Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

NATO Summit

US President Joe Biden to deliver remarks on the 75th Anniversary of NATO at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

Turkish President Erdogan to hold news conference

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expected to hold news conference ahead of departing for the US to attend NATO summit.

Blinken's talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to deliver remarks at NATO Women, Peace and Security Reception at the Department of State. Blinken will later meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoletenberg at the Department of State.

NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum

The US Chamber of Commerce to host NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaking in afternoon. The gathering sees defense ministers meeting with senior members of industry. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks are representing the US at the forum.

Biden's debate debacle

Developments regarding the ongoing row 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. Senate Democrats are expected to hold their weekly caucus meeting amid questions over Biden's candidacy for a second term.

Turkish parliament speaker in US

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus to participate in a NATO parliamentary summit which will bring together parliamentary leaders from the 32 NATO members as well as Ukraine, including 23 speakers of parliament.

UN Security Council

UN Security Council to convene for an emergency meeting on Ukraine to discuss Russian missile attacks targeting multiple cities across Ukraine on 8 July, including a strike that caused significant damage to a children’s hospital in Kyiv. An OCHA official and a civil society representative are expected to brief.

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.

According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN Israel's Mossad chief David Barnea will travel to Doha on Wednesday, to meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, CIA director William Burns, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

Meanwhile, the head of the Shin Bet security service, Ronen Bar, arrived in Egypt on Monday to take part in talks to resolve disputed points in the cease-fire talks, KAN said.

This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government members continue to voice strong opposition to having a deal with the Hamas group, most notably Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip amid stymied efforts to reach a cease-fire that would end Israel's relentless attacks which have resulted in nearly 38,200 Palestinians killed and over 87,900 others injured since Oct. 7.

The Israeli army on Monday ordered Palestinian residents in several areas in the Gaza Strip to evacuate immediately amid looming ground attacks on the areas it ordered the people to leave.

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.

On Monday, a 6-year-old Palestinian boy died of severe malnutrition caused by a crippling Israeli blockade in the central Gaza Strip.

The World Food Program said on Monday that "almost half a million people in Gaza face catastrophic levels of hunger."

West Bank raids

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

Protests against Israeli government

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

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

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

The Israeli army announced on Monday that it intercepted a drone over Lebanese airspace before it could penetrate Israeli territory.

The Israeli army for its part attacked several targets in southern Lebanon, including three Israeli airstrikes on Mt. Tourah in the Jezzine area of southern Lebanon.

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.

UK’s House of Commons to elect new speaker

The House of Commons to elect a speaker as the newly elected members gather for the first time after the July 4 election. The swearing-in of MPs and lords begins.

UN's HRC discusses Ukraine, Crimea

UN Human Rights Council continues second of three ordinary sessions this year in Geneva. Schedule today includes a discussion this morning on Ukraine, including on human rights in Crimea.

India’s Modi visits Austria

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays a two-day visit to Austria.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

Giga Connectivity Forum

Two-day Giga Connectivity Forum convenes high-level representatives from Ministries of Education, ICT and Communications Regulatory Authorities from countries engaged with Giga to meet, network, take stock of where they are today and chart a course to achieving universal school connectivity by 2030 in Geneva.

Putin, Modi to hold several rounds of talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi in Moscow on a wide range of issues -- economic development, global challenges and conflict -- in the expanded and narrow formats. The two leaders are expected to make a statement for the press following the meeting.

Russian navy to hold drill

The Russian naval forces start a one-day military drill in the city of Novorossiysk.

Nigerian tertiary workers strike over wages

Tertiary institution workers in the West African nation of Nigeria to down tools after months of unpaid wages. Protests will take place in all the 36 states of the country.

Kenyan journalists react to unlawful killing of Pakistani colleague

Kenyan journalists and legal experts comment on a court decision to award 10 million shillings ($78,000) in compensation to the widow of prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif who was shot dead by Kenyan police nearly two years ago. Court found the killing by police unlawful.

