Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, July 5, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

The developments about a potential cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send a negotiating team for hostage swap and cease-fire talks with Hamas, Israeli media said on Thursday, without providing any details when and where the hostage swap and cease-fire talks with Hamas will take place.

CNN, citing an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations, said that Israel and Hamas "appear to be on the brink of a framework agreement for a cease-fire and hostage release deal."

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel is closer "more than ever" to reaching a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.

Hamas said Thursday that its chief Ismail Haniyeh held "communications with the mediators in Qatar and Egypt regarding the ideas being discussed with them to reach an agreement that would put an end to the brutal aggression faced by our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip."

Iranian presidential elections

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

The competing candidates are the reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and the conservative Saeed Jalili. A poll found on Thursday that Pezeshkian is ahead of his conservative opponent Saeed Jalili.

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."

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip amid stymied efforts to reach cease-fire that would end Israel's relentless attacks. Since last Oct. 7, Israel has killed over 38,000 Palestinians and injured more than 87,440 others.

Israeli raids on residential areas across Gaza Strip continue to claim lives. At least eight Palestinians were killed and several others injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on Thursday. The airstrikes targeted a school sheltering displaced people in the al-Daraj neighborhood east of Gaza City.

Military operation in Gaza

Israeli military operations taking place in various areas across Gaza Strip, including Rafah and Shejaiya in eastern Gaza City, with airstrikes and artillery shelling in areas across enclave.

The Al-Qassam Brigades and Al-Quds Brigades announced that they killed and injured Israeli soldiers and targeted military vehicles in the Shejaiya neighborhood.

Local media reported on Thursday that an Israeli officer was killed in fighting with Palestinian groups in the Shejaiya neighborhood, eastern Gaza City.

Dire humanitarian situation, looming famine in Gaza

The humanitarian situation across Gaza Strip continues to get worse every day amid continued Israeli attacks and closure of Gaza's crossings.

The World Food Program warned Thursday that 2 million people in Gaza suffer food insecurity amid a devastating Israeli onslaught on the enclave.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 561 people and injured 5,350 others, with 9,520 taken into Israeli custody since last Oct. 7.

Protests against Israeli government

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

Families of Israeli captives in Gaza on Thursday threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stage mass rallies if he fails to reach a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Daily border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah amid warnings of escalation into potential full-blown war.

On Thursday, Hezbollah said it fired more than 200 rockets into military sites and facilities in northern Israel, a day after Israel killed a top military commander of the group in an airstrike in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s official news agency reported that Israeli airstrikes and artillery targeted the southern Lebanese towns of Naqoura and Adaisseh. Is also said that one person was killed in an Israeli drone attack on Houla town in addition to Aitaroun village. Israeli warplanes flew over Beirut and several areas in Lebanon, breaching the sound barrier.

Red Sea tension

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

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan.

Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan amid ongoing clashes between Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, El Fasher in North Darfur State, as well as in states of Sennar and Al-Jazira. Medecins Sans Frontieres reported on Thursday that the lack of access to medical supplies in Darfur is severely hindering the treatment of hundreds of wounded individuals.

UK general election results

The Labour Party has won a landslide victory in the UK election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. They secured over 400 seats, well beyond the 326 needed for a majority in the 650-seat Commons, while the Conservatives managed only 112. Last election, in December 2019, resulted in a majority of 80 for then-Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson. Johnson was then replaced by Liz Truss following a Conservative Party leadership election in 2022, and she remained in office for 49 days before being replaced by Rishi Sunak in October 2022.

Stoltenberg press conference

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg holds a press conference in Brussels to preview the upcoming NATO summit in Washington DC.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

Spanish prime minister’s wife appears at court

Begona Gomez has been summoned to appear to testify as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claims is part of a smear campaign.

UN Secretary-General Guterres to visit Tajikistan

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to visit Tajikistan at the invitation of President Emomali Rahmon. Guterres will hold bilateral talks with Rahmon and other Tajik officials.

Azerbaijan to host informal summit of Organization of Turkic States

Azerbaijan to host an informal summit of the leaders of the Organization of Turkic States in the recently liberated city of Shusha in the Karabakh region (till July 6). The topic of the meeting is Building a Sustainable Future through Transport Connectivity and Climate Action.

Journalists invited by Kremlin to attend ‘an event’

Russian President Vladimir Putin to host an event in the Kremlin, with no details provided by the press service.

Türkiye’s Medipol Health Group to launch branch in Uganda

Medipol Health Group, one of Türkiye’s largest private university hospitals, to officially launch its branch in Uganda’s capital Kampala at a ceremony attended by a delegation from Türkiye, diplomats from Turkish embassy and local government officials.

