ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Pakistani army chief’s expected visit to Tehran
An expected visit by Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, to Tehran at the head of an official delegation, amid stalled US-Iran negotiations, continuing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and an escalating US economic campaign against Iran.
Global reactions to developments surrounding the US-Iran conflict and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing maritime incidents and restricted traffic.
Iranian ambassador-designate’s Lebanese visa expires
Developments as Iran’s Ambassador-designate to Beirut Mohammad Reza Sheibani's entry and residence visa is set to expire.
Military escalation in Yemen after Houthi shelling injures 3 civilians
Developments in the military escalation in Yemen, a day after three civilians were injured in Houthi shelling in the southern province of Al-Dhale, according to the government-run Saba news agency, with no immediate comment from the group.
Syrian court to hold 6th hearing in former grand mufti’s trial
The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus is scheduled to hold the sixth hearing for deliberation and a verdict in the case of former Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun, who is accused of inciting violence, justifying killings, and abusing his position. The hearing is part of transitional justice proceedings aimed at holding accountable those implicated in crimes committed under the former regime.
Reactions after Sudanese opposition forces reject domestic dialogue initiative
Reactions after Sudanese opposition political forces met in Addis Ababa and issued a joint statement rejecting a domestically initiated Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue initiative repeatedly endorsed by Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Tension within EU over migration policies
Following ongoing tensions and debates among EU member states over calls to strengthen migration policies and border security measures, fueled by the recent migrant influx in Spanish enclave Ceuta from Morocco.
Extreme weather and flash floods sweep across parts of Europe
Following a prolonged hot and dry summer that fueled wildfires and drought, intense storms and torrential rain are now triggering flash floods, landslides and evacuations, particularly in northern Italy (Liguria, Lombardy, Tuscany), Spain, and areas of the Alps, while residual wildfire risk and high temperatures persist in some regions.
Saudi crown prince to visit France for talks with Macron
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visiting France, during which he is expected to meet President Emmanuel Macron. Regional issues amid the war in the Middle East, as well as economic and strategic ties between the two countries, will be discussed. The visit will also see the first meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council and the signing of several economic agreements.
European reaction to Israel’s E1 settlement construction bids in occupied West Bank
Following Israel’s decision to issue construction bids for around 1,200 housing units in the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, and other European partners issue a joint statement calling the move “unacceptable” and urging Israel to retract the plans.
Coalition of the Willing leaders meeting
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz co-chair a meeting of leaders from the Coalition of the Willing on military support to Ukraine. Some leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Council President Antonio Costa, join from Kyiv, where they are marking Ukraine's Independence Day, others participate virtually.
German and Swiss finance ministers give press conference in Liechtenstein
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil gives a press conference in Liechtenstein, alongside other top officials, including Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Brigitte Haas.
Trump to participate in White House event marking new school year
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to take part in an event at the White House Rose Garden. The event is expected to highlight efforts to allow parents to choose schools their children attend and mark the new school year in the US.
Meta youth safety trial
Hearings in Oakland, California continue as part of a landmark federal trial over allegations that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young users. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are leading the case, which also includes claims from 29 states over children’s data. Meta denies any wrongdoing.
UN to discuss situation in Ukraine, Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day
The UN Security Council will convene a briefing on the situation in Ukraine. The meeting will coincide with the anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence in 1991 and will also mark four and a half years since the beginning of its war with Russia. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen is expected to chair the meeting, while Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher are the anticipated briefers.
Ukraine to host the celebration in Kyiv, marking the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union.
The event is expected to be attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several foreign dignitaries, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, and Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
Canadian premier to announce maritime defense measures
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce new investments in maritime defense and efforts to strengthen the country’s trade routes after weekend talks with the US failed to prevent the return of tariffs, with reciprocal levies set to take effect next week. Carney will be joined by Quebec Premier Christine Frechette and Joel Lightbound, minister of government transformation, public works and procurement and the prime minister’s Quebec lieutenant.
