Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

US-Iran tensions and diplomatic efforts

Tensions between Washington and Tehran and continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. Pakistani army chief Asim Munir visited Tehran for talks with the Iranian leadership.

Yemen fighting

Fighting between government forces and the Houthi group, as the Yemeni army announced 744 precision strikes against the Houthis and the neutralization of 200 group members within 24 hours.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition announced the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile and a drone in the Riyadh region.

Macron wraps up Gulf tour

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to hold further talks in Qatar on the final day of his Gulf tour, following visits to Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain.

Israeli political scene ahead of elections

Israel’s political landscape and the latest opinion polls on the strength of parties and blocs ahead of the Oct. 27 parliamentary elections.

Lebanon-Israel talks

Meetings between Beirut and Tel Aviv continue at US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida, aimed at reviewing implementation of the “framework agreement” and discussing “pilot areas” in southern Lebanon designated for Israeli military withdrawal.

Protests in France

Nationwide student protests in France as authorities have imposed partial curfews in cities including Paris and Lyon. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is scheduled to meet unions.

Norway talks on Ukraine

Statements from European countries after US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, in talks on Ukraine in Oslo on Tuesday.

UK premier faces questions in parliament

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham responds to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons with MPs expected to press the premier on domestic and international matters.

Fossil Free London demonstration

Campaign group Fossil Free London stages protest at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dressed in giant receipts stating the predicted climate cost to human life should the government accept the Jackdaw gas and Rosebank oil fields projects.

UK premier meets Sultan of Oman

Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, who is on a state visit to the UK. The agenda also includes a banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lady Mayor of London.

Pope Leo general audience

Pontiff holds his weekly General Audience with members of the public, his first since he underwent surgery on Oct. 13 to remove a cancerous growth from his lung.

Mass strike planned in Ireland

A strike of more than 300,000 could take place if an agreement between the Irish government and the country's largest public service trade union, Forsa, is not reached. Members of the union, which represents workers including nurses, doctors, teachers and civil servants, went on a 24-hour strike on Oct. 14, causing mass disruption across the country.

AfD co-leader attends Strasbourg event

Alice Weidel of Germany's right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) to speak at an event in Strasbourg, France, titled Our New Deal for Europe. A news conference is also expected.

UN launches emissions gap report

The UN Environment Programme is expected to release the 2026 Emissions Gap Report.

6th Consultative meeting on enhancing peace in Sudan

The Sixth Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, which will take place in the Council Chamber of the Palais des Nations on Oct 21. It brings together member states sponsoring major initiatives, members of the Quad, and neighboring and regional countries to Sudan.

German chancellor addresses Berlin Global Dialogue

Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives the opening speech at the Berlin Global Dialogue, an international conference on economics and geopolitics held under the motto "Advancing Alliances for the New Era". US tech firm Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also delivers a keynote address at the event.

German chancellor meets Czech president

Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Czech President Petr Pavel at the chancellery in Berlin for talks on bilateral relations and foreign and security policy.

German chancellor meets Mongolian president

Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh who is in Berlin for a state visit, followed by Tuesday’s talks with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Argentine president continues Spain visit

Argentine President Javier Milei, who flew to Madrid on Monday, continues his visit which includes speeches at the Nueva Economia Forum and at Rey Juan Carlos University. He is also expected to hold meetings, including with Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of Madrid regional government. As on previous visits, no meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expected.

European Parliament gathers for plenary sitting

Members of the European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg, France, for a plenary sitting. Today’s agenda includes debates on the latest EU summit conclusions, strategic autonomy, and COP31.

EU’s defense chief visits Czech Republic

European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius will travel to Prague, where he will hold a joint press conference alongside Prime Minister Andrej Babis and attend a panel discussion.

Greek students protest in solidarity with France

Greek school and university students in Athens, joined by schoolteachers, protest for better conditions in education and high living costs, echoing support for protesters in France.

Protesters take to Milan streets to demonstrate against violence

The Democratic Party and the Italian General Confederation of Labour trade union stage a demonstration to condemn the clashes and looting that took place in Milan over the weekend, calling for an end to the violence in the city.

Turkish foreign minister visits Belgium

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan continues official engagements in Brussels as part of a visit to Belgium.

Turkish president to address parliamentary group meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address lawmakers of his Justice and Development (AK) Party at a parliamentary group meeting.

Meeting of Russian, Chinese prime ministers

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to discuss economic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing with his visiting Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in the city of St. Petersburg.

Press briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a weekly press briefing. The desk plans to take part in the even via Zoom and plans to ask Moscow's assessment on the prospects of the Trump-Putin diesel deal, and its view on the role of private tech companies like SpaceX in modern conflicts.

