ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Continued US-Iran military escalation
Developments and global reactions in the military confrontation between the US and Iran, including continued US strikes on Iranian targets, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on regional countries, and growing tensions over maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Continued Israeli military operations in Gaza
Developments in Israel’s ongoing military operations across the Gaza Strip, including ground offensives, airstrikes, and evacuation orders, as well as the humanitarian and security situation.
Houthi maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia
Developments following the Yemeni Houthi group’s declaration of an immediate “maritime blockade” on Saudi Arabia amid renewed tensions with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Continued Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon
Developments surrounding continued Israeli attacks and military activities in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement, and their security and humanitarian implications.
Heat wave and wildfires sweep Southern Europe
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.
Political developments in UK
Developments in UK politics after Andy Burnham officially became the new British prime minister as he is expected to make further policy announcements following an announcement that VAT on electricity bills will be cut from Oct. 1.
UK Foreign Office staff on strike
UK Public and Commercial Services Union members working for the Foreign Office begin 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.
Japanese defense minister's visits to France, Belgium
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets with his counterpart Catherine Vautrin in France, and with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Belgium.
EU ambassadors meeting
Ambassadors to the EU from member states gather for a so-called Coreper II meeting. They are expected to discuss the latest sanctions package over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
European Commission review on Warner Bros. Discovery
A European Commission competition review of Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is due.
ASEAN meetings in Manila
The top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hold post-ministerial meetings with partners in the Philippines’ capital Manila, including Russia, the US, India, Canada, South Korea, Japan, the EU, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and China.
The 5th Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development will also be held, alongside ASEAN's separate trilateral meetings with Türkiye, Norway, Switzerland, and Brazil.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are expected to hold separate, bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.
Lavrov to take part in the ministerial meetings of ASEAN at the level of Russia-ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian delegation will present its assessment of the Asia-Pacific Region, highlighting rising conflict potential amid Western militarization, NATO's expanding military footprint, and the growing number of bloc mechanisms in the area.
Rubio will hold talks with China’s Wang, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and ministers from the Quad, a grouping of the US, Japan, India, and Australia. Rubio will also hold a trilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
Developments regarding Russia-Ukraine conflict
The ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict, with updates, including frontline reports and air‑strike exchanges, as well as possible resumption of peace talks and humanitarian exchanges.
Trump to attend killed US soldiers’ transfer, promote child investment accounts
US President Donald Trump will attend a transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in the US state of Delaware, after three American soldiers were killed in an Iranian strike on a military base in Jordan over the weekend.
Trump will later travel to the city of Marietta, Georgia, where he is expected to deliver remarks at a high school to promote his administration’s child investment accounts program before returning to Washington, DC, with possible comments on current events during the trip.
UN Security Council to hold high-level meeting on natural resources
The Democratic Republic of the Congo will hold a high-level UN debate on how responsible management of natural resources can support peace, security, and prosperity. President Felix Tshisekedi is expected to chair the meeting. UN chief Antonio Guterres and a civil society representative are expected to brief participants.
US House to vote on $1.15T defense policy bill
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act. It includes an unprecedented measure to integrate the US and Israeli military’s technological and industrial complexes. If passed, the legislation will move to the Senate. The vote comes before the House leaves Washington for its five-week August recess.
Maduro case status conference
A US court will hold a status conference in the criminal case against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were captured in a US operation early this year. The hearing is expected to address scheduling, discovery, and possible pretrial motions, including challenges over immunity and Maduro’s capture. Both pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and weapons charges.
Guyana ferry disaster death toll feared to rise
Authorities in Guyana continue search and recovery operations after the MV Barima capsized off its Essequibo coast. At least 41 people have died and 77 were rescued, while officials believe up to 177 were aboard.
Weather situation in Asia
Monitoring weather conditions across Asia following heavy rains and deadly flash floods in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
THE ECONOMY
Japan’s foreign trade
Japan will release foreign trade figures for June, trade balance is expected to post a lower decline than May.
UK’s Inflation
The UK will release consumer inflation data for June. The rate is expected to down 2.7% from 2.8%.
SPECIAL REPORTS
EXPLAINER - Can Netanyahu be arrested if he travels to New York?
Report examining whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he attends the UN General Assembly in New York following the International Criminal Court warrant against him, amid renewed calls by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to explore legal options.
The story explains why an ICC warrant does not automatically apply in the US, the limits of New York City's authority, the federal government's control over foreign policy, and the legal protections afforded to visiting UN representatives under the US-UN Headquarters Agreement.
It also assesses the political and legal confrontation between Mamdani and the Trump administration, the broader US rejection of ICC jurisdiction, and why experts believe any attempt to arrest Netanyahu would face overwhelming constitutional and diplomatic obstacles.
INTERVIEW - Leonardo pilots praise Baykar's young engineers after joint combat aircraft trials
Interview with senior Leonardo test pilots and defense executives on their experience working with Baykar, highlighting the Turkish company's young engineering team, rapid development culture, and advanced autonomous technologies following successful joint flight trials.
The report explores the crewed-uncrewed teaming tests conducted by Baykar and Leonardo, explaining how the Bayraktar KIZILELMA and M-346 fighter demonstrated autonomous formation flying and the potential of the technology to transform future air combat by reducing risks to pilots and multiplying operational capabilities.
It also examines the strategic significance of the Baykar-Leonardo partnership, its roadmap for further development through the LBA Systems joint venture, and why both companies believe the technology could attract strong interest from NATO members and the wider international defense market.
