ISTANBUL
Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, June 29, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Turkish president to attend luncheon in honor of NATO parliamentary speakers
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend a luncheon at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul in honor of NATO parliamentary speakers.
US-Iran memorandum and tit-for-tat attacks
The US and Iran are said to have agreed to cease hostilities after a fresh bout of strikes, and are expected to hold talks in Qatar later in the week to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Tit-for-tat US-Iran attacks attacks a US strike on a port facility in Sirik and Iran’s retaliatory attack on US positions in Bahrain and Kuwait, amid uncertainty over the implementation of the agreement and regional security implications.
Israeli ceasefire violations despite framework deal with Lebanon
Israeli violations in southern Lebanon despite the signing of a US-backed framework agreement with Lebanon, amid Hezbollah’s rejection of the deal and growing tensions over its implementation.
Sultan of Oman continues France visit
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s second day of his official visit to France. He will meet President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments.
Heat wave across Europe
European countries continue to monitor and assess the impact of high temperatures.
NATO chief travels to UK
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will travel to the UK to Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. He will also hold bilateral meetings with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis.
EU trade chief hosts Chinese commerce minister in Brussels
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic will host Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Brussels for talks expected to focus on trade imbalances, Chinese industrial overcapacity, market access and economic relations ahead of the EU-China Summit later this year.
EU foreign policy chief travels to Türkiye
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will travel to Türkiye June 29-30 June with Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner. She will meet Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and discuss EU–Türkiye relations, common challenges, and explore additional avenues for cooperation.
Trump to hold policy meetings, sign executive orders
US President Donald Trump will hold a series of closed-door meetings on policy at the White House. He will also sign executive orders in the Oval Office.
Rubio to meet German counterpart, East Libya-based deputy commander
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the Department of State. The two are expected to discuss the situation in the Middle East, support for Ukraine and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. Wadephul is later set to travel to Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.
Rubio will also hold a meeting with Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of East Libya-based forces, also at the State Department. The meeting comes amid efforts to broker a political arrangement between eastern and western Libya ahead of a possible Washington meeting with representatives from both sides by the end of the month. Rubio is also expected to host representatives of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity this month.
UN Security Council to discuss situation in Palestine
The UN Security Council will hold an open briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including Palestine. Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Ramiz Alakbarov is among the expected briefers.
The council will later hold a session on the maintenance of international peace and security, where Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ report on the activities of the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
UN chief to deliver remarks on counter-terrorism
Guterres will deliver remarks at the opening session of the Fourth High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States.
Aftermath of earthquakes in Venezuela
Regional reactions, messages of solidarity and pledges of aid as death toll in the twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela nears 1,500.
Chinese president hosts Belarusian counterpart
China's President Xi Jinping hosts Belarusian Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing.
Top Ukrainian diplomat visits South Korea
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga visits South Korea. In Seoul, the focus of his meetings would be likely transfer of North Korean soldiers, held during Ukrainian war with Russia, to South Korea.
South Korea unveils investment packages in AI, chip industry
South Korea unveil a series of large-scale domestic investment initiatives, dubbed one of the biggest in the country’s history, with focus on artificial intelligence and chip industry.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s economic sentiment
Türkiye will release economic confidence index for June.
Eurozone consumer confidence
Eurostat to release montly consumer confidence index data for June.
SPORTS
2026 FIFA World Cup Day 20
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, continues on its 20th day as Brazil take on Japan, and Germany face Paraguay in Round of 32. Monitoring preparations, security arrangements, travel and entry issues affecting participants, and any protests or disruptions surrounding the competition.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Displaced Venezuelans fill Caracas streets as earthquake survivors await answers
Report on the humanitarian aftermath of Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes, focusing on thousands of displaced residents sheltering in streets, parks and public squares across Caracas as they wait for authorities to determine whether their homes are safe.
The story highlights growing solidarity efforts by ordinary Venezuelans while capturing the uncertainty, trauma and resilience of families living in makeshift encampments amid continuing aftershocks.
It includes firsthand accounts from displaced residents and the latest official figures on casualties, displacement and infrastructure damage.
INTERVIEW - Ankara summit will shape NATO’s next chapter: German chancellor’s aide
Interview with senior German lawmaker Jurgen Hardt, a foreign policy aide of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on expectations for NATO’s July 7-8 summit in Ankara and the alliance’s future amid shifting global security challenges.
The report examines Europe’s push to assume greater responsibility within NATO as the US refocuses its strategic priorities, Germany’s plans to expand its defense role, and Türkiye’s growing importance to the alliance.
It also highlights Hardt’s call for deeper political and defense-industrial cooperation with Türkiye, arguing that stronger European capabilities should reinforce and not replace the transatlantic partnership.
EXPLAINER - South Africa on edge as anti-immigrant deadline approaches
Report on growing fears of widespread anti-migrant violence in South Africa as the June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigrant vigilante groups draws closer.
The story examines the origins of the campaign led by groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula, the government’s response, and why activists warn the country could face its worst xenophobic violence in years.
It includes accounts from refugees and migrants living in fear of attacks, analysis from migration expert Jo Vearey of the University of the Witwatersrand on the legality and implications of the vigilante actions, comments from Siyafuna Sonke Action campaign spokesperson July Eccles warning of a potential “massacre,” as well as the position of anti-immigration leaders defending their campaign.