Diary
ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire underway amid Israel violations
The progress of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement since it took effect on Oct. 10, including the ongoing search for the remains of Israeli captives and, in return, the release of the bodies of Palestinian prisoners amid continued Israeli violations.
Developments in Sudan’s El-Fasher amid RSF deadly atrocities
Humanitarian situation in western Sudan’s El-Fasher as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is still detaining thousands of civilians inside the city and blocking their evacuation.
A special report tracing the RSF’s evolution to be published.
Omani sultan pays 3-day state visit to Spain
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman pays Monday a three-day state visit to Spain to discuss avenues of cooperation between the two countries and ways to strengthen them across various fields.
Trump to attend tele-rallies
A day before gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, US President Donald Trump will take part in tele-rallies to boost voter turnout for Republican candidates in the two off-year contests.
In Virginia, polls show former Democratic US Rep. Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. In New Jersey, the race is tighter, with Democratic US Rep. Mikie Sherrill holding a narrow lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
Russia to adopt UN Security Council presidency
Sierra Leone will assume the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council from Russia for November. Sierra Leone’s representative at the UN, Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, is expected to deliver a briefing.
Germany's Merz to visit Schleswig-Holstein
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein to meet with the region's political leaders and attend a Cabinet meeting. He is expected to hold a press conference afterward to address domestic and international issues.
Briefing with Swiss president
Switzerland’s President Karin Keller-Sutter will meet with the Foreign Press Association in Switzerland for a press briefing followed by a lunch in Bern.
Reactions to Russian premier's 2-day visit to China
Reactions on the part of Moscow will be followed as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to undertake a two-day official visit to China. During the visit, Mishustin will attend the 30th annual meeting of the Russian and Chinese prime ministers, alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the city of Hangzhou. As part of the visit, Mishustin is also scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
US defense secretary visits South Korea
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pays a two-day official trip to South Korea, a long-time military ally of Washington. Hegseth meets with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, visits Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, as well as US troops deployed on the Korean Peninsula. This would be the first trip to South Korea by Hegseth since he was appointed early this year.
Afghanistan reels under aftermath of earthquake
Search and rescue operation is going on in northern Afghanistan after a strong earthquake of 6.3 magnitude rocked the nation in the dead of night. At least 19 people have been confirmed dead, besides hundreds of wounded people, mostly in Samangam and Balkh provinces.
Erdogan to attend 41st COMCEC opening in Istanbul, chair Cabinet meeting in Ankara
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the opening ceremony of the 41st COMCEC (Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation) meeting at the Istanbul Congress Center and chair the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.
Turkish foreign minister to host Gaza talks in Istanbul
The foreign ministers of the UAE, Indonesia, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan will meet in Istanbul under the chairmanship of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in Gaza.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's inflation
TurkStat to announce monthly inflation data for October. In September, the annual inflation was at 33.29%. Markets expect it to fall to 33.2% in October.
SPECIAL REPORTS
FACTBOX - Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces: From Darfur militias to rival army
Report on Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been in a war with the country’s national army for more than two years.
The report traces the RSF’s evolution, from its origins in Darfur’s Janjaweed militias to its involvement in the current war, during which international organizations say it committed mass killings and many other violations.
The report also explores how gold revenues financed the RSF recruitment and weapons purchases, as well as the International Criminal Court’s investigations into war crimes committed by the RSF.
Old mines reborn as solar farms powering clean energy transition, creating jobs
Report on the increasing number of projects transforming abandoned and closed mines into solar farms, powering renewable energy, and creating jobs and local revitalization opportunities.
The story highlights China’s coal-to-solar conversion with over 14 gigawatts of capacity, Türkiye’s pilot projects repurposing lignite sites, Germany’s Witznitz solar park and Greece’s Kozani plant.
The report features comments from Beyond Fossil Fuels campaigner Duygu Kutluay and Global Energy Monitor’s Cheng Cheng Wu.
