ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, July 24, 2026
Washington and Tehran continue exchanging threats over the Strait of Hormuz and potential attacks on regional infrastructure, amid heightened military and diplomatic tensions.
Continued Israeli military activities and ceasefire violations in southern Lebanon, along with their security and humanitarian implications.
US Gen. Joseph Clearfield, head of the International Military Coordination Committee comprising the US, Israel, and Lebanon, participates in a virtual meeting to review the implementation of the “pilot zones” plan and the Lebanese army’s deployment in southern Lebanon.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, including ground operations, airstrikes, evacuation orders, and the worsening humanitarian situation.
Developments surrounding Yemen’s Houthi group’s maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and its repercussions amid tensions with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s visit to Qatar for discussions with Gulf partners on developments in the Strait of Hormuz and wider regional security, following his participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila.
The second and final day of the Iraqi prime minister’s official visit to Iran, including meetings with Iranian officials and discussions on bilateral relations, regional security, and economic cooperation.
Developments in Sudan as fighting continues between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, including battlefield developments, displacement, the humanitarian crisis, and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Following reactions from European officials and institutions after US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire in Iran had ended and US and Iran exchanged threats over the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on regional infrastructure.
Developments after warnings of dangerous heat and elevated wildfire risk across Southern Europe—particularly in France, Spain and Greece—as temperatures climb and multiple blazes break out.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to undertake a cost-of-living-related visit in the North West, before working from No. 10 North and meeting with the staff based there.
A special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court takes place to consider removing ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who was suspended on June 8 following accusations of non-consensual sexual interactions with a staff member.
UN Information Service holds biweekly press briefing. The service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing; therefore, the focus will be based on this agenda. But most pressing issues around the world, from conflicts to health to be discussed.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz could possibly deliver a statement outlining changes to his Cabinet. Monitoring the reshuffle and any accompanying policy announcements.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will chair a meeting of the national emergency coordination body (CECOD) as multiple wildfires continue to burn across Spain. A press conference is expected following the meeting, with updates on firefighting efforts and the broader emergency response.
US President Donald Trump will attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington. Following a security incident at the original April event, this year's gala is a more intimate, 1,300-guest gathering with significantly enhanced security and no pre-dinner cocktail receptions.
Earlier in the day, Trump will make an announcement related to innovation in nuclear energy in the Oval Office.
A trial is scheduled in a case brought by the US state of Tennessee against technology giant Meta, and in particular its subsidiary Instagram, which it accuses of fomenting a mental health crisis.
Canadian officials will hold a ceremony to mark completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Windsor and Detroit. The Canadian-only event follows the cancellation of a joint celebration after new US tariffs were introduced. The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic Monday.
SpaceX is expected to attempt its 13th Starship test flight after an earlier launch was aborted and a subsequent attempt delayed by weather. The mission will test Starship and Super Heavy V3, repeat objectives from the previous flight and carry next-generation Starlink V3 satellites for the first time.
Developments on the part of Moscow and Kyiv will be followed amid ongoing strikes between Russia and Ukraine, which have particularly targeted energy and port infrastructure. In Ukraine, a surge in Russian strikes on port infrastructure has resulted in the suspension of the entry of vessels to the country's ports in the Black Sea, while Russia has noted major fuel shortages.
Developments will be followed as Kyrgyzstan hosts a meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the resort town of Cholpon-Ata. The two-day event, which will also involve the Chinese and Russian foreign ministers, brings together key delegations from SCO member states to address work ahead of the organization's leaders' summit, scheduled for late August.
The Philippines hosts a signing ceremony of acceding countries to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as well as a commemorative activity for the 50th Anniversary of the treaty.
Protests led by the Cockroach Junta party continue in many Indian cities, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down over alleged exam paper leaks.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Philippines Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro held a joint news conference in Manila after the Southeast Asian country hosted the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Kallas backed the 11-member bloc and China to conclude a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea as the EU upgraded ties with the Philippines.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is on a 4-day visit to Thailand. He is scheduled to meet with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his counterpart Adul Boonthamcharoen.
Chinese military continues its 2-day live-fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait off the coast of the southeastern province of Fujian.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung embarks on a multi-nation diplomatic tour to visit the US, three South American nations, and Germany. Lee will begin with a two-day visit to San Francisco and fly to Brazil for a summit with his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Later, he will head to Chile and conclude his trip to South America with the last stop in Argentina before flying to Germany.
Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing.
Germany’s ifo institute will release business climate index. It was at 85.6 in June.
The US will release house prices index for May. House prices rose by 2% in April.
Report on Australia’s first national artificial intelligence framework, which aims to attract AI investment while introducing new requirements for large data centers, strengthening copyright protections and coordinating regulation through a newly established Office of AI.
The report outlines provisions of the plan, including requirements for data center operators and tighter restrictions for AI companies on using copyrighted material belonging to Australian writers, artists, journalists and media organizations.
It also assesses the implementation timeline, the government’s economic and digital sovereignty objectives, and mixed reactions from lawmakers, unions and climate advocates, with comments from Toby Walsh, chief scientist at UNSW.ai, the AI institute of UNSW Sydney.
Report compiling some of the biggest fines, settlements and legal actions involving major technology companies over artificial intelligence and data privacy, as regulators and courts intensify scrutiny of how AI systems are trained and how personal data is collected and used.
The report outlines key cases involving Anthropic, Meta, Google, Apple, OpenAI, Amazon and Clearview AI, covering allegations ranging from copyright infringement and unauthorized AI training to biometric data collection, privacy violations, consumer protection issues and antitrust concerns.
It also highlights the growing political backlash from the United States against EU enforcement actions targeting American technology companies, as tensions mount over AI regulation, digital sovereignty and transatlantic technology policy.