Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Trump kicks off his Gulf countries tour with visit to Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump begins his tour of the Gulf region with a first stop in Saudi Arabia, focusing on discussing regional tensions, defense, investment, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The tour, which starts on May 13 and ends on May 16, will include stops in Qatar and the UAE. The visit marks Trump’s first since he assumed office in January.

Statements from Trump, US officials, and Saudi leaders, as well as agreements expected to be signed between the two nations.

Resumption of Gaza ceasefire talks

The developments after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have directed that a negotiation team be sent to Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to resume the indirect long-stalled Gaza ceasefire talks with the Palestinian group Hamas.

The move comes after Hamas handed over the Israeli American soldier captive Edan Alexander as part of broader efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate humanitarian aid access.

Statements and updates from Israeli and Qatari officials are expected, as well as announcements from Hamas.

Growing famine risk in Gaza as Israel continues to block aid

The growing famine risk in the Gaza Strip with Israel continuing to block aid as the humanitarian situation is teetering on the edge of a full-scale humanitarian collapse. The entire territory is now effectively classified as a “famine zone.”

Malnutrition among children is surging, and relief organizations are warning of a spike in preventable deaths. According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the blockade is causing “irreparable harm” to the lives of countless Palestinians.

Sanitation infrastructure is failing, increasing the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases -- especially among children and displaced families -- as access to safe water dwindles.

The UN and humanitarian groups continue to call for immediate and unhindered access to Gaza to prevent a total humanitarian collapse. Additional updates, including Arabic-language testimonies, are expected to shed further light on the worsening crisis.

Escalation of Sudan’s conflict with RSF drone strikes on Port Sudan and civilian casualties in El-Fasher

The developments after Sudan’s conflict escalated as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the strategic city of Port Sudan with drones, alongside deadly shelling in El-Fasher, North Darfur.

More attacks by the RSF are expected with the Sudanese army’s responses and the potential for further civilian casualties. Humanitarian fallout, international responses, and statements from global organizations will be closely monitored.

French president to attend a special broadcast

French President Emmanuel Macron will attend a special broadcast on TF1 at 20.10 local time (1810GMT) during which he will answer questions live on national and international issues for about two hours. During the broadcast, titled Emmanuel Macron-France's challenges, the French president is also expected to receive questions from the audience and he might talk about plans for a referendum.

Greek premier to visit Berlin

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to Germany on Tuesday for an official visit and talks with newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Mitsotakis will be the first European leader received by Merz since he was sworn in last week, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis noted on Monday.

Germany to host UN Peacekeeping ministerial meeting

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will deliver remarks at the opening session of the UN Peacekeeping ministerial meeting in Berlin. The meeting serves as a high-level political forum to discuss the future of peacekeeping. Participating states are expected to demonstrate their political support and announce pledges for peacekeeping operations. We will cover the opening session, with statements from the German foreign minister and other top officials.

Turkish president to receive NATO chief in Ankara

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara, and also to chair the Defense Industry Executive Committee Meeting.

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UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

The service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing.

UK government challenged over arms sales to Israe

High Court hears legal challenge against the government granting export licenses for the sale of weapons to Israel. Al Haq, a Palestinian non-governmental human rights organization, claims it is a breach of Export Licensing Criteria, which states a license will not be granted if there is a clear risk that the weapons sold will be used to commit acts that contravene international humanitarian law.

UK Foreign Office ministers to respond to questions in the House of Commons

Ministers from Britain’s FCDO will respond to questions by lawmakers on various issues, regional and international matters. The questions are likely to include Ukraine-Russia talks, the Middle East, and British policies, along with other developments.

Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2025 kicks off

The city of Kazan in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan to host the 16th edition of the Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum international conference. The event, set to end on May 18, seeks to strengthen trade, economic, scientific, technical, social, and cultural ties between Moscow and Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries. Last year’s edition of KazanForum drew more than 20,500 participants from 87 countries.

Electoral campaign for 2025 Burundi elections to officially begin

Official campaigning for the legislative and district elections in June 5 to begin in Burundi. Around 10,000 candidates are contesting the elections in the East African country, where the electoral campaign will run until June 2.

Xi addresses China-Latin America nations forum in Beijing

China’s President Xi Jinping addresses the 4th China-Latin America and Caribbean Community Forum in Beijing. Brazilian President Lula da Silva is among other top officials from southern America attending the summit, which is presided over by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Lull in cross-border fire as ceasefire sustains between Pakistan and India

Following developments as there is lull in cross-border firing for 2nd day between India and Pakistan after US-mediated ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbors in South Asia which saw a week of heightened military escalation. At least 54 people have been killed on the two sides of divided Kashmir and Pakistan.

Ballot counting underway after millions vote in Philippines midterm polls

Following counting of ballots after millions of people in the Philippines voted in mid-term elections to elect over 18,000 officials, including mayors, governors, and lower house lawmakers.

Australia's new Cabinet, led by Premier Albanese, sworn in

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's new Cabinet sworn in, following the Labor Party's decisive victory in the May 3 federal election. The formation of the Cabinet marks beginning of the party's second consecutive term.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s current account

The Turkish Central Bank will release current account balance data for March.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Istanbul talks: Why Russia and Ukraine see Türkiye as a reliable mediator

Report focusing on the significance of Russia and Ukraine agreeing on Türkiye as a mediator for crucial talks on halting the ongoing war.

The story presents the points of view of both Moscow and Kyiv, detailing the possible reasons -- ranging from diplomatic ties to geopolitical influence -- for Istanbul being chosen as a venue for high-stakes talks that could be attended personally by the leaders of both countries.

The report includes comments from Amur Gadzhiev, the director of the Center for Modern Türkiye Studies; Mark Kimmitt, a retired US army general and security analyst; and Turan Gafarli, a non-resident expert at the Topchubashov Center in Baku.

‘A fatal message’: Rights group urges German president to cancel Netanyahu meeting

Interview with Amnesty International official Katja Muller-Fahlbusch focusing on the rights watchdog’s criticism of Germany’s continued diplomatic and other engagements with Israel.

Muller-Fahlbusch warns that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Tuesday sends “a fatal message … of German complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

The Amnesty official emphasizes the need for Germany to halt arms deliveries to Israel, reiterating the need for Berlin to distance itself from Tel Aviv’s ongoing genocidal war and blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Amnesty International official Katja Muller-Fahlbusch focusing on the rights watchdog’s criticism of Germany’s continued diplomatic engagement with Israel despite mounting concerns over its genocidal war on Gaza.