Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, May 24, 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. The army expanded its incursion in the Philadelphi Corridor area between Gaza and Egypt, as the Israeli forces reached the western part of the Yibna refugee camp in central Rafah.

The ongoing Israeli offensive in blockaded enclave, on its 231st day, has killed over 35,800 people and injured nearly 80,200 amid a crippling blockade that has left most of the population on the verge of starvation.

Clashes and confrontations between Palestinian resistance factions and Israeli army in several areas, including Jabalia in the north and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Ramallah - Israeli raids in the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023 which have led to the killing of at least 517 Palestinians, injuries of around 5,000, and arrest of at least 8,815, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

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

Israel’s anticipation of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) order to halt Tel Aviv’s deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip.

EGYPT

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

LEBANON

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

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tensions in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel and retaliatory US airstrikes on targets inside Yemen.

THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague - The ICJ to deliver its order as part of the case brought by South Africa against Israel, specifically alleging Israeli violations of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This ruling concerns a request filed by South Africa on May 10 for the indication of additional provisional measures and the modification of previous provisional measures.

ITALY

Florence - EU High Representative Josep Borrell to speak at the EUI (European University Institute) State of the Union conference.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists. ​​​​​​​

Geneva - WHO to launch World Health Statistics report on the serious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, and presents new figures on other issues threatening the health and well-being of populations worldwide.

RUSSIA

Moscow - President Vladimir Putin to visit Belarus at the invitation of his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. The agenda of the talks includes topical matters dealing with further expanding the strategic partnership and allied relations between Russia and Belarus, the state and prospects of integration, as well as key international matters.

TURKMENISTAN

Ashgabat - A meeting of the heads of the governments of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

TANZANIA

Dar es Salaam - Foreign nationals are among 11 people killed in a sugar factory explosion in Tanzania.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Garbage continues to pile up on the streets as waste collectors proceed with a nearly week-long strike demanding more wages.

TÜRKIYE

Istanbul - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend an Islamic Finance Summit at the Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Center.

US

Washington - Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris to co-host and deliver remarks at State luncheon in honor of Kenyan President William Ruto at the Department of State.

Maryland - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to speak at the Naval Academy commencement.

Michigan - Pro-Palestine organizers and supporters to convene in Detroit for a two-day People’s Conference for Palestine.

New York - The UN Security Council expected to vote on a draft resolution prepared by Switzerland on the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel.

CHINA

Beijing - Chinese military continues large-scale two-day exercises aimed to "punish independence forces" on Taiwan and also warn "external forces."

NEW CALEDONIA

Noumea - Monitoring situation as well as regional response to political violence that hit the French overseas colony of New Caledonia where at least six people have died during riots between natives and French forces.

SPORTS

BERLIN - Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four to begin. Panathinaikos to face Fenerbahce Beko while defending champions Real Madrid to meet Olympiacos.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel’s far-right shift key factor in European nations recognizing Palestine: Expert

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul - Report about the announcement by Spain, Ireland, and Norway that they will formally recognize a Palestinian state, focusing on the reasons and its impact.

The story explains the significance of the move, how it will impact the Palestinian push for statehood and the political consequences for Israel, particularly in the context of its deepening international isolation over the deadly war on Gaza.

It includes interviews with Yossi Mekelberg, associate fellow at the MENA Program of Chatham House, Hugh Lovatt, senior policy fellow with the MENA Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Tugce Ersoy Ceylan, an associate professor at the Izmir Katip Celebi University’s Department of International Relations.

Israel has no place in Olympics after disrespecting its spirit, principles: BDS Greece

By Ahmet Gencturk

Athens - Interview with Marietta Simegiatou, head of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Greece, focusing on the group’s campaign to have Israel expelled from the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Simegiatou also speaks about other issues related to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, including the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

She also discusses the BDS movement’s overall campaign and recent successes, as well as the global student-led protests against Israel’s Gaza offensive.

New electric train signals leap in Tanzania’s transportation sector

By Kizito Makoye

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania - Report about a new electric train launched in Tanzania, focusing on its impact on the overall transportation sector of the East African nation.

The story gives details of the nearly $2 billion rail project, which has been built by Turkish company Yapi Merkezi and provides a vital link from the commercial hub of Dar es Salaam to the shores of Lake Victoria.

It includes interviews with citizens and officials, who speak about its economic and social benefits, as well as the need for more such projects in Tanzania.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Marietta Simegiatou, the head of the BDS movement in Greece, about the group’s campaign to have Israel expelled from the upcoming Paris Olympics, along with other issues related to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.