Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, May 30, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal talks

The latest developments in Gaza ceasefire efforts as Netanyahu announced his acceptance of a new outline put forward by US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, while the Palestinian group Hamas confirmed it had received the new proposal from mediators and is currently studying its terms.

The framework that Hamas accepted Wednesday includes a full Israeli withdrawal, unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, the release of 10 Israeli hostages and the remains of others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the formation of a professional committee to manage Gaza post-war.

Expectations now center on Hamas’ formal response to the Witkoff proposal, which could determine the trajectory of ceasefire talks in the coming days. Mediators are expected to intensify their efforts to bridge remaining gaps, aiming to secure a deal that would halt the fighting and facilitate a prisoner exchange.

Famine threat deepens in Gaza amid breakdown of Israeli-US aid distribution efforts

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate as famine looms over hundreds of thousands, compounded by the collapse of aid distribution mechanisms backed by Israeli and US authorities. Recent disruptions, overcrowding, and lack of access have underscored the failure of improvised aid models to meet urgent civilian needs.

Aid agencies and international bodies are expected to renew pressure for the restoration of impartial, large-scale humanitarian operations with guaranteed access. Calls are mounting for the immediate reopening of Gaza’s crossings to prevent further starvation and displacement.

Humanitarian crisis deepens in Sudan as displacement surges and health risks mount

The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate as intensified fighting fuels large-scale displacement and strains relief efforts. Aid organizations report severe shortages of food, water, shelter, and healthcare across multiple regions, including Darfur and greater Khartoum.

Humanitarian actors anticipate a further rise in displacement and disease outbreaks, including cholera, if access restrictions and security risks persist. International pressure is expected to increase for safe humanitarian corridors and urgent funding to scale up emergency response.

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

The service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing.

Human-caused climate change added a month of extreme heat for 4B people - report

Human-caused climate change added an average of 30 days of extreme heat for about half of the world’s population over the past year, according to a report by the World Weather Attribution, Climate Central, and Red Cross Climate Centre. The report, published ahead of Heat Action Day (June 2), suggests that all 67 major heat events in the past year were made more likely by climate change.

Kazakh capital to host 1st Central Asia-Italy summit

Kazakhstan's capital Astana to host the inaugural Central Asia-Italy summit with the participation of the leaders of the five regional countries. As part of the summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will arrive in Kazakhstan following a two-day visit to neighboring Uzbekistan, where she met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and is expected to hold talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other regional leaders.

Bangladeshi head of government meets Japanese premier

Bangladeshi interim government head Muhammad Yunus meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo. The two sides are expected to discuss “strategic bilateral” issues.

Hong Kong hosts signing of Convention on Establishment of International Organization for Mediation

The Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation is signed in Hong Kong. The convention aims to resolve international disputes through mediation. Several top officials are attending the ceremony, including China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and high-level representatives from nearly 60 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, as well as around 20 international organizations, including the UN.

Shangri-La dialogue opens in Singapore

The internationally acclaimed security forum, the Shangri-La Dialogue, opens in Singapore. Hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, French President Emmanuel Macron, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are scheduled to address the annual summit running Sunday. Chinese Defense chief Dong Jun is giving a miss to this high-profile event.

Australian, Japanese, US defense chiefs meet in Singapore

Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani meet on the sidelines of the annual security summit in Singapore. They are expected to discuss regional security matters.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s GDP

The Turkish Statistical Institute will announce GDP figures for the first quarter of 2025 and unemployment figures for April. It expanded by 3% in the last quarter of 2024.

Germany’s inflation and import prices

Germany’s Destatis will release the import prices index for April. Import prices rose by 2.1% in March on a yearly basis. The country will also share inflation data for May.

SPECIAL REPORTS

FACTBOX - Poland presidential runoff: All you need to know

Explainer on Poland’s presidential runoff set for June 1, where voters face a choice between nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki and liberal contender Rafal Trzaskowski.

The story provides a summary of first-round results and presents details of both candidates’ campaign pledges and stated policy plans, particularly on key issues such as migration policies, judicial reform, and EU alignment.

The report also includes data from the latest polls, information on the electoral process, and the main issues that could shape voting trends in the high-stakes presidential runoff.

Poland presidential runoff: Crucial battle to have pivotal impact on Europe’s future, say experts

Report on Poland’s June 1 presidential runoff between liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski and nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki, outlining the key ideological divide and what the result could mean for the country’s democratic reform, foreign policy, and role within NATO and the EU.

Experts explain how the outcome will determine whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European agenda advances or stalls, as the president holds veto power over legislation. They emphasize that the result will also test the resilience of Poland’s democratic institutions and shape its leadership role on NATO’s eastern flank.

The report includes interviews with Anna Grzymala-Busse, professor of international studies at Stanford University; Bartosz Rydlinski, assistant professor of political science at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw; and political analyst Stuart Dowell.