Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, June 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip has entered its 244th day, with nearly 36,600 Palestinians killed and over 83,000 others injured as a crippling blockade has left the majority of the population on the verge of starvation.

Ramallah - Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank have continued since Oct. 7, 2023, with at least 527 Palestinians so far killed, 5,000 more injured, and at least 8,985 detained, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

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

Israeli government approves calling up 50,000 more reservists in preparation for possible escalation on Lebanon front. Moreover, the Israeli premier Netanyahu sent Wednesday a tough warning to the Lebanese Hezbollah, stressing the Israeli army is prepared for “an extremely powerful action” against Lebanon.

EGYPT

Cairo - Efforts to reach hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza are underway.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel, which began in October, have continued, becoming deadliest clashes between two sides since their full-fledged war in 2006.

Reactions over gunfire attack on the US Embassy in Beirut.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Tensions in Red Sea continue to increase amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties to Israel and airstrikes by US-led coalition forces on targets in Yemen.

IRAN

Tehran - Developments ahead of Iranian early presidential elections which are scheduled for June 28.

TÜRKİYE

Ankara - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to welcome his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev with official ceremony at presidential complex to discuss bilateral relations and global issues.

Later, Erdogan and Mirziyoyev will attend Türkiye-Uzbek high-level strategic council meeting. Following signing ceremony of several agreements, presidents will hold news conference.

Ankara - National Defense Ministry to hold background meeting on defense issues, including Türkiye’s fight against terrorism.

EUROPE

Amsterdam - EU citizens in member states to go to the polls to elect 720 Members of European Parliament (MEPs), who serve five-year terms. Election day may vary from country to country, but must take place within a four-day range running from Thursday to Sunday.

GERMANY

Berlin - Chancellor Olaf Scholz to address lawmakers in parliament on current security situation.

Berlin - Scholz to travel to France to take part in ceremonies marking 80th anniversary of D-Day.

FRANCE

Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France - President Emmanuel Macron to lead two binational ceremonies – first with King Charles III and second with US President Joe Biden – and international ceremony to mark 80th Anniversary of D-Day and Battle of Normandy in northern France. Over 20 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to attend ceremony.

Paris - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. Purchase of 6-12 additional Rafale jets and 1 more FDI-type frigate as well as election for the EU Commission’s presidency will be on the agenda, as reported by the Greek media.

UK

London - Hearing in FDA union's legal challenge over Government's Safety of Rwanda Act. Union alleges bill, which received Royal Assent on April 25, forces civil servants to act against ruling from European Court of Human Rights and breaking international law.

Belfast - Junior doctors in Northern Ireland who are members of British Medical Association (BMA) go on strike for two days in ongoing dispute over pay.

RUSSIA

St. Petersburg - President Vladimir Putin to hold separate talks with his Bolivian counterpart Luis Arce, Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa and President of Bosnia Herzegovina's Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik on sidelines of 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Ruling African National Congress (ANC) continues negotiations to form government of national unity or coalition after losing parliamentary majority.

DR CONGO

Goma - Humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to deteriorate as thousands flee their homes due to ongoing conflict to seek shelter at overcrowded camps.

NIGERIA

Abuja - Rescue efforts continue after 30 miners were trapped when artisanal mining pit collapsed following torrential rains.

US

Washington - Any possible statements from Joe Biden administration regarding Gaza cease-fire proposal unveiled by President Joe Biden last week.

Washington - Vice President Kamala Harris to participate in conversation about gun violence prevention at White House ahead of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

New York - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to deliver remarks during annual memorial service to honor UN personnel who lost their lives in line of duty from January to December 2023. Period includes Israeli war in Gaza.

New York - UN General Assembly to elect five non-permanent members of UN Security Council from January 1, 2025. Somalia, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Pakistan will be elected. US, China, UK, France, and Russia are permanent members of 15 member-council.

California - Former President Donald Trump scheduled to visit California this week for series of campaign fundraising. Desk will monitor Trump's key remarks.

BANGLADESH

Dhaka - Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to propose first budget, amounting to around $67.5 billion, since being reelected earlier this year. Fiscal year in the South Asian nation begins July and ends in June next year.

KOREAN PENINSULA

Pyongyang / Seoul - North Korea likely to respond to joint bombing drills by US and South Korea. For the first time in 7 years, US deployed its strategic bomber for joint drill.

AUSTRALIA

Canberra - Government likely to respond to open letter by 26 lawmakers urging Canberra to support International Criminal Court in the of probe against Israeli officials over war in Gaza.

INDIA

New Delhi - Monitoring developments in aftermath of Indian general elections. India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance is set to form government for third consecutive term.

CHINA

Beijing - Brazilian Vice President continues his 5-day long trip to China where two sides are expected to discuss inclusion of Latin American nation’s inclusion in Belt and Road Initiative.

Beijing - Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet state officials and businessmen in Beijing on second leg of his five-day official visit to China.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry spokesperson to hold regular news conference.

THE ECONOMY

Berlin - Destatis to reveal Germany’s factory orders for April. In March, Germany's factory orders fell for third consecutive month by 0.4% month-on-month, following downwardly revised 0.8% decline in February.

Luxemburg - Euro area’s retail sales for April. In March, eurozone retail sales posted their fastest growth in 18 months as the volume of retail trade rose 0.8% from a month earlier. Figure is expected to increase 0.2% month-on-month in April.

Frankfurt - European Central Bank to announce interest rate decision. Bank is projected to reduce its deposit rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%. The ECB maintained interest rates at record-high levels for 5th straight meeting in April, with deposit facility rate holding at an all-time record of 4%.

Istanbul - Türkiye’s major e-commerce event WORLDEF to start in Istanbul.

SPORTS

Paris - Women's tennis singles semifinal round matches to be played in French Open.

SPECIAL REPORTS

FACTBOX – Israel in the dock: What legal action is it facing for Gaza war?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Report about the legal actions and steps being taken by countries and organizations against Israel for its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

The report gives details of the case filed at the International Court of Justice, as well as the countries that have already applied to intervene in the proceedings or intend to become a party. It also lists applications and cases filed at the International Criminal Court against Israeli leaders and officials.

The story includes comments from legal expert Michael Becker, who explains how countries can intervene in cases against Israel and the potential impact of these legal proceedings.

INTERVIEW – Pakistan’s ‘mountaineer mom’ sets sights on even greater heights

By Aamir Latif

Karachi, Pakistan – Interview with Naila Kiani, Pakistan’s leading woman high-altitude mountaineer.

The interview focuses on Kiani’s personal life and achievements in the field of mountain-climbing, which include scaling eight peaks above 8,000 meters.

Kiani speaks about various aspects of her inspirational journey, including the challenges she has overcome and her plans for the future.

Türkiye’s Phrygian Valley: A journey through ancient history and scenic wonders

By Zehra Nur Duz

Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye - Report about the ancient Phrygian Valley in Türkiye’s central Afyonkarahisar province, detailing its historical significance and natural beauty.

The story sheds light on the main characteristics of the valley, its history spanning thousands of years, and how the region has been developed over the years for tourism.

It includes an interview with Ali Kabakulak, vice dean of Afyon Kocatepe University’s Faculty of Tourism.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Naila Kiani, Pakistan’s leading woman high-altitude mountaineer, about her personal life and accomplishments, as well as the challenges she has overcome in the field and her plans for the future.