Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, August 5, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Aftermath of assassination of Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh

International and regional reactions continued to last week’s assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The US general in charge of American forces in the Middle East arrived in the region on Saturday as preparations continue for a possible attack against Israel from Iran in retaliation for the assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, two US officials said, according to the US news portal Axios.

After conducting consultations with the US, Israeli officials believe that a joint or separate attack against Israel by Hezbollah and Iran is “inevitable,” Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said. The timing of the attack, however, remains uncertain.

“Israeli officials also discussed the option of Israel moving first and carrying out a ‘preemptive attack’,” the newspaper said.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed some 40,000 Palestinians and injured more than nearly 91,000 since last Oct. 7. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.

At least 30 Palestinians were killed and scores of others injured on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes on two schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza City, medical sources said. “Around 80% of the victims are children,” Gaza Civil Defense said.

Since October 7, more than 1,040 Palestinians have died in the Gaza schools that house displaced Palestinians due to Israeli assaults, according to the government media office.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

All the latest in a potential cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

During his government meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel “will continue to apply military pressure on Hamas and its senior figures, until the return of all of hostages and the achieving of all of the objectives for the war.”

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 600 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 9,700 taken into custody since last October.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

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

At least two Lebanese were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the country’s Health Ministry said. Five more civilians were injured in the attack on the town of Deir Siriane in Marjayoun, the ministry added.

Protests against Israeli government

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

Red Sea tension

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

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan deteriorates as clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue.

The international organization Doctors Without Borders said Sunday that 300 people were killed and more than 2,170 injured during 12 weeks of fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in the city of El Fasher in North Darfur State, western Sudan.

Turkish foreign minister’s visit to Egypt

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s 2-day visit to Cairo continues.

Turkish president to chair Cabinet meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting and attend human rights-themed event.

Far-right protests in the UK

Far-right groups hold protests in many cities across the UK, following the fatal stabbing of three children 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. More than 100 arrests were made in weekend protests.

Monitoring developments in the Middle East

Developments in the US as Iran and Hezbollah are both expected to retaliate after the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Developments in the Middle East amid rising escalation between Israel, Lebanon and Iran.

US presidential elections

The Democratic National Committee to conclude its virtual roll call to officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's presidential candidate following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race on July 21. Harris is expected to announce her choice for a running mate in the presidential elections.

Menendez federal corruption trial

The trial of Nadine Menendez, the wife of US Senator Bob Menendez, who was found guilty on all 16 counts, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, will begin on Monday. Her trial was postponed due to cancer treatment.

South Africa to launch investigation into racism claims at school

The education department in South Africa's province of Gauteng will launch an investigation at a school in the capital Pretoria after 12 students accused of racism were cleared at a disciplinary hearing. South Africa still struggles with isolated incidents of racism three decades after the end of Apartheid.

Anti-government protests to continue in Nigeria

Protests against bad governance, economic hardships and food crisis in Africa’s most populous country expected to continue, despite an address by President Bola Tinubu Sunday urging citizens to suspend protests and create room for dialogue. Nigeria has seen rising inflation and a depreciating currency. Organizers have called for 10 days of demonstrations that began on Aug. 1. At least 17 people have been killed in clashes with security personnel.

Ukraine's Foreign minister on Africa tour

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is on visit to three African countries – Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius.

Protests seeking resignation of gov’t in Bangladesh grows

Protests led by students seeking resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government is growing with at least 93 dead in renewed protests. The authorities have imposed indefinite curfew and declared 3-day public holidays in the South Asian nation which saw mass violent demonstrations since early July. Students have called on people to join long march to capital Dhaka.

Thai foreign minister visits Malaysia

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa visits Malaysia to co-chair 15th session of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and the 6th ministerial meeting of the committee on Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas between Thailand and Malaysia.

Japan under pressure to dump invite to Israel on nuclear anniversary event

Japan is under intense pressure to dump an invitation to Israel as the nation commemorates 79th anniversary of nuclear bombing of Hiroshima city by the US in 1945. While local government in Nagasaki has refused to invite Tel Aviv, Hiroshima has gone ahead with the invitation, drawing severe criticism. Hiroshima has been accused of double standards when it comes to Israel and Russia, both separately engaged in war, Moscow in Ukraine, and Tel Aviv in Gaza.

Pakistan reiterates opposition to India’s removal of special status to Kashmir

Pakistan observes ‘Youm-i-Istehsal,’ or “Exploitation Day,” to reiterate opposition to India’s move to end special status to disputed Jammu and Kashmir region. New Delhi on Aug. 5, 2019 removed special status granted to the disputed region under Articles 370 and 35A, drawing opposition from people in Kashmir as well as from Islamabad.

Former Premier Imran Khan completes 1 year in jail

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan completes one year in jail and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has planned protests to seek his release from the prison. Khan is awaiting bail in some cases as courts have vacated his convictions in three major cases in recent weeks.

Japanese, Italian Air Forces hold bilateral drill

Air Force personnel and aircraft from Italy take part in bilateral exercises with their Japanese counterparts in Japan. The drills are being held in air space around Misawa Air Base of Japan Air Self Defense Forces in Aomori province.

THE ECONOMY

Eurozone producer inflation

Eurostat to reveal producer prices index for June. While it has been in negative side since April 2023, in May, producer inflation was at minus 4.2%.

Türkiye’s inflation

Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal annual inflation figures for July. Inflation rate was at 71.6% in June but market forecast for July is at 62.1%.

SPORTS

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Morocco to play against Spain, Olympics' hosts France to meet Egypt at Paris 2024 men's football semifinals.

⁠Artistic Gymnastics women's balance beam, floor exercise finals to be held in Paris. World-famous Team USA athlete and multi-time Olympic champion Simone Biles to be among competitors in these events. Biles has won 3 gold medals during Paris 2024 in team, all-around and vault events.

Paris 2024 men's pole vault final to be held at Saint-Denis' Stade de France. Swedish world record holder Armand Duplantis to be among the finalists.

⁠In athletics, women's 5,000-meter, 800-meter Olympic finals to be run at Stade de France. The Paris Games entering its final week.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Violent riots ‘absolute proof’ far right is the biggest threat to UK: British academic

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON - Interview with Anas Altikriti, CEO and founder of UK-based research and advisory group The Cordoba Foundation, about the violent far-right riots across England.

Altikriti speaks in detail about the underlying reasons for the surge in far-right violence in the country, explaining how the presence of these elements threat has increased as successive governments allowed them to “grow without any kind of attention, without any kind of check.”

He stresses the need for strong action and stringent measures for accountability, warning that the misguided policies of focusing on Muslims and minority groups must be changed “to identify the real threats to society” and try to eradicate them.

Hot air balloons elevate safari experience in Tanzania

By Kizito Makoye

TARANGIRE, Tanzania - Report about the unique hot air balloon safari experience in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park.

The story gives details of the initiative, including the route and the areas covered, while explaining how it has helped boost tourism and raise awareness on the importance of wildlife and natural habitat conservation.

It includes interviews with several foreign tourists, a balloon pilot, and local guides.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with British academic Anas Altikriti about the violent far-right riots across England, where he explains how successive UK governments over the past few decades have allowed far-right groups to grow “without any kind of check,” leading to a situation where they have become the most dangerous and real threat to society.