ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israel’s ongoing Gaza ceasefire breaches
The daily violations of the Gaza ceasefire by the Israeli army, by conducting attacks on civilians, the demolition of homes, and damage to critical infrastructure amid cold weather, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite ceasefire
The nearly-daily Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on the pretext of targeting Hezbollah members and destroying its infrastructure, despite the November 2024 ceasefire deal.
Fighting in Sudan
The field and humanitarian developments in Sudan amid ongoing fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), worsening humanitarian conditions and stepped-up diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and expanded humanitarian access.
Greek premier meeting with Palestinian president in Ramallah
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Talks are expected to dwell on the two-state solution and discuss the post-war Gaza.
Greek, Cyprus leaders to meet Israeli premier in Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides in Jerusalem. A trilateral meeting will take place after Netanyahu holds bilateral meetings with Mitsotakis and Christodoulides, according to his office.
French president’s visit to UAE
The second and last day of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the UAE for bilateral talks and engagements with French forces stationed in the Emirates.
European reactions to new Israeli plan to expand illegal settlements in West Bank
Monitoring reactions and statements from European leaders to Israel’s recently approved plan to establish 19 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as ongoing Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire.
Trump to make announcement with defense, Navy chiefs
US President Donald Trump will make an announcement in Palm Beach, Florida. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also attend. While the subject of the announcement has not been made public, it comes amid rising tensions with Venezuela and US military buildup in the Caribbean and nearby bases.
UN Security Council to discuss Sudan, Myanmar
The UN Security Council will hold a briefing on the situation of women and girls in Sudan. A statement on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and the UK will be delivered by Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia’s permanent representative to the UN. Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamal Idris is expected to speak to reporters ahead of the session.
The council will also hold a closed session on the situation in Myanmar. British Ambassador James Kariuki may address media on the same subject ahead of the session.
Possible Venezuelan reactions to US commercial vessel seizures
Potential statements from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and senior officials after US action to seize commercial ships off Venezuela’s coast over the weekend.
Russia to host informal summit of Commonwealth of Independent States leaders
Russia's city of St. Petersburg to host a traditional informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Kremlin, Putin will hold bilateral meetings with a number of CIS leaders on the sidelines of the event.
Alliance of Sahel States to hold heads of state summit in Mali
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) will hold a heads of state summit on Dec. 22-23 in the Malian capital, Bamako, hosted by Mali's President Assimi Goita, the current rotating leader. The meeting, the second since the inaugural summit in Niamey in July 2024, is expected to focus on integrating defense, diplomacy, and development, including operationalizing a new unified force, creating a confederal investment and development bank, and launching a shared radio station.
Malaysia hosts ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
Malaysia hosts a meeting of foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on current situation between Cambodia and Thailand, as renewed clashes between the two sides have left 55 people dead.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's central government debt
Turkish Treasury to release data for the central government's debt stock for November.
SPECIAL REPORTS
YEAR-ENDER – World’s fastest-warming continent: Europe’s climate fight over past 25 years
Report on the environmental changes and climate shifts affecting the European continent over the first quarter of the 21st century, detailing major ecological disruptions, the scientific factors driving these transformations, and policy responses.
The story explores how Europe has become the world’s fastest-warming continent, outlining long-term warming trends, the growing frequency of extreme events, and the EU’s policy response through measures such as the Paris Agreement, the Emissions Trading System, and the European Green Deal.
The report draws on data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Environment Agency, the European Parliament, and the UN, and includes interviews with Samantha Burgess of Copernicus and climate scientist Anders Levermann of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, on warming trends, emissions trajectories, and what lies ahead.
FACTBOX – Key positions of Russia and Ukraine in ongoing peace talks
Factbox outlining the positions of Russia and Ukraine as diplomatic efforts intensify around a possible framework to end the war, focusing on the core issues shaping negotiations.
It details Ukraine’s demands for legally binding security guarantees, its position on NATO membership and territorial integrity, and Russia’s opposition to Ukraine joining the alliance, its emphasis on recognizing territorial “realities on the ground,” and its stance on demilitarization and foreign troop deployments.
The factbox draws on statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials, reflecting positions expressed in recent talks, public remarks and official briefings.