Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City – Humanitarian and military situation in Gaza amid Israeli offensive, on its 138th day, which has killed nearly 29,313 people and injured 69,333 others amid mass destruction, deepening famine, and shortages of necessities as World Food Program halted aid deliveries in northern Gaza due to security concerns.

Ramallah – Daily military incursions by Israeli army into Palestinian cities in occupied West Bank, which killed at least 400 Palestinians and injured over 4,500 others since Oct. 7. Number of arrests has risen to nearly 7,150, reaching record highs over approximately 4 months, topping those seen on an annual basis in previous years.

LEBANON

Beirut – Border tensions between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchanges of gunfire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

SYRIA

Damascus – Occasional Israeli attacks on Iranian-backed groups and military posts belonging to army in Syria. Israeli fighter jets on Wednesday targeted residential building in capital Damascus, killing two civilians and injuring another, according to regime-run SANA news agency.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Escalating tensions in Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen, with Houthis threatening to respond to any European attempt to send naval missions to protect Israeli ships in Red Sea.

THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague – International Court of Justice hearings on Israeli practices in Occupied Palestinian Territory to continue. China, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, and Lebanon, among others, are expected to speak to the court on Thursday.

UK

London – Release of research by charity Action for Children examining number of UK families with children who are living in poverty, despite being in full-time employment.

US

Washington - Desk to monitor statements from Biden administration on ongoing conflict in Gaza and protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Washington - Marquette Law School Poll to release national poll covering issues such as Republicans’ presidential nomination preferences, support among Democrats for President Joe Biden, and views on potential head-to-heads for general election.

New York - UN Security Council to get briefing followed by consultations on Middle East during closed session, including Palestinian question.

BRAZIL

Rio de Janeiro - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend session on global governance reform at G20 foreign ministers meeting.

Rio de Janeiro - Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira hosts G20 counterparts for second day. Today discussions focus on reforming global governance.

Rio de Janeiro - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to attend session on global governance reform at G20 foreign ministers meeting. He will later hold press briefing.

BENIN

Cotonou- West African regional bloc ECOWAS and government of Benin will to begin 2-day ECOWAS Mining and Petroleum Forum (ECOMOF 2024).

DRC

Goma - Humanitarian crisis, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where a million people have been displaced due to ongoing clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese armed forces.

CHINA

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold news conference.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Two major parties have decided to form next government after Feb. 8 elections while party of jailed Imran Khan has said it should be allowed to form government though it does not have required numbers.

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul - Military opened its health facilities for civilian patients amid strike by junior doctors in country, throwing health system out of gear. Doctors are protesting increase in number of medical school admissions.

ECONOMY

Luxembourg – Eurostat to release annual inflation figures for January. Rate rose to 2.9% in December from 2.4% in November but expected to drop slightly to 2.8% in January.

Ankara – Turkish Central Bank to release interest rate decision. In January, bank raised rate by 250 basis points to 45% and is expected to keep rate constant at this meeting.

Washington – US to reveal weekly initial jobless claim figures and existing home sales figures for January.

Paris – OECD to release international trade figures for its area.

SPORTS

UEFA Europa League, Conference League playoff second-leg matches to be played.

PRAGUE / ROME - Galatasaray to face Sparta Prague at Epet ARENA while Roma to take on Feyenoord at Stadio Olimpico in Europa League playoff second leg. Galatasaray get comeback 3-2 win over Sparta Prague in Rams Park, Feyenoord held to 1-1 draw with Roma at Feyenoord Stadium in first legs.

BODO, Norway - Bodo/Glimt to host Ajax in Conference League playoff second leg at Aspmyra stadium. Ajax draw 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt at Amsterdam's Johan Cruijff ArenA in first leg.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW – US senator lauds ‘positive’ relations with ‘important ally’ Türkiye

By Hassan Mekki

Istanbul – Interview with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is visiting Türkiye and held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Interview focuses on Turkish-US relations and recent positive developments in bilateral ties, including Washington’s approval for F-16 sales to Ankara.

Shaheen emphasizes that US views Türkiye as crucial ally, speaking about various areas where two countries have mutual interests and outlining avenues of closer future cooperation, including in projects in Africa.

She also touches on Türkiye’s concerns over situation in Syria, stressing that Washington is open to discussions to address issue and is looking for opportunities to work together “more positively.”

INTERVIEW – Gaza war shows how power of Muslims in US is easily blown away by events outside: American Muslim scholar

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul – Interview with prominent Muslim scholar and activist Omar Suleiman about how Israel’s war on Gaza has impacted life for Muslims in US.

Suleiman speaks about Biden administration’s policy of staunch support for Israel, saying US government is just as guilty of “genocide” being perpetrated in Gaza.

He explains how Muslims in US are viewing upcoming presidential elections, particularly calling on community to hold President Joe Biden and all other politicians accountable through ballot.

Suleiman also delves into issue of boycotts of commercial brands for their support of Israel, as well as raising American public’s awareness of Palestinian cause.

INTERVIEW – Bombs, death and horror: Doctor back from Gaza shares Nasser Hospital ordeal

By Dilara Hamit

Ankara – Interview with Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency room physician who recently returned to US after weeks volunteering at Nasser Hospital in Gaza Strip.

He speaks about conditions in Gaza and Israeli attacks on enclave’s medical infrastructure, specifically sharing his experiences working at Nasser Hospital, which is medical facility being targeted by Israeli forces.

Ahmad also goes into his own “survivor’s guilt” for having left enclave, while paying tribute to doctors, medical workers, and people of Gaza, and calling for urgent action from international community to stop Israel’s deadly war.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with prominent Muslim scholar and activist Omar Suleiman, where he speaks about how Israel’s war on Gaza has impacted life for Muslims in US, community’s views on President Joe Biden and upcoming elections, and boycotts of commercial brands supporting Israel.

VIDEO – Interview with Dr. Thaer Ahmad, physician who recently returned to US after volunteering at Nasser Hospital in Gaza Strip, who shares his experiences and gives details about conditions in besieged Palestinian enclave.