Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, June 28, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Iran presidential elections

Early presidential elections in Iran are scheduled to be held on June 28, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19. On Thursday, Tehran's current Mayor Alireza Zakani withdrew from the presidential race. Zakani was the second conservative candidate to pull out of the race after Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, who withdrew on Wednesday.

The four remaining candidates are former Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi, reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, and former Mayor of Tehran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Voting offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time (0430-1430GMT), with 60 million Iranians eligible to vote.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Daily military clashes between Israel and Hezbollah on the border amid warnings of escalation into a potential full-blown war between the two. On Thursday, the Lebanese group said it targeted the Naqoura naval base with a drone, causing fires and leading to casualties among those inside.

Lebanon’s official news agency reported that an Israeli enemy drone targeted a motorcycle in Sohmor town, Western Bekaa, in southern Lebanon. According to Israeli media, the Israeli army began to move troops near the border area with Lebanon amid military exercises simulating a war in the Arab country.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip amid deadlocked efforts to reach cease-fire deal to end Israel's relentless attacks on the Palestinian enclave. Since last Oct. 7, Israel has killed more than 37,700 Palestinians and injured over 86,400 others.

Military operation in Gaza enclave

Ongoing Israeli military actions in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip and other areas across the enclave. On Thursday, Israeli media said the army continues to advance in Rafah and the operation is about to end. Israeli fighter jets hit houses in the western part of the city and set ablaze several buildings in the Brazil neighborhood. Seven fatalities were reported in the attacks. Deaths were also reported when Israeli jets struck a school sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis. Israeli planes also bombed five homes in the Sabra and Shejaiya neighborhoods in northern Gaza, killing seven people and forcing residents to flee the area.

Warnings of famine looming over Gaza

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Thursday that since the war began, Palestinians in Gaza have faced immense suffering and catastrophic hunger, with children dying from malnutrition and dehydration.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 553 people and injured 5,300 others, with 9,430 taken into Israeli custody since Oct. 7.

Israeli forces raided the Jenin refugee camp on Thursday and vandalized several houses and shops, detaining Palestinians.

Protests against Israeli government led by Premier Netanyahu

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with the Palestinians or resign.

Red Sea tension

Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea, as well as US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.

US president's trips to North Carolina, New York

President Joe Biden to participate in a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina. He will later travel to Queens, New York. Biden to deliver remarks at opening ceremony of Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. In the evening, Biden will participate in a campaign reception.

Blinken's AI conversation at State Department

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken takes part in conversation on artificial intelligence at State Department.

Donald Trump's Virginia event

Former President Donald Trump expected to hold a rally in the US state of Virginia following Thursday's debate with President Joe Biden.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

EU Council leaders meeting ends

EU leaders gather in Brussels for the second and final day.

UK state visit of Japanese emperor and empress ends

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to conclude state visit at the invitation of King Charles and Queen Camilla. Agenda today includes private program of engagements in Oxford, including a visit to the colleges where the royal couple studied.

South Africa’s alliance government hangs by a thread

The government of national unity is hanging by a thread as the second-largest political party, Democratic Alliance, has indicated unhappiness with Cabinet posts proposed to it by the lead party, African National Congress. President Cyril Ramaphosa is yet to announce his new Cabinet a week after his inauguration.

Security heightened in Kenya days after violent protests

Government has deployed heavy contingents of police across the capital Nairobi and on roads leading to state house, a day after violent anti-tax riots left 23 people dead and hundreds injured.

Zimbabwe opposition leader denied bail

Zimbabwe’s main opposition Coalition for Change party leader Jameson Timba and dozens of his supporters remain in prison after they were denied bail for holding unauthorized political gathering.

Mozambique’s president continues state visit to Zambia

Mozambique’s President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi continues his three-day state visit to neighboring Zambia where he met and held talks with host President Hakainde Hichilema. The duo is expected to discuss regional security situation besides bilateral ties.

Pakistani ruling alliance to counter US Congress call for probe into Feb. 8 polls​​​​​​​

Lawmakers representing ruling alliance in Pakistan will vote a resolution against a similar move by the US Congress which sought a full and independent probe in Feb. 8 elections held in the South Asian nation. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will propose a resolution against the US resolution which saw an overwhelming bipartisan support to probe Pakistani elections.

Heavy security to shadow Hindu pilgrimage in Kashmir

Annual Hindu pilgrimage to a cave in the Indian-administered Kashmir is set to begin over the weekend which will last two months. Thousands of soldiers, paramilitary troopers, and police have been deployed along the route to the cave which is deep in mountains.

China marks 70 years of 5 principles of peaceful coexistence

China marks 70 years since announcement of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with President Xi Jinping addressing a conference in Beijing.

The principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, noninterference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence were put forward by former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.

Filipinos prepare for natural disasters with earthquake drill

Millions of people in the Philippines are set to participate in simultaneous earthquake drill at 2 p.m. local time (0600GMT). The drill is part of the government's Harmonized National Contingency Plan. Manila is preparing Filipinos for a possible earthquake of magnitude 7.2 quake, referred to as ‘Big One,’ due to the movement of the West Valley Fault which can affect Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Trilateral military drills exasperate tensions on Korean Peninsula

Inaugural trilateral yet all-domain military drills by the US, South Korea, and Japan have exasperated already tense situation on the Korean Peninsula. The drills will continue until over the weekend. It comes as North Korea tested multiple warhead missile system. Divided Koreas are likely to continue what they call “provocations.”

Mongolians vote in largest polls

People in Mongolia cast their ballot to elect new 126 lawmakers in parliament elections which are the largest in their history. Some 1336 candidates are in the fray.

THE ECONOMY

Japan’s industrial production for May to be revealed.

Türkiye’s foreign trade data for May to be announced.

Destatis to reveal Germany’s unemployment figure for June.

Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) to reveal newly established closed firm statistics for May.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Vote left or abstain: Muslims face stark election choice in France

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report about the upcoming parliamentary elections in France, focusing specifically on the Muslim community.

The story details the concerns of Muslims as France faces the possibility of far-right forces coming to power, raising the specter of increased Islamophobia and discriminatory policies targeting the minority community.

It includes interviews with French legal expert Rayan Freschi and activist Khaled Sid Mohand, who speak about the likely choices that Muslim voters could make on June 30 and break down the various reasons for their possible decisions.

‘Mother selling her kidney to feed her children’: Palestinian nurse narrates gravity of malnutrition in Gaza

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

Belfast, Northern Ireland - Interview with Mohammed Samaana, a Palestinian-born nurse in Northern Ireland, about Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.

Samaana speaks about the catastrophic conditions created by Israel’s deadly assault, specifically increasing cases of children dying of malnutrition and lack of health care, narrating incidents relayed by medics on the ground.

He strongly condemns the international community’s continuing support to Israel and failure to help Palestinians, calling for all complicit parties to be held accountable along with Israel.

Mauritania presidential election: All you need to know

By Hassan Isilow

Johannesburg - Report about the presidential election due to take place in Mauritania on June 29.

The story gives details of the main candidates and their positions major issues, along with information such as voter statistics, past results and voting trends.

It includes comments from African geopolitical analyst Gilles Yabi, who shares his assessment on the expected outcome and its implications for the country as well as the wider region.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Mohammed Samaana, a Palestinian-born nurse in Northern Ireland, about the harrowing conditions created by Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, including the increasing cases of children dying of malnutrition and lack of health care.