ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, October 13, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Exchange of hostages, prisoners between Israel, Hamas under ceasefire deal
The process of exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas is underway.
Seven Israeli hostages were handed over to Red Cross, as others are expected to be released in coming hours.
Egypt hosts Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit to end Gaza war
Egypt hosts an international peace summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh “to end the war in the Gaza Strip and enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas,” according to the Egyptian Presidency.
Speeches are expected as leaders from more than 20 countries, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will participate in the summit, co-chaired by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his US counterpart Donald Trump.
European leaders, including European Council President Antonio Costa, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will attend the summit.
The EU reiterates its support for a two-state solution and the US-led ceasefire agreement, expressing its willingness to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction and to take part in peacebuilding activities.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also attend the summit and the signing ceremony of the agreement.
Trump visits Israel
US President Donald Trump is also visiting Israel as part of his trip to mark the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces in Gaza to agreed positions.
EU Commission president visits Albania
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will start her visit to the Western Balkans, meeting with Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama. She will also participate in the opening ceremony of the EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum.
OSCE chief to visit Azerbaijan
Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to visit Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia on Oct. 13-15 for meetings with high-level government officials, as well as representatives of civil society and think tanks. The agenda includes, among other items, the progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, with particular attention to the conclusion of the OSCE Minsk Process and its related structures.
Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions continue
Border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue despite a thaw in clashes after mediation from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. With both sides claiming to have inflicted "heavy losses" on each other, the latest clashes have led to the closure of two key crossings, leaving thousands stranded on both sides of the border.
Xi addresses Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing
China's President Xi Jinping addresses the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing. Co-hosted by China and UN Women, the two-day meeting will run through Tuesday.
Islamabad hosts top lawmakers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan
Islamabad hosts a conference of the top lawmakers from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan to foster parliamentary cooperation among the three nations. Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, and Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis Speaker Sahiba Gafarova will head their delegations.
Kurtulmus will also be received by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and visit the Pakistani National Disaster Management Agency.
Rwanda to host continental health tech summit
Rwanda to host the fourth edition of the Africa HealthTech Summit in Kigali. The three-day summit will gather health and information ministers, regulators, professionals, investors, and academics to explore how emerging technologies can strengthen health systems and improve wellbeing across Africa.
Top Indian, Canadian diplomats meet in New Delhi
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar hosts his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in New Delhi for talks. This high-level meeting comes after the two "strategic" allies saw ties spiral down last year. The two are set to discuss trade, energy, and security.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's current account
The Turkish Central Bank to announce current account figures for August. In July, the account posted a surplus of $1.77 billion.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Canadian Indigenous activist recounts Israeli detention in Gaza aid flotilla attack
Interview with Mskwaasin Agnew, a Cree and Dene activist from Salt River First Nation, who was among six Canadians detained by Israel after joining the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla.
Agnew, who was held for more than a day by Israeli forces that attacked the flotilla in international waters, condemns Israel’s violation of international law and its genocidal war on Gaza.
She also likens the Palestinian resistance to Indigenous struggles in Canada, stressing that both “people would die for the land,” and calls on the Canadian government to work for sanctions and other measures against Israel.
Shrinking forests, rising peril: Asian elephants face an uncertain future
Report on the decline of Asian elephants, now fewer than 50,000 in the wild, as shrinking habitats, rising human conflict, and poaching threaten their survival across 13 countries.
The story explores how rapid development has fragmented elephant ranges in Asia, increasing deadly encounters with people. Experts discuss the elephants’ role as keystone species, the ecological impact of their loss, and the need for long-term strategies like habitat connectivity and cross-border conservation plans.
The report features insights from Nilanga Jayasinghe, WWF’s Asian elephant lead; Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia director Pablo Sinovas; and P.S. Easa, a member of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Canadian Indigenous activist Mskwaasin Agnew, who was among six Canadians detained by Israel after its attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla.