Diary

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

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its relentless offensive on the besieged enclave on its 172nd day, killing more than 32,300 people and injuring over 74,500 others. A crippling blockade in the enclave has left most of the population on the verge of starvation. The Israeli army has been continuing its attacks around the Al-Shifa Hospital for more than week.

Ramallah - Security tension in the West Bank due to escalating Israeli army actions since the outbreak of the offensive on Gaza. Military raids have resulted in the death of nearly 450 Palestinians and injured around 4,750 others. The number of arrests has also risen to a record 7,770.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Escalating protests in Israel to pressurize the government in concluding an agreement with Hamas for release of hostages held in Gaza.

Reactions by Israeli officials on the UN Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza in the month of Ramadan.

QATAR

Doha - Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a hostage-prisoner swap and cease-fire agreement in Gaza Strip.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border attacks between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tension in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against targets inside Yemen.

UK

London - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to appear before the Commons Liaison Committee. Themes for this session are global issues, the economy and public services, and government's ability to plan strategically. Questions regarding the latest situation in the Middle East are likely.

London - The Foreign Affairs Select Committee to hold oral evidence session as part of its inquiry into the UK’s engagement with the Middle East and North Africa. Witnesses include former UK ambassadors to Qatar, Oman and Syria and President at Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy Radwan Masmoudi. Questions regarding the UK policies in the Middle East and Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza are likely.

London - High Court to hand down judgment in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's appeal against his impending extradition to the US.

London - Defense Secretary Grant Shapps to appear at a one-off meeting of the Defense Committee. Questions on UK weapon sales are likely.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - UN Human Rights Council to hold debate on human rights in Palestine. Agenda includes an interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. This is to be followed by presentation of reports of the high commissioner and the secretary-general.

Geneva - Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov to hold news conference in wake of last week's deadly terrorist attack in Moscow.

BELGIUM

Brussels - Farmers plan a new demonstration, and around 300 tractors are expected to rally near the EU Commission headquarters.

RUSSIA

Moscow - President Vladimir Putin to present awards to young cultural figures in the field of literature and art.

Moscow - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to hold talks with his Namibian counterpart Peya Mushelenga.

US

Washington - President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to travel to North Carolina, attend campaign reception.

Washington - Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to host his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant for talks at Pentagon. According to US officials, Gallant is expected to ask for more US weaponry and equipment to support Israel’s war in Gaza.

Washington - Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein at State Department.

Washington - Independent candidate for US presidential election Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to announce his choice of running mate.

New York - UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland to brief UN Security Council members on situation in Middle East, including Palestinian question.

BANGLADESH

Dhaka - Bangladesh to celebrate 54th Independence and National Day; President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expected to deliver statements.

CHINA

Hainan - Annual Boao Forum for Asia set to open in the southern resort town. Participants from around the world are expected to focus on economy, investments, financial cooperation as well as efforts to build Asia into a growth center.

Beijing - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to pay working visit; expected to meet Premier Li Qiang, as well as President Xi Jinping.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference with focus on disputed South China Sea.

KOREAN PENINSULA

Pyongyang - Monitoring North Korea’s response to proposal of summit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with leader Kim Jong-un.

INDIA

New Delhi - Members from Aam Admi Party to march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence against the arrest of party head and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He was arrested last week in a graft case.

SENEGAL

Dakar - Victory celebrations across Senegal after President Macky Sall congratulated opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye for winning Sunday’s presidential election.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Electoral court to decide if uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) political party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma, will be allowed to contest May 29 elections. The ruling ANC approached court to stop the MK from contesting.

ZAMBIA

Lusuka - Turkish aid organization TIKA to make a food donation to the Zambian Disaster and Management unit following a drought in the Southern African nation.

BUSINESS

Washington – US to release house price index for January.

SPORTS

Cardiff / Wroclaw / Tbilisi - Wales to face Poland, Ukraine to meet Iceland, Georgia to take on Greece in UEFA EURO 2024 playoffs' finals in paths A, B, C. Each winning nation in Path A, B, C to join 21 already-qualified teams. EURO 2024 in Germany to begin in June.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Palestine Cola’ hits markets amid global boycott of Western companies linked to Israel

By Leila Nezirevic

London – Report about the soft drink Palestine Cola launched by two Palestinian brothers Mohamed and Ahmad Hassoun in the Swedish city of Malmo, as part of efforts to replace products from companies linked to Israel.

The story includes an interview with Mohamed Kiswani, press officer of the Swedish company that helped launch the drink, who explains how they came up with the product and managed to bring it to the distribution stage.

He also speaks about the importance of their initiative in the wider international boycott movement against Israeli-linked products, as well as the support and backing they have received from different parts of the world.

Saving costs, time and more: How AI is reshaping global tourism industry

By Salman Ahmed

Berlin – Report about the impact of artificial intelligence on the travel and tourism industry.

The story explains how AI technologies are changing various aspects of the industry, particularly the way they are reshaping travel searches and booking methods.

It includes interviews with experts and officials of travel companies at a recent tourism exhibition in Berlin, including Ivan Yuschenka, director of business development at RateHawk; Ricky Acedo of CloudBeds; Wilhem Rabsztyn of BookBoost; and Michael Mitterhofer, CEO at Re:Guest.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Report about the soft drink Palestine Cola launched by two Palestinian brothers Mohamed and Ahmad Hassoun as part of efforts to replace products from companies linked to Israel, including an interview with Mohamed Kiswani, press officer of the Swedish company that helped launch the drink.

VIDEO – Report detailing the positive impacts of artificial intelligence on the travel and tourism industry, including interviews with various experts and officials of travel companies, who explain how AI technologies are changing various aspects of the industry.