Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, May 23, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

5th round of Iran-US indirect nuclear talks

Italy is set to host the fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran on Friday in its capital Rome amid growing skepticism in Tehran.

Official statements are anticipated from the US, Iran, and Oman following the talks, clarifying each side’s stance on the main areas of disagreement.

Israel allows aid trucks into Gaza after nearly 3-month closure

Israel allows limited humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza for the first time since the closure of key border crossings on March 2, yet the Palestinian Red Crescent and UN agencies report that no aid has reached civilians. Warnings continue over severe hunger, medical shortages, and the collapse of essential services.

An estimated number of 500 aid trucks and 50 fuel trucks are needed daily to meet critical needs.

Continued restrictions and delays risk worsening the crisis, with growing fears of famine, disease outbreaks, and starvation-related mortality across the Gaza Strip.

⁠Retaliatory attacks escalate between Israel and Yemen’s Houthis

The cycle of retaliation between Israel and Houthis after the Yemeni group launched a ballistic missile toward Tel Aviv and drone strikes on Haifa, prompting Israeli interceptions and subsequent airstrikes on targets in Yemen.

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

The UN Information Service will share its agenda shortly before the briefing.

London march against UK government’s weapon sales to Israel

Emergency protest “Stop Arming Israel” to be held in London.

Trump to sign executive orders

US President Donald Trump to sign unspecified executive orders in the Oval Office. The signings are currently listed as closed press, but past events have been opened to the in-town pool.

UN Security Council debate on civilian killings in armed conflicts

The UN Security Council to continue open debate over the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Türkiye is expected to deliver remarks.

Vance to visit Maryland

US Vice President JD Vance to deliver commencement address at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Pro-Israel scholar's address in Florida

Pro-Israel legal scholar Alan Dershowitz to deliver the annual commencement address to graduates of the New College of Florida.

Russian foreign minister to attend conference on South Russia regions

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in a conference on the South Russia regions organized by the Russian Diplomatic Academy. The meeting is expected to be attended by heads and representatives of “friendly” countries’ embassies, and international organizations accredited in Moscow. The minister will share Russian assessments of the current situation in and around Ukraine.

Turkish President Erdogan to attend International Family Forum

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the International Family Forum at Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel.

Japan’s top trade negotiator flies to US for tariff talks

Japan’s top trade negotiator Akazawa Ryosei flies to the US for the third round of tariff talks in Washington, DC. Tokyo has repeatedly called on the Trump administration to eliminate its additional tariffs on aluminum, steel, and auto exports.

Chinese Foreign Ministry holds regular briefing

The Foreign Ministry is expected to deliver statements on China’s foreign policy line, especially on the US, conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Japanese government holds news conference in Tokyo

The Japanese government spokesman holds regular news conference in Tokyo. The spokesman is expected to deliver statements on national and international issues, including North Korea’s failure to launch warship, as well as tariff negotiations with the US.

THE ECONOMY

UK retail sales

The UK will release retail sales figures for April. The sales unexpectedly rose 0.4% month-on-month in March.

Germany’s GDP

Destatis will share the final GDP growth figures for the first quarter. The German economy contracted 0.2% on a yearly basis in the first quarter, according to official preliminary estimates.

Türkiye’s monthly tourism

TurkStat will release the monthly foreign arrivals figures for April. The tourist arrivals fell 13.1% year-on-year in March.

Türkiye’s company statistics

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye will share established and closed companies figures for April.

US new home sales

US will share its new home sales figures for April. The sales rose 7.4% to 724,000 in the previous month. Market expects 700,000 new home sales in April.

G20 int’l trade

The OECD will release G20’s international trade figures.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Ramaphosa in US: How did South African president fare in tense Trump encounter?

Report on the key outcomes of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the US, which came during a time of heightened tensions with the Trump administration.

The story details Ramaphosa’s exchanges with Donald Trump, where the US president accused South Africa of persecuting white Afrikaner farmers and criticized its land expropriation policy. Experts analyze how Ramaphosa rejected these claims calmly, emphasizing democratic pluralism and focusing on trade, investments, and US participation in the November G20 summit in Johannesburg.

The report includes interviews with South African foreign policy expert Bongiwe Mphahlele; Andre Duvenhage, a politics professor at South Africa’s North-West University; and Brooks Spector, a former US diplomat who served in Africa and East Asia.

UK’s tougher tone on Israel simply a ‘strategic calculation’ driven by legal, political pressure: Experts

Report questioning the reasons for Britain’s suddenly critical stance toward Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which comes amid growing public pressure, legal challenges, and a similar shift in Washington.

The story details the harsher rhetoric adopted by UK leaders in recent days, with experts analyzing how this is not any sort of moral awakening but strategic repositioning driven by factors including public outrage, disillusioned voters, and criticism across party lines.

The report includes interviews with Ceren Kenar, a senior foreign affairs consultant in London, and Iain Overton, executive director of Action on Armed Violence, who sheds light on the issue of the UK’s legal and moral complicity through its arms sales to Israel.

What does Nicusor Dan’s election win mean for Romania’s future?

Report analyzing the result of the high-stakes presidential election in Romania that saw centrist Nicusor Dan defeating right-wing nationalist George Simion.

The story explores the key reasons for Dan’s success, particularly given Simion’s strong first-round performance, and breaks down the implications for Romania’s domestic and foreign policies. It also delves into the various challenges facing Dan, including cobbling together a coalition and strategizing for possible legislative roadblocks ahead.

The report includes an interview with Aurelian Muntean, a political science professor at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Romanian political science professor Aurelian Muntean about the country’s high-stakes presidential election won by Nicusor Dan and the implications for Romania’s domestic and foreign policies.