Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, August 2, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Aftermath of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination

International and regional responses and reactions to Wednesday's assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Haniyeh's funeral was held in the Iranian capital on Thursday, and the body is expected to arrive in Doha today.

Israel has refrained from commenting on the incident, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they dealt a "crushing blow" to the enemies in the past few days.

Hezbollah vows response after top commander's killing

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has vowed a “real and well-calculated response” to commander Fouad Shukr’s assassination, claimed by the Israeli military.

As fears for an all-out war between the two sides grow, a number of countries have urged their citizens to avoid travel or leave Lebanon.

Israel says Hamas commander Mohammed Deif dead

Israel has announced that Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif was killed in an airstrike on July 13 in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. The death, however, has yet to be confirmed by the group's military wing.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed nearly 39,500 Palestinians and injured many more since Oct. 7.

An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced individuals on Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City killed 10 Palestinians and injured dozens more, including children.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

Latest developments regarding a potential cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Talks appear to be stalled after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have at least 592 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 9,700 taken into custody since last October.

A young man was shot and injured by Israeli forces during a raid in the city of Qalqilya on Thursday.

The International Court of Justice, in an advisory opinion last month, said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful.

Protests against Israeli government

Protests in Israel to pressure the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, or resign.

Israeli protesters blocked a main highway in Tel Aviv on Thursday to demand the prisoner swap deal.

Red Sea tension

Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea, and US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

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

Far-right protest planned in Sunderland, England

Far-right groups plan to hold a protest following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport. Right-wing and fascist social media accounts have fueled speculation that the stabbing suspect was a Muslim immigrant, which has since proved to be incorrect.

Modern slavery case

Met Police to hold a media briefing following the sentencing of three men for modern slavery and human trafficking offences.

US-Russia prisoner swap

Developments related to a historic US-Russia prisoner exchange in Ankara, which was mediated by Turkish intelligence.

Trump immunity case

The US Court of Appeals for Washington DC is expected to formally receive the Supreme Court's July 1 opinion over former President Donald Trump's claim of immunity from prosecution over his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Protests in Nigeria over rising cost of living

Protests against economic hardships and food crisis are expected to continue in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country that has seen a rise in inflation and a depreciating currency.

Malawi’s electoral body to update nation on preparedness to hold elections

The Malawi Electoral Commission will brief on its preparedness to hold the 2025 general elections and announce the election calendar at an event in the capital Lilongwe.

DR Congo rebel groups distance themselves from cease-fire talks

The Congo River Alliance, known by its French name Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition of armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the M23 rebels have distanced themselves from a cease-fire agreement reached earlier this week. They claim they were not invited to the talks and are not bound by what was discussed in Angola.

Opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party banned in Bangladesh

Reactions and developments related to the government's ban on opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party, its student wing and associated organizations.

Casualties rise due to landslides, cloudbursts in India

The death toll of Tuesday's massive landslides in India's southern state of Kerala has crossed 250, with scores of people still missing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry's media briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold a regular news conference in Beijing.

Protests against assassination of Hamas chief

Protests and demonstrations expected against assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in several parts of Asia.

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Haniyeh's funeral in Qatar

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend the funeral ceremony for Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's provisional July trade figures.

Turkish trade minister to share provisional foreign trade data for July.

SPORTS

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Australia to face Greece, while Canada will take on Spain in Paris 2024 men's basketball group stage matches.

France to take on Argentina in men's Olympic football quarterfinal match.

Women's singles tennis bronze medal match.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel’s assassination strategy ‘not a game changer’: Israeli journalist Gideon Levy

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul – Interview with Israeli journalist and author Gideon Levy about the implications of Israel’s assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh.

Levy speaks about the impact on the Gaza cease-fire talks and how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is derailing the entire process because he “does not want the war to be over.”

He says Israel still has “no plan” for its ongoing war on Gaza and its strategies show a “total disconnection from reality,” while also sharing his views on the growing risk of a wider and more prolonged regional conflict.

Climate change, fuel costs push Pakistan’s fishing industry into more choppy waters

By Aamir Latif

Karachi, Pakistan – Report explaining how the effects of climate change, compounded by rising fuel costs, are taking a toll on Pakistan’s already vulnerable fishing industry.

The story gives details of the environmental issues that are impacting marine populations, such as rising sea levels and temperatures, ocean acidification, coastal erosion, underwater land instability and mud volcanic activity.

It also sheds light on the struggles of fishermen in the face of spiraling inflation and soaring fuel costs, with data and figures illustrating the effect on seafood exports and the wider industry.

The report includes interviews with local fishermen and various experts, including Kamal Shah, head of the NGO Fisher Folk Forum, Muhammad Jawad Akhtar, a former maritime advisor at the Planning and Development Ministry, and maritime researcher Naufil Shahrukh.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Israeli journalist and author Gideon Levy about the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and its implications for Gaza cease-fire talks, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future and the risk of a wider regional conflict.