Diary
ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Israel to open ‘incitement’ trial against Al-Aqsa preacher
Israeli authorities will begin on Tuesday the trial of Ekrima Sabri, the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, on charges of “incitement,” with the court set to review the indictment file submitted by the Israeli Public Prosecution against him since July 2024.
Saudi crown prince's visit to US for talks with Trump
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to arrive in the US on Tuesday for talks with President Donald Trump aimed at strengthening bilateral relations across multiple fields, as well as discussions on shared concerns.
Trump will welcome the Saudi crown prince at the White House, where the leaders will hold bilateral talks and attend a lunch.
The US president on Monday said he is considering approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Earlier, it was reported that Trump wanted to convince Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, US-sponsored agreements to normalize relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries during Trump's first term.
Developments in Sudan amid army-RSF battles
The field and humanitarian conditions in Sudan amid intensified battles between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across North, South, and West Kordofan regions as the military is recapturing towns from the rebel group.
Reactions to UN vote on the Gaza plan
Statements from Israel, Palestinian group Hamas, and mediating parties following the UN Security Council’s vote on implementing the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, which includes deploying international forces in the enclave and setting a pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state.
NATO chief's visit to Slovakia
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will travel to Bratislava, Slovakia, to meet with Prime Minister Robert Fico.
UN special rapporteur's visit to European Parliament
UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, is scheduled to visit the European Parliament in Brussels, where she will attend an event, titled Palestine, International Law, and Europe’s Role.
Spanish premier to meet with Ukrainian president
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Madrid. Sanchez is reportedly expected to commit to funding the purchase of US weaponry for Kyiv and specify the amount of the multi-million-dollar bill, according to local media.
Reactions on the part of Kyiv, and potentially Moscow, amid Zelenskyy's visit to Spain. Zelenskyy is expected to discuss further air defense systems and missiles for Ukraine, as well as energy-related issues, with Spanish authorities, including Sanchez.
Pistorius speaks at Berlin Security Conference
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will deliver a keynote speech at the annual Berlin Security Conference. The conference brings together defense and military officials, primarily from NATO countries, to discuss international security issues, defense cooperation, and defense industry matters.
Germany, France host digital sovereignty summit
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron co-host the European Digital Sovereignty Summit in Berlin. The summit brings together around 900 representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society to discuss Europe's independent and secure digital future.
Russian foreign minister to meet Pakistani counterpart in Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with visiting Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Moscow. Dar departed for the Russian capital on Monday, according to local media outlets, where he will lead a Pakistani delegation to attend a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is expected that the talks will focus on bilateral ties and dialogue in multilateral platforms.
Ukraine's parliament to consider dismissal of justice, energy ministers
Ukraine's parliament to consider the dismissal of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk amid an ongoing energy corruption probe. Both ministers submitted their resignations after President Zelenskyy's call last week. The call came amid a $100 million corruption probe into the country's energy sector.
US House vote on Epstein files
The US House of Representatives is preparing to hold a vote on legislation that would require the Justice Department to disclose all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
President Trump urged House Republicans to vote to release more files relating to the late sex offender.
Top Japanese diplomat holds talks in Beijing amid Taiwan row
Japan's top diplomat for Asian affairs, Masaaki Kanai, holds talks with Chinese counterparts amid high tensions between the two countries caused by Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Takaichi had said that any Chinese attack on Taiwan would trigger Japan’s "collective self-defense." Beijing advised citizens against visiting Japan and sought Takaichi retract her words.
Developments in Bangladesh after fugitive ex-premier sentenced to death
Developments in Bangladesh after fugitive former Premier Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death over crimes against humanity committed during uprising last year which ousted her government.
Top Filipino diplomat hosts Palestinian foreign minister in Manila
The Philippines' Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro hosts Palestinian counterpart Varsen Aghabekian Shahin in Manila. Shahin is on a five-day official visit to the Southeast Asian nation for a series of engagements. She is the highest-ranking official of the Palestinian Authority to visit the Philippines since the two sides established ties in 1989.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Guerrilla camps to grand monuments: Exploring North Korea’s monuments of power and belief
Report on how North Korea’s national landmarks are used as symbols of revolutionary legitimacy, focusing on sites tied to the ruling Kim dynasty.
The story presents details of iconic sites such as Mt. Paektu, a UNESCO-listed peak revered in Korean mythology, the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, and the Sinchon Massacre Museum, revealing how the country’s leadership employs architecture, artifacts, and guided tours to reinforce collective memory and ideological unity.
The report includes interviews and comments from tourists and tour guides who share details about the monuments, their historical significance, and how they remain relevant to life in the country today.
‘Zionists play all sides’: Pro-Israel influence spans Britain’s politics, says expert
Report on the alignment between Britain’s far-right movements and elements of Israel’s far right.
The story examines how figures like Israel’s Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli and British agitator Tommy Robinson have fueled controversy, with Robinson’s October trip to Israel drawing backlash from Jewish groups and exposing ideological and financial ties between far-right Zionists and UK extremists. It explores how Israeli symbols have increasingly appeared at far-right rallies and how far-right politics have become intertwined with pro-Israel networks.
The report features an in-depth interview with British sociologist David Miller, who explains why the rise of Robinson and other controversial figures cannot be separated from long-running efforts by pro-Israel groups to reshape European right-wing politics.
