Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, April 20, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip, as Israel continues its relentless onslaught for 197th day despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.

Since last October, Israeli offensive has killed more than 34,000 people and injured nearly 76,900 others amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

Ramallah - Ongoing Israeli raids in West Bank since Oct. 7 which have led to killing of 469 Palestinians, injuring around 4,800, and arrest of 8,310, according to Palestinian sources.

The Israeli army continued its military operations for a second consecutive day in Tulkarm and the Nur Shams camp in the northern West Bank on Friday, using military bulldozers and police dogs, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, witnesses confirmed to Anadolu. The death toll for Palestinians killed in the Israeli incursion into Tulkarm and its refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank rose to 7 on Friday.

EGYPT

Cairo - Developments in negotiations between Israel and Hamas over hostage swap and cease-fire in Gaza Strip.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Protests in Israel to pressure Israeli government to resign and reach a hostage swap deal with Palestinians.

Reactions to the suspected Israeli attack inside Iran. Israel didn't officially claim responsibility for the attack but the Jerusalem Post newspaper said an Israeli long-distance aircraft fired missiles at Iranian Air Force assets in Iran's central Isfahan province.

LEBANON

Beirut - Continuing cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel that flared up last October, in deadliest clashes between two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.

The Hezbollah group on Friday said its fighters targeted spy equipment in the Israeli army's Bayad Blida site with appropriate weapons, and the Israeli army continued its shelling across areas in southern Lebanon.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tension in Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen, causing fears of significant disruption to maritime traffic in one of world’s busiest global routes for oil and fuel transport.

IRAQ

Babil - Developments in the wake of early Saturday airstrike targeting Hashd al-Shaabi militia group headquarters.

TÜRKİYE

Istanbul - Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues, particularly the situation in Palestine.

UK

London - Celebrations to mark end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan to take place at Trafalgar Square.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Floods in northwestern Pakistan as torrential rain again hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and other parts of the country after killing a dozen of people and destroying hundreds of houses last week.

INDONESIA

Jakarta - Volcano eruption in North Sulawesi province has forced authorities to close Sam Ratulangi International Airport in the city of Manado as dozen of flights were canceled while hundreds of people evacuated from affected region.

THE PHILIPPINES

Manila -New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Philippines on three-day official visit. He is the first prime minister of New Zealand to visit Manila in 14 years.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Port Moresby - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to arrive on official visit to Papua New Guinea on Saturday. During his visit, the two countries are expected to sign economic cooperation agreements.

KENYA

Nairobi - President William Ruto to speak at a military event honoring fallen defense chief Gen. Francis Ogolla who died in a helicopter crash on Thursday together with nine other officers.

RWANDA

Kigali- Rwanda expected to respond to comments by Belgium's ambassador to DR Congo who said Friday Congo should file a complaint with the top UN court over Rwanda's failure to respect its border.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Illegal migration, unemployment and crime dominate election campaigns ahead of the May 29 polls.

RUSSIA

Moscow — Member of Political Bureau of Communist Party of China Central Committee and secretary of party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Chen Wenqing to start his 9-day visit to Russia.

SPORTS

London - Manchester City to face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in FA Cup semifinal.