Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed over 39,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 90,000 since Oct. 7, 2023. Situation continues to worsen by the day amid attacks and minimal aid.

At least 50 people were killed and 120 others injured on Monday in Israeli attacks on the eastern areas of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a medical source in Gaza.

Israeli warplanes launched an intensive bombardment on the city’s eastern neighborhoods after issuing immediate evacuation orders. Residents were seen fleeing their areas on foot and in carts amid the Israeli bombing.

In another development, chief of UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini also said on Monday that the Israeli forces targeted a UN convoy heading to Gaza City, forcing the convoy to take over.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

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

Ahead of Netanyahu's departure to the US, his office said late on Sunday that the Israeli negotiating team will resume its work this week, but didn't specify where talks to be held.

In the past months, Cairo and Doha hosted most of the Gaza cease-fire talks with involvement of the CIA.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 578 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 9,700 taken into Israeli custody since last October.

The Israeli authorities on Monday handed over demolition orders to a number of Palestinian-owned facilities near occupied East Jerusalem.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure the Netanyahu government to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah amid fears of a full-blown war.

The Israeli army on Monday said it intercepted five rockets launched from Lebanon toward the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

Military escalation in Yemen following Israeli attack

Military escalation in the Red Sea following the Houthis' announcement that they had carried out a "special military operation" in Eilat and vowed Israel with retaliation following its bombing of the port of Al Hudaydah in western Yemen on Saturday.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Sudan's humanitarian and security situation is deteriorating as clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue in various parts of the country.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

Top UK commanders to address RUSI Land Warfare conference at Church House, Great Smith

Annual conference hosted by the Royal United Services Institute will see the addresses of Chief of the Defense Staff Adm. Sir Tony Radakin and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Sir Roly Walker.

This two-day conference will bring together senior land and ground forces leaders, policymakers, and experts from the industry and think tanks to discuss and debate the dangerous security challenges that are currently facing the UK and its allies.

Anti-corruption march planned in Uganda

Ugandan youth to march to parliament in the capital Kampala against government corruption despite warnings by President Yoweri Museveni not to do so. Protest organizers have vowed to go ahead with demonstrations.

Kenyans vow to continue protests despite president accepting some of their demands

Anti-government protesters expected to continue in East Africa’s largest economy against President William Ruto’s decision to reappoint some of his former ministers and recent police killing of protesters. Ruto fired almost his entire Cabinet two weeks ago and appointed 10 new ministers, including some he had previously fired.

Top US official John Bass visits Tanzania

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass to visit Tanzania and discuss with senior government leaders areas for increased bilateral cooperation, progress on political and economic reforms, human rights, and regional peace and security.

UN-AIDS to release new report on Africa

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to release a new report on the scale of disease in Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

US president returning to White House

US President Joe Biden to return to the White House after nearly a week at his residence in Delaware recovering from COVID-19 infection and the first time since his decision to withdraw from presidential race.

Kamala Harris - Milwaukee campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris to campaign in Milwaukee, days after the Republican National Convention in the city ended. The event will be Harris's first event since President Joe Biden ended his campaign and endorsed her as the Democratic presidential candidate.

House speaker press conference

House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead press conference alongside Republican leaders following their conference meeting, which will mark their first meeting since the assassination attempt against Donald Trump and news that President Joe Biden is no longer seeking reelection and instead endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.

UN event on Yemen

UN Security Council to hold its regular monthly open briefing and closed consultations on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya are expected to brief in the public session.

Top Ukrainian diplomat visits China

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to begin 4-day trip to China where he will hold talks with his counterpart Wang Yi. Russia-Ukraine war is set to top the agenda.

Laos to host ASEAN summit

With the theme of ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience, Laos to host several meetings of Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the course of five days. Besides foreign ministers of the ASEAN, top diplomats from other countries are also expected to attend the meetings.

Indian government to propose annual budget

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to propose annual budget in the parliament. This is the first budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since its return for a third term last month.

Curfew, crackdown continues in Bangladesh

Curfew, internet blackout, and crackdown on protesters continue in Bangladesh where 143 people have been killed during violent demonstrations against now-binned reservations in public jobs. Police have arrested over 600 people as soldiers have been deployed to control the situation.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's consumer confidence

Turkstat to share consumer confidence for July. It dropped by 2.5% last week.

Türkiye's policy interest rate

Türkiye to announce interest rate decision. Central Bank has increased rate from 8.5% to 50% gradually from June 2023 to March 2024 and kept rate constant during last three meetings. This month, markets expect no change.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Activists decry Israel’s participation in Paris Olympics

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on campaigns calling for Israeli athletes to be barred from the upcoming Paris Olympics over its deadly offensive in Gaza.

The story highlights the various boycott campaigns and strategies to exert pressure on Israel and the International Olympics Committee, as well as how countries can support Palestinian athletes during the Games.

The story includes an interview and comments by Irish sports activist Rebecca O’Keeffe, academic and Olympics researcher Jules Boykoff and Palestinian political analyst Kamel Hawwash.

UK Labour government faces pressure for policy shift on Israel-Palestine conflict

By Mehmet Solmaz

London - Report about the new UK Labour government’s potential policies on the Israel-Palestine issue and Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.

The story will explore the possible changes in the UK’s policy path under Keir Starmer’s government, building on new Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s recent trip to Israel and Palestine, where he called for an immediate cease-fire.

The report will be based on interviews with British political analysts, focusing on their assessments on how the new government will approach the issue and whether there could be a major shift in stance or not.

Is Adidas next on the list of Gaza boycott campaigns?

By Seda Sevencan

Istanbul - Report on backlash that German sportswear giant Adidas is facing after it dropped Palestinian-American supermodel Bella Hadid from an advertising campaign.

Many activists and social media users have been calling for a boycott against the brand, accusing it of favoring profits over principles. Similar boycotts have already impacted chains like McDonald's and Starbucks in Muslim-majority countries.

It includes comments from Palestinian activist Sami Al-Arian and British political commentator Sami Hamdi.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Palestinian political analyst Kamel Hawwash on how spectators and athletes can support Palestine during the 2024 Paris Games, including with symbolic gestures and apparel, like badges, and by boycotting events with Israeli competitors.