Efe Ozkan
13 June 2025•Update: 13 June 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, the death toll in the Air India plane crash rising to 265, and the UN General Assembly adopting a resolution urging states to act to ensure Israel complies with international law.
TOP STORIES
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early Friday that his country had launched a military operation against Iran.
"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.
"This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” he added.
At least 265 people were killed while a single passenger survived when an Air India flight to London crashed soon after takeoff from the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday.
The Press Trust of India, citing police, reported that as many as 265 bodies were recovered after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew, crashed into a medical college hostel.
Of the total bodies, 241 aboard Flight AI171 were confirmed dead by Air India while the rest of the deceased are believed to be students and locals.
The UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution Thursday calling on member states to take all measures necessary to ensure Israel's compliance with international law.
The resolution, which also highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Palestine, noted the need for accountability to ensure that Israel respects international law obligations.
Submitted by Spain along with more than 30 other states, the resolution was backed by 149 countries, with 12 voting against and 19 abstaining.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a statement denouncing the escalation in the Middle East following Israeli military strikes on Iranian sites.
- Australia and New Zealand expressed grave concerns over the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran following the Israeli military strikes on Iranian sites.
- Speaking after her return to Paris after being detained earlier this week by Israeli authorities, Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, said that a new aid ship is “almost ready to depart” for Gaza.
- At least 30 people died and dozens went missing after two boats capsized on a river in the western Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a series of high-level talks with European and UK officials in Rome, seeking further sanctions against Russia and greater support for Ukraine’s peace efforts and reconstruction.
- US President Donald Trump signed three separate resolutions, including one blocking California's mandate to gradually phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
- Turkish defense firm Armelsan and Indonesian state-owned enterprise PT-LEN signed an agreement in Jakarta for the firm to protect the country's key facilities from underwater threats.
- UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned that delays in progress risk plunging Yemen back into a wider conflict, citing fragile frontlines and an economy in "free fall."
BUSINESS & THE ECONOMY
Trump says he might raise 25% auto tariff to further protect US auto workers
US President Donald Trump said that he may increase the US’ 25% tariff on imported cars in the "not-too-distant future" to further protect the country’s automotive workers.
"To further defend our auto workers, I imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign automobiles, and investments in American auto manufacturing are surging because of it," Trump said at the White House.
Stating that tariffs should be paid on cars not produced in the US, he said: "This could have been done by any of the presidents. I did it with China. The reason why you don't have Chinese cars here is because I imposed it in my last term."
Boeing shares drop nearly 5% after Air India crash
Boeing shares fell nearly 5% on Thursday following a fatal crash involving an Air India 787-8 Dreamliner, marking the first such accident for the aircraft model.
Flight 171, carrying 242 people, crashed into a medical college shortly after takeoff from the city of Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
