Diary
ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
US ambassador to UN’s ongoing visit to Israel
On the second day of his three-day visit to Israel, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz is scheduled to tour Israel's northern and southern borders, receive briefings on the implementation of UNSCR 2803, and visit Kerem Shalom to focus on aid distribution to Gaza, as well as the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC).
Israel’s breaches of Gaza ceasefire
Continued Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, killing civilians, destroying infrastructure, demolishing homes, and exacerbating the humanitarian and medical crisis.
Sudan’s developments
Field and humanitarian updates from Sudan's Kordofan amid fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has resulted in mass displacement in the areas due to rebel group attacks.
Lebanon's president visits Oman
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has begun a two-day official visit to Oman, where Sultan Haitham bin Tariq will host him. The leaders will discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Trump to deliver economy-related remarks
US President Donald Trump is expected to deliver remarks focused on the economy, including inflation and tariffs, as he visits Mount Pocono in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Top US diplomat to brief senior lawmakers
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will brief leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate in Washington, DC, on matters related to national security. Reports indicate that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also attend.
Advocacy groups to address Palestinian students’ visa issues in Canada
Several pro-Palestinian and rights organizations, including Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk, will hold a news conference on Parliament Hill in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, to discuss concerns over visa delays affecting Palestinian students, including those facing crisis conditions in Gaza. The event follows recent comments by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, who said the government does not plan to introduce special flexibility for students from Gaza. Member of Parliament Iqra Khalid is expected to attend.
UN Security Council to discuss Ukraine
The UN Security Council will meet to receive a briefing on Ukraine. The meeting initiative was supported by Denmark, France, the UK, Greece, and South Korea, which was prompted by a national request from Slovenia.
UN to host high-level pledging event on Central Emergency Response Fund
The annual High-level Pledging Event on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will be held at the UN Headquarters in New York. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will speak at the event.
Italian premier meets Ukrainian president in Rome
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome after his London meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday to discuss the US peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
ICC delivers sentence against former Sudanese militia leader
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will deliver its sentence against Sudanese former militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb. He was found guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, between 2003 and 2004.
Nobel Peace Prize winner speaks in Norway
Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, who won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, will hold a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s award ceremony. She was awarded the prize “for her tireless efforts to promote democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Machado dedicated the prize “to the suffering people of Venezuela” and to US President Donald Trump, from whom she hopes to gain support in her effort to oust Maduro.
EU Council chief meets with Irish premier
European Council President Antonio Costa will visit Dublin to meet with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin to gather the views of EU leaders and discuss the European Council's main political priorities and working methods. The pair planned to hold a press conference after their talk, which is part of Costa's "Tour des Capitales."
French parliament votes on Social Security budget
French lawmakers return to a high-stakes budget battle as the National Assembly prepares to vote on the full Social Security budget after adopting its revenue section on Friday. The outcome remains uncertain amid deep fractures—including within the government’s already fragile coalition.
Ukrainian president’s reported plan to visit Italy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Italy following contacts in London and Brussels. According to Italian media reports, Zelenskyy plans to visit Rome following a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Tanzania's opposition calls for protests on Independence Day
Activists and opposition groups have called for nationwide anti-government protests on Tanzania's Independence Day in response to the violence during and after the disputed Oct. 29 election.
During the unrest, hundreds were arrested on treason charges, which are punishable by death, and reports indicate that as many were killed. President Samia Suluhu Hassan canceled Independence Day celebrations ahead of the protests, citing the need to redirect funds for infrastructure repair after the unrest.
Tensions continue along Thailand-Cambodia border
Tensions remained high along Thailand's border with Cambodia following renewed deadly clashes that killed at least four Cambodians. The renewed clashes violated the US-mediated peace agreement, and Bangkok has stated that any talks will take place only under Thai conditions.
Massive earthquake shakes Japan
The aftermath of a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook northern Japan, with warnings of similar tremors this week.
Turkish president participates in 'Strong Türkiye for Humanity' program
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will participate in the “Strong Türkiye for Humanity” program at the Justice and Development (AK) Party Congress Center and chair the AK Party Central Executive Board Meeting in Ankara.
Panel on Gaza
Türkiye's Communications Director Burhanettin Duran will participate in the "Women Witnesses of Genocide: Media and Resistance in Gaza Panel" organized by the directorate in Ankara. First lady Emine Erdogan is also expected to address the panel.
Energy summit
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar will attend the 15th Türkiye Energy Summit. The summit discusses the effects of the energy market transformation process on Türkiye and the global energy markets, as well as future trends, expectations, and requirements for Turkish energy markets. It aims to help participants and decision-makers forecast their futures while also facilitating the formation of new regional collaborations.
THE ECONOMY
German foreign trade
Destatis to share monthly foreign trade statistics for October. In September, Germany posted a foreign trade surplus of $17.7B.
US job openings
The US to release JOLTS job openings data for September. In August, the job openings rose to 7.227 million.
SPECIAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW – Arwa Elrayess: First Palestinian woman to lead Oxford Union defies smears to champion representation
Interview with Arwa Hanin Elrayess, the first Palestinian and Arab woman elected president in the 200-year history of the Oxford Union.
Elrayess speaks about how she overcame smear campaigns and intimidation while championing representation, political voice, and inclusion within one of Britain’s most exclusive institutions.
She also shares her personal journey—from a childhood split between the UK and Gaza to finding her voice in the union chamber—and speaks about how her victory signals shifting generational dynamics in elite spaces.
INTERVIEW – Agreement on middle ground acceptable to Palestinians key for Gaza peace: US-Hamas mediator
Interview with Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American academic and informal mediator involved in US-Hamas contacts, assessing the prospects for the Gaza peace plan and the negotiations shaping its next phase.
Bahbah outlines key unresolved elements, including establishing a governance structure to administer Gaza and deploying an International Stabilization Force, where he argues Türkiye will play a crucial role.
He says that lasting peace requires a middle ground acceptable to Palestinians, noting that Israel’s insistence on unilateral terms “simply cannot happen.” Bahbah also speaks about US President Donald Trump’s position on the issue, saying he wants to ensure that a process tied to his name does not fail.
EXPLAINER – How will Australia’s teen social media ban work?
Report on Australia’s new nationwide ban preventing children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms—including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Threads—which comes into force on Dec. 10.
The story explains how age-verification and enforcement mechanisms will work in practice, what penalties platforms could face for violations, and the broader regulatory shift driving Australia’s tougher stance on youth online safety.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Arwa Hanin Elrayess, the first Palestinian and Arab woman to be elected president of the Oxford Union, focusing on her personal journey and the significance of her achievement.
VIDEO – Interview with Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American academic and informal mediator involved in US-Hamas contacts, assessing the prospects for the Gaza peace plan and the negotiations shaping its next phase.