Pakistan’s foreign minister to visit UK for talks with Ed Miliband
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will begin a five-day official visit to the UK on Monday. He is expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and other senior officials. Talks will cover bilateral ties and the issue of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates.
Chinese president hosts Jordanian king
China’s President Xi Jinping hosts Jordanian King Abdullah II in Beijing. The meeting caps Jordanian monarch’s week-long state visit to China which comes amid US-Iran conflict which has impacted Middle Eastern nations, hitting global oil supplies.
Top Chinese diplomat hosts Indian national security adviser
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also top security adviser, hosts Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Beijing for the 25th round of India-China special representatives talks on the boundary issue. The two sides are also expected to discuss possible trip to India by Chinese President Xi Jinping as New Delhi is set to host the BRICS summit next month.
Special forces competition Challenge-7
Special forces competition Challenge-7 kicks off in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, to take place until Aug. 30. Teams from special operations units of Russia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia are expected to take part.
Russia-Ukraine conflict
The ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict, with updates, including frontline reports, exchanges of air‑strikes, possible resumption of peace talks, and humanitarian swaps.
Top Chinese diplomat hosts Kuwaiti counterpart
Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi hosts Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Beijing. The meeting comes amid tensions in the Middle East as US-Iran conflict continues.
South Korean foreign minister hosts Mexican counterpart
South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun hosts Mexican counterpart Roberto Velasco, who is visiting Seoul for talks.
Singaporean president hosts counterpart from Ecuador
Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam hosts Ecuadorean counterpart Daniel Noboa, who is the first head of state from the South American country to visit the Southeast Asian nation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry holds news conference
The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing, and is expected to comment on ongoing regional and international developments.
THE ECONOMY
EU's crop monitoring service updates yield forecasts for 2026
The EU's crop monitoring service MARS updates yield forecasts for 2026 and comments on crop conditions in the bloc after exceptional heat and drought this summer.
OECD's gross domestic product
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to release gross domestic product growth data for the second quarter.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Germany’s business crisis deepens as closures, bankruptcies surge
Report on Germany’s worsening corporate crisis as business closures and insolvencies rise to their highest levels in years, putting further pressure on Europe’s largest economy.
The story presents latest data on the issue and examines the combination of high energy and labor costs, taxation, bureaucracy, weak demand, skilled-worker shortages and rapid technological change squeezing businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
The report includes views from insolvency experts warning of a “cumulative” or “all-encompassing” crisis after successive shocks from the pandemic, energy crisis, wars and trade tensions, as well as a Berlin business owner struggling with taxes and costs.
Swiss funding cut draws concern as heat, drought strain Alpine forests
Report on concerns over Switzerland’s decision to end additional federal funding for forest climate adaptation from 2027, as increasingly severe heat, drought, wildfires and pests put the country’s forests under growing pressure.
The government says over $640 million in annual forest funding will continue and climate adaptation remains a priority, but WWF Switzerland warns the decision could shift greater financial and technical burdens onto forest owners, cantons and municipalities just as forests are undergoing major climate-driven changes.
The story also examines competing approaches to adaptation. While WWF stresses targeted management and strengthening climate-resilient native species, Pro Natura warns against excessive intervention and argues that diverse forests, native species and natural regeneration offer the strongest long-term resilience.
As AI agents act in unexpected ways, is ‘rogue AI’ really here?
Report examining growing concerns over increasingly autonomous AI agents after a series of incidents in which models escaped test environments, accessed real-world systems, concealed their actions or pursued human-set goals in unintended ways.
The story looks at whether these episodes represent the emergence of genuinely “rogue AI” or are examples of alignment failures being amplified by technology companies. Cornell researcher John Thickstun cautions against the hype, arguing AI firms benefit from portraying their models as extraordinarily powerful, while cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier says the growing frequency of incidents makes the risks harder to dismiss.
The report also examines the implications for cybersecurity and AI governance as governments, researchers and technology companies consider stronger safeguards and international cooperation to keep increasingly autonomous systems under human control.