ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Regional developments following US-Iran escalation
Regional developments and global reactions following the latest US-Iran escalation, which included US strikes in various Iranian cities and Iranian retaliation on the Gulf states. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan are among those reporting Iranian missile attacks.
Observing developments in the Strait of Hormuz after Ebrahim Azizi, head of parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said a bill regulating transit through the strategic waterway had been submitted to parliament.
Situation in Lebanon amid talks with Israel
Developments in Lebanon amid a new round of Beirut-Tel Aviv talks in the Italian capital Rome. This marks the 6th round of US-backed negotiations between the parties. Possible attacks by the Israeli army, which have killed and wounded thousands since March 2.
Sudan security, humanitarian developments amid RSF violations
Security and humanitarian developments in Sudan after the National Human Rights Commission said it had documented 6,000 detainees in Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-run prisons in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
Yemen developments amid rising tensions between government, Houthis
Rising tensions in Yemen after Houthis declared that de-escalation with the government was over. The escalation came after the government forces said they hit a runway at Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of conducting strike at the airport and attacked the southern region of the kingdom.
Qatari emir receives dignitaries following father’s death
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani continues receiving condolences at Lusail Palace in Doha following the death of his father, former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on Sunday. Sheikh Tamim is scheduled to receive heads of state, members of the ruling family, dignitaries, and citizens.
Heat wave and wildfires sweep Southern Europe
Developments after warnings of dangerous heat and elevated wildfire risk across Southern Europe, particularly in France, Spain, and Greece as temperatures climb and multiple blazes break out.
UK premier faces questions in parliament
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons with MPs expected to press the premier on domestic and international matters. It marks Starmer's final turn at the despatch box before he is replaced as Labour leader and prime minister.
Nominations close in Labour Party leadership election
Parliamentary Labour Party nominations period closes for Labour lawmakers’ seeking to become the next party leader following Keir Starmer's resignation announcement on last month. A new leader is expected to be in place on Friday, unless more than one candidate is nominated. As of Monday, Andy Burnham had received 349 nominations, making it mathematically impossible for another candidate to receive the required number of nominations.
German chancellor's summer press conference
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives his traditional summer press conference on domestic and foreign policy issues.
UN releases report on methane
The UN Environment Program is expected to release its report Spotlighting opportunity: How artificial intelligence is accelerating methane action.
WHO press conference
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus holds a press conference on global health issues.
European lawmakers exchange views with NATO deputy secretary general
The European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defense and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will meet in Brussels with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska to discuss the outcome of the NATO summit in Ankara.
French parliament votes on end-of-life bill
The final vote by members of parliament on the bill establishing a right to medical aid in dying at the National Assembly in Paris.
Indian minister holds talks in Brussels
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar continues his Brussels visit, as he takes part in the India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting and meets with his EU and Belgian counterparts.
ICC holds anniversary event
The International Criminal Court Bar Association hosting a special conference at the ICC headquarters in The Hague, titled International Criminal Law in All Its States to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche as US attorney general
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Todd Blanche as US attorney general.
US House to vote on amendment to block military aid to Israel
The US House of Representatives will vote on an amendment to a federal spending bill to block $3.3 billion in funding to Israel's military. The amendment was introduced by outgoing Kentucky lawmaker Thomas Massie.
Trump to attend Pennsylvania defense and innovation event
US President Trump will deliver remarks on the second day of a gathering to discuss national security, emerging technologies, and investment opportunities at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is also likely to speak to reporters about current events during the trip.
US’ Rubio to hold meeting with Colombian vice-president elect
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Colombian Vice President-elect Jose Manuel Restrepo as Colombia prepares for a post-election transfer of power. Talks are likely to address bilateral relations, security cooperation, counter-narcotics policy, trade, and tensions surrounding the May 31 election outcome.
Aftermath of earthquakes in Venezuela
Death toll updates and relief measures by Venezuelan authorities after deadly twin earthquakes struck the northern part of the country on June 24, with La Guaira state hit particularly hard. The death toll currently stands at 4,734.
Post-election developments in Colombia
Developments in Colombia as outgoing President Gustavo Petro has called for mass protests against the incoming right-wing government of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
Developments amid Ukraine's latest Cabinet reshuffle
Developments on the part of Kyiv will be followed as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced over the weekend his country would undertake a Cabinet reshuffle. As part of this, the Ukrainian parliament approved the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and consequently dismissing the whole Cabinet, following a vote on Tuesday.
Briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to present Moscow’s position on a number of international issues at a press briefing in Moscow.
European Commission president to visit Kyiv
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to visit Ukraine's capital Kyiv as the country marks its Statehood Day. No official statements have been made regarding von der Leyen's schedule, though she is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the visit.
Japanese lawmakers vote on Imperial House Bill
Japanese lawmakers in the parliament’s Upper House Committee vote on a bill to address dwindling number of imperial family. The bill has already been adopted by Lower House.
China's top political advisor visits North Korea
China's top political advisor, and number 4 in political hierarchy, Wang Huning pays three-day visit to North Korea. The visit comes as two neighbors mark 65 years of Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, which has a defense provision and was signed on July 11 in 1961. Wang would be the third Chinese leader to visit Pyongyang this year, following trips by President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Chinese Foreign Ministry holds news conference
The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing and is expected to comment on evolving regional developments, including latest US-Iran hostilities.
Australia rolls out AI framework
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rolls out framework for Australia's approach to artificial intelligence during an event in Sydney.
Turkish president to attend commemoration of 2016 defeated coup bid
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the event for 10th anniversary of the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt at the Turkish parliament and Our Will, Our Victory program at the Baskent Millet Garden.
SPORTS
2026 FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup continues with England taking on Argentina in the second semifinal.
SPECIAL REPORTS
What NATO’s Ankara summit means for Europe
Report on the outcomes of NATO’s Ankara summit from a European perspective, examining whether allies succeeded in preserving transatlantic unity while adapting to growing uncertainty over Washington’s long-term security commitment.
The story assesses Europe’s response to US President Donald Trump’s calls for greater burden-sharing, the alliance’s commitments on defense spending, military capabilities and defense-industrial cooperation, and the structural challenges Europe faces in reducing its dependence on American military support.
It includes comments from Gianluca Pastori of the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, Riccardo Alcaro of the Institute of International Affairs, and Marion Messmer of Chatham House, while also exploring Türkiye’s growing strategic and diplomatic importance within NATO.