Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague - International Court of Justice (ICJ) set to issue ruling on South Africa’s request for provisional measures to end bloodshed in Gaza Strip, where more than 25,000 people have been killed since Oct. 7. Ruling will come after 2-day hearing earlier this month in case brought by South Africa against Israel, specifically alleging Israeli violations of its obligations under Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crime of Genocide. Ruling will not determine whether or not Israel is committing genocide, with experts saying that ruling on overall genocide case could take years.

Reactions from all over world, including Israel, Palestinian factions, and Palestinian Authority, as well as views from legal experts, are expected following ruling.

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza on 111th day of offensive, with death toll at 25,700, and 63,740 others also injured. Israeli army persists intensifying its ground operation in city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip by targeting displaced individuals in UN shelters, in addition to killing displaced individuals in Gaza City trying to get humanitarian aid, resulting in dozens of fatalities and injuries.

Ramallah - Daily Israeli incursions into West Bank cities and towns, continuing at a high pace since offensive on Gaza started on Oct. 7. Latest death toll in West Bank climbed to nearly 373, while 4,200 have been injured. Arrests since Oct. 7 have reached 6,255.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet top legal officials ahead of ICJ ruling on Gaza genocide case.

Tel Aviv - Ongoing rallies against Israeli government demanding release of hostages.

Tel Aviv - Indirect negotiations process between Hamas and Israel on cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap deal. Qatar told Israel on Thursday that Palestinian group Hamas has suspended talks for deal, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing source familiar with talks.

LEBANON

Beirut - Tensions between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah on borders. Israel on Thursday threatened if Hezbollah doesn't withdraw from border area “Lebanon will face a devastating blow it won't recover from,” said Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Escalated tensions in Red Sea over attacks on commercial ships between Yemen’s Houthis and retaliation by US and UK. Houthis on Wednesday said they hit American warship and forced two commercial vessels to retreat after clash with its forces in Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, warning it will attack all Israeli-bound ships to support Palestinians amid Israel's “aggression and siege” in Gaza.

BELGIUM

Brussels - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to receive Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic at NATO headquarters, followed by joint news conference.

US

Washington - Monitoring statements from Biden administration on Gaza conflict and protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Florida - Hearing in lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union and Palestine Legal against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida education officials. Lawsuit claims DeSantis violated First Amendment when he ordered removal of support for Students for Justice in Palestine, a campus activist group, from University of Florida and University of South Florida.

TÜRKİYE

Istanbul - Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron. All aspects of bilateral relations, as well as current regional and international issues, set to be discussed.

Istanbul - Communications Director Fahrettin Altun to address Media's Struggle for Truth in Gaza War: Violence, Disinformation, Censorship symposium organized by Communications Directorate. 2-day symposium set to discuss press members' struggle for truth during war, access to accurate information, safety of journalists, and role of international media.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to chair 26th meeting of Working Group on Cooperation with Russian Orthodox Church.

CHINA

Beijing - China and Thailand to sign mutual visa exemption agreement to boost tourism. Under agreement, effective as of this March, the countries will waive visa requirements for each other's citizens.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold news conference.

INDIA

New Delhi - India to celebrate 75th Republic Day on Friday with main event to be held in capital New Delhi. French President Emmanuel Macron will be chief guest of function.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Pakistan and Iran expected to send back ambassadors to their respective posts following recent exchange of missile attacks on each other’s territories. Earlier Pakistan Foreign Ministry said that Islamabad and Tehran mutually agreed that ambassadors of both countries may return to their respective posts by Jan. 26.

SPORTS

Melbourne - Novak Djokovic to face Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev to take on Alexander Zverev in 2024 Australian Open men's singles semifinal round.

Istanbul - Anadolu Efes to host Monaco of France in Round 23 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel genocide case: Experts lay out scenarios for ICJ provisional measures ruling

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Report on ruling set to be delivered by International Court of Justice (ICJ) on South Africa’s request for provisional measures in its genocide case against Israel.

Report includes comments from various legal experts explaining process and sharing their expectations for Friday’s ruling, including Mike Becker, assistant professor of international human rights law at Trinity College Dublin and a former ICJ staffer, and Gerhard Kemp, professor of law and board member of Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.

‘Indescribable pain’: Doctor evacuated from Gaza recounts days of horror

By Dilara Hamit

Ankara – Interview with Moamen Shabet, Palestinian physiotherapist who was evacuated from Gaza during Israel’s ongoing war on besieged territory.

Shabet narrates his painful experiences working in Gaza’s major hospitals to help with immense patient load as Israeli attacks killed and wounded thousands.

Shabet also speaks about personal suffering that he and his family went through, while also sharing his hopes and aspirations for future of Gaza and Palestine.

World’s oldest working astronomical clock ticks away in heart of Prague

By Burak Bir

Prague – Report on world’s oldest functioning astronomical clock in Czech Republic’s capital Prague.

Story includes details on revered medieval monument, which was installed in 1410 during Bohemian Golden Age and continues to draw visitors from around world.

Report also includes interviews with a tour guide and a tourist, who speak about history of clock and their experiences in the city.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Moamen Shabet, Palestinian physiotherapist evacuated from Gaza during Israel’s ongoing war, about his time in besieged, bombarded Palestinian territory.

VIDEO – Report on world’s oldest functioning astronomical clock in Prague, detailing its history and including interviews with visitors at site.