital Moscow. Jaishankar will arrive in Moscow to lead an Indian delegation set to take part in the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Reactions to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit to France

Reactions by Kyiv and Moscow will be followed as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits France. Developments are expected, particularly concerning what Zelenskyy described on Sunday as a "historic" deal prepared between the two countries to bolster Kyiv's defense capabilities. Zelenskyy is also expected to meet French President Emmanuel Macron while in Paris.

China, Germany hold financial dialogue in Beijing

China and Germany hold 4th high-level financial dialogue in Beijing. The dialogue comes after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed his trip to Beijing last month.

Japan, Indonesia hold ‘2+2’ ministerial meeting in Tokyo

Japan and Indonesia are holding a "2+2" meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo. Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Defense Minister Koizumi host Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The meeting will be the first of its kind since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet was launched last month.

Bangladesh tribunal to deliver 1st verdict against ousted Premier Hasina

Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal is expected to deliver 1st verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday on charges related to crimes against humanity committed during last year's uprising.

South Korea holds annual military drill

South Korea's military launches its annual outdoor defense field exercise to enhance joint operational capabilities and readiness. The Hoguk exercise will last for five days, after it was delayed from October because of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

ECONOMY

Turkish central government budget

Turkish Treasury to release central government budget statistics for October. In September, the budget posted a deficit of $7.33 billion.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Pakistan bets on AI to tackle smog crisis

Report on Pakistan’s efforts to address the yearly smog crisis, with the country turning to artificial intelligence technologies this season.

The story details the government’s launch of a clean-air program using AI to forecast and mitigate pollution in cities such as Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab that is particularly hard hit by environmental pollution. It presents an overview of the program’s key features, which include some 100 AI-powered air-quality monitoring stations, AI-guided anti-smog guns, and a specialized environmental protection force.

The report includes comments from Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab’s environment minister; climate governance expert Imran Saqib Khalid; and environmentalist Yasir Hussain.

Profits fall, rivals rise: German auto sector faces tough road

Report on Germany’s automotive industry and how it is facing growing challenges due to the rise of electric vehicles and competition from China.

The story presents recent financial and other data from major companies like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes, who have all reported negative results, with declining sales and profits. It also details how suppliers are also struggling, with companies like Continental, Schaeffler, and ZF posting negative figures.

The report has comments from a spokesperson of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, outlining the sector’s calls for policy changes to improve conditions, including less regulation, reliable energy prices, and innovation-friendly policies.