Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, May 13, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

TÜRKIYE

ANKARA - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at presidential complex. They are also due to hold news conference following meeting between delegations of two counties.

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Israeli army's military operation in Gaza Strip's southernmost city of Rafah.

Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip has killed over 35,000 people since Oct. 7, 2023 amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

Israeli army has also advanced into southern part of Gaza City and eastern areas of Khan Younis, conducting intense airstrikes that resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries across territory. Additionally, it expanded its incursion eastward into Jabalia refugee camp and town, amid heavy bombardment from warplanes and artillery, causing displacement of thousands of Palestinians with many casualties. The camp, along with wide areas in north of Gaza Strip and Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, saw a significant movement of Palestinians towards western part of Gaza City.

Ramallah - Israeli raids in West Bank since Oct. 7 which have led to killing of nearly 500 Palestinians, injuring around 4,950, and arrested more than 8,710, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

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

EGYPT

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

Reactions over Egypt’s decision to join genocide lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel at International Court of Justice over deadly offensive in Gaza Strip.

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.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel, and retaliatory US airstrikes.

US

Washington - Developments after US State Department report that found Israel has not acted in a manner that is consistent with international humanitarian law.

Washington - President Joe Biden to deliver remarks at reception celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, at White House.

New York - UN Security Council to discuss situation in Yemen. Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths will give briefing.

SWEDEN

Stockholm - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to meet with leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to discuss regional developments and international security issues.

UK

Middle Wallop Army Base, England - King Charles officially hands over the role of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps to prince of Wales.

GREECE

Athens - Greek students are expected to erect tents around the main building of the University of Athens in solidarity with Palestinians and protesting students across America and Europe.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Russia’s lower chamber of parliament, State Duma, to consider candidates for positions in government.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Rescue efforts continue at a building which collapsed in the city of George last week killing 19 construction workers and 33 others remain trapped.

NIGERIA

Abuja - Security operatives continue to search for more than 100 people kidnapped by gunmen during Friday night raids on three villages in northwest Nigeria.

CHINA

Beijing - Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar to visit China and hold 5th round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

Beijing - South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to visit China to make preparation for a meeting between leaders of two countries which is expected later this month.

Beijing - Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong to visit Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and hold 7th Meeting of China-Uzbekistan Inter-governmental Cooperation Committee.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Srinagar - First time since New Delhi removed internal autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, polls open in Kashmir as part of fourth phase of ongoing Indian parliamentary elections. Voting takes place in 96 parliamentary constituencies spread across 10 Indian states and union territories.

MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim scheduled to visit Qatar for high-level talks

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Islamabad High Court to continue to hear jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's appeals against convictions in multiple cases.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara - Türkiye’s Central Bank to reveal country’s current account balance for March.

Istanbul - US Commerce Department to organize Trade Winds Europe/Eurasia in Istanbul with over 300 domestic and international participants.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Oxford must cut all ties with ‘Israeli war machine,’ says university researcher

By Burak Bir and Behlul Cetinkaya

Oxford, England – Report about the ongoing pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Oxford and the demands recently laid out by some 500 staff members and academics of the university.

The story includes an interview an Oxford researcher who explains in detail what the protesters are demanding of the administration, including complete divestment from the “Israeli war machine.”

The researcher also speaks about the role that Oxford could play in the reconstruction of Gaza’s educational infrastructure, which experts say has been deliberately targeted and destroyed by Israel.

Will Netanyahu give in to mounting pressure for Gaza cease-fire?

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul - Report about the increasing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree on a cease-fire in Gaza, particularly due to growing public unrest in Israel and Hamas’ decision to accept the latest truce proposal.

The story includes interviews with Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg and Joost Hiltermann, MENA program director at the International Crisis Group.

The experts present opposing views on the matter, with Goldberg explaining why he believes Netanyahu will soon be forced to change his stance, while Hiltermann lays out reasons for why Israel is likely to continue to on the same path.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with an Oxford researcher about the ongoing pro-Palestine protests at the university and the demands recently presented to the administration by a group of some 500 staff and academics.

VIDEO - Interviews with Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg and International Crisis Group expert Joost Hiltermann about the possibility of Israel accepting a cease-fire agreement in Gaza due to increasing domestic and international pressure.