Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite ceasefire

The escalating daily Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, allegedly targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure, continue despite the 2024 ceasefire. Updates and reactions after the army claimed it killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, as the group said a member was targeted but did not name him.

Gaza ceasefire breaches by Israel

The ongoing Israeli breaches of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and its continued escalation by targeting civilians, and carrying out airstrikes, bombardments and home demolitions.

Sudan’s developments

The field and the humanitarian updates in Sudan amid fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on multiple fronts in North and West Kordofan as tens of thousands of civilians continue to flee the escalating violence.

Iranian foreign minister in Oman to participate in Muscat Annual General Meeting

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s one-day visit to Oman at the head of a high-ranking diplomatic delegation to participate in Muscat Annual General Meeting to clarify Iran’s views and positions, according to Iranian media. Araghchi will hold high-level talks with his Omani counterpart, Badr Al-Busaidi, to discuss bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.

UN Security Council to hold regular Palestine briefing

The UN Security Council will hold an open briefing on the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on Palestine. Ramiz Alakbarov, the deputy special coordinator and resident coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), is expected to brief the council. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing.

European reactions to US peace plan for Ukraine

Monitoring statements from European countries on the 28-point US proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. European leaders have already expressed concern over proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, “which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.” Discussions around the issue continue between the US, Ukraine and the European side as the US delegation and Ukraine team held talks in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the proposed plan.

Pro-Palestine Action protest

"Lift the Ban" protest takes place outside the Home Office in London over then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization following a military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton being sprayed with red paint. This is the third in a series of protests in the capital in the run-up to a judicial review later this week, which will determine whether deeming the group a terrorist organization is lawful.

EU trade ministers meet in Brussels

Trade ministers from the EU member states convene in Brussels to discuss a wide range of trade issues. The agenda includes a session on EU-US trade relations with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as well as talks on EU-China trade ties and ongoing bilateral negotiations. Reports indicate that the EU is preparing to request exemptions for several key exports from US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Developments in Eurasia amid ongoing discussions on US peace plan for Ukraine

Developments on the part of Moscow and Kyiv will be followed as discussions continue over a proposed 28-point US peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. US President Donald Trump gave his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday to respond to the plan, while delegations from the US, Ukraine, and Europe held discussions in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the document. Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the revival of the Black Sea grain corridor.

Belarusian foreign minister to embark on 2-day visit to Russia

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov to embark on a two-day working visit to Russia's capital Moscow. As part of the visit, Ryzhenkov will participate in the annual joint meeting of the Collegia of the Russian and Belarusian foreign ministries. He will also hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the event, where they are expected to discuss current bilateral cooperation and foreign policy issues.

President Erdogan to host South Korean counterpart

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to welcome South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Presidential Complex in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Following the inter-delegation talks, Erdogan to attend the signing ceremony for the agreements. Afterwards, Erdogan and Lee will hold a joint press conference, followed by an official dinner.

Angola to host European Union-African Union summit

Angola is slated to host the seventh EU-African Union (AU) summit on Nov. 24-25 in its capital, Luanda. The summit will bring together leaders to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and joint action on shared challenges. It will be co-chaired by AU Chair and Angolan President Joao Lourenco and European Council President Antonio Costa, with AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also in attendance.

French president to conclude Africa tour in Angola

French President Emmanuel Macron to conclude his five-day Africa tour in Angola, where the seventh EU-African Union summit will be held. His visit began in Mauritius, then continued to South Africa for the G20 summit, and proceeded to Gabon.

China-Japan developments

Following developments as tensions over Taiwan continue between China and Japan, which were triggered by Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi's remarks that any Chinese attack on Taiwan would prompt Japan’s ‘collective self-defense,’ which was heavily criticized by China.

Floods batter central Vietnam

Monitoring developments as heavy floods killed at least 90 people in central Vietnam, with 12 people missing. Floods swept through central Vietnam, causing extensive damage and more than $341 million in economic losses. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged stronger action to address severe flooding and other natural disasters.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s capacity utilization

Türkiye will release the capacity utilization for the manufacturing industry for November. It was at 74.2% in October.

German business climate

The Ifo Institute will share the business climate index for the German economy for November.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW - ‘Germany to boost Ukraine’s air defenses with new IRIS-T systems’

Interview with Helmut Rauch, the head of Diehl Defense, on the German company’s plans to expand missile deliveries to Ukraine.

Rauch confirms that the firm will increase deliveries of IRIS-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine, saying more units are scheduled to be dispatched to add to the more than eight IRIS-T SLM fire and short-range IRIS-T SLS systems that Kyiv already operates.

He also explains why battlefield performance has made IRIS-T one of Ukraine’s most valued defense assets, outlines Diehl’s tenfold increase in missile production capacity as European militaries expand procurement, and highlights the system’s growing role in the European Sky Shield Initiative, where more than 20 countries are pursuing interoperable air defenses.

Pakistan’s vanishing owls: Habitat loss, poaching, urbanization push species toward decline

Report on the decrease in Pakistan’s owl populations due to shrinking habitats, reduced prey and illegal capture, with experts warning several species may disappear without urgent protections.

The story examines the pressures driving Pakistan’s owl populations into steep decline, including deforestation, urban sprawl, pollution and conversion of farmland that have stripped away tree cover and nesting sites. It also highlights the ecological value of owls as natural pest regulators vital to agriculture, alongside gaps in federal and provincial protections.

The report includes comments from Uzma Khan, a wildlife expert with WWF-Pakistan, wildlife researcher Zafeer Ahmad Shaikh, and Javed Ahmed Mahar, head of the Sindh Wildlife Department.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defense, on the German company’s plans to expand deliveries of the IRIS-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine.