Diary

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

Israeli offensive against Gaza

Humanitarian and military situation in Gaza amid relentless Israeli attacks, which killed more than 37,200 people and injured nearly 85,000 others since Oct. 7 last year.

West Bank tension

Almost daily military incursions into cities and towns in occupied West Bank, which left at least 538 people dead, 5,200 injured and more than 9,100 in Israeli custody since Oct. 7.

Protests against Netanyahu’s government

Protests in Israel to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reach hostage swap deal with Palestinians.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel to reach cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap deal in light of US Secretary of State Blinken statements about Hamas providing its response to potential deal with some changes and Washington's commitment to narrowing gaps "to close the deal" with mediators, which also includes Qatar and Egypt.

Israel-Hezbollah clashes

Border skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah following largest rocket attack launched by Lebanese group on Israel since Oct. 8, which came after Israel's assassination of top Hezbollah commander and three other fighters in southern Lebanon.

Red Sea tension

Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected to have links with Israel in Red Sea and retaliatory US airstrikes.

G7 Summit

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to host her G7 counterparts for annual summit that also features participation of a number of non-G7 leaders in Borgo Egnazia, Puglia.

Biden-Zelenskyy meeting

US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet and hold a joint press conference today on margins of G7 summit.

Turkish President Erdogan’s visit to Madrid

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to conclude his two-day visit to Spain. Agenda includes intergovernmental summit with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Turkish foreign minister to attend SEECP meetings

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and SEECP Summit of Heads of State and Government in Skopje, North Macedonia.

NATO defense ministers meeting

NATO defense ministers to meet to discuss major operational issues. Agenda includes NATO-Ukraine Council and daily press briefings with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

UN agencies’ press briefing

UN secretary-general will address Council of International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

David Cameron’s press briefing

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron to hold press briefing ahead of general election scheduled for July 4.

UK Labour Party announces its manifesto

Labour leader Keir Starmer to launch his party's manifesto for next month's general election.

Biden's meeting with Zelenskyy in Italy

Desk will monitor repercussions of meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymr Zelenskyy in Italy. Two leaders will hold joint press conference on margins of G7 summit.

Trump to meet House Republicans

Former US President Donald Trump to meet with House Republicans as he visits US capital of Washington, DC to address business lobbying group. Meeting with group of Republican senators is also expected.

Children and Armed Conflict - UN report to be published

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' annual report on Children and Armed Conflict will be released, with UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba due to hold press conference on its findings. Israel is listed in this year's report among violators of rights and protection of children in armed conflict.

UN Security Council vote on Sudan fighting

UN Security Council expected to vote on UK-drafted resolution that demands halt to siege of al-Fashir in Sudan’s North Darfur by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Draft resolution also calls for immediate halt to fighting.

UN Security Council sessions

UN Security Council will meet to receive briefing on Middle East followed by consultations on Yemen. In afternoon, members hold consultations on UN mission monitoring cease-fire between Syria and Israel.

Russian Foreign Ministry press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold weekly news conference on current issues of foreign affairs.

South Korean president heads to Uzbekistan

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to travel to Uzbekistan as part of his third and final stop of his six-day Central Asia tour. Yoon will travel to country's capital Tashkent, where he will hold talks with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

UN General Assembly president in South Sudan

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis on official visit to South Sudan to reiterate assembly's commitment to peace and prosperity in country, and across region.

Preparations on formation of new government in South Africa

South Africans are waiting for announcement about formation of new government of national unity as the deadline for the first sitting of a new parliament draws closer. Secretary to parliament will hold media briefing on preparations to host first sitting of parliament in Cape Town.

Chocolate industry could face shortage

Chocolate industry could face shortage as Ghana, a major producer of cocoa, faces shortfall due to poor crops caused by disease and bad weather.

Chinese premier in New Zealand on 1st trip since 2017

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is on two-day official trip to New Zealand. Two sides established diplomatic relations in 1972, and bilateral trade volume has reached $40 billion with Beijing important export destination for Wellington.

Japanese premier to address G7 summit in Italy

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to attend G7 summit in Italy, where he will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.

Tensions between divided Koreas

Ongoing tensions between North Korea and South Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry’s news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson to hold regular news conference in Beijing.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s news conference

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson to hold weekly news conference in Islamabad.

⁠Türkiye to face Dominican Republic in Volleyball Women's Nations League

Türkiye to face Dominican Republic in pool 5 week 3 match of 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League in Hong Kong.

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SPECIAL REPORTS

Athletes and killers: Israeli soldiers in sports give more reason for Olympics ban

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul - Report about the involvement of Israeli soldiers in sports, with many athletes having served in the military, giving more weight to the call for Israel to be banned from the Olympics.

The story includes an interview with sports journalist Leyla Hamed, who gives examples of Israeli athletes who have been soldiers as well, and speaks about the global push for Israel to be expelled from the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Hamed also addresses the double standards and hypocrisy of international sporting bodies when it comes to Israel, explaining why the global community is complicit in “sportswashing the genocide in Gaza.”

UK elections: How Gaza policy is shaping Muslim votes

By Aysu Bicer

London - Report about Muslim voters in the UK ahead of next month’s general elections, focusing on the potential shift in their choices this time.

This report details the key issues for the Muslim community in the UK, and particularly how Britain’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza is affecting voter outlook.

It includes interviews with several voters and Abubakr Nanabawa, spokesperson for The Muslim Vote, a campaign group that is aiming to increase political engagement of the Muslim community.

Promise or peril? Navigating AI’s impacts on creativity and jobs as applications grow

By Elif Tugtekin

Istanbul - Report about the phenomenon of AI anxiety and how people in various fields are dealing with its related challenges.

The story explains the reasons for this sentiment among workers in different fields, using latest polling data and figures to illustrate the extent of the issue.

It includes interviews with several people, including filmmaker Amjad Al-Nour and journalist Sherrell Dorsey, who share their views on rapidly developing AI tech and how it is impacting their respective fields.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with sports journalist Leyla Hamed about the involvement of Israeli soldiers in sports and the global movement to have Israel expelled from the Paris Olympics due to its ongoing war on Gaza.

VIDEO – Interviews with several voters and Abubakr Nanabawa, spokesperson for The Muslim Vote campaign group, about the key issues for the Muslim community in the UK ahead of the upcoming general elections, including the impact of the country’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza.