Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Yemen tensions
Fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis, particularly on the Kahbub, Taiz and Lahj fronts near Bab el-Mandeb, after a Yemeni official said a senior Houthi commander and six aides were killed on the Kahbub front. The Yemeni army separately announced that 13 of its soldiers had been killed in fighting in Taiz and Lahj over the previous two days.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh.
Iran-US conflict
Confrontation between Iran and the US, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, amid continued disputes over navigation and US restrictions on Iranian oil exports.
Iran’s top security official Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran has conveyed its conditions for resuming talks to the White House through mediators.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon
Israeli military attacks and movements in southern Lebanon as Israel's violations of a framework agreement continue unabated.
Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip
Israeli ceasefire violations and attacks across the Gaza Strip. At least four Palestinians were killed, including the son of Gaza Health Ministry Director-General Munir al-Bursh. Gaza water authorities warned that the enclave's water and sewage system is approaching complete collapse because of shortages of equipment and spare parts.
Sudan field developments
Military developments in North Kordofan after army sources said that government forces recaptured the strategic Al-Jamama area northeast of Sodari from the Rapid Support Forces. Fighting in Blue Nile state after the army said it inflicted heavy losses on the RSF and allied Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North forces in an ambush.
Erdogan to visit US for UN General Assembly
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will depart for New York, US, for a four-day visit starting Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly.
Possible comments by US officials on Yemen
Following possible comments by senior US officials, including President Donald Trump, on the escalating situation in Yemen and recent Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Delegations arrive in New York for UN high-level week
World leaders, ministers and national delegations will continue arriving in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week and the opening of the General Debate on Tuesday. Delegations will begin bilateral meetings and other engagements before the main UN sessions.
US Treasury secretary, China’s vice premier to hold economic talks in New York
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York for talks on AI security, trade and other economic issues. The meeting comes days before Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House and is expected to help shape discussions ahead of the summit.
Carney, Macron to discuss energy, defense ties
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon for a working lunch focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors, including aerospace, energy, critical minerals and advanced technologies. The leaders will also attend a wreath-laying ceremony and deliver a joint statement.
Carney will later return to Ottawa to meet Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Their talks will focus on energy, critical minerals, AI and aerospace, as well as Arctic and North Atlantic security, defense modernization and resilient defense supply chains. The two leaders are also scheduled to hold a joint media availability.
US envoy to UN to appear on cable news program
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz will appear Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, where he is expected to discuss major foreign policy issues ahead of the UN General Assembly high-level week, including the wars in Iran and Ukraine and other international crises.
Guterres to address Global Africa Business Initiative
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to address the Global Africa Business Initiative’s “Unstoppable Africa 2026” gathering in New York, which brings together heads of state, business leaders, investors and African Union and UN officials. The forum will focus on investment, economic growth and expanding Africa’s role in global trade and strategic industries as UN General Assembly high-level week gets underway.
Denmark-Greenland-US Arctic security deal
Latest on expected signing of a security agreement between Denmark, Greenland and the US on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
German state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Voters in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern elect new state parliaments on Sep. 20, paving the way for new regional governments. Latest polls show a tight race in the capital between the socialist Left Party and the center-right CDU, and a razor-close contest in the northeast between Premier Manuela Schwesig’s center-left SPD and the right-wing AfD. The vote comes after the AfD’s landslide win on Sep. 6 in Saxony-Anhalt and will be closely watched for federal implications and pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Final day of Russian legislative election
The final day of Russia’s three-day legislative vote, the country’s first parliamentary election since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Voting, which began on Friday, will continue until 8 pm local time and determine the 9th convocation of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma.
Russia-Ukraine war
Latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, including reactions to Trump signing a congressional bill expanding sanctions against Moscow.
Russia has claimed seizing more than 5,300 square kilometers of land and over 220 settlements in Ukraine since the beginning of the year.
Japan hosts Asian Games
Japan hosts the second day of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which will run through Oct. 4. This marks the first time in 32 years that Japan has hosted the Games. Events include the women’s cricket semifinal between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, women’s hockey Pool A match between China and Bangladesh, women’s soft tennis semifinal between Japan and the Philippines, and women’s semifinal match 2 between South Korea and Chinese Taipei, among others.