Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israeli army offensive in West Bank

The ground developments in the West Bank after the Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank areas of Tuba, Aqaba and Tammun, deploying military bulldozers to several areas and restricting movement and arresting, and injuring several people.

Effects of bad weather in Gaza amid Israeli violations

The ongoing effects of the bad weather conditions in Gaza, leading to the flooding of hundreds of tents amid government warnings of buildings on the verge of collapse. The plight comes as the Israeli army keeps violating the ceasefire by carrying out daily deadly attacks.

Developments in Sudan

The field developments in Sudan, as the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) battle in West Kordofan amid a wide displacement wave from South Kordofan due to worsening insecurity and escalating violations by the RSF.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite ceasefire

The Israeli near-daily airstrikes on southern Lebanon on the pretext of targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure, despite the 2024 ceasefire.

Trump in Mar-a-lago for Thanksgiving

US President Donald Trump is in Palm Beach, where he is scheduled to make a holiday call to US troops for Thanksgiving.

US defense chief's visit to Caribbean

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is on travel in the Caribbean, where he paid an official visit to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and met with President Luis Abinade for talks on security cooperation.

Shooting in US capital targeting National Guard members

Developments following a shooting in Washington, DC, that authorities called a targeted attack against National Guard members, resulting in the critical injury of two members. President Trump has announced that the suspect who was taken into custody after the incident, which took place near the White House, was an Afghan citizen, with immigration authorities suspending all immigration processing of nationals of the country.

NATO chief visits Iceland

The alliance’s Secretary General Mark Rutte visits Iceland, where he is set to meet Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir and Foreign Minister Porgerour Katrin Gunnarsdottir. Rutte and Frostadottir are expected to hold a press conference as they are likely to discuss European security as well as matters related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

French president presents new national service plan

President Emmanuel Macron to visit 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in the southeastern town of Varces where he is expected to announce the establishment of a voluntary military service. Macron previously stated the new plan aims to address the "desire for service" among the youth and to face the "hybrid confrontation.”

German chancellor meets Estonian premier

Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal with military honors at the Federal Chancellery. The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, security and defense policy on NATO's eastern flank, and joint support for Ukraine, as well as current European policy issues.

UK High Court judicial review on Palestine Action appealing ban

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori leads High Court application challenging the organization's ban under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Ammori won a Court of Appeal case earlier this month, which allowed the group to challenge their proscription by the Home Office after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged two military aircraft on June 20. The judicial review is expected to determine whether deeming the group a terrorist organization is lawful.

Turkish President Erdogan to welcome Pope Leo XIV

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will welcome Vatican Head of State Pope Leo XIV with an official ceremony at the presidential complex.

Erdogan is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting with Pope Leo XIV and then address guests following the inter-delegation talks.

Meeting of Collective Security Treaty Organization member states in Bishkek

The leaders of member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) — Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan - to take part in the plenary session of the Collective Security Council in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The leaders plan to discuss security and strategic coordination among member states of the military alliance.

Russian Foreign Ministry to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow. The spokeswoman is likely to comment on media reports claiming Russia and Ukraine have already engaged in peace talks mediated by the US and held on the neutral UAE platform in Abu Dhabi.

Election results expected in Guinea-Bissau as political tensions rise

Election results are expected in Guinea-Bissau as political tensions rise, with the country’s electoral commission earlier promising to announce the final outcome by Thursday.

As the results are awaited, gunfire erupted near presidential palace on Wednesday with both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and challenger Fernando Dias claiming victory. Embalo was reportedly detained in a military action while Dias urged the armed forces to remain neutral.

Junta expected to release prisoners ahead of Myanmar polls

Burmese junta is expected to release some 9,000 prisoners, including those charged with sedition, across Myanmar. The move comes ahead of polls, for the first time in 5 years, scheduled for late December.​​​​​​​

Hong Kong residential fire

Monitoring situation as a heavy blaze engulfed Hong Kong's residential buildings, killing at least 44 people and leaving 279 others missing.

Japan, China developments

Monitoring developments between Japan and China as tensions continue over Taiwan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that it is her ‘responsibility’ to protect and maximize Japan’s national interests by maintaining good relations with China through dialogue as Beijing urged the Japanese side to ‘take concrete steps to own its commitments to China.’

Takaichi’s remarks that any Chinese attack on Taiwan could potentially trigger ‘the right of collective self-defense’ by Tokyo have deteriorated bilateral ties.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish economic confidence

TurkStat to release economic confidence index data for November. In October, the index was up to 98.2 points from the previous month. TurkStat will also release foreign trade statistics for October.

SPECIAL REPORTS

South Asia urged to boost climate cooperation as extreme heat, flooding risks surge

Report on calls from experts in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh for renewed regional climate cooperation, warning that South Asia is on course for severe weather disasters as a latest World Bank study projects nearly 90% of the population could face extreme heat and flooding by 2030.

The story outlines how rapidly rising temperatures, flooding, monsoon volatility and glacial risks demand cross-border action – including shared early-warning systems, scientific coordination and joint climate financing – despite strained political ties among the three neighbors.

The report includes expert insights from Imran Saqib Khalid, an Islamabad-based climate governance expert; Shafi Mohammad Tareq, an environmental science expert at Bangladesh’s Jahangirnagar University; and Gufran Beig, an Indian environmentalist and atmospheric scientist.

Türkiye emerging as rising hub for foreign startups: Experts

Report on Türkiye’s growing appeal for international entrepreneurs, as more foreign startups tap into the country’s expanding innovation ecosystem, access to global markets, and supportive investment climate.

The story highlights increasing participation of US, European and regional companies in Türkiye’s startup scene – showcased most recently at Istanbul Technical University’s Big Bang Startup Challenge – while examining the factors drawing them in, including university-industry cooperation, government incentives, and Türkiye’s strategic location connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The report includes insights from Fakir Huseyin Erdogan, general secretary of Türkiye’s Electricity Distribution Services Association; Jay Sadiq, founder of FortyGuard, a US-based AI firm focused on climate issues; and Elyar Akhi, head of WaiterCall, a web-solution firm reducing staff workload in restaurants and cafe.​​​​​​​