ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, July 16, 2026
Renewed US-Iran escalation
Amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, the US continued to strike Iran, which, in turn, claimed targeting US military assets in the Middle East region.
Frail calm in Lebanon after Rome talks with Israel
The sixth round of US-sponsored talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv concluded in Rome on Wednesday, with a Lebanese official saying the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the areas it occupies in southern Lebanon could begin in days.
- Security, humanitarian situation in Sudan amid RSF violations
The security situation and humanitarian developments in Sudan following the National Human Rights Commission's announcement that it had documented 6,000 detainees in Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-operated prisons in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
Escalating tensions in Yemen
Developments in Yemen after the Houthis declared an end to de-escalation with the government.
Tensions intensified after the government forces said they hit a runway at Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing.
Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of conducting strike at the airport, and attacked the kingdom's southern region.
Trump to deliver address to nation
US President Donald Trump is set to deliver an address to the nation, which he has said, without providing further details, will focus on election integrity. Reports suggest Trump’s speech will primarily be about security of voting machines and alleged foreign efforts to influence elections in the US. He is also expected to release related declassified intelligence documents.
Trump is also scheduled for several closed-door events, including a meeting with Darline Graham, who is serving the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term after his sudden death over the weekend.
He will also meet El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House, and sign one or multiple unspecified documents.
Rubio to host meeting on political violence
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host foreign delegations at the Department of State for a ministerial-level meeting focused on the resurgence of political violence. Discussions are expected to cover assassinations, kidnappings, attacks on infrastructure and violent extremist movements.
Canada’s prime minister to make defense-related announcement
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will make an announcement related to the country’s defense capabilities during a visit to a defense manufacturing facility in southwestern Ontario province.
UN Security Council to discuss Israel-Lebanon security arrangements
The UN Security Council will discuss a recent report on Resolution 1701, which governs security arrangements between Israel and Lebanon. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and a representative of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) are the expected briefers.
Heat wave and wildfires sweep Southern Europe
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.
UK Foreign Office staff go on strike
Public and Commercial Services Union members working for the Foreign Office take four and a half days of strike action after senior management failed to provide assurances that staff will be protected from compulsory redundancies as part of a major restructuring program.
Turkish foreign minister visiting Ukraine
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will hold talks with Ukrainian officials in the capital Kyiv.
Turkish trade minister pays visit to Brussels
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat meets European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic and European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels.
EU justice and home affairs ministers meeting
Justice and home affairs ministers of EU member states hold two-day informal meeting in the Irish capital Dublin. Agenda includes advancing a fair, effective and rules-based approach to migration, asylum and returns, strengthening Europe’s safety and security.
WHO chief holds press conference
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus holds a press conference on global health issues.
WHO guidelines on cognitive decline, dementia
The WHO is expected to release its updated guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia on July 16. The updated guidelines reflect significant growth in the evidence base since WHO first issued recommendations on dementia risk reduction in 2019.
German chancellor hosts Algerian president
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosts Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Berlin for talks on bilateral ties and cooperation on issues including the economy, energy and raw materials. A joint news conference is planned after the talks. Tebboune is also set to be received with military honors by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Merz meets French president ahead of joint Cabinet meeting
German Chancellor Merz to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in the northwestern German city of Bergisch Gladbach ahead of a planned Franco-German Cabinet meeting on Friday. The pair is expected to deliver brief press statements before holding talks with their delegations and attending a dinner.
Court ruling on Spain's amnesty law
The European Court of Justice will rule in cases concerning Spain's amnesty law over 2017 Catalan independence referendum. The court will decide whether the legislation in 2024 to pardon hundreds of Catalan separatist lawmakers and activists organizing or taking part in the illegal and unilateral 2017 Catalan referendum breached European law.
Russian foreign minister to hold separate meetings with Azerbaijani, Bissau-Guinean counterparts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to hold separate talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov and Bissau-Guinean top diplomat Fatumata Djau Balde.
Turkmenistan’s president to visit Georgia
Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdymuhamedov is expected to visit Georgia to negotiate new agreements in the energy sector.
Russia-Ukraine conflict
The latest on Russia‑Ukraine conflict, as well as updates on the ongoing government reshuffle in Ukraine.
Foreign leaders arrive in China for AI summit
Foreign leaders, including heads of states and governments, arrive in China to attend summit on artificial intelligence governance which begins a day later in Shanghai. Confirmed arrivals so far include prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, and Pakistan’s foreign minister. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Shanghai for the summit.
Chinese Foreign Ministry holds news conference
The Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing and is expected to comment on evolving regional developments, including latest US-Iran hostilities.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry holds news briefing
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry holds news conference where the spokesperson is expected to deliver comments on renewed conflict between US and Iran. Pakistan is the main mediator since the war began in February.
Weather situation in Asia
Monitoring weather conditions in Asia where heavy rains caused landslides and floods resulting in dozens of casualties and displacement of people. China remains the hardest hit.
THE ECONOMY
UK GDP
UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) to release monthly gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures for May. In April, the British economy grew 1.2% year-on-year.
Turkish treasury balance
The Turkish Treasury to announce monthly budget balance data for June.
Euro area foreign trade
Eurostat to share monthly foreign trade figures for May. In April, the euro area's trade balance saw a deficit of $1.1 billion.
US retail sales
The US to release monthly retail sales data for June. In May, the sales rose 0.9% month-on-month. Retail sales figures are important for calculation of the GDP data. The country will also release initial jobless claims figures.
IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook
International Energy Agency to release report on the critical minerals market.
EXPLAINER - Why Article 5 is the Iran-US deal’s biggest sticking point
Report examining why Article 5 of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding has emerged as the most contested provision of the agreement, despite being intended to restore commercial shipping and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The story explores competing US and Iranian interpretations of the clause, focusing on disputes over the future governance of the strategic waterway, shipping tolls, demining responsibilities and the broader implications for regional security and global energy trade.
It includes comments from Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco of Gulf State Analytics and Seyed Emamian of Tehran Polytechnic University on how the differing interpretations could affect the implementation and durability of the agreement.
81 years after first atomic test, AI increases global nuclear danger
Report marking 81 years since the world’s first nuclear test, examining how the threat has evolved from Cold War-era deterrence into a more complex landscape shaped by modernized arsenals, weakening arms control and artificial intelligence-enabled military systems.
The story explores the risks posed by AI-assisted threat detection and decision-making, including false warnings, automation bias, cyber manipulation and compressed response times, as well as the danger that conventional attacks on dual-use systems could trigger nuclear escalation.
It includes comments from John Erath of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and draws on SIPRI data and research to assess the global nuclear buildup, expanding arsenals, the expiry of New START and the prospect of a new three-way arms race involving the US, Russia and China.