Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, July 12, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories): ​​​​​​​

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

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

On Thursday, Israeli media reported progress in Qatar-hosted talks with the participation of CIA director William Burns, head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service David Barnea, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Hamas said it has not been informed of any new development by mediators. It also accused Israel of “buying time to thwart” the negotiations.

Israeli Channel 12 said the Israeli delegation left Doha and returned to Israel for consultations with the Israeli leadership. Netanyahu’s office said that the prime minister met with the team and stressed that the conversation discussed only ways to bring the hostages home while ensuring that all the war aims are achieved.

The Israeli negotiators are set to hold a new round of Friday talks in Cairo, according to Israeli media. This comes as 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.

US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs on regional visit

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf's Middle East trip from July 8-14 to discuss a cease-fire agreement in Gaza.

On Thursday, she met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman and discussed cease-fire efforts in the Gaza Strip and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas. Her visit includes the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank and Italy to meet with government officials.

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 over 38,340 Palestinians killed and nearly 88,300 others injured since Oct. 7.

On Thursday, Palestinian medics retrieved more than 60 bodies from under the rubble in the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City after Israeli troop withdrawal from the area.

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.

UNRWA said Thursday that there is a huge backlog of medical supplies at the crossing points, the aid is just sitting waiting to come in.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 571 people and injured 5,350 others, with 9,625 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.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

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

Israeli media reported on Thursday that an Israeli was seriously injured by a drone fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.

Lebanon’s official news agency said the Israeli army targeted houses in the southern Lebanese border towns of Ramia and Tayr Harfa with a guided missile. It also targeted the town of Yarin with a ground-to-ground missile.

Hezbollah said that it targeted newly established surveillance equipment at the Israeli enemy’s Hadb Yarin site and Malkieh post and hit Israeli soldiers near Hanita.

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 the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, El Fasher in North Darfur State, as well as in states of Sennar and Al-Jazira.

German chancellor hosts Japanese premier

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. A press conference is planned after their talks.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

UK armed forces to release diversity statistics

Biannual statistics on diversity declaration and representation of protected characteristics for military personnel.

US

President Joe Biden visits Detroit, Michigan where he holds a campaign event. Key remarks and growing calls for him to drop out of November presidential race after his poor performance at June debate against Donald Trump.

UNRWA Pledging Conference at UN

Conference takes place aimed at increasing contributions to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold a news conference

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a weekly news conference on wide range of current foreign policy issues.

Kenyan president to hold consultations on new Cabinet

A day after sacking his Cabinet, Kenyan President William Ruto is expected to hold consultations with different sectors and political formations to pick new ministers. His move followed escalating public pressure and recent violent protests over financial hardships.

Southern African ministers to continue deliberations on regional security

Ministers of the Southern African Development Community, a 16-member regional bloc, to conclude their two-day meeting on security and political stability held in the Zambian capital Lusaka. A joint statement is expected to be issued.

South Africa’s Western Cape storm warnings continue with heavy rains

Heavy rains continue in South Africa’s Western Cape Province which includes tourism city Cape Town with the weather services issuing warnings for strong storms. Schools have been closed in parts of the provinces and roads flooded.

Azerbaijan's president meets Pakistani leadership

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev continues his two-day trip to Pakistan, first since 2017. He will hold meetings with President Asif Zardari.

Pakistan's top court to deliver verdict on reserved seats

Supreme Court to deliver verdict on long-awaited petition on allocation of reserved seats, following Feb. 8 elections. The election watchdog had allotted some 70 reserved seats in parliament to ruling alliance, triggering protest by opposition party which had won most of the seats through its independent candidates.

Court hears sex crime case by US soldier in Japan

A Japanese court in Okinawa province will hear a case of sex crime by a US soldier who has been indicted over alleged sexual assault and kidnapping of a minor girl. This is one of many sexual abuse cases happening in Japan, where around 50,000 US soldiers are deployed under a mutual defense pact.

Australia hosts joint air combat training exercises

Australia hosts joint biennial military exercise Pitch Black 2024. Soldiers from some 20 nations participate in the exercises which focus on large-scale tactical flying and operational training, offensive counter air and air interdiction operations within a multinational coalition setting. Participation by some 140 aircraft and over 4,000 personnel is the largest in its 43-year history.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's current account

Turkish Central Bank to reveal current account balance for May. In April, Türkiye posted a current account deficit of $5.29 billion. Markets' expectation was $1.5 billion for May.

China's int'l trade

China to reveal int’l trade figures for June. Country's exports and imports rose by 7.6% and 1.8%, respectively, in May. This month, both figures are expected to be higher.

Germany's wholesale inflation

Germany to share wholesale prices for June. Wholesale inflation in country in downward trend since March 2023. In May, wholesale prices dropped by 0.7% in May. Downward trend may continue in June with lower rate.

France's inflation

France to share inflation rate for June. Since February, France's annual inflation rate has been below 3%, with fluctuations. In May, the rate was 2.3% and provisional figures showed that June may see a 2.1% price increase.

SPORTS

2024 Wimbledon tennis championships

The Wimbledon tennis championships, 3rd grand slam of the season, to continue with men's singles semifinals. The 2024 edition of Wimbledon is scheduled to be held from July 1 to 14 in London.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Stifled voices: Israeli Arabs battle repression to speak out against war on Gaza

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report about the increasing intimidation and repression being faced by Israeli Arabs at the hands of the Israeli government and its forces.

The story details the ways that Israeli authorities have targeted Israeli Arabs since last October, including curbs on their right to free speech, free association, and political participation.

It includes interviews with Adi Mansour, a human rights lawyer associated with Adalah, a Palestinian-run legal center in Israel, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, a former Knesset member and leader of the Balad party.

Rwanda general election: All you need to know

By James Tasamba

Kigali, Rwanda - Report on Rwanda’s presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for July 15.

It lays out details of the voting process, past results and trends, and related information such as voter statistics and demographic details.

The story has profiles of the main parties and presidential candidates, and their stances on key issues such as the economy, migration, and other geopolitical matters.

It includes interviews with Rwandan political analysts Ismael Buchanan and Louis Gitinywa, who share their assessments for the expected outcome and potential implications for the country and wider region.

NEW MEDIA​​​​​​​

Interviews with human rights lawyer Adi Mansour and Sami Abu Shehadeh, a former Knesset member and leader of the Balad party, about the growing intimidation and repression that Israeli Arabs are facing by the Israeli government and forces since last October.