Russia-Ukraine war

Latest on the Russia-Ukraine conflict as US envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss prospects of ending the war.

Trump to campaign in South Carolina

US President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally at Clemson University’s T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton, South Carolina, as Republicans campaign ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Trump to hold White House roundtable

US President Donald Trump will participate in a roundtable discussion in the White House East Room. The White House has not disclosed the subject of the meeting, which will be open to accredited media.

UN Security Council consultations on Lebanon

The UN Security Council will hold closed consultations on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ latest report on the implementation of Resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of militias, the withdrawal of foreign forces and the extension of Lebanese government authority throughout the country.

Vance to campaign in Ohio

US Vice President JD Vance will address a Republican campaign rally at the Sharonville Convention Center near Cincinnati, Ohio, ahead of the midterm elections.

Brazil presidential runoff polls

New opinion polls from Brazilian research firms Quaest and Palver are expected ahead of the Oct. 25 presidential runoff between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro.

US secretary of state on visit to India

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues his 3-day visit to India to discuss strategic and energy cooperation. Rubio is also scheduled to visit world’s largest single-site refinery in Jamnagar in western state of Gujarat.

Polish prime minister to visit India

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk begins his four-day visit to India.

APEC finance ministers meet

The APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting concludes after 2 days of discussions on regional economic cooperation and financial policy priorities ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November.

Man charged for attacking Australian lawmaker

Australian police have charged a man for allegedly attacking an independent lawmaker, Helen Haines.

Australian defense chief visits Timor-Leste

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles is visiting Timor-Leste to advance defense cooperation under the new partnership established by respective leaders of the two countries.

Maldives President Muizzu continues state visit to Pakistan

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu continues three-day state visit to Pakistan for talks with leadership of the South Asian nation, aimed at boosting bilateral ties.

China news briefing

Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing.

THE ECONOMY

UK inflation

UK to announce monthly inflation figures for September. In August, the annual inflation in the UK rose to 3.1%. Markets expect it to rise to 3.4% in September.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Apartheid automation’: How Israel uses AI to monitor Palestinian land, movement and lives

Report on how Israel is using artificial intelligence to expand surveillance and control over Palestinians, from detecting changes to homes and land in the occupied West Bank to facial recognition at checkpoints and AI-assisted targeting in Gaza.

The story looks at systems used to identify structures for enforcement and demolition, track Palestinians’ movements and build detailed personal profiles, as well as reports of AI-generated target lists and strike-approval processes during Israel’s war on Gaza.

The report includes interviews with AI professor Mustafa Jarrar and Palestinian digital rights researcher Jalal Abukhater, who warn that automated technologies are accelerating displacement and entrenching Israeli control.

EXPLAINER - EU’s new Arctic strategy: What is changing and why does it matter?

Report on the EU’s new Arctic strategy, which marks a significant shift from the bloc’s 2021 policy by placing greater emphasis on security, strategic infrastructure and geopolitical competition alongside climate protection.

The story explains the strategy’s main pillars and new measures including stronger satellite surveillance and closer cooperation with partners including Canada, Norway, Iceland, the UK and Greenland. It also looks at plans to strengthen access to critical raw materials and emerging shipping routes.

The report also examines what has changed from the 2021 strategy, including the EU’s decision to drop its previous push for a multilateral legal ban on new Arctic oil and gas development.

EXPLAINER - What’s driving Europe’s growing protest wave?

Report on the wave of protests across France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Albania, where education shortages, unaffordable housing, rising living costs and pressure on public services have fueled demonstrations.

The story outlines the different triggers behind the mobilizations, from student protests over education cuts and poor school conditions to housing campaigns demanding affordable rents and stronger protection against evictions.

It also highlights the scale of the demonstrations, reported clashes and arrests, government responses and growing pressure on political leaders, with some movements expanding into broader anti-government campaigns.

EXPLAINER - Hypersonic missiles and AI fuel new arms race on Korean Peninsula

Report on how North and South Korea are accelerating development of hypersonic missiles and other advanced weapons systems amid rising military tensions and stalled diplomacy.

The story explores North Korea’s claims that its latest hypersonic missile uses artificial intelligence to maneuver at low altitude, South Korea’s development of indigenous hypersonic weapons, and the technological challenges such systems pose to existing missile defenses.

It also examines the roles of the US and Japan in regional security, the growing cycle of military competition and the risks of miscalculation and escalation on the Korean Peninsula.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with AI professor Mustafa Jarrar and Palestinian digital rights researcher Jalal Abukhater on how Israel is using AI and other technologies to expand surveillance and control over Palestinians.

Gizem Nisa Çebi Demir