Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip amid deadlocked efforts to reach cease-fire that would end Israel's relentless attacks. Since last Oct. 7, Israel has killed 37,900 Palestinians and injured nearly 87,000 others.

Military operation in Gaza

Israeli military continues its operations in different areas across Gaza Strip, including Rafah and Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, with airstrikes and artillery shelling in areas across enclave, under claim to eliminate more Palestinian fighters.

Exacerbated humanitarian situation, looming famine in Gaza

Humanitarian situation across Gaza Strip continues to decline day after day amid continued Israeli attacks and closure of Gaza's crossings.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 556 people and injured 5,300 others, with 9,450 taken into Israeli custody since Oct. 7, 2023.

Protests against Israeli government

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.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Daily border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah amid warnings of escalation into potential full-blown war. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for what he said was a "preemptive war and establish a security strip in southern Lebanon."

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 group's positions in Yemen.

Iranian presidential elections

Iran's snap presidential election heading to run-off on July 5 after no candidate managed to secure 50% of vote, according to initial results released Saturday.

Reactions by Iranian officials regarding the elections, and international stances from the elections process, with a US State Department spokesperson claiming on Sunday that the elections are "not free and not fair."

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan amid ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, El Fasher in North Darfur State, as well as in states of Sennar and Al-Jazira.

TÜRKİYE

Cabinet meeting

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting and later address nation on domestic and international issues, including Gaza.

Polish-German intergovernmental consultations

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and ministers to visit Warsaw for 16th Polish-German intergovernmental consultations. Meeting’s agenda includes discussions about EU and international issues, closer cooperation on security and defense matters.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

New Dutch Cabinet to be sworn in

New Dutch Cabinet led by Dick Schoof is due to be sworn in. The Netherlands held elections on November 22, 2023. Two previous attempts at forming a government in February and March failed, with parties unable to come to an agreement.

Greek foreign minister to meet Latvian counterpart

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis set to meet in Athens with his Latvian counterpart Baiba Braze in Athens to discuss bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis to meet Bulgarian President Radev

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to meet Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Athens to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

Chinese President Xi Jinping paying state visits to Kazakhstan on July 2-4

Xi to meet with Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss the development of Kazakh-Chinese relations, which the Kazakh side calls “consistent with the level of eternal comprehensive strategic partnership.”

US

Biden's remarks on extreme weather

President Joe Biden to visit DC Emergency Operations Center in Washington, where he is scheduled to receive an operational briefing and deliver remarks on extreme weather. Biden will later attend an election campaign fundraiser in McLean, Virginia.

US, Ukrainian defense chiefs' meeting

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to host his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov for talks at Pentagon. Austin and Umerov will discuss bilateral defense cooperation, regional security issues, and ways to strengthen defense partnership between US and Ukraine.

Blinken's talks

Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with Ukrainian head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak at the Department of State. Blinken also meets with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy.

UN Security Council - Middle East

UN Security Council to hold an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.” Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag is expected to brief.

Suicide bombing returns to Nigeria after years of reprieve

Incidents of suicide bombing have returned to Nigeria’s restive northeastern region after nearly five years of reprieve. Over the weekend, suspected female suicide bombers detonated multiple explosions, killing 18 people in Borno State. Terrorist outfit Boko-Haram has turned to using female suicide bombers because they cannot be easily suspected.

Mozambique’s president to hold talks with Tanzanian counterpart

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to hold bilateral and trade talks with Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan as he begins three-day state visit to Tanzania. The visit aims at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Women fund for African Union welcomed

The proposal to set up a support fund for widows on the African continent has been welcomed. The fund was proposed by Kenyan first family member Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, who mooted the idea at first African Widows Summit held in Zanzibar.

Kenyan gov't moves to assuage citizens amid looming protests

Despite Kenyan President William Ruto’s decision to scrap tax hikes, as well as introducing austerity measures for public officials, activists are rejecting government appeals and are calling for more protests. Ruto is opting for international loans to fund the revenue shortfall. Around 30 people were killed during anti-tax demonstrations last week.

Botswana president pays working visit to Namibia

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi pays four-day working visit to Namibia where he will hold talks with host President Nangolo Mbumba. During the visit, the two presidents will also attend Efficient Connectivity and Resource Beneficiation for Sustainable Growth in Africa expo.

Pakistan activates rain-related emergencies

National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan has activated emergency against forecast of heavy rains and lightning for northeastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces.

Manhunt continues to locate fleeing prisoners in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

A major manhunt is continuing to locate 19 high-profile prisoners who fled from a jail in the Rawlakot district of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. All exit and entry points to the district have been sealed, while several security personnel have been arrested for negligence since Sunday when the incident happened.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif to visit Tajikistan and to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Central Asian country of Tajikistan in his first foreign visit since reelection.

