Diary

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

Israeli attacks on Iranian soil

Developments as 200 Israeli planes targeted Iran early Friday, in strikes Tel Aviv says were against Tehran's nuclear facilities, killing several top Iranian military officials.

Israel's army spokesman said Iran has launched over 100 drones on Israel in response.

Regional tension is expected to rise further, as neighboring nations are likely to strengthen security measures in the aftermath of the mutual strikes. Global reactions and condemnations from the governments and rights organizations will be monitored.

North African aid convoy en route to Gaza calls for end to Israeli blockade

A land convoy of around 1,500 activists and 300 vehicles from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania is advancing toward Gaza, calling for an end to Israel’s blockade. The convoy, which set off from Tunis on June 9, has reached Tripoli via Zawiya and Misrata.

The convoy was expected to arrive at the Egyptian border Thursday and continue toward Rafah. However, formal approval from Egyptian authorities for entry into Sinai and Gaza via the Rafah crossing remains pending.

Egyptian permission at Rafah is the critical next step as any delay or denial could block humanitarian access and stall broader regional solidarity efforts.

Israel deports 6 more Madleen activists, 2 French nationals to be deported Friday

The latest developments as Israel was set to deport six international activists detained aboard the Madleen aid ship intercepted en route to Gaza earlier this week.

Among those released on Thursday were Turkish citizen Suayb Ordu and German national Yasemin Acar, who left Israel following diplomatic coordination. The remaining deportees include Dutch, Brazilian, and French nationals, including MEP Rima Hassan. Four other activists, including Greta Thunberg, were deported earlier in the week.

Two French activists, Pascal Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi, are still held in Israeli custody and are expected to be deported by Friday. Human rights groups, including Adalah, continue to challenge the legality of the detentions and are likely to pursue further legal and diplomatic avenues, especially concerning Israel’s broader enforcement of its Gaza blockade.

Monitoring reactions to Israeli attacks to Iran

US and UN reactions to Israeli attacks across Iran will be monitored.

Trump to attend NSC meeting

US President Donald Trump will attend a closed-door meeting with his National Security Council team. The sit-down comes after Israel launched sweeping attacks against Iran that it says targeted its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be arraigned

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the US from El Salvador last Friday, will appear in federal court in Tennessee for his arraignment on charges of alien smuggling and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling.

Head of military deployment in LA to address reporters

Task Force 51 Commander Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, who is leading the military's deployment amid protests in Los Angeles, will brief members of the media. The briefing comes after a federal judge ordered Trump to return control of the California National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has decried the president's decision to send military forces into the city.

UN General Assembly to continue session on Palestine

UN General Assembly to continue its emergency session on Palestine after approving a resolution urging member states to 'take all measures necessary' to ensure Israel's compliance with international law and the UN Charter. Türkiye's delegation is expected to address the assembly.

EU home affairs ministers gather on 40th anniversary of Schengen agreement

The interior ministers of EU member states will gather in Luxembourg to discuss the development of interoperable IT systems for border management and the gradual launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES) starting in October 2025.

They will also review Schengen priorities for the next year and adopt a declaration marking the arrangement's 40th anniversary. Migration talks will focus on returns, re-admission cooperation with third countries, and the implementation of the EU asylum system. They are also expected to agree on extending temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians until March 2027.

Reactions to latest war developments and Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap

Reactions from Moscow and Kyiv will be followed amid the latest developments on the battlefield and diplomatic front in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year, as well as a new prisoner swap between the two sides.

On Thursday, Russia and Ukraine confirmed that a new prisoner exchange had taken place under agreements reached during recent direct peace talks in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the return of more wounded and ill Ukrainian servicemen, while Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its personnel were repatriated via Belarus and were receiving medical and psychological care.

The exchange comes as the broader military situation remains tense, with Ukrainian and Russian officials accusing each other of continued attacks and escalation in several areas. The prisoner swap is seen as one of the few concrete outcomes from the latest round of Istanbul talks.

India mourns air crash that killed nearly 250

India mourns the victims of a deadly air crash that killed nearly 250 people.

Authorities are expected to release details of the investigation into the crash of a UK-bound Air India flight, which was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, a Canadian, 10 crew members, and two pilots. Five others were killed when the aircraft crashed into a medical school hostel in the western state of Gujarat.

Japan’s top tariff negotiator visits US

Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa will visit the US for a sixth round of tariff negotiations. Tokyo and Washington are expected to make progress before US and Japanese leaders meet in Canada on the sidelines of G7 summit.

Monitoring developments on Korean Peninsula

Monitoring developments on the Korean Peninsula amid signs that the two Koreas may step up efforts to break a long-standing communication deadlock. Both sides have stopped using propaganda broadcasts. The move follows newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s pledge to restore dialogue and rebuild mutual trust with North Korea.

Foreign Ministry holds briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry is scheduled to hold a press briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to comment on trade relations with the US, the war in Gaza, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

THE ECONOMY

Germany’s inflation

Destatis will release consumer prices for May. Prices rose by 2.1% in April and a similar figure is expected for the month of May. The country will also release wholesale prices index.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Shortcut or violation? Xenon-fueled Everest summit ignites row

Report on the controversy over the use of xenon gas by British climbers to summit Mount Everest, which has led to Nepal ordering an investigation into the expedition.

The report highlights diverging perspectives, with expedition organizers defending xenon as a medically approved safety innovation, while Nepali environmentalists explain why this threatens the mountain’s sanctity, ecology, and the local economy. It also examines economic tensions between foreign expeditions and Nepalese communities, and ethical concerns about how technology is reshaping high-altitude mountaineering.

The report includes interviews with Lukas Furtenbach, the mountaineer who organized the British expedition; Sushil Khadka, chairperson of the Avni Center for Sustainability in Nepal; and Dewan Rai, a Nepali journalist and mountaineer.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with mountaineer and expedition organizer Lukas Furtenbach and Nepali environmentalist Sushil Khadka on the controversy over the use of xenon gas by British climbers to summit Mount Everest.