Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Netanyahu to hold meeting on 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a meeting on Thursday with Israeli officials to discuss Gaza’s second phase amid US pressure to proceed with the ceasefire deal.

Ongoing Israeli ceasefire breaches in Gaza amid worsening conditions

Continued Israeli ceasefire violations in the Gaza Strip as humanitarian conditions deteriorate and heavy rains from a new weather system flood hundreds of tents sheltering displaced people.

Situation in Sudan’s Kordofan amid ongoing RSF attacks

Humanitarian and field situation in Sudan’s Kordofan amid continued displacement waves from cities of Kadugli and Dilling due to insecurity and Rapid Support Forces’ attacks.

Trump to sign National Defense Authorization Act into law

US President Donald Trump is expected to sign into law the $900 billion defense spending bill for 2026, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The measure cleared the Senate on Wednesday after being passed in the House of Representatives last week. It includes measures to repeal the Caesar sanctions imposed on Syria under the Assad regime.

US House to vote on immigrant rights act

The US House of Representatives will vote on the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which seeks to introduce guardrails and oversight on immigration detention, and ensure the protection of their civil and human rights.

UN Security Council to hold briefing on Syria

The UN Security Council will hold a monthly briefing on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya are expected briefers.

UN General Assembly to elect UN High Commissioner for Refugees

The UN General Assembly will hold an election for the next High Commissioner for Refugees. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had proposed former Iraqi President Barham Salih for the role.

Crewed launch of Blue Origin New Shepard

Blue Origin’s NS-37 crewed suborbital flight is scheduled to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas on a reusable New Shepard rocket. The crew includes Michaela Benthaus, Joey Hyde, Hans Koenigsmann, Neal Milch, Adonis Pouroulis and Jason Stansell.

EU leaders will meet in Brussels

EU leaders will gather for two days in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, defense, the EU budget, enlargement, migration, and competitiveness.

The bloc recently decided to “indefinitely immobilize” Russian assets in Europe to potentially free up €90 billion (nearly $105 billion) for Ukraine, a move Russia’s central bank called illegal and threatened to challenge.

Discussions between member states and the EU are still ongoing, as Belgium — which hosts Euroclear, the main depository for frozen Russian assets in the EU — has expressed reservations about the plan.

German, French foreign ministers to meet in Berlin

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is expected to host his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, for talks, following a meeting of several European leaders in the German capital on a possible peace agreement for the Ukraine-Russia war.

NATO chief visits Poland

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Poland, where he will meet with President Karol Nawrocki, Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, and UK Defense Minister John Healey. The officials will hold a joint press conference.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow on current issues of foreign policy.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska to visit Armenia

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska will visit Yerevan to meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and senior cabinet officials, including the foreign and defense ministers.

Kazakh lawmakers to consider draft law prohibiting LGBT propaganda

Kazakh lawmakers to consider a draft law prohibiting LGBT propaganda targeting children at a plenary session in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana.

Thailand-Cambodia developments

Monitoring developments on the nearly 2 weeks of clashes along Thailand-Cambodia border that have left more than 50 people dead on both sides.

New Zealand’s defense chief pays visit to Japan

New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins visits Japan for meetings with her counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi as well as Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Regional security environment is also expected to come under discussion.

THE ECONOMY

UK interest rate decision

Bank of England to announce its interest rate decision. In the previous meeting, the central bank held the policy rate unchanged at 4%. Markets expect a 25 basis point cut for this meeting.

ECB interest rate decision

European Central Bank to release its interest rate decision. In the previous meeting, the central bank held the policy rate stable at 2%. Markets expect a similar decision for this meeting.

US inflation

The US to share monthly inflation data for November. In September, annual inflation ticked up to 3%. The country will also share initial jobless claims data.

SPECIAL REPORTS

YEAR-ENDER – FACTBOX – Quarter-century of crises: Financial shocks that shaped global economy

Report on the major financial crises that shaped the global economy over the past 25 years, from the dot-com crash to the pandemic and renewed trade tensions.

The story highlights how repeated shocks increased volatility, disrupted growth and reshaped global markets.

The piece outlines key episodes including the global financial crisis, the Eurozone debt crisis, the post-pandemic inflation surge and recent protectionist fears, drawing on data from institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and WTO to show the lasting impact on trade, jobs and economic policy.

FACTBOX – US-Venezuela military capabilities as tensions rise

Report examining US military deployment to the Caribbean as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Venezuela.

The story presents details of US military movements in the region, including the deployment of soldiers, naval warships and other attack assets that could be used for military action against Venezuela.

It also details Venezuela’s response to increasing US pressure, including military drills and President Maduro’s call for mobilization, and provides an overview of the country’s military capabilities.​​​​​​​