Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, July 8, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

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

An Israeli negotiating team will leave Monday for Qatar to continue talks on a hostage swap deal and cease-fire in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian factions, Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported, citing informed sources. Another Israeli delegation will head to Cairo on Monday to participate in the negotiations.

CIA Director William Burns, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel will participate in these discussions.

Israeli politicians, including senior members of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, believe the prime minister will not agree to a swap deal with Palestinians, according to Haaretz newspaper. Politicians cite growing pressure on the prime minister from his coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, to reject any swap deal with Hamas.

Pezeshkian's presidency in Iran

International and regional reactions to the election of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Pezeshkian has signaled his openness to diplomatic engagement with the world, including the West, and intended to initiate reforms in economic and cultural domains. Activities and possible statements of the newly elected President Pezeshkian.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip amid stymied efforts to reach a cease-fire that would end Israel's relentless attacks, which have killed over 38,100 Palestinians and injured nearly 87,900 others since Oct. 7.

The Government Media Office in Gaza mourned Sunday the death of Deputy Minister of Labor Ihab Al-Ghussein, who was killed along with a group of citizens in an Israeli airstrike, following the earlier killing of his wife and daughter in a previous attack.

Military operation in Gaza

Israeli military offensives are taking place across the Gaza Strip, including Rafah and Shejaiya in eastern Gaza City, with airstrikes and artillery shelling.

Dire humanitarian situation, looming famine in Gaza

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating with each passing day, as Israeli attacks on the enclave continue and border crossings are closed.

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said children in Gaza spend eight hours per day carrying food and water, forcing families to rely on seawater for daily tasks.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 570 people and injured 5,350 others, with 9,550 in Israel’s custody since Oct. 7.

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 Palestinians or resign.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Daily border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, with warnings of escalation to a full-fledged war.

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.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

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

US

Biden's debate debacle

The latest developments in an ongoing dispute among Democrats over President Joe Biden's poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. Biden has reiterated that he will stay in the presidential race amid calls for withdrawal.

US defense chief hosts Stoltenberg

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for talks ahead of this week's NATO summit, which will bring together leaders from member nations to commemorate the military alliance's 75th anniversary.

Turkish parliament speaker in US

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus to attend a reception hosted by US House Speaker Mike Johnson and hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly summit. Kurtulmus to also attend a meeting hosted by the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA).

UN Security Council

The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA). In the afternoon, Security Council members will hear an open briefing on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including the work of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

EUROPE

French parliamentary election results of second round, reactions

Reactions expected from various regions as the results of the second round of general elections continue to be announced.

EU welcomes new Dutch premier

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to host a meeting with new Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Brussels.

EURASIA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Moscow for a two-day visit to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks will focus on the future development of the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and India, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda.

Belarus-China joint anti-terror exercises

Chinese and Belarusian militaries will hold the Eagle Assault-2024 joint army exercise near the city of Brest in Belarus until July 19.

Participants from both sides will hold mixed training exercises and practice tasks such as hostage rescue and anti-terrorism operations, to enhance the participating troops' training level and interoperability, and deepen the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries' armies.

ASIA – PACIFIC

Bangladeshi Premier Hasina begins official visit to China

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to begin official visit to China where she will meet with Chinese leaders including Premier Li Qiang. President Xi Jinping is expected to host Hasina for bilateral talks as well. During the trip, Hasina is expected to seek soft loans including hard cash to push forward her infrastructural projects in the South Asian nation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry press conference

China's Foreign Ministry will hold a regular press conference during which the spokesperson is expected to make statements about a possible defense pact between the Philippines and Japan, regional security, and the upcoming NATO summit.

President Xi hosts Hungarian Prime Minister Orban

China’s President Xi Jinping hosts Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing where they discussed the conflict in Ukraine. Orban dubbed the visit as "Peace Mission 3.0.”

Foreign and defense ministers of Philippines, Japan to meet

Foreign and defense ministers from the Philippines and Japan to meet in Manila to strengthen strategic ties and address regional concerns. Tensions have recently escalated in the disputed South China Sea, where Manila and China have competing claims.

UN refugee chief visits Pakistan

UN Refugee Agency Chief Filippo Grandi is continuing his three-day trip to Pakistan, his first since Islamabad announced the repatriation of Afghan refugees in October. Grandi will meet with officials in Pakistan, where he will focus on the repatriation and resettlement of outgoing Afghans.

AFRICA

EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to meet Djibouti’s president

European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to hold a series of bilateral meetings with President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Borrell's three-day official visit to Djibouti will conclude with a news conference on Monday.

Key takeaways from the West African regional bloc heads of state and government summit

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, warned at its weekend summit in Nigeria that the region faces disintegration and insecurity after military leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger signed a confederation treaty leaving the bloc. ECOWAS held its 65th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government on Sunday.

DR Congo humanitarian truce

The latest development after a two-week humanitarian truce in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo reached between conflicting parties. The truce began at midnight on July 5 and will continue through July 19, obliging the parties to the conflict to silence their weapons, allowing for the voluntary return of displaced people, and providing humanitarian personnel unfettered access to vulnerable populations. Millions of people have been displaced in the eastern DR Congo due to ongoing conflict, and they need humanitarian aid.

Floods in South Africa’s Cape Town

At least 4,000 people have been left homeless after heavy floods destroyed their homes in the Western Cape Province a day after South Africa Weather Services issued a warning for damaging winds, rain and flooding in most parts of the province.

THE ECONOMY

Germany’s international trade

Germany to reveal international trade figures for May. The country’s exports rose by 1.6%, and importers by 2% year-on-year in April. Trade balance at around $24 billion but the markets' expectation is at $21.5 billion for May.

Israel’s policy rate

Israeli Central Bank to reveal interest rate decision. The bank dropped the rate from 4.75% to 4.5% in November and kept the rate constant during the last three meetings. Markets expect no change at this meeting.

SPORTS

2024 Wimbledon Tennis Championships

The Wimbledon tennis championships, 3rd grand slam of the season, to continue with last 16 matches.

SPECIAL REPORTS

WITH VIDEO - Destructive Israel leadership razed all hopes for peace: Stanford scientist Robert Sapolsky

By Aysu Bicer

London - Interview with Robert Sapolsky, an acclaimed American neuroscientist and Stanford University professor, about Israel’s war on Gaza.

Saplosky, whose work focuses on the intersection of racism, inequality, and conflicts, speaks about the impact that Israel’s war has had on any possible peace in Palestine, saying it will now take multiple generations for there to be any reconciliation.

He also discusses the history of the Israel-Palestine issue, the role of European colonialism, and the current influence of Western powers such as the US.

WITH VIDEO - Amber: Ancient treasure from sea that could reshape Russia’s future

By Elena Teslova

Moscow - Report about amber reserves and mining in Russia, explaining how the country is trying to capitalize on the economic potential of the mineral.

The story outlines the major uses of amber, such as in jewelry and decorative pieces, along with details of Russia’s reserves and current mining operations, as well as its plans to increase extraction and boost revenue.

It includes interviews with several experts from the Kaliningrad Amber Combine, including chief geologist Alexey Korkin and Vadim Parkhomenko, head of the experimental jewelry production at the institute.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Robert Sapolsky, an American neuroscientist and Stanford University professor, about Israel’s war on Gaza and how it has destroyed chances for peace, setting back any reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians by multiple generations.

VIDEO – Report about Russia’s amber reserves and mining, explaining its history and economic importance, with comments from experts of the Kaliningrad Amber Combine, including chief geologist Alexey Korkin and Vadim Parkhomenko, experimental jewelry production head at the institute.​​​​​​​