Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, April 30, 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 207th day despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.

Since last October, Israeli offensive has killed nearly 34,500 people and injured over 77,500 others amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

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

Ramallah - Ongoing Israeli raids in West Bank since Oct. 7 have led to killing of 491 Palestinians, injuring around 4,900, and arrest of nearly 8,500, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's scheduled visit to Israel (then Jordan) as part of efforts to bring a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal into effect, and his meeting with top Israeli officials.

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

EGYPT

Cairo - Indirect talks between Israel and the Hamas group in Cairo aimed at reaching hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza.

Hamas expected to provide its response regarding proposed new cease-fire in Gaza Strip and hostage swap deal with Israel, according to Egyptian media.

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.

Hezbollah group announced targeting gathering of Israeli soldiers in vicinity of Ruwaisat Al-Alam military site in occupied Kfarchouba hills. Israeli army raids and shelling reported on southern Lebanese territories.

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.

THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague - International Court of Justice to announce ruling on provisional measures, after Nicaragua filed lawsuit against Germany, accusing Berlin of facilitating genocide in Gaza by providing political and military support to Israel.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - UN Information Service to hold bi-weekly briefing for journalists

Geneva - Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East (UNRWA), will brief journalists on situation in occupied Palestinian territory. 

UK

London - Foreign Secretary David Cameron attends International Relations and Defence Committee select committee session.

London - Ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to respond to lawmakers’ questions.

London - Association of First Division Civil Servants (FDA) Union to launch legal challenge to government's bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Union alleges bill, which was passed by Parliament on April 22, forces civil servants to act against ruling from European Court of Human Rights, breaking international law.

US

Washington - President Joe Biden to attend closed-door campaign event in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden's remarks on situation in Gaza to be followed.

Washington - Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of Joint Chiefs Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to appear before US House Armed Services Committee.

Washington - Ongoing campus protests in solidarity with Palestine across US universities.

New York - UN Security Council to hold meeting to discuss situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

GABON

Libreville - Delegates who took part in national dialogue which seeks to lay ground for restoring civilian rule to hand over report to president of transition setup.

KENYA

Nairobi - Authorities expected to announce new death toll after over 40 people were killed in dam burst in Nakuru County and terrorist explosion in Mandera.

Nairobi - World Bank's summit for African Heads of State expected to conclude with joint statement on matters of funding.

BANGLADESH

Dhaka - Following up on weather situation in region as scorching heat has resulted in many deaths across Asia while several nations have closed educational institutions.

INDIA

New Delhi - Indian Supreme Court continues to hear petition challenging arrest of top opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was held by country's Enforcement Directorate in March.

CHINA

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

Beijing - Three Chinese astronauts to return Tuesday after China's Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship separated from space station.

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Manila/Beijing - The Philippines has accused China of using water cannons to expel Filipino coast guard vessel from disputed waters in South China Sea.

KOREAN PENINSULA

Seoul/Pyongyang - South Korea expected to respond to moves of North which has implanted mines in demilitarized zone along border which divides Peninsula.

THE PHILIPPINES

Manila - The Philippines and US continue their most expansive and consequential joint military drills — Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises. Drills began on April 22 and run into May and feature close to 17,000 troops as well as observers from 14 nations.

ECONOMY

Ankara - Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal foreign trade figures for March and tourism statistics for first quarter.

Ankara - Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry to reveal number of foreign tourists visiting Türkiye in March.

Tokyo - Japan to reveal unemployment data for March.

Berlin - Germany’s Destatis to share unemployment, GDP and retail sales figures.

Luxembourg - Eurostat to share inflation figures for April and GDP for first quarter.

Washington - US to share house prices index for February.

SPORTS

Munich - UEFA Champions League semifinals to begin as Bayern Munich to face Real Madrid in 1st leg at Allianz Arena.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Is WhatsApp putting Palestinians at risk of being killed in Gaza?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report about recent accusations of Meta and WhatsApp’s alleged involvement in Israel’s war on Gaza.

Story focuses on allegations that WhatsApp data has played key role in Israel’s use of artificial intelligence software, such as Lavender, in its assault on Gaza.

It includes interviews with Paul Biggar, founder of Tech for Palestine and person who first wrote about issue of Meta’s potential complicity; blogger and activist Esra’a Al Shafei, who is associated with SimpleX Chat and board member of Tor Project; researcher and journalist Sophia Goodfriend; and comments from Meta spokesperson.

What’s happened in Gaza since Oct. 7 is ‘catastrophic, barbaric,’ says British actress

By Burak Bir

London - Interview with British actor and playwright Juliet Stevenson, who has been vocal in her criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and has been calling for cease-fire.

Interview focuses on her views on current situation, and she describes Israel’s actions since Oct. 7 as “catastrophic and barbaric.”

She also dismisses claims being made to discredit protests being organized around world, saying these rallies “are not about antisemitism” and rather are “anti-war and anti-violence.”

Eswatini’s ecotourism masterstroke: Villagers unite to protect unique indigenous Jilobi forest

By Phathizwe Zulu

Manzini, Eswatini - Report about conservation initiative in Eswatini, where village communities are working to protect wildlife and forests to increase tourism in Jilobi forest region.

Story explains measures taken over the past few years and how project has helped conserve natural habitat and boost tourism in area.

It includes interviews with community members and environmentalists involved in project, including Mandla Makhanya, official of Eswatini National Trust Commission.

Islamic Development Bank's annual meeting hosts major deals

By Gokhan Ergocun

RIYADH (AA) - Report about Islamic Development Bank Group's annual meeting, hosting numerous major deals between bank, countries, and international institutions. Agreements aim to contribute to member countries' development activities and boost their infrastructure, also strengthening relations with international institutions.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report about WhatsApp data being used in Israel’s use of artificial intelligence software in its ongoing war on Gaza, including interviews with tech expert Paul Biggar, activist Esra’a Al Shafei and journalist Sophia Goodfriend.

VIDEO - Interview with British actor and playwright Juliet Stevenson about Israel’s war on Gaza, where she criticizes ongoing Israeli assault and calls for cease-fire.

VIDEO - Report about community conservation project in Eswatini to protect wildlife and forests to increase tourism in the Jilobi forest region, including interviews with community members and environmentalists.