Diary

ISTANBUL 

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israel's ongoing ceasefire breaches in Gaza

Israeli army's ongoing violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip through actions such as targeting civilians, launching airstrikes and bombardments, and destroying residential buildings.

Situation in Sudan

Developments in Sudan as the army took control of several areas in South Kordofan after heavy clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) while the UN reported that over 1,600 people from the region were displaced in a single day.

Political divide over Netanyahu's request for pardon in corruption cases

A wide-ranging dispute after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog to halt his trial in three corruption cases, without admitting guilt.

The opposition considers the move an attempt to escape prosecution, demanding a pardon only in exchange for an admission of guilt and his withdrawal from political life.

Israeli army, illegal settler violence in West Bank

The ongoing large-scale Israeli army operation in the northern occupied West Bank that has resulted in detention and injuries of dozens of Palestinians, while illegal settler attacks have continued to target Palestinians and their properties.

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon

Second day of a three-day visit by Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Vatican state, to Lebanon which started Sunday. He is expected to meet bishops, priests and pastoral workers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, before joining a gathering in Martyrs’ Square in Beirut.

EU defense ministers gather in Brussels

EU defense ministers to meet in Brussels for talks that include an informal exchange with Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

They are expected to discuss the newly adopted defense industry program, broader efforts to strengthen defense capabilities, and the US-backed peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine. A press conference will follow.

Germany-Poland government consultations

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to host Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for the 17th German-Polish government consultations in Berlin. The talks will cover bilateral relations, European and economic policy, security and defense cooperation, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

WHO press conference on global health issues

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus holds a virtual press conference on global health issues.

French president to receive Ukrainian counterpart

French President Emmanuel Macron to host his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. They are expected to exchange views on the conditions for peace in line with ongoing discussions and the US plan.

Turkish president to chair Cabinet meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in the capital, Ankara.

Trump to sign congressional bills

US President Donald Trump to sign multiple bills passed in Congress in the Oval Office. Further details on the legislation were not provided. The event is currently listed as closed to press.

Slovenia to adopt UN Security Council presidency

Slovenia to assume the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council from Sierra Leone for December. Slovenia’s representative at the UN, Ambassador Samuel Zbogar, is expected to deliver a briefing.

Government filing due on upcoming Epstein records release

Under a deadline set by a US federal judge in New York, the Trump administration will be required to provide information relating to the planned release of records linked to the activities of disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the passage of legislation in November. The order follows concerns by Epstein victims about their identities being exposed.

Developments amid ongoing clashes, peace efforts in Russia-Ukraine war

Developments in Russia and Ukraine to be followed as clashes and peace efforts continue amid the over three-and-a-half-year Russia-Ukraine war. Intense clashes continue between Russian and Ukrainian forces within the city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the week to discuss a US-proposed plan to end the conflict.

Chinese foreign minister to visit Moscow

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to embark on a two-day visit to the Russian capital Moscow, where he will attend the 20th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation.

The visit, which will take place at the invitation of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu, may also include bilateral talks with other Russian officials.

Russian foreign minister to chair gov't commission meeting for Russians living abroad

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to chair a meeting of the government commission for compatriots living abroad.

The meeting is expected to discuss the outcomes of interaction with the Russian diaspora in light of the World Thematic Conference of Compatriots Living Abroad that took place in Moscow on Oct. 29-30. Lavrov is expected to address the meeting.

Monitoring heightened tensions between China, Japan

Monitoring developments as tensions continue between Beijing and Tokyo after Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi said that any Chinese attack on Taiwan would trigger Japan’s ‘collective self-defense,’ triggering backlash from China. Beijing insists that Tokyo withdraw remarks.

Situation in Southeast Asia as death toll from floods continues to rise

Situation after the death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Southeast Asia has climbed past 650 as clean-up and search-and-rescue operations are underway in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's economic growth

TurkStat to release quarterly economic growth data for the third quarter. In the second quarter, the GDP grew 4.8% year-on-year.

SPECIAL REPORTS

France’s Africa reset meets skepticism despite Macron’s outreach

Report on French President Emmanuel Macron’s latest Africa tour, where he again vowed to “turn the page” and build “win-win partnerships,” even as France faces shrinking influence following military withdrawals and political ruptures in key African states.

The story examines how Macron’s effort to revive credibility – emphasizing renewed cooperation with strategic partners like South Africa, Gabon, Angola and Mauritius – clashes with a regional perception that France is reacting to shifts it no longer controls.

The report includes insights from Francois Gaulme of the French Institute of International Relations and political analyst Ovigwe Eguegu, who break down the state of France’s economic, diplomatic and cultural ties across the continent.

Time and tradition: Karachi’s forgotten clock towers wait to tick again

Report on Karachi’s Victorian clock towers – rare architectural survivors now endangered by urban decay, government inattention, and land pressure.

The story provides details of the historic clock towers and traces the decline of these structures, from the 1882 Eduljee Dinshaw Dispensary tower – now handless and choked by traffic emissions – to the Lea Market tower, its windows shattered and its broken clock stuck at 11:45 for decades.

The report includes interviews with culture experts and historians, including heritage researcher Shaheen Nauman and Marvi Mazhar, a leading architect and heritage advocate.