Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, June 20, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli assault in Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip amid deadlock in efforts to reach cease-fire deal to end Israel's relentless attacks on Palestinian enclave. Israel has killed at least 37,400 Palestinians and injured more than 85,500 others since Oct. 7 last year.

On Wednesday, Israeli army launched intense attacks during the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday on cities throughout enclave, killing and injuring many Palestinians.

It also completely destroyed Palestinian side of Rafah border crossing with Egypt in southern Gaza Strip, rendering it unusable.

West Bank raids

Almost daily Israeli military raids into Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank, which have killed at least 548 people and injured 5,200 others, while nearly 9,280 have been taken in Israeli custody since Oct. 7, 2023.

Protests against Netanyahu's government

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

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel against backdrop of Tel Aviv's military offensive on Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah targeted Israeli army's Eastern Brigade with heavy artillery and rockets.

The Israeli military said Tuesday that it approved plans for offensive into Lebanon as tensions with Hezbollah rise.

Red Sea tension

Potential Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in Red Sea and possible airstrikes by coalition led by the US on group's positions in Yemen.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to receive premiers of federal states

Scholz to discuss migration crisis, security and economic issues with heads of federal state governments in Berlin.

Annual Austrian World Summit on climate change

Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative to host annual Austrian World Summit to help foster solutions to climate change, with speakers to include Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, former movie star and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

UNHRC report on Iran, Nicaragua

UN Human Rights Council to hold second of three ordinary sessions this year in Zurich. Schedule includes presentation of report on Iran and oral update on Nicaragua.

African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator event

High-level event co-hosted in Paris by the French government, African Union, and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, takes place to launch African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), to help provide financial incentives for vaccine manufacturers to scale up production in Africa and become sustainable on a long-term basis.

EU's Borrell to attend meeting on Brussels' ties with Western Balkans

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to attend several events, meetings, and discussions in Austria focusing on EU relations with Western Balkans. During his two-day stay, Borrell also to meet with Austrian authorities, including President Alexander van der Bellen.

Biden going to Camp David ahead of presidential election debates

US President Joe Biden to head to presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, reportedly to prepare for his first 2024 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump, set for June 27.

NATO chief back in Washington

Returning from Canada after talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is back in US capital Washington. Stoltenberg set to meet President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Extreme heat across US

Extreme heat wave impacting central and northeastern areas of US this week.

Cybersecurity debate at UN Security Council

UN Security Council to host open debate on cybersecurity, chaired by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also taking part.

Putin visiting Vietnam

After visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin moved on to Vietnam, set to meet with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in capital Hanoi.

Talks to focus on current status of Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership in trade, economy, science, technology, humanitarian sphere, as well as its prospects for development. Leaders also to exchange views on topical issues on international and regional agenda.

Russia's children's rights commissioner to hold news conference

Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova to hold news briefing in Moscow on related international issues, including humanitarian activities in Africa, Commonwealth of Independent States, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Syria, children's rights in Russian-held areas shelled during war with Ukraine, and reunification of minors with loved ones during 'special military operation.'

First-ever BRICS tourism forum

Tourism ministers in BRICS economic bloc to take part in first-ever tourist forum in Moscow with presentations on their potential to attract tourists.

Meeting of Collective Security Treaty Organization foreign ministers

Foreign ministers of Collective Security Treaty Organization to meet in Kazakh city of Almaty for discussions on issues of cooperation, including Armenia’s membership following statements about its possible withdrawal from bloc.

African Union to mark World Refugee Day

The African Union will commemorate World Refugee Day to honor and celebrate people forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or violation of their rights.

Protests against tax hikes in Kenya

Demonstrations against proposed bill that includes several controversial tax hikes expected to continue in Kenyan capital Nairobi, other parts of country.

South Africa's president expected to announce Cabinet

President Cyril Ramaphosa, officially sworn in Wednesday for a second term in office, expected to announce new Cabinet in national unity government.

North Korea to release outcome document on Putin's visit

North Korea to release outcome document of Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Pyongyang for first time in 24 years, signing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Chinese Communist Party international affairs chief visits Pakistan

Liu Jianchao, international affairs chief of Communist Party of China, to pay three-day visit to Pakistan. Liu to join Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar to co-chair third meeting of Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of Political Parties on CPEC. Also expected to meet senior civil and military leadership of Pakistan.

China likely to react to US lawmakers' meeting with Dalai Lama

Chinese Foreign Ministry likely to react to meeting held in India between US lawmakers and Tibet's spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Beijing sees Buddhist monk as separatist and has urged others to avoid meeting him.

Indian foreign minister visits Sri Lanka

India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to pay one-day visit to neighboring Sri Lanka. Visit to will be Jaishankar's first bilateral visit after formation of new Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During visit, minister to attend meetings with Sri Lankan leadership on wide range of issues, says Indian government.

Pakistani court to hear former premier's disqualification case

Pakistani court to hear appeal against disqualification from public office of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Courts already vacated cases against Khan that disqualified him from elections, while country's top court will hear election watchdog's plea to dissolve tribunals formed by Lahore High Court to hear complaints against alleged rigging in Feb. 8 elections.

THE ECONOMY

Chinese Central Bank to announce decision on key lending rates.

In its May meeting, People’s Bank of China (PBoC) kept benchmark lending rates constant at record lows. One-year loan prime rate (LPR) stands at 3.45%, while five-year LPR is at 3.95%. Market expects bank to leave rates unchanged.

TurkStat to announce consumer confidence in Türkiye for June.

In prior month, Türkiye's consumer sentiment was broadly stable at more than one-year high of 80.51.

Turkish Tresury and Finance Ministry to reveal budget balance figure for May.

In April, budget deficit shrank to 117.8 billion Turkish liras ($5.5 billion) from 208.96 billion liras ($6.55 billion) in March.

Germany’s Destatis to reveal producer inflation for May.

Producer prices fell 3.3% year-on-year in April, marking 10th consecutive month of decline.

European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) to announce Euroe's new passenger car registrations for May.

In April, The EU's car market grew by 13.7% annually with new registrations of 913,995 units.

SPORTS

UEFA EURO 2024 group matches continue with Matchday 2 in Germany.

Slovenia to face Serbia in EURO 2024 Group C match in Munich.

Denmark to play with England in EURO 2024 Group C match in Frankfurt.

Spain to take on Italy in EURO 2024 Group B match in Gelsenkirchen.

SPECIAL REPORT

World Refugee Day: Bangladesh monsoon, landslides add to Rohingya woes

By Faisal Mahmud

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Report about Rohingya refugees facing increased dangers during the monsoon season in Bangladesh, as seen in the recent deadly landslides in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp.

The story gives details of the most recent incident that killed at least nine refugees and explains the underlying reasons for the threat, including curbs on measures that could mitigate the devastating impact of landslides and flooding.

It also delves into the wider issues facing the Rohingya, including failed repatriation efforts, with comments from Abdur Rahim, leader of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, author and professor Azeem Ibrahim, and Mohammad Shamsuddouza, the additional refugee, relief and repatriation commissioner for Bangladesh.