Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, May 16, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

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

Ongoing offensive in blockaded enclave, now in its 223rd day, has killed more than 35,200 people amid a crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

At least 450,000 people are estimated to have left Rafah since the Israel's first evacuation order on May 6, according to the UN.

Ramallah - Israeli raids in occupied West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023 which have led to killing of nearly 500 Palestinians, injuries to around 4,950, and arrest of at least 8,745, 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.

LEBANON

Beirut - Continuing cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel since 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.

TÜRKİYE

Ankara - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to welcome Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at presidential complex. After bilateral and inter-delegation meetings, Erdogan will hold joint press conference host dinner.

Ankara - National Defense Ministry to hold background briefing on security issues, including fight against terrorism.

CHINA

Beijing – Russian President holds official talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as he begins two-day state visit.

Beijing - Tanzania's Foreign Minister Yusuf Makamba to pay official visit.

Beijing – Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

US

Washington - Statements from Biden administration regarding situation in Gaza and potential protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Washington - House Republicans expect to vote on draft legislation that would seek to force Biden administration into continuing weapons transfers to Israel. Bill is not expected to move forward in Senate while Biden said he would veto it.

New York - UN Security Council to convene for open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Special Representative and Head of UNAMI Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert expected to brief on secretary-general’s latest reports.

THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague - International Court of Justice to begin two-day hearing as part of genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel. Pretoria filed on May 10 application for additional provisional measures.

GERMANY

Berlin - Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to meet Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas to discuss defense cooperation, setting up of a military base for permanent deployment of German military brigade in Lithuania.

UK

London - Foreign Secretary David Cameron and European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic to co-chair EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement Partnership Council.

BELGIUM

Brussels - NATO Military Committee to convene at Chiefs of Defense session. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will participate.

AZERBAIJAN

Baku - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to pay official visit to Azerbaijan’s capital to hold talks with counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

TAJIKISTAN

Dushanbe - International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva to commence official visit to Tajik capital until May 18.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Students at Wits University to hold protests at campus to express solidarity with Palestinians.

Johannesburg - President Cyril Ramaphosa to visit site of multistory building which collapsed in city of George killing 33 construction workers, 19 others still trapped under the rubble.

Pretoria - University of South Africa to host national debate on May 29 general election.

ZIMBABWE

Harare - Government warns more than half of country’s population need food aid due to drought.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad – Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan set to make first public appearance since August when he was arrested. Khan, who faces around 200 cases, will appear via video link in case related to dilution of powers of anti-corruption watchdog, known as National Accountability Bureau.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Srinagar – Indian Home Minister Amit Shah to visit capital Srinagar amid ongoing parliamentary elections. Expected to meet state officials, ruling Bhartiya Janata Party members and civil society groups.

PHILIPPINES

Manila – Monitoring developments as the Philippines dispatches five commercial fishing boats carrying some 200 civilians to the surrounding waters of Huangyan Dao or islands, known as Bajo de Masinloc as well as Scarborough Shoal. China claims islands belong to it.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara – Turkish Central Bank to share private sector’s foreign debt for March and official reserve figures for April.

Tokyo – Japan to share GDP figures for first quarter.

Washington – US to reveal initial jobless claims data.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Reoccupation’: How Israel is carving up and changing Gaza

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Report about Israel’s strategy to divide Gaza into corridors and isolated regions.

The story explains how Israel has been pursuing a plan to carve up Gaza into buffer zones and corridors for increased control, something that experts believe is a “reoccupation” or remodeling of the besieged Palestinian enclave.

It includes interviews with Adi Ben-Nun, an Israeli geography professor at the Hebrew University and GIS expert, and Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies of King’s College London.

‘Pro-Palestine student movement challenging colonial legacies and present’

By Ahmet Gencturk

Athens – Interview with Nikolas Kosmatopoulos, a social anthropologist at the American University of Beirut, about the ongoing global wave of student protests in solidarity with Palestine.

The Greek academic assesses the factors behind the mass mobilization from the US to almost all parts of the world. He also explains the fundamental successes that the students have already achieved, such as challenging and exposing Western countries supporting Israel.

Kosmatopoulos also speaks about the long-term impact that the movement could have on global dynamics and the Palestinian cause.

In Putin’s visit, China will tread middle path and protect its interests: Experts

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

Istanbul – Report on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China starting on Thursday, focusing on Beijing’s expected stance during the high-level engagement.

The report sheds light on key issues that could be on the agenda, including the Ukraine war and bilateral ties, with experts weighing in on how President Xi Jinping is likely to walk a cautious path amid fears of Western sanctions over any military aid to Moscow.

It includes interviews with Jingdong Yuan, director of the Stockholm International Research Institute’s China and Asia Security Program; political analyst Einar Tangen of the Taihe Institute in China; Haiyun Ma, assistant professor at the Frostburg State University in the US; and Chienyu Shih, research fellow at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

Türkiye’s role will be ‘invaluable’ in achieving peace: Head of Ukrainian parliament

By Gokhan Celiker

Ankara - In exclusive interview with Anadolu, Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized Ankara's invaluable role in achieving peace and reconstruction in Ukraine, highlighting the unity and historical friendship between Kyiv and Ankara. He praised Türkiye's consistent support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, especially during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the illegal annexation of Crimea, and expressed gratitude for Türkiye's assistance and diplomatic stance. The relationship between the two countries is expected to strengthen further, with common interests such as the Crimean Tatar issue uniting them beyond the war.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Nikolas Kosmatopoulos, a Greek social anthropologist at the American University of Beirut, about the ongoing wave of pro-Palestine student protests, where he assesses the factors behind the mass mobilization and its global implications.