Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, April 23, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Regional tensions continue amid uncertainty over the next round of US-Iran talks.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said the United States would extend a two-week Pakistani-mediated truce, which was announced on April 8, following a request from Pakistani officials, to allow Tehran more time to prepare a “unified proposal.” Monitoring developments and reactions about the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
The Gulf tour by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, which started on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia and included stops in the UAE and Qatar. Damascus has not specified the duration or countries included in the tour.
Washington hosts the second round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, with the participation of the two countries’ ambassadors to the US, following a preliminary round held last week.
Following European reactions and statements on developments across Middle East amid uncertainty over the 2nd round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad. President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire.
WHO, UNICEF and Gavi will host a joint virtual press conference to discuss progress since the launch of the Big Catch-Up initiative -- a multi-year, multi-country effort launched during World Immunization Week in 2023. The aim is to reach children who missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EU member states’ leaders will gather for a two-day informal meeting in Lefkosia, Greek Cypriot Administration, to discuss current political developments and matters of strategic importance for the European Union. As this is an informal meeting, no decisions will be made.
Monitoring political developments in Romania as crisis in coalition deepens after the Social Democratic Party mulls withdrawing its support for Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.
UK’s Royal Navy First Sea Lord General Gwyn Jenkins hosts latest gathering of Joint Expeditionary Force navy leaders, which also includes Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters convenes a meeting of allied countries to discuss how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following a leaders' summit on April 17. Fifty-one countries were involved in last week's talks in Paris, except countries involved directly in the conflict, including the US.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will embark on a two-day official visit to the UK, where he is expected to hold talks with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, members of the UK Parliament, and other officials.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is set to address an event and hold a press conference in Geneva, providing an update on UN peacekeeping operations and mine action efforts.
US President Donald Trump will hold a series of closed policy meetings at the White House. Possible future steps after Trump unilaterally extended the ongoing ceasefire with Iran are likely on the agenda.
The UN Security Council will hold its 90-day briefing on the situation in Haiti, with Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Carlos Ruiz Massieu to brief.
Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold a meeting focused on the development of Russia's Arctic Zone and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor.
Sergey Lavrov to chair a meeting of the Supervisory Board and the Board of Trustees of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The agenda includes a report on the university's activities in 2025 and tasks for the current year.
The 2nd Oil, Trade and Transport Forum to start its two-day session in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. The event, organized on the initiative of Glenmar company, addresses issues related to the development of energy resources and their transportation.
Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe to host a meeting of secretaries of security councils of Central Asia, who plan to discuss common threats for the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address heads of EU states gathered in Cyprus for an informal meeting to discuss key regional problems and the Middle East crisis.
Pope Leo XIV’s African tour will conclude as he will depart from Equatorial Guinea. Before departure, the pope will hold a mass at a stadium. He is scheduled to land in Rome around 1800GMT.
Developments as Islamabad talks between the US and Iran remain in ambiguity, while Tehran said it would not attend the meeting until Washington ends its 'illegal' blockade of Iranian ports. Pakistan continues to uphold security measures in Islamabad in anticipation of the meeting, as President Donald Trump signaled negotiations may resume anytime soon.
Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference where it is expected to answer questions regarding its recent military drills in disputed South China Sea as well as conflict in the Middle East.
Second phase of elections takes place in Tamil Nadu and the first phase in West Bengal, as well as some assembly constituencies in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The results are scheduled to be announced on May 04.
Türkiye is marking National Sovereignty and Children’s Day with a full day of official ceremonies and celebrations led by state officials.
European car market data
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association to release monthly car market data for March.
Singapore and Hong Kong to release consumer inflation data for March.
INTERVIEW - UNIFIL says only Blue Line is recognized, calls for permanent Lebanon-Israel ceasefire
Interview with UNIFIL deputy spokesperson Tilak Pokharel on the fragile truce between Lebanon and Israel ahead of Thursday’s talks in the US.
The story examines UNIFIL’s position that only the Blue Line is recognized, as Israel tries to set up alternate demarcation, while stressing the need for a permanent ceasefire and a longer-term political solution to the conflict.
Pokharel also highlights the growing risks facing peacekeepers, including the killing of four UNIFIL personnel since March 2, restrictions on movement and ongoing investigations into attacks, as violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 continue.
EXPLAINER - Romania coalition crisis: Why and what next?
Report on mounting political instability in Romania as tensions between Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and the Social Democratic Party (PSD) push the ruling coalition toward a potential collapse.
The story explains how PSD’s decision to withdraw support has left the government at risk of losing its parliamentary majority, exposing deep divisions over austerity policies, inflation pressures and leadership disputes.
The report unpacks the key drivers behind the crisis, including economic strain tied to EU funding conditions and growing mistrust within the coalition, while also outlining possible scenarios, from minority rule and a no-confidence vote to a leadership change or prolonged instability.