Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

US-Iran diplomatic efforts

Developments in efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran, as Qatari mediators seek to advance negotiations following reported contacts between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials. Attention to focus on Tehran’s possible response to diplomatic proposals and efforts to prevent renewed military escalation.


Iran’s Strait of Hormuz proposal

Developments surrounding Tehran’s proposed seven-day arrangement for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, amid disagreements with Washington over sanctions, the naval blockade and the sequencing of commitments. Possible statements from US and Iranian officials.


Maritime security in Strait of Hormuz

Developments following reported attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including Iranian claims that several oil tankers struck naval mines and a separate report of a vessel hit by a projectile. Attention will focus on further incidents, the safety of crews and disruptions to international shipping.

Israel faces post-election coalition uncertainty

Political developments following the publication of Israel’s final parliamentary election results, which gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc 53 seats, the opposition 48 and Arab parties 19. Attention will focus on coalition negotiations and efforts by rival political leaders to secure the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority.


Israeli parties discuss parliamentary leadership

Developments in consultations among opposition parties following the elections, including discussions over replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana when the new parliament convenes on Nov. 10. Possible statements from opposition leaders and Arab parties concerning possible parliamentary cooperation.

Yemen’s military confrontation

Latest developments in fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthi group, amid continued military operations and airstrikes across several fronts. Attention will focus on clashes around Taiz, casualty figures and possible retaliatory attacks against government-held areas.

Saudi Arabia on alert over Houthi attacks

Security developments in Saudi Arabia following continued missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthis, amid air defense operations and military responses by the Saudi-led coalition. Possible further attacks on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities will be monitored.

Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian conditions

Developments in the Gaza Strip amid reports of Israeli ceasefire violations and continued Palestinian casualties. Attention will focus on military operations, humanitarian aid deliveries and international efforts to maintain the ceasefire and address deteriorating living conditions.

Lebanon-Israel security discussions

Follow-up on diplomatic and technical military contacts between Lebanon and Israel concerning the implementation of the framework agreement and proposed Israeli withdrawals from southern Lebanon. Possible new meetings, border incidents and statements from both sides will be monitored.

Israeli operations in occupied West Bank

Developments across the occupied West Bank amid continued Israeli military raids, arrests and attacks by illegal Israeli settlers. Attention will focus on Palestinian casualties, restrictions on movement and incidents affecting farmers during the olive harvest season.

Reactions to developments around Hormuz and Yemen

Statements from governments on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen, with concerns over shipping, energy security and the risk of wider regional escalation.

Nationwide “Acte III” cost-of-living protests and sit-ins across France

Yellow Vests, high school and university students, and unions are calling for marches, sit-ins in front of town halls and the National Assembly, and other actions nationwide Saturday against the high cost of living, restrictions on the right to protest, and related grievances. In Paris, central routes proposed by organizers have been banned by the police prefecture, which has imposed a peripheral itinerary between Porte de Bagnolet and Porte de Charenton; authorities have deployed around 70,000 security forces amid heightened risks linked to Halloween.

Students expected to take to streets in Belgium

Students in Brussels and Liege are reportedly planning to protest against the federal government’s education reforms and school conditions, according to media reports and social media posts circulating among young people. However, the planned demonstration has not yet been officially confirmed.

German youth stage nationwide protests

Young people stage protests in several German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt, on Oct. 31 under the slogan "Gen Z regelt" (Gen Z sorts it out), demanding more spending on education and health and opposing military conscription and austerity. The organizers say the protests will be peaceful and reject all violence.

Palestine Action protest in London

Planned demonstration in support of the banned Palestine Action group takes place outside the US Embassy in London and Consulate in Edinburgh. It is estimated that hundreds of people will attend, displaying signs saying 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action' to show opposition to the government's decision to ban the group.

Fossil Free London protest

Climate campaigners involved in the ‘Stop Rosebank’ campaign join forces outside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to remind the government of its commitment to net zero and to reject the Rosebank oil field.

UK United Family & Friends Campaign annual remembrance protest

United Family & Friends Campaign host annual remembrance procession and protest. The event involves a march from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street to demand justice for those people who have been killed while in custody.

Turkish president to meet Zelesnkyy in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul.

G20 foreign ministers to conclude 2-day meeting in Atlanta

G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to conclude in Atlanta, Georgia, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chairing discussions on global supply chains and delivering closing remarks. Rubio will also meet foreign ministers from the Quad grouping of the US, Japan, India and Australia before holding a news conference on the meeting’s outcomes.

US candidates to hold final weekend campaign rallies ahead of midterms

Candidates and party leaders in the US to hold rallies in the final weekend before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Democratic Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and James Talarico are scheduled to campaign in Michigan and Texas, respectively, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will join candidate Elaine Luria in Virginia.

Pro-Palestinian groups to demonstrate in Ottawa over Gaza, Lebanon

Pro-Palestinian organizations to hold a demonstration in Ottawa to protest Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon and the displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Organized by the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians, the rally will call on the Canadian government to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and will feature a live address by a journalist in Gaza.

UN Western Sahara mission faces mandate expiration after Security Council deadlock

The mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is due to expire after the Security Council failed to adopt competing US- and Russian-backed resolutions on its renewal. Russia vetoed the US proposal, while the Russian draft failed to secure sufficient support.

Russian foreign minister’s visit to US

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to attend a meeting of G20 foreign ministers hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Atlanta, Georgia.


Developments amid local ceasefire in Russian-controlled city of Oleshky

Developments in Russia-Ukraine war as a local ceasefire, brokered by US first lady Melania Trump, took effect at 0100GMT on Tuesday in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky in Ukraine's southern Kherson region. The ceasefire seeks to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations, and is due to end late Sunday.

Russia and Ukraine continue to report frontline developments and exchanges of airstrikes, while discussions on humanitarian issues, including prisoner exchanges, continue.

Swiss foreign minister to visit South Korea after North Korea trip

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is visiting South Korea after concluding his North Korea trip where he officially reestablished a diplomatic office.

Swiss president visits China

Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin continues his visit to China.

German president concludes China trip

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier concludes his state visit to China.

SPECIAL REPORTS


TIMELINE – How France’s student protests grew into a nationwide unrest

Report tracing how protests that began over school conditions and teacher shortages expanded into a broader movement over living costs, inequality and pressure on public services, drawing hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets across France.

The story follows the escalation from school blockades in September to mass demonstrations, thousands of arrests, clashes with police, curfews and damage in several cities, as student grievances converged with wider campaigns over fuel prices and the cost of living.

It also looks at the government’s response, including education concessions, additional teaching posts and investment pledges, alongside tougher security measures, as further demonstrations are planned and pressure continues ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.

Gizem Nisa Çebi Demir