ISTANBUL / ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, June 30, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israeli army orders mass evacuations in Gaza as military operations intensify
Developments after the Israeli army issued urgent evacuation orders for residents of multiple densely populated neighborhoods in Gaza City and Jabalia, warning of escalating military operations across northern Gaza, with plans to expand westward toward central Gaza City.
Coverage will focus on tracking the unfolding situation, including updates on civilian displacements, potential casualties, and incidents resulting from the intensified military activity.
Reports of Israeli strikes on designated evacuation zones and diplomatic reactions and statements from international organizations will be monitored as well as efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.
Illegal Israeli settler assaults on West Bank
Wave of violent attacks by illegal Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians, their homes, and properties in the occupied West Bank has intensified, with recent incidents across several villages resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant destruction.
Ongoing assaults and real-time updates on casualties and incidents will be closely tracked along with monitoring of diplomatic reactions, including statements from Palestinian and Israeli officials, as well as international bodies.
Israel’s strikes on Lebanon defy ceasefire agreement
Israel’s military strikes on Lebanon, in defiance of an existing ceasefire, have sparked international calls for compliance with the truce and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives.
Israeli attacks, including updates on potential casualties, damage to infrastructure, and impacts on civilian communities will be followed.
Statements from Lebanese authorities, Israeli officials, and international bodies, as well as diplomatic initiatives aimed at enforcing the ceasefire also being tracked.
UN Security Council meetings
UN Security Council expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing mandate of UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, which expires on June 30, followed by consultations on the situation in the Middle East and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chinese foreign minister to start Europe tour
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to start Europe tour expected to focus on bilateral security and economic matters.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to travel to Armenia to meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirozyan.
The peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and normalization between Türkiye and Armenia are expected to be main topics during the visit.
UK Defense Ministry to face questions at House of Commons
UK Defense Ministry officials set to take questions at House of Commons on subjects such as the recent Strategic Defense Review, the Middle East, and defense spending hikes.
Draft UK ban on Palestine Action activist group
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to submit draft ban on Palestine Action group after activists broke into Royal Air Force base and spray painted two planes, which Cooper called “the latest in a long history of unacceptable criminal damage” by the group. If approved, the ban would make it illegal to be a member of, or invite support for, Palestine Action.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign holds protest in Wimbledon
Palestine Solidarity Campaign holds protest on day one of Wimbledon, London, calling on the tennis tournament to drop Barclays as a sponsor. The group says Barclays is a “primary dealer” of Israel government bonds, meaning it helps Israel raise money to fund its atrocities. The bank also provides investments and loans worth billions to companies supplying Israel with weapons and military technology, it says.
High Court judgement over challenge by NGOs on UK’s supply of F-35 parts to Israel
UK High Court to hand down judgement in case seeking government suspension of all arms exports to Israel, including parts for F-35 fighter jets.
Turkish president to speak to exporters group, chair Cabinet meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to speak at Turkish Exporters Assembly meeting and Export Champions Award Ceremony in Istanbul.
Erdogan also to chair Cabinet meeting at Presidential Complex in Ankara.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in the capital Ankara .
Kyrgyzstan to host CSTO foreign ministers' meeting
Kyrgyzstan to host a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) foreign ministers in resort town of Cholpon-Ata.
The meeting, to be chaired by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev, plans to touch on current issues of international and regional security, particularly issues of countering terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, cybersecurity and information challenges.
A number of important documents on strengthening interaction and promoting deeper integration between CSTO member states are expected to be signed following the meeting, according to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry.
Russia to mark 20th anniversary of accession to Organization of Islamic Cooperation
Russia to mark the 20th anniversary of its accession to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
For the anniversary, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha are expected to exchange congratulatory messages. Other commemorative events are also expected to be held.
EU foreign policy chief to meet Armenian premier, foreign minister amid visit
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to hold talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during her official visit to Yerevan that began on Sunday.
According to an EU statement, Kallas and Mirzoyan are expected to hold a joint press conference following their talks, adding that she will also meet with European ambassadors, representatives of the Youth Advisory Council, and Erasmus+ program alumni.
UN Security Council meetings
UN Security Council is expected to vote on draft resolution renewing mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, which expires Monday. It will be followed by consultations on the situation in the Middle East and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Maldives president visits Singapore
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is paying an official trip to Singapore – his first since taking office. During his visit, set to last through July 2, Muizzu is expected to meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
South Korea’s ousted President Yoon faces fresh questioning
South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol faces second round of questioning by special counsel team in connection with insurrection charges related to his failed Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing addressing current global and regional events, including trade deals with the US.
Japanese government news conference
Japanese government to hold regular news conference in Tokyo expected to cover current global and regional events.
Monitoring political crisis in Taiwan
Monitoring political developments as ruling and opposition parties continue fight since regional leader William Lai’s administration has been rendered toothless by parliament. Opposition parties dominate parliament, which has made it tough for executive to implement policies. Tensions have exacerbated since Lai’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party launched controversial recall vote for main opposition KMT lawmakers. If passed, opposition will lose its majority.
UK trade minister meeting Taiwanese leader
UK Policy and Economic Security Trade Minister Douglas Alexander meeting with top Taiwanese official William Lai Ching-te. Meeting comes as part of annual trade talks between London and Taipei. Trade between the UK and Taiwan last year reached $12.7 billion.
Rwanda to host Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa
Rwanda to host 2-day Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2025) in capital Kigali. Summit will showcase transformative potential of nuclear innovation in Africa, with a focus on small modular reactors (SMRs), micro reactors, and the enabling policy as well as regulatory frameworks essential for their successful deployment.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s foreign trade
Turkish Statistical Institute will share foreign trade figures for May and unemployment data.
UK GDP
UK statistical office will share GDP figures for the first quarter of the year.
Germany’s import prices
Germany’s Destatis will share import prices for May and provisional inflation figures for June.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Shadow war and more: What could follow fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire?
Report exploring possibilities ahead with tenuous truce between Iran and Israel following days of intense direct combat.
Story lays out various scenarios that could play out in the coming days, including direct renewed conflict or through proxy skirmishes, cyberattacks, and covert action. Experts also weigh in on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political motives, the Trump administration’s nuclear deal efforts, and risks of wider regional instability.
Report has comments from Andreas Krieg, associate professor at King’s College London’s School of Security, and Rob Geist Pinfold, research fellow at the Peace Research Center Prague.
Twice-a-year shot could transform HIV prevention, but can the world afford it?
Report on global implications of FDA approval for lenacapavir, twice-yearly HIV prevention injection hailed as a potential game-changer.
Story explores how the drug could revolutionize HIV prevention, underscoring both the scientific breakthrough and the urgent challenge of ensuring affordable and equitable access. It addresses questions of affordability and funding, generic production, and the political will that could shape how fast the shot reaches those most in need.
Report also touches on broader global health dynamics and has insights from Carmen Perez Casas, head of pandemic preparedness and response at global health initiative Unitaid.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Carmen Perez Casas, head of pandemic preparedness and response at global health initiative Unitaid, on lenacapavir, recently approved twice-a-year shot that could transform HIV prevention.