Zambia’s top court to give verdict in former president’s case

Zambia’s constitutional court expected to issue its verdict in a case where a private citizen is challenging the eligibility of former President Edgar Lungu to contest in future elections. Youth activist Michelo Chizombe also wants the court to declare that Lungu’s participation in the 2021 elections was unconstitutional.

Uganda expected to respond to UN report accusing it of helping M23 rebels in DR Congo

The Ugandan government expected to issue a response after a UN report said the East African nation’s army has provided support to the M23 rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN and the government in Kinshasa have for long accused Rwanda of backing the rebels.

Curfew continues in Australia’s home to First Nations

Three-day curfew continues in Alice Springs, home to First Nations, in Northern Territory of Australia. The region has witnessed violent incidents over the weekend, triggering strict measures by authorities.

New Solomon Islands Premier Manele to visit China

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to pay week-long official visit to China. It is Manele’s first trip to China since being elected early this year. The Pacific Island nation shifted diplomatic relations to Beijing in 2019 and later signed a security pact with China in 2023, triggering criticism from the US and her allies in the region.

Top Thai diplomat visits China

Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to pay official trip to China where he co-chairs, with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the second meeting of the consultation mechanism between the ministers of foreign affairs of China and Thailand.

Guinea-Bissau President Embalo visits China

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo arrives in China for an official five-day trip. During his trip, Embalo will meet Chinese leadership.

Leaders of US’s Asia-Pacific allies attend NATO summit in Washington

Leaders of South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, as well as Australia, all of whom are allies of the US in the wider Asia-Pacific region, to attend NATO summit in Washington. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Japanese Premier Fumio Kishida, and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles to attend the summit. They are expected to hold separate bilateral meetings during the summit.

Search continues for missing people after landslides in Indonesia

Search and rescue efforts continue as 17 people were missing after landslides killed at least 11 at a traditional gold mine in Indonesia’s remote Bone Bolango district in Gorontalo province.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference where the spokesperson is expected to deliberate on meeting between President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Other issues, including elections results in France and NATO summit may come up for discussions.

SPORTS

EURO 2024 semifinals

Spain to face France at Munich Football Arena as the 2024 European Football Championship's semifinal stage to begin.

2024 Wimbledon quarterfinals

The Wimbledon, 3rd grand slam of the season in tennis, to continue with men's, women's singles quarterfinal matches in London.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Don’t believe Labour will be any different’: UK citizens skeptical on change in Gaza policy

By Aysu Bicer

London - Report on public views in the UK following the Labour Party’s landslide election victory, focusing particularly on the next government’s stance on Israel’s war on Gaza.

The story has interviews with several citizens who voice criticism of Labour’s position since last October and say they do not see the possibility of a change in UK’s pro-Israel policies.

They also speak specifically about Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s position on Israel’s deadly war, criticizing him for having “moved to the right and broken promises” during his time as Labour leader.

Return of the reformists: How will Pezeshkian’s win shape Iran’s policies?

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

Tehran, Iran - Report on the domestic and global implications of reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory in Iran’s presidential election.

The story details the Pezeshkian administration’s potential policy path, the challenges he faces at home and abroad, and the likelihood of increased engagement with the world, especially ties with the West, Russia and China.

It includes interviews with former Iranian diplomat and lawmaker Abolfazl Zohrevand and political analyst Mehdi Motahharnia.

First Giga Connectivity Forum aims to boost movement for global school connectivity

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

Geneva - Interview with Alex Wong, co-lead of Giga, a global initiative by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union that aims to connect every school to the internet.

Wong speaks about the first-ever Giga Connectivity Forum being held in Geneva, explaining the objectives and his expectations for what can be achieved at an event bringing together representatives from nearly three dozen countries.

He also explains the various cooperation models and strategies being explored, while also sharing success stories from several countries.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Street interviews with people in London on the Labour Party’s landslide election victory and their expectations for the new government’s policies regarding Israel’s war on Gaza.

VIDEO - Interview with Alex Wong, co-lead of Giga, a global initiative by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union, about its first-ever summit being held in Geneva, where he explains the strategies being used to achieve the target of connecting every school in the world to the internet by 2030.