He will meet with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in the capital Dushanbe.

Sharif will also represent his country at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, and is likely to hold meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

China-Arab military officers conclude 2-week-long seminars

Senior military officers from China and Arab conclude two-week long seminars in Beijing. Various programs under Future-oriented China-Arab Security Cooperation were conducted at Chinese National Defense University which aimed to look for “specific pathways” to achieve deeper cooperation between the two sides.

China evacuates thousands after rains hit northeastern parts

Chinese authorities evacuated to safety thousands of people after rainstorms hit eastern parts of the country. Nearly a million people were displaced as heavy rains caused major disruptions in 35 counties and districts across six prefecture-level cities in Anhui province.

Students suffer as teachers walk off universities in Bangladesh

Teachers and employees in public universities are observing an indefinite strike, suspending all academic and administrative activities, affecting studies of the students at large. The protesting employees are seeking withdrawal of a newly introduced pension scheme.

Indian court expected to allow lawmaker-elect to take oath from jail

An Indian court is expected to allow a jailed Kashmiri politician to take oath as Indian parliamentarian. Engineer Rashid was recently elected to Indian Parliament from jail where he has been languishing since 2019. The court in New Delhi is expected to give Rashid few hours of relief to take oath of office after Indian National Investigation Agency gave its consent for the same.

Pressure mounts on South Korean president as impeachment petition garners support

Pressure is mounting on South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol as an online petition has demanded the country’s lawmakers impeach the chief executive. The petition posted on parliament’s website has already garnered required support to initiate discussions by a parliamentary committee.

Samsung workers begin strike

Samsung Union workers in South Korea begin general strike over failed wage negotiations with their management. Boasting around 28,000 members, the National Samsung Electronics Union announced full strike, without pay and without work, until their demands are met.

North Korea ruling party elite meet

Workers Party of Korea plenum is expected to conclude its six-monthly meeting held in North Korea’s northwestern mountainous Myohyangsan region. Pyongyang is expected to issue outcome of the meeting which began last Friday.

Archery thrives in Singapore

A traditional Turkish-style archery course in Singapore is drawing a diverse range of students, aiming to introduce Turkish culture to the island nation. Syafiq Mardin Khan, a graduate, says the course has become a popular way for Singaporeans of all ages to blow off steam.

SPORTS

UEFA EURO 2024 to continue with Round of 16 in Germany

Türkiye to face Austria at Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig. Romania to take on Netherlands at Munich Football Arena in Munich.

Wimbledon's main table matches to continue in London with 1st round.

THE ECONOMY

Eurostat to reveal annual inflation data for June and unemployment rate for May.

In May, figure rose for the first time in five months to 2.6%, up from 2.4% in the prior month. Annual consumer inflation is projected to ease to 2.5%.

Unemployment rate decreased to 6.4% in April, down from 6.5% in March.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Escalation with Hezbollah: Israel faces multiple challenges and risks, warn experts

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on the growing risk of escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, focusing on the challenges Israel could face if it launches a war and the risk of wider regional conflict.

The story lays out the possible scenarios and details of the current situation, explaining the various hurdles Israel will have to navigate, such as the military strength of Hezbollah, the role of Iran and the international pressure on Tel Aviv.

It includes interviews with US-based geopolitical and security experts Giorgio Cafiero and Ryan Bohl, and David Wood, senior analyst for Lebanon at the International Crisis Group.

UK elections: Birmingham councilor goes independent after Gaza ‘hush up’

By Mehmet Solmaz

Birmingham, England - Interview with Ayoub Khan, a councilor from Birmingham who is contesting the UK election as an independent candidate.

Khan quit the Liberal Democrats after claiming he was told he could only be the party’s candidate if he agreed to “hush up” over Israel’s war on Gaza.

He speaks about the issue in detail and the backlash he faced from mainstream British parties, as well as other issues such as public distrust of political forces and voters’ major concerns ahead of the upcoming elections.

Proposed India-Bangladesh railway link sparks mix of optimism and backlash

By Faisal Mahmud

Dhaka, Bangladesh - Report about a proposed Indian railway route through Bangladesh, which has sparked controversy and backlash against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The story gives details of the planned railway link, which was formalized during Hasina’s recent visit to India, including the proposed route and potential economic impact.

It includes comments from Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, along with Cambridge-based sustainable development expert Aaqib Shatil and economist Mustafizur Rahman.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Ayoub Khan, who is running for a UK Parliament seat as an independent candidate after being denied a ticket by the Liberal Democrats over his pro-Palestine stance, where he speaks about key issues in the upcoming elections and the expected public voting trends.​​​​​​​