Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, October 31, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire amid Israel violations

Latest updates on the first phase of Israel and Hamas' Gaza ceasefire amid the risk of Israeli violations, as efforts continue to locate more bodies of Israeli hostages to be handed over under the agreement.

Developments in Sudan’s El-Fasher amid RSF atrocities

Field and humanitarian developments surrounding El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in western Sudan, amid ongoing international appeals to protect civilians, while the city remains under paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control.

Palestinian president pays 2-day visit to Egypt

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will arrive in Egypt on Friday for a two-day official visit upon President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's invitation to attend the Grand Egyptian Museum's inauguration on Saturday.

Trump to travel to Palm Beach resort

US President Donald Trump will leave the White House for a weekend stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump may speak to reporters during his departure and arrival.

US secretary of state to meet with Bolivian president-elect

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Bolivian President-Elect Rodrigo Paz at the Department of State. Paz is Bolivia's first conservative president-elect in 20 years and has signaled warmer ties with Washington.

UN Security Council to meet on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Libya

The UN Security Council will hold its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Council members are also expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the authorization of the EU-led multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) for an additional year.

The Security Council will later vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia for another year, until Oct. 31, 2026, as well as a draft resolution on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

UN press briefings

Members of the UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran will hold a hybrid press briefing and make a presentation to the General Assembly’s Third Committee.

Later, the president of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Jurg Lauber, will deliver a press briefing.

Turkish president to attend TRT World Forum

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take part in the TRT World Forum 2025 which brings together global leaders in Istanbul.

Turkish, Estonian foreign ministers to meet

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host his Estonian counterpart, Margus Tsahkna, in the capital Ankara.

Commonwealth of Independent States defense ministers to meet in Kazakhstan

A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will be held in the Kazakh city of Almaty. The ministers plan to coordinate defense policies and discuss pressing regional issues.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit opens in South Korea

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum of 21 countries will hold a summit in South Korea. World leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are among those in attendance. The summit is held amid US tariffs and geopolitical tensions, and participating leaders deliver national statements.

Malaysia hosts defense chiefs from China, US, Southeast Asia

Malaysia hosts ASEAN's 12th annual defense ministers' meeting. The two-day gathering in Kuala Lumpur will be attended by defense chiefs from China, the US, and India.

China launches crewed spaceship

China launches three astronauts on the Shenzhou-21 mission. The spacecraft will be launched into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

THE ECONOMY

German retail sales

Destatis to share monthly retail trade figures for September. In August, the sales fell 0.2% on a monthly basis. The markets expect 0.3% growth for September.

Türkiye's foreign trade

TurkStat to release monthly foreign trade data for October. In September, Türkiye posted a deficit of $4.2B. The markets expect a deficit of $6.9B for this month. The country will also release tourism statistics for the third quarter.

Eurozone inflation

Eurostat to announce monthly inflation figures for October. In September, the euro area's annual inflation was up to 2.2%. The markets expect it to ease to 2.1% in October.

SPECIAL REPORTS

UN faces deepening financial crisis: What's at risk?

Report on the worsening financial crisis within the UN, driven by declining humanitarian funding and major aid cuts from top donors such as the US.

It examines how the shortfall is affecting UN agencies and humanitarian programs, leading to service disruptions, budget reductions, and staff layoffs, while assessing the outlook for the months ahead.

The story includes interviews with UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh and expert and researcher on UN finance, Ronny Patz.

‘Missing girls’ of Asia: Generation lost to prenatal gender selection

Report on the growing demographic imbalance in Asia caused by prenatal gender selection, with over 140 million girls globally considered “missing,” according to the UN Population Fund.

The story explores how deep-rooted cultural norms that favor sons over daughters continue to drive gender-based abortions despite government bans and awareness campaigns.

The report will also explore the long-term social consequences of skewed sex ratios, including the shortage of eligible brides, rising gender-based violence, and human trafficking. It features insights from the UN Population Fund Asia and the Pacific and Cornell University professor Alaka Basu.