Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Ongoing Israeli violations in Gaza

The latest situation in the Gaza Strip under continuous ceasefire violations, as six more people were killed, 16 injured in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours on Thursday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

UN Security Council delegation's visit to Lebanon

A UN Security Council delegation to visit Lebanon as part of a regional tour that began in Syria on Thursday. High-level representatives from member states are expected to meet with President Joseph Aoun and other senior officials to discuss the security situation in the south amid ongoing Israeli attacks, as well as the mandate of the peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, according to local media.

US special envoy to attend international summit in UAE

The US special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion of the Middle East and North Africa Summit in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on the second day of the international event.

Trump to attend World Cup final draw

US President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, along with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she is planning to attend. Trump is later expected to sign an executive order.

Top US diplomat to host counterpart from Peru

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host his Peruvian counterpart Hugo de Zela at the State Department for a working meeting expected to focus on bilateral security and economic ties, as well as the fight against transnational crime.

Discussions on EU plans to use frozen Russian assets

Developments related to talks over EU plans to mobilize frozen Russian state assets to raise over $160 billion for a loan to Ukraine. While some members support the idea, Belgium repeatedly stresses that the EU plan fails to address its concerns as most of the amount is held by the Brussels-based Euroclear. Amid the ongoing controversy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz postponed his Friday trip to Norway to travel to Brussels instead for talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

UN agencies' briefing in Geneva

The UN Information Service holds a press briefing for UN bodies, providing updates from UN agencies on the most pressing issues around the world. The latest updates from Gaza and Sudan are expected to top the agenda.

Developments amid Putin's visit to India

Developments on the part of Moscow will be followed as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues a two-day state visit to India. Putin will co-chair the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and take part in other planned events as part of the visit which will end on Friday.

Ukrainian-American consultations on US-proposed peace plan for Ukraine

A Ukrainian delegation is expected to hold talks with an American delegation in the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a delegation flew to the US for talks on the proposed peace plan, saying he expects the talks to take place either on Thursday or on Friday.

Democratic Republic of Congo-Rwanda peace deal

Reactions to the peace deal signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington, DC, as the deal aims to finalize a US-led effort to end hostilities in eastern Congo.

China’s Xi to host France’s Macron in Chengdu

Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron hold one-on-one meetings in Chengdu city of China's southwestern Sichuan province. During their meeting in Beijing a day earlier, the two leaders discussed balancing trade, possible cooperation toward a multipolar world, as well as efforts for Russia-Ukraine peace.

Putin, Modi co-chair 23rd India-Russia annual summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Premier Narendra Modi co-chair the 23rd India-Russia annual summit and address a business forum. The two strategic partners aim to boost trade, energy, and defense ties. Putin is on his 1st trip to India since 2021, as well as since the Ukraine war began more than three years ago.

Turkish foreign minister on 2nd day of his OSCE meeting

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will continue his meetings on the second day of the 32nd Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.

THE ECONOMY

German factory orders

Destatis to release monthly factory orders data for October. In September, the orders rose 1.1% month-on-month.

Eurozone GDP growth

Eurostat to share final monthly gross domestic product (GDP) growth data for the third quarter. Preliminary estimates showed that the euro area's economy grew 0.2% in the third quarter.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Breathing free: A year after Assad, Syrians test newfound freedoms

Report on how public expression, digital discourse, and independent media have transformed one year after the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria.

The story explores Syria’s dramatic shift in public life, capturing how citizens are reclaiming long-repressed freedoms through protests, open criticism of officials, and a rebirth of independent media.

It examines the reduced fear of repression that defined the past 14 years, with Syrians once again occupying streets to demand rights, accountability, and economic relief. It highlights a new digital atmosphere in which citizens openly question ministers, who are even responding with humor or humility – a stark contrast to the era of surveillance and intimidation that made social media a dangerous space.

The story includes interviews with figures from Syria’s cultural sector, including Abir Nahhas, a novelist and head of the Homs branch of the Arab Writers’ Union in Syria, and visual artist Rama al-Dakkak.

1 year after revolution, Syria turns to investment – not aid – for reconstruction

Report on Syria’s current financial landscape, assessing key economic indicators, the massive cost of reconstruction, and financing channels.

It offers an overview of Syria’s economy one year after the collapse of the Assad government, examining GDP trends, debt levels, inflation, currency stability, fiscal pressures, growth projections, and the pace of economic normalization. The story also explores potential financing channels such as international aid, multilateral development support, and debt-restructuring frameworks, while also examining obstacles that could impede recovery.

The report has comments from the World Bank and analysis from Benjamin Feve, a senior research analyst, and Baraa Khurfan, project manager of the Syrian Forum.

Nepal’s deaf trekking guides open new paths in Himalayan tourism

Report on a pioneering initiative in Nepal that trains hearing-impaired Nepalis as certified trekking guides – a first in the country’s tourism history – enabling them to lead deaf travelers across world-famous Himalayan routes.

The story highlights how over two dozen deaf trainees, equipped with sign-language skills and specialized mountaineering instruction, are breaking long-standing barriers in the industry, while expanding access to Nepal’s major trekking destinations such as Annapurna and Manaslu.

The report includes interviews with deaf trainees Rajita Deula and Riha Maharjan, newly certified trekking guide Chop Prasad Poudel, Ajaya Kumar Dhakal, the head of the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management, and Lhakpa Sherpa, an instructor at the academy.​​​​​​​