ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Humanitarian plight in Gaza amid heavy rain
Severe weather in Gaza, with heavy rain and flooding posing growing risks to displaced families sheltering in fragile tents in wake of two-year Israeli offensive that left vast areas destroyed and millions without proper shelter.
Expected escalation following Israeli attacks on Beirut suburbs
Latest developments in Israeli strikes on Beirut suburbs since ceasefire began last year, which recently killed a senior Hezbollah commander and four other members.
Situation in Kordofan, Sudan amid ongoing army–RSF clashes
Situation in the field and humanitarian plight in Sudan as army continues inflicting heavy losses on paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the southern city of Babnousa in West Kordofan.
Egyptian foreign minister’s anticipated visit to Lebanon
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expected to arrive in Beirut Wednesday for talks aimed at heading off looming Israeli escalation against Lebanon, according to media reports.
Pakistani premier to pay official visit to Bahrain
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to pay 2-day official visit to Bahrain. The visit is expected to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, education, and culture.
Iranian foreign minister to visit France
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected visit Paris on Wednesday to meet with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, according to media reports, citing French Foreign Ministry.
Egypt, Algeria to hold high-level joint committee meeting
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Algeria’s Premier Sifi Gharib to co-chair meeting of Egyptian-Algerian Joint Higher Committee, with memorandums of understanding expected to be signed across multiple sectors.
US defense chief to visit Dominican Republic amid rising tension with Venezuela
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to pay official visit to the Dominican Republic and meet with President Luis Abinader, Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre, and Cabinet officials. The Pentagon said Hegseth will work to strengthen defense ties and reaffirm the US commitment to protecting regional partners and ensuring regional stability. The trip comes amid US military buildup in the region and speculation of possible military action against Venezuela.
Trump at Mar-a-lago for Thanksgiving
US President Donald Trump is in Palm Beach for a six-day Thanksgiving visit. Trump has typically spent Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where he is scheduled on Thursday to make traditional holiday call to US troops.
German chancellor addresses parliament on budget
Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses parliament during budget debate, where lawmakers discuss domestic and international policy alongside proposed increases to defense spending and military aid to Ukraine.
European Parliament to discuss escalating airspace violations ‘originating from Russia and Belarus’
European Parliament to convene in Strasbourg to debate “EU response to the continuous airspace violations and sabotage of critical infrastructure in the EU originating from Russia and Belarus.”
Several EU states, including Poland, Romania, and Belgium, have reported drone-related airspace violations in recent months, accusations Russia denies. In response, the bloc decided to strengthen its anti-drone capabilities.
Ex-French President Sarkozy challenges conviction
Verdict to be announced in former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's appeal at the Court of Cassation, France's highest court, over his conviction for illegal campaign financing.
Sarkozy was initially sentenced in 2021 to a year in prison for illegally financing failed 2012 reelection campaign.
Palestine Action protest outside court
“Lift the Ban” protest outside Royal Courts of Justice in London, where a judicial review is taking place to determine whether deeming Palestine Action a terrorist organization is lawful.
Kyrgyzstan to host Collective Security Treaty Organization summit
Eurasia Desk to follow diplomatic events on sidelines of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Kyrgyzstan including a meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers and an informal lunch for the heads of member states.
During the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is also scheduled to attend.
Senior Russian diplomat to hold news conference ahead of BRICS+ 2025 anti-terrorism meeting
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov to hold news conference on preparations for upcoming BRICS+ 2025 Anti-Terrorism Conference.
Event set to explore national and regional strategies for combating terrorism amid evolving global security challenges and emerging threats.
Thai premier visiting Malaysia amid tensions with Cambodia
Thai Premier Anutin Charnvirakul paying visit to Malaysia. During his talks with host Premier Anwar Ibrahim, the 2 sides are expected to discuss Thailand-Cambodia border tensions. Bangkok earlier unilaterally suspended peace pact with Phnom Penh.
Japan, China developments
Developments amid continued tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan. While Beijing has demanded Tokyo publicly clarify its stance on Taiwan, Japan has said its stance remains consistent.
Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi’s remarks that any Chinese attack on Taiwan could potentially trigger its “exercise the right of collective self-defense” have hurt bilateral ties.
THE ECONOMY
US GDP
US to release GDP growth rate for third quarter of the year. In Q2, the world’s largest economy expanded 3% on a quarterly basis.
World Halal Summit, Halal Expo
World Halal Summit and Halal Expo – major event for global halal market – to begin in Istanbul, with focus on innovation and excellence in halal trade.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Germany’s far-right drift: Why extremist ideas are gaining ground in the political center
Report examining rise and normalization of far-right ideology in Germany amid AfD party’s surge to the top of national polls.
Story draws on new academic studies and data showing that far-right attitudes once confined to Germany’s political margins are increasingly taking root among the self-identified democratic mainstream. It explains how support for ethnic nationalism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and authoritarian positions has risen sharply in recent years, with experts warning that distrust in democratic institutions and the appeal of populist messaging are accelerating the normalization of extremist ideas.
Report includes insights from Andreas Zick and Beate Kupper, lead authors of long-running Die Mitte study, who outline deeper causes of the trend and warn of the risks to Germany’s democratic order.
From uranium to rare earths: What’s in Central Asia’s ground?
Report on how Central Asia has become strategic focal point in intensifying global competition for rare earth elements and critical minerals, as major powers – particularly the US and China – seek secure supplies vital for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and defense technologies.
Story outlines region’s vast but underexplored mineral potential, showing how Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have emerged as key players due to their rich reserves of uranium, rare earths, and other high-value minerals.
Report also details strategic significance of Central Asia’s mineral belts – from Kazakhstan’s uranium fields to Uzbekistan’s multi-trillion-dollar resource base and Kyrgyzstan’s historic mines – and explains how global rivalry is reshaping diplomacy, investment, and supply-chain realignment across region.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interviews with academics Andreas Zick and Beate Kupper on the normalization of far-right ideology in Germany, outlining deeper causes of the trend and risks to the country’s democratic order.