Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, April 5, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - The humanitarian and military situation in the Gaza Strip, as Israel continues its relentless onslaught despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the besieged enclave.

The Israeli offensive, now in its 182nd day, has killed over 33,000 Palestinians and injured about 75,600 others since last October, resulting in the complete destruction of Gaza, and leaving the majority of the population on the verge of starvation.

Ramallah - Security tensions in the West Bank remain high due to almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian towns in the occupied territory, which have killed at least 456 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023. The number of arrests has risen to nearly 8,000, reaching a record high over the last six months and exceeding previous years' annual totals.

Restrictions on Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem remain in place, tensions between Palestinians and Israeli forces expected to rise during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan's final Friday prayer.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Protests against the Israeli government continue to grow, intending to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration to resign for failing to reach a hostage swap deal with Hamas.

The indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo and Doha aimed to reach a hostage swap deal and a cease-fire in Gaza.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border attacks between the Lebanon-based resistance group Hezbollah and Israel, which began last October, are at their deadliest since a full-scale war in 2006.

The attacks forced nearly 100,000 Lebanese to flee their homes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Rising tensions in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties to Israel, as well as US airstrikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen, raising fears about a significant disruption to maritime traffic on one of the world's busiest oil and fuel routes.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly press briefing, statements expected on the most recent developments and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Geneva - The 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which began on Feb. 26, will end with the announcement of decisions and conclusions.

BELGIUM

Brussels - Europol will present the findings of its report on the most threatening criminal networks in the EU. The report is the first of its kind to thoroughly examine the characteristics that make criminal actors especially dangerous to the EU's internal security.

UZBEKISTAN

Khiva - Visiting Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will hold an informal meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

US

Washington - President Joe Biden to visit the US city of Baltimore after last week's collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge that was struck by a cargo ship.

New York - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to hold a news conference.

New York - President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar to talk to reporters at UN headquarters.

New York - UN Security Council to hold a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including Palestinians.

TRNC

LEFKOSA - Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz to hold a press conference at Ercan Airport and meet with the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Unal Ustel.

ZIMBABWE

Harare - The government is expected to launch a structured currency to help mitigate the region's ongoing currency exchange rate volatility.

ETHIOPIA

Addis Ababa - The Foreign Ministry is expected to respond to Somalia's decision to expel Ethiopia's ambassador and close several of its consulates.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Election campaigns will continue across the country, with 325 political parties contesting the May 29 Parliamentary and Provincial elections.

Johannesburg - Doctors Without Borders to hold a press briefing on the current situation in Gaza.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Protest rallies are expected across Pakistan to mark "Quds Day," which is observed on the last Friday of the Islamic month of fasting Ramadan when Muslims around the world come together in solidarity and support of the Palestinians and against Israel.

TAIWAN

Taipei - Search and rescue teams are working to locate 15 missing people following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday, killing nine and injuring over 1,000.

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul - Two-day early voting for next week's parliamentary elections kicks off. Eligible voters can cast ballots at 3,565 polling stations nationwide from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).

INDIA

New Delhi - Main opposition Indian National Congress party to release election manifesto ahead of this month’s general polls.

THE ECONOMY

Berlin - Destatis to reveal Germany’s factory orders for February. Germany’s January factory plummeted 11.3% on a monthly basis, marking the steepest decline in 6 months following an upwardly revised 12% hike in the prior month.

Ankara - Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to reveal cash realizations for March.

The Turkish Treasury's cash balance saw a deficit of 405.4 billion Turkish liras ($12.8 billion) in January-February.

SPORTS

Istanbul - Fenerbahce Beko to host Anadolu Efes in Turkish derby in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season. Fifth-place Fenerbahce Beko aim to finish the regular season in the top 6 to participate in playoffs, while Anadolu Efes, who rank 10th, fighting for play-in, a stage before playoffs. Regular season to end in 2 rounds.

SPECIAL REPORTS

World Central Kitchen attack ‘furthering of a war crime,’ part of Israel’s ‘very clear genocidal intent’: Experts

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report with reactions from right groups and activists about the recent Israeli strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza that killed several aid workers.

The story looks at the possible motives of Israel’s attacks on aid workers and the consequences of this particular strike on the humanitarian and relief operations in Gaza.

It includes interviews with former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness; Ahmed Benchemsi, communications director at Human Rights Watch; and Ayed Abu Eqtaish, accountability program director at rights group Defense for Children – Palestine.

Gaza cease-fire resolution binding but bare minimum: UN rapporteur Albanese

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

Geneva - Interview with Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on Palestinian territories, about the recent UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

She shares her view on various aspects of the resolution, including its significance and potential impact, implementation, Israel’s obligations and the consequences if it does not comply.

Albanese reiterates her call for a “full cease-fire and no resumption of the hostilities,” while also explaining the “multi-layered” violence that Palestinians continue to face from Israel.

Western media uses photos to show ‘sanitized version’ of Israel’s war on Gaza: Veteran photojournalist

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul - Interview with photojournalist Patrick Witty about the photo preferences of US mainstream newspapers, particularly concerning the recent Israeli attack on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy.

Witty, an award-winning photographer for several major outlets, criticizes Western media outlets for deliberately opting for photos that “portray a sanitized version of the war.”

He shares his personal experiences dealing with major mainstream news outlets and offers an assessment of the possible reasoning for such decisions.

I love classical music but hate its world: World-famous violinist Nigel Kennedy

By Faruk Zorlu and Isa Toprak

Ankara - Interview with world-renowned violinist Nigel Kennedy, focusing on his complex relationship with the world of classical music.

Kennedy shares his unique perspective and approach to classical music, along with insights into his journey from humble beginnings playing on the streets to international acclaim.

The best-selling musician also speaks about his inspirations over the years, including Ibrahim Tatlises, one of the most prominent figures in Turkish music.

Israel’s targeted killing of Gaza aid workers ‘systematic’ policy: Oxfam official

By Burak Bir

London - Interview with Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s policy adviser for the occupied Palestinian territories, about Israel’s recent attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza that killed several aid workers.

She speaks about the repercussions and motives of the deadly strike, emphasizing that it is “not an isolated incident” but rather a “systematic” policy employed by Israel in its ongoing assault on Gaza.

Khalidi condemns Israel’s continued violations of international law and “war crime after war crime,” calling for stronger measures to hold Tel Aviv accountable for its actions.

‘End the occupation’: US Air Force member on White House hunger strike over Israel’s Gaza war

By Servet Gunerigok

Washington - Interview with Larry Hebert, an active-duty US Air Force member who has been on hunger strike outside the White House since Easter to protest Israel’s war on Gaza and America’s support for it.

Hebert says he was inspired by Aaron Bushnell, the US airman who set himself on fire in front of an Israeli embassy in February to protest the war.

He says the US military and Biden administration are “directly responsible for aiding Israel” in its deadly assault on Gaza, adding that the level of support has caused discontent among the army’s ranks.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Oxfam official Bushra Khalidi about Israel’s recent attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, where she explains how this is part of a “systematic” Israeli policy and calls for measures to hold Tel Aviv accountable.

VIDEO - Interview with Larry Hebert, an active-duty US Air Force member on hunger strike outside the White House since Easter to protest Israel’s war on Gaza and America’s support for it.

VIDEO - Interviews with former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness and Ahmed Benchemsi, communications director at Human Rights Watch, about the motives and consequences of Israel’s recent attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza.

VIDEO - Interview with world-renowned violinist Nigel Kennedy about his complex relationship with the world of classical music, his perspective on the art, insights into his journey, and his inspirations over the years.