Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, April 4, 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 onslaught despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.

The Israeli offensive, in its 181st day, resulted in killing of nearly 33,000 people and injured about 75,600 others since last October amid a crippling blockade that has left most of the population on the verge of starvation.

Ramallah - Continuous security tension in the West Bank amid almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian towns in the occupied territory, which resulted in the death of at least 456 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023. The number of arrests has risen to nearly 8,000, reaching record highs over nearly 6 months.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Escalating protests to pressure government to resign and reach hostage swap deal with Palestinians.

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at reaching a truce, and return of hostages.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel since last October, said to be the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.

YEMEN

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

IRAN

Tehran - Monitoring developments following multiple attacks reported on police and army bases in southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province.

BELGIUM

Brussels - NATO foreign ministers to attend ceremony marking 75th foundation anniversary of the military alliance. Ministers will also discuss Ukraine’s current and future needs at NATO-Ukraine Council, meet counterparts from Indo-Pacific partners and European Union.

GERMANY

Berlin - Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to hold news conference on plans to modernize country’s armed forces to make it capable of addressing new security challenges.

UK

London - Defense Ministry to publish annual statistics on suicides and open verdict deaths among UK armed forces.

RUSSIA

Moscow - President Vladimir Putin will hold meeting with government over implementation of development programs and their extension for 2025-2030.

Moscow - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in round table devoted to situation in Ukraine with participation of ambassadors of over 70 countries.

TAJIKISTAN

Dushanbe - Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov to pay working visit.

TÜRKİYE

Ankara - National Security Council to meet under chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at presidential complex. It will address strategic, regional and national security issues. Regional issues, including Gaza, will be on agenda.

Ankara - National Defense Ministry to hold background meeting on defense issues, including Türkiye’s fight against terrorism.

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town – National Assembly expected to vote for new speaker after Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula resigned amid ongoing corruption investigations against her.

ZIMBABWE

Harare - Drought situation in Southern Africa where millions of people are facing food shortages, forcing several countries to declare state of emergency.

KENYA

Nairobi - Doctors' strike continues for third week after health workers representatives and government failed to reach a deal.

TAIWAN

Taipei - Aftermath of 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed nine people and injured more than 800 others.

CHINA

Beijing - Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to pay weeklong visit. Besides Beijing, she will also visit Sichuan and is expected to meet Chinese leadership as well civil society members.

Beijing - Laos Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas expected to meet Chinese leadership.

KOREAN PENINSULA

Seoul / Pyongyang - Tensions after North Korea's latest missile launches and joint aerial drills by South Korea, US and Japan. Pyongyang has test-fired Hwasongpho-16B, a new type of intermediate-range solid-fueled ballistic missile loaded with a newly developed hypersonic gliding warhead.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Suo moto hearing of case on letter of by six high court judges accusing intelligence of influencing outcome of court proceedings.

US

Washington - President Joe Biden to host reception celebrating Greek Independence Day.

Washington - Monitoring statements from Biden administration regarding situation in Gaza amid Israeli attacks and potential protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Washington - Developments after Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza. Israel has claimed killing was unintentional.

New York - UN Security Council to convene for open briefing on situatiton in Myanmar. Anticipated briefers are Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari and OCHA’s Director of the Financing and Partnerships Division Lisa Doughten.

THE ECONOMY

Luxemburg – Eurozone producer inflation figure for February to be announced. In January, industrial producer prices in the euro area fell by 8.6% year-on-year and 0.9% month-on-month.

Ankara - Turkish Trade Ministry to release provisional data of Türkiye's trade balance for March.

SPORTS

London – Chelsea to host Manchester United in English Premier League week 31 match.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Young and angry: The Danes taking a stand for Palestine

By Ebad Ahmed

Prague, Czech Republic – Report about the Palestine Solidarity Network in Denmark, a group that is part of a larger pro-Palestine umbrella movement.

The story focuses on the group’s ongoing protests, which include a blockade of the offices of weapons manufacturer TERMA, and how Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza has impacted wider Danish society.

It includes interviews with a spokesperson for the Danish group and journalist Lena Hunter, editor of the weekly newspaper Copenhagen Post.

As Sonko and Faye take charge, what lies ahead for Senegal?

By Aurore Bonny

Douala, Cameroon – Report about the potential political course for Senegal, where opposition leaders Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko have taken over as president and prime minister after the March 24 elections.

The story explores the potential plans and strategies of the duo, as well as the myriad of challenges and obstacles they will face in office. It also delves into the regional implications and other geopolitical issues.

The report includes interviews with Senegalese political consultant Ibrahima Ba, political analyst Abdias Codjo Orisha, and Regis Hounkpe, head of political consultancy Interglobe Conseils.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Report about the Palestine Solidarity Network in Denmark, a group staging protests in the country to build pressure on the government over its support for Israel, including an interview with a spokesperson of the movement.