Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 24, 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 39,090 Palestinians and injured nearly 90,140 since Oct. 7, 2023. Situation continues to worsen by the day amid attacks and minimal aid.

On Tuesday, six Palestinians were killed and 10 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza. Another 15 Palestinians lost their lives in a series of Israeli airstrikes on residential areas in the northern Gaza Strip.

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.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the conditions necessary for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza are “becoming ripe.” He also noted that the deal “will not take place all at once; there will be stages.”

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 did not specify where the talks will be held.

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

Five people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on Al-Hamam neighborhood in the Tulkarm refugee camp.

The Health Ministry said two other Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in Sa'ir town in the southern occupied West Bank.

Israeli forces raided several homes in Sa'ir during which the soldiers harshly interrogated people and assaulted them, according to witnesses.

Palestinian political fractions agreement

Arab and regional reactions and responses after Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, agreed, during three days of talks in China, on taking "immediate practical steps" to implement an agreement to form an interim unity government and maintain Palestinian control over Gaza.

The Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas officials praised the move and said the talks were an important step toward achieving Palestinian national unity.

However, Israel rejected any Palestinian agreement aimed at maintaining control over the Gaza Strip following Tel Aviv’s ongoing war.

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 the Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of a full-blown war.

On Thursday, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a car in the border town of Chaqra, leaving the vehicle in flames and injuring several people.

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.

The group released Tuesday a video showing last Saturday’s drone attack on Tel Aviv, which killed an Israeli and injured 10 others.

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.

US

Biden's nationwide address

President Joe Biden to deliver an address from Oval Office discussing his decision, announced on Sunday, to end his reelection campaign. He endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris as Democratic Party's nominee for November presidential elections.

Netanyahu's Congress address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to US Congress at the invitation of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Netanyahu is expected to meet with Congressional leaders ahead of his address, which some Democrats oppose over the humanitarian impact of Israeli attacks in Gaza. Protests are expected around the Congress building.

House hearing on FBI oversight

House Committee on the Judiciary to hold a hearing, featuring testimony from FBI Director Christopher Wray. The attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump on July 13 is likely to come up during the hearing.

DNC Rules Committee meeting

Democratic National Committee's Rules Committee to meet virtually to discuss next steps following President Joe Biden's announcement on Sunday that he was ending his reelection process and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee.

Trump rally in North Carolina

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to hold rally in North Carolina, which comes after decision by President Biden to withdraw from the presidency and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

1st Starmer-Sunak clash after election

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to face opposition leader Rishi Sunak in first Prime Minister’s Questions sessions in the House of Commons for the first time after the election.

Crime statistics in England and Wales

Crimes against households and adults, also including data on crime experienced by children, and crimes against businesses and society.

Food security and nutrition report

FAO to launch 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to hold traditional annual summer press conference in Berlin.

Start of International Aviation Space Salon MAKS

An international air show held at the Zhukovsky International Airport 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the Russian capital Moscow.

MAKS is an important event for the Russian aviation industry and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Although it started mainly as an entertainment event, the show soon became a marketplace where Russian aerospace companies could negotiate export contracts and Russian air carriers could make foreign contacts.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold news conference

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

Trial against DR Congo’s ex-chief of election body to begin

The trial of the former head of the Independent Electoral Commission of DR Congo, Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo to commence. Yobeluo and his colleagues are accused of conspiring against the state, by allying themselves with several rebel movements including the M23, which is fighting against the government in Kinshasa.

Rescue efforts continue in after devastating landslides kill over 150

Rescue efforts continue in Ethiopia’s remote mountainous area of Gofa district after 157 dead bodies were retrieved from the ground after the area was hit by two landslides burying several people. The death toll is expected to raise.

Kenyan president expected to name more new Cabinet ministers

President William Ruto is expected to announce more new cabinet ministers after he fired almost his entire cabinet two weeks ago and appointed 10 Cabinet ministers including some he had previously fired. Ruto has also introduced several austerity measures to reduce government spending amid financial difficulties but protesters continue to disrupt business calling for his resignation.

Ukraine war on agenda as top diplomats of Beijing, Kyiv meet in Beijing

Ukraine war is on agenda as top diplomats of Beijing and Kyiv, Wang Yi and Dmytro Kuleba are meeting in China.

Pakistan likely to ban opposition Tehreek-e-Insaf party

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to chair Cabinet to decide on his government’s plan to ban jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Top US diplomat begins trip to Asia-Pacific with 1st stop in Hanoi

US Sectary of State Antony Blinken begins trip to Asia-Pacific region, with first stop in Hanoi where he will attend last rites of Nguyen Phu Trong, the deceased chief of Vietnam Communist Party.

Taiwan prepares for typhoon, shuts schools

Northern parts are expected to be hit by a strong typhoon. The administration has announced closure of classes while normal work will be suspended in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan areas.

Violence recedes in Bangladesh

Incidents of violence reduce in Bangladesh as government extended curfew until Thursday while death toll climbed to 187. Government has also implemented top court's order to fill public jobs with 93% on merit basis.

THE ECONOMY

German consumer climate

Data analytics form GfK to reveal Germany’s consumer climate index for August

The GfK Consumer Climate Indicator for Germany posted its first decline in five months to -21.8 heading into July from -21.0 in in the prior period.

SPORTS

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Football and rugby matches to kick off Paris 2024 Olympic Games ahead of Friday's opening ceremony on River Seine.

The Argentina vs. Morocco at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne, and the Uzbekistan vs. Spain at Paris' Parc des Princes, both to begin at 1300GMT, will be the first football matches of the summer games. Rugby sevens to start with the match between Australia and Samoa at 1330GMT at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis.

SPECIAL REPORTS

War on Gaza: Is Israel violating the Olympic Truce?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Story on the Olympic Truce, and how experts believe that Israel is in violation of a UN resolution that calls for the global cessation of hostilities during the Games.

The story provides background information on the truce and past instances of its violation. It also discusses a letter written by the Palestine Olympic Committee on how Israel’s offensive in Gaza is a breach of the truce, therefore requiring that the country be banned from Paris 2024.

It also discusses when Russia was accused of violating the truce for invading Ukraine, but no similar action has been taken against Israel for its assault in Gaza.

The story includes interviews and comments by Katarina Pijetlovic, Head of Legal Department at Palestine Football Association, and Leyla Hamed, a sports journalist.

Housing crisis in Greece demands state intervention, innovative solutions, argue experts

By Ahmet Gencturk

Athens - Report on Greece's escalating housing crisis and government efforts to address it, detailing a sharp rise in prices compared to other EU countries.

The story focuses on factors contributing to the crisis, including tourism growth and short-term rentals, and their impact on middle- and working-class residents.

It includes interviews with Thomas Maloutas, emeritus professor of urban studies at Harokopio University in Athens, and Loukas Karabelas from a major Athens real estate agency, providing expert insights on the causes and potential solutions to the housing crisis.

FACTBOX - Summer edition of Olympic Games returns to Paris after 100 years

By Emre Asikci

Istanbul - Explainer featuring details about the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, covering event dates, venue highlights, and new sports added.

The report also discusses the unique medals featuring Eiffel Tower fragments, Paris’ candidacy process to host the Games, and the introduction of the Olympic mascot and torch design.

It also mentions the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral status and outlines the historical context of the Olympics in Paris.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Thomas Maloutas, emeritus professor of urban studies at Harokopio University in Athens, who outlines the causes of the housing crisis in Greece, and with Loukas Karabelas, a member of one of Athens’ major real estate agencies, who provides information on how authorities are responding to the issue.