Scientists welcome new breakthrough in HIV treatment

Scientists in Africa have welcomed a breakthrough in HIV treatment, which gives women 100% protection through a twice-yearly injection, though it will take some time for the treatment to reach the continent.

Kenya's president to engage country's youth on social media spaces after weeks of protests

President William Ruto to host inaugural X-Space conversation with Kenyan youth after weeks of protests against tax hikes which led to deaths of more than 39 protesters. His Cabinet will also join the social media conversations aimed at dialogue with angry citizens amid financial strain.

Doha talks on Gaza cease-fire

Repercussions of a visit by Israeli delegation headed by Mossad chief David Barnea who will travel to Doha to meet with Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani as part of the latest push for a deal to free hostages held by Hamas and secure a cease-fire in Gaza. A US team also participates in the talks.

Biden's debate debacle

Developments regarding ongoing row about the poor performance of US President Joe Biden at June 27 presidential debate against former President Donald Trump, which raised questions about Biden's competence in presidential race. Biden will attend a campaign event in Wisconsin. Later in the day, his interview with ABC News will be aired.

China’s president pays visit to Tajikistan

China’s President Xi Jinping to commence a two-day state visit to Tajikistan after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders’ summit in Kazakhstan.

Over 13,000 petrol pumps to shut down across Pakistan

Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association to lead shut down of over 13,000 petrol pumps across the South Asian nation against double taxation on the dealers.

Japan’s top diplomat to visit Cambodia

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko to arrive on her two-day visit in Cambodia.

Jailed Kashmiri politician to take oath at Indian parliament

Incarcerated Kashmiri politician Engineer Rashid to take oath as a member of the Indian parliament. He has been in jail since 2019 and was granted custodial parole for two hours to take oath of office as lawmaker. He has been barred from speaking to media.

Bangladesh looks to China for soft loans

Bangladesh is likely to seek soft loans from Beijing when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pays official visit to China next week. Amid drying foreign reserves, Dhaka is seeking $5 billion to meet budgetary requirements while it will also seek billions for construction of different infrastructure and development projects.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference to respond to questions on issues of foreign policy matters.

THE ECONOMY

Germany’s industrial production

Germany to share industrial production data for May. Country’s industrial production in downward trend since June 2023 and the situation is expected to continue in May 2024 figures.

France’s int’l trade

France to share international trade data for May. Country’s trade balance in negative side for while and above market expectations during last two months. May figures are expected at minus €7.2 bililon.

Euro area retail sales

Eurostat to reveal retail sales data for May.

Retail sales posting mixed figures in recent period. Markets expect slight rise for May.

Türkiye’s cash realizations

The Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to reveal cash realizations for June. After a five-month negative trend, in May, cash balance was at positive side.

SPORTS

⁠EURO 2024 Quarterfinals

2024 UEFA European Football Championship quarterfinals to kick off Friday. Spain to face hosts Germany in Stuttgart while Portugal to take on France in Hamburg.

2024 Wimbledon Tennis Championships

The Wimbledon tennis championships, 3rd grand slam of the season, to continue with main table matches. The 2024 edition of Wimbledon is scheduled to be held on July 1-14 in London.

SPECIAL REPORTS

How the UK voted in crucial general elections

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

London - Report on the key outcomes and voting trends in the UK’s general elections.

The story gives a breakdown of voting data from across the UK, highlighting the significant patterns, and presents an assessment of the overall picture with regards to the main contenders, particularly the Conservatives and the Labour Party.

It also details the implications of the results, both in the domestic and foreign domains, as well as the potential policy path for the next government on critical issues such as the economy and immigration.

France elections: How the 2nd round of voting is shaping up

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on the possible scenarios and outcomes in the second round of voting in France’s snap parliamentary elections, set to take place on July 7.

The story gives details of the results of the first round and lays out the strategies being employed by the left-wing alliance and centrist parties in a bid to block a possible far-right victory.

The report includes comments from political analyst Alexander Seale about his expectations for the results and the potential implications for France and the wider region.

Anti-Semitism weaponized to silence pro-Palestinian voices: Expert

By Burak Bir

London - Interview with Antony Lerman, a British writer who specializes in the study of anti-Semitism and the Israel-Palestine issue.

The academic shares his views on the pressure that pro-Palestine figures are facing in the UK and what he says has been the "weaponization of anti-Semitism" since last October.

Lerman also speaks about Israel’s strategies to influence public opinion and engineer hostility toward critical voices, explaining how they have led to shrinking space and encroached upon freedom of expression.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report about the second round of voting in France’s snap parliamentary elections due to be held on July 7, with details of the process and main contenders, first-round results and projections for the expected outcomes.