ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, hostage exchange talks
Developments on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas after the Palestinian movement said that it has agreed to a proposal presented for a 60-day ceasefire put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The deal envisions the release of 10 Israeli hostages alive and the return of 18 bodies in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners, according to Egyptian media. Israel has not responded to the proposal yet.
US envoy Tom Barrack’s Lebanon visit
The third day of an open-ended visit to Lebanon by the US special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, to discuss the government's control over all non-state weapons, including Hezbollah. His visit also aims to solidify the November ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Developments after White House meeting on Ukraine
Developments after Monday’s White House meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU and NATO leaders. Among the attendees were French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO chief Mark Rutte, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Talks were followed by a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, resulting in an agreement for bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, which will be followed by a trilateral summit including Trump. Meanwhile, EU leaders are expected to hold video conference on Ukraine following Washington talks.
UN biweekly press briefing in Geneva
Briefing includes updates from UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO. The Service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing. However, most pressing issues around the world from conflicts to health, including the latest updates from Gaza are expected to be discussed.
Iranian president to visit Belarus
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to pay an official visit to Belarus on Aug. 19. Pezeshkian plans to hold talks with top Belarusian officials, including his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, about possible avenues for the expansion of relations, particularly in trade fields, and sign documents.
China likely to deliver statement on White House moot on Ukraine
China, as well as other Asian nations, is likely to deliver statements on White House meetings on the Ukraine war as the US president hosted Ukrainian and European leaders.
Indian premier expected to receive China’s foreign minister
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to host China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi. Wang is on a trip to India to discuss border issues as two Himalayan neighbors move to stabilize ties.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's international investment position
Turkish Central Bank to release Türkiye's international investment position (NIIP) figures for June. In May the NIIP (assets minus liabilities) was at minus $309B.
US housing statistics
US to share monthly housing starts figures for July. In June, the housing starts rose 4.6% on a monthly basis to 1.321M. The country will also release building permit statistics.
SPECIAL REPORTS
World Humanitarian Day: Global aid system faces ‘double attack’ of record violence and cuts, warns UN
Report marking World Humanitarian Day with a focus on the increasing dangers facing aid workers in Gaza and other conflict areas, along with the growing burden of financial cuts for aid groups.
The story presents latest UN figures for casualties among aid workers in 2025 and 2024, which show an alarming surge in attacks, and also delves into the broader challenges of how international law and humanitarian protections are increasingly being eroded.
The report includes an interview with Jens Laerke, spokesperson for UN OCHA, who explains how the “double attack” of record violence and crippling funding cuts are pushing the global humanitarian system to the brink of collapse.
Europe’s nuclear power plants buckle under climate strain
Report on the growing strain heat waves is placing on Europe’s nuclear power plants, raising questions about the long-term viability of nuclear energy amid intensifying climate extremes.
The story examines how soaring temperatures are forcing nuclear reactors across the continent to shut down or operate at reduced capacity due to cooling system constraints, with implications for energy security, carbon emissions, and electricity prices.
The report features interviews with experts, including Pawel Czyzak, interim Europe Program director at the climate think tank Ember, and Paul Dorfman, chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group.