Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, December 19, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Deadly winter conditions in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli violations

Palestinians continue to fight for survival in the face of persistent Israeli attacks despite ceasefire, compounded by severe cold, as another infant died of hypothermia on Thursday.

Worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan under ongoing RSF attacks

The latest in Sudan, as international reports indicate displacement of more than 50,000 people in the Kordofan states, amid continued attacks by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the north and south, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Israel, Lebanon to resume talks on ceasefire implementation

Civilian-led Israeli and Lebanese delegations to resume ceasefire monitoring committee meetings following Dec. 3 first session held in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Presidency.

Meeting comes amid daily Israeli army violations in southern Lebanon, the latest killing several Lebanese workers on Thursday.

Egyptian premier to meet senior Lebanese officials in Beirut

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly set to meet Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, where he arrived for a two-day official visit on Thursday evening.

Madbouly’s visit comes as part of efforts to de-escalate tension between Beirut and Tel Aviv in southern Lebanon.

US

Trump to deliver remarks at White House and in swing state of North Carolina

US President Donald Trump to make an unspecified announcement at the White House before traveling to speak in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina – a swing state with a Democratic governor but Republican-dominated legislature. He is expected to speak about the economy as affordability (though he rejects that word) has been a main focus with less than a year until the 2026 midterm elections.

US secretary of state’s year-end news conference

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to hold end-of-year news conference at the State Department.

UN Security Council to hold briefings on Libya, DR Congo

UN Security Council to hold briefing on situation in Libya. Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Hanna Serwaa Tetteh will brief council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country.

Security Council also to hold briefing and consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Council is expected to renew mandate of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

UN chief to deliver remarks on situation in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will hold a news conference on the situation in Gaza.

EUROPE

UN agencies' briefing in Geneva

UN Information Service press briefing with updates from UN agencies on the most pressing issues around the world. Latest updates from Gaza and Sudan are expected to top the agenda.

EURASIA

Putin to hold annual 'Direct Line' press conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold his annual "Direct Line" press conference in Moscow. 19. The Q&A, which the Eurasia desk will follow via live broadcast, is expected to touch on multiple domestic and foreign policy issues, including US-mediated talks on a peace deal for Ukraine.

Anadolu's Moscow Bureau Chief Ali Cura will be taking part in the event set to begin at 12 noon Moscow time (0900GMT), and plans to ask a question.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Developments between Thailand and Cambodia

Monitoring developments in clashes along Thai-Cambodian border that have left a total of 55 people dead on both sides.

1st Japan-Central Asia summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hosting Japan's 1st summit with leaders of 5 Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Parties to discuss trade, investments, and sustainable development as well as the use of artificial intelligence and cooperation in supply chains.

Senior Ukrainian diplomat to hold meetings in China

Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya on trip to China, meeting senior officials in Beijing amid efforts to end war with Russia. Kyslytsya likely to meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

TÜRKİYE

Türkiye set to attend Gaza meeting in Miami

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend meeting on Gaza in Miami, Florida. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will also attend, along with senior representatives from Qatar and Egypt.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish consumer confidence

TurkStat to release monthly consumer confidence figures for December. In November, the consumer confidence index rose to 85 points. Türkiye will also release international investment position and established-liquidated company data.

US home sales

US to announce monthly existing home sales data for November. In October, home sales were up to 4.1 million.

SPECIAL REPORTS

YEAR-ENDER - Türkiye in 2025: Strong growth, cooling inflation, defense export boom

Report reviewing Türkiye’s economic and industrial landscape in 2025, focusing on growth, inflation, and trade performance, and examining how record exports and advances in defense and high-technology industries shaped the year-end outlook.

Story highlights how sustained disinflation cycle, disciplined macroeconomic management, and expanding trade helped restore confidence across the economy, while GDP approached $1.5 trillion.

It also focuses on Türkiye’s defense and aerospace sector, citing export gains, international partnerships, and technological breakthroughs involving companies such as Baykar, Aselsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and Roketsan, which strengthened the country’s position as a global defense supplier and regional technology hub.

(Mucahithan Avcioglu, from office)

ISTANBUL, WITH CARDS

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.

Beefing up concerns: Will US meat undermine Swiss standards?

Report on Switzerland’s new tariff agreement with the US, which opens duty-free quotas for American beef, poultry, and bison — including products made with growth hormones and chemical treatments, which are banned under Swiss law.

Story explores how far this expanded, quota-based market access goes and assesses potential impact on Swiss farmers, farm-gate prices, and domestic production, at a time when the country maintains some of Europe’s strictest food safety and animal welfare rules. It examines growing concerns over whether US meat entering Switzerland should carry mandatory labels specifying production methods, including the use of hormones or antimicrobial washes, to protect consumer transparency and confidence.

Includes comments from Federal Office for Agriculture, meat industry body Proviande spokesperson Philippe Haeberli, and Sandra Helfenstein of the Swiss Farmers’ Union on food standards, market sensitivity, and the balance between trade gains and agricultural safeguards.

(Beyza Binnur Donmez, from office)

GENEVA, WITH CARDS

NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.