Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza’s plight as severe storm hits amid ongoing Israeli blockade

The humanitarian situation in Gaza which continues to deteriorate under the Israeli blockade, as a powerful storm now battering the enclave threatens to inundate makeshift camps and endanger hundreds of thousands of displaced families.

UN secretary-general’s visit to Saudi Arabia

The second day of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Saudi leadership to discuss several pressing regional issues.

Guterres will travel to Iraq on Dec. 13 to mark the closure of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq, before returning to Riyadh to take part in the 11th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations on Dec. 14–15.

He will then visit Muscat, Oman, on Dec. 15 for talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on regional developments, including the situation in Yemen.

Situation in Sudan’s South Kordofan amid army-RSF clashes

The field and humanitarian situation in South Kordofan amid rising pace of displacement as fighting intensifies between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Developments on Ukraine peace talks

Statements and developments regarding US peace plan for Ukraine as US and European efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war continue. According to reports, UK and France-led the “Coalition of the Willing" expected to hold another meeting via videoconference to coordinate regional support to Kyiv.

Reactions to US criticism of Europe, new security strategy

Statements from European countries regarding the US administration’s new security strategy which Moscow says aligns with Russia's vision. Meanwhile, European Commission’s decision to fine US social media company X €120 million ($140.2 million) also sparks harsh criticism from both President Donald Trump and the owner of X, Elon Musk.

Meeting between German chancellor, NATO chief

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosts NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Berlin where they are expected to discuss the Euro-Atlantic security, current challenges facing the alliance, and continued support for Ukraine.

Rutte is also set to deliver a keynote address at the Munich Security Conference event in Berlin, followed by a conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

World Health Organization chief’s briefing

The World Health Organization's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to hold a press briefing in Geneva on global health issues and funding problems.

Trump to participate in signing ceremony, speak at Congressional Ball

US President Trump will attend a signing ceremony, currently scheduled to be closed to reporters, in the Oval Office. He will later speak at the Congressional Ball at the White House.

US Senate to vote on 2 health care bills

The US Senate will vote on two competing bills related to the 2010 Affordable Care Act as funds are set to expire at the end of the year, potentially raising healthcare costs for millions. The upper chamber was already scheduled to vote on a Democratic plan to extend the expiring funds for three more years. Republicans have now put forward their own measure as a competing alternative.

UN Security Council to receive briefing on Central Africa

The UN Security Council will hold a briefing about the secretary-general’s semi-annual report on the Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the implementation of the UN’s regional strategy to combat the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel group. The special Representative and head of UNOCA, Abdou Abarry, is expected to brief council members.

US lawmakers, rights groups to demand accountability for Israeli attacks on journalists

US lawmakers, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Amnesty International USA will hold a news conference demanding accountability for Israel’s targeting of journalists since October 2023. AFP journalist Dylan Collins, wounded in the strike that killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, will speak. Sen. Peter Welch will outline his office’s discussions with US and Israeli officials as advocates continue pressing for an independent US investigation into the attack. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Congresswoman Becca Balint will also attend the event.

Arrival of leaders to Turkmenistan ahead of country's Neutrality Day

Developments as various world leaders arriving in Turkmenistan ahead of the country's Neutrality Day on Dec. 12. Regional leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, will embark on a visit to the Central Asian nation, where they will attend an international forum.

Putin is expected hold several bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the event.

Russian foreign minister to meet with ambassadors to discuss Ukraine war

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to deliver opening remarks at a roundtable at the ministry's diplomatic academy, titled Ukraine Crisis: Diplomacy and Settlement Prospects.

The event, to be attended by over 100 ambassadors and international representatives, will outline Russia’s diplomatic efforts with regard to Ukraine and aims to foster dialogue with partners.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly briefing

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a weekly press briefing via videoconference, anticipated to cover an array of current global political issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Developments in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid renewed escalation despite peace deal

Developments in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to be followed, as the M23 rebel group seized the strategic town of Uvira, a key commercial hub near the border with Burundi. The latest escalation comes despite a US-backed peace deal between Congo and Rwanda and a Qatari-mediated framework agreement between Congo and M23.

Congo and Burundi have also traded accusations with Rwanda over alleged attacks and violations of the Washington deal.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry briefing

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry is expected to hold a news briefing.

Thailand-Cambodia developments

Developments along the Thailand-Cambodia border after renewed deadly clashes resulted in at least 15 deaths -- nine civilians in Cambodia and six soldiers in Thailand. Over half a million people have been displaced due to renewed clashes which broke the US-mediated peace pact.

Bangladesh announces election schedule

Bangladesh's election commission announces national election schedule, with polls set for February. The polls are due since August, when the government of former Premier Sheikh Hasina was ousted following mass protests. An interim government is running day-to-day governance in the South Asian nation.

World’s 1st semi-autonomous ferry begins operation in Japan

In a 1st globally, a ferry using semi-autonomous technology begins operations in between the Western Japanese islands of Okayama and Shodoshima. The technology is to address issues in shipping and other fields, including Japan's worsening labor shortage.

THE ECONOMY

US inflation

The US to release monthly consumer price index data for October. In September, the annual inflation rose 3%, and monthly inflation 0.3%.

Türkiye's interest rate decision

The Turkish Central Bank to announce its interest rate decision. In the previous meeting, the bank cut the policy rate 100 basis points to 39.5%. Markets expect another 100 basis point cut for this meeting.

US foreign trade

The US to release foreign trade statistics for September. The country will also share initial jobless claims figures for last week.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW - Risk of nuclear conflict ‘highest since depths of Cold War’: UN disarmament chief

Interview with Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN under-secretary-general and high representative for disarmament affairs, on the rising risks in today’s global security landscape.

Nakamitsu warns that the threat of nuclear conflict is at its highest since the Cold War, amid collapsing trust, stalled communication, and intensifying competition between major world powers. She says major military powers are accelerating nuclear modernization, fueling arms-race dynamics, and eroding guardrails that once contained escalation.

Nakamitsu also outlines urgent steps to restore confidence – including crisis-communication systems, risk-reduction measures, and renewed dialogue – to keep global instability from worsening.

Ukraine and beyond: Trump’s moves deepen Atlantic divide as Europe questions US alliance

Report examining how US President Trump’s Ukraine negotiations and new US national security strategy are straining transatlantic relations, as European leaders fear Washington is deprioritizing Europe’s security and acting without consultation.

The story examines how Trump’s moves have deepened mistrust in Europe toward Washington, outlining growing fears in European capitals of a fundamental shift in US strategic priorities. It also highlights opinion polling showing a sharp collapse in German trust in the US alliance and assesses Europe’s remaining leverage.

The report has comments from German political scientist Volker Perthes, foreign policy expert Olaf Bohnke, and Thomas Paulsen, chairman of the executive board of think tank Korber Foundation.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s top disarmament official, on the growing threat of nuclear conflict, intensifying arms race between world powers, and the urgent need for measures to keep global instability from worsening.