Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, April 24, 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 201st day despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.

Since last October, Israeli offensive has killed over 34,183 people and injured 77,143 others amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

The Israeli airstrikes continue on several areas in the Gaza Strip, including the city of Rafah, which Israel insists on invading under the pretext of confronting the last strongholds of the Hamas movement, despite increasing international warnings of catastrophic consequences, amidst the presence of approximately 1.4 million displaced persons.

Ramallah - Ongoing Israeli raids in West Bank since Oct. 7 which have led to killing of 487 Palestinians, injuring around 4,900, and arrest of nearly 8,400, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

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

Reactions after resignation of Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Haliva over failure to prevent Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.

LEBANON

Beirut - 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.

Hezbollah said Tuesday it carried out drone attack on military command center in Acre in northern Israel.

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.

TÜRKİYE

Ankara - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues, including recent situation in Gaza, and ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Presidents are also expected to hold news conference.

UK

London - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons.

GERMANY

Berlin - Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Federal Chancellery for talks on bilateral ties, regional and international issues.

NORTH MACEDONIA

Skopje - North Macedonians to go to polls to elect president for five-year term. Second round, if necessary, takes place on May 8 alongside parliamentary elections.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile heads to UAE for three-day working visit aimed at building and strengthening bilateral relations.

KENYA

Nairobi - Two months of strike by doctors is expected to end as government agrees on 18 of 19 issues raised by doctors' union.

MAURITIUS

Port Louis - Heavy rains and flooding have forced popular tourist nation to shut schools, businesses and government offices. Many countries across continent also experiencing heavy rains.

AZERBAIJAN

Baku - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to hold two-day official visit to Azerbaijan. At least 10 documents are expected to be signed amid talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

BELARUS

Minsk - All-Belarusian Congress, a meeting of representatives of all branches of power aimed to assess results of previous five years of work.

KAZAKHSTAN

Astana - UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron to hold two-day visit to Kazakh capital as part of regional tour of Central Asia.

CHINA

Beijing - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to arrive on three-day official visit to China. He will meet his counterpart Wang Yi and other Chinese officials during his stay in Beijing.

Beijing - Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who arrived in Beijing on three-day visit, will meet Chinese officials.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is in Pakistan on 3-day visit which will end Wednesday.

THAILAND

Bangkok - Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will land in Thailand for five-day visit. This will be first-ever visit at level of head of government from Bangladesh to Thailand since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972.

During her visit, Thai and Bangladeshi prime ministers will witness signing of five agreements, including in trade, visa, and tourism.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara - Turkish Central Bank to reveal capacity utilization rate for manufacturing industry for April and short-term debt figures for February.

SPORTS

Monaco - Fenerbahce Beko to visit AS Monaco in Game 1 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoffs.

Liverpool - Everton to face Liverpool in Merseyside derby on English Premier League matchday 29.

Mugla - 59th edition of Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye to be followed (Stage 4: Marmaris - Bodrum)

SPECIAL REPORTS

200 days of war on Gaza: Experts weigh in on Israeli strategic failures, mistakes

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report presenting a strategic assessment of Israel’s war on Gaza as it crosses the 200-day mark.

The story includes comments from experts about the purported aims and objectives that Israel has been able to achieve or not since last October, as well as the reasons for its success or failure.

It includes comments from various analysts and experts, including Joost Hiltermann, MENA Program director at International Crisis Group.

Jewish peace activist slams Germany for silencing criticism of Israel

By Anadolu Staff

Berlin - Interview with Udi Raz, a leading Jewish peace activist in Berlin, about Germany’s suppression of pro-Palestine voices in the country.

The interview focuses on Raz’s own experiences and the repression that other activists have been facing in Germany, which remains a staunch supporter of Israel.

Raz also speaks about the historical reasons for Germany’s pro-Israel stance, as well as the strategies employed in the country to silence pro-Palestine activists, including accusations of antisemitism.

‘We have absolutely nothing’: Hydropower plant discharge devastates lives in Tanzania

By Kizito Makoye

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Report about recent flooding in Tanzania, which has been caused by a controversial dam built in the heart of a game reserve, leading to destruction of wildlife and their natural habitat.

The story focuses on the human cost of the project in the Selous Game Reserve, which is on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger.

It includes interviews with experts including Raphael Mwalyosi, a professor of ecology at the University of Dar es Salaam, and Abdul Chobo, an official from the affected region of Muhoro.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Joost Hiltermann, MENA Program director at International Crisis Group, about Israel’s strategic failures as its war on Gaza crosses the 200-day mark without having achieved its main objectives.

VIDEO - Interview with Udi Raz, a leading Jewish peace activist in Berlin, about Germany’s suppression of pro-Palestine voices in the country, where he shares examples of in Germany and explains the reasons for the country’s strong support to Israel.