Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Anticipated Iranian response to assassination of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh

Situation in the Middle East amid anticipated Iranian response to the assassination of Hamas group's political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh who was killed last week in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Iranian officials continue to issue threatening statements against Israel with the latest from the top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who vowed a "crushing response" against Israel.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

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

On Monday, eight Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting an aid vehicle in the central Gaza Strip, and in others airstrikes across Gaza, seven more Palestinians were killed and scores injured.

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.

According to Israeli media, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a US guarantee that Tel Aviv can resume its war on Gaza if there is no progress in implementing a proposed Gaza cease-fire.

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.

On Monday, two members from Hezbollah and Amal Movement were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon. The Hezbollah group said it targeted Israeli military sites in northern Israel.

South Korea and Ireland were the last in urging their citizens to leave Lebanon amid ongoing tension between Hezbollah and Israel.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure government led by Prime Minister Benjamin 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.

EUROPE

UN agencies’ briefing

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

Far-right protests in 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 400 arrests were made in weekend protests that saw attempts to arson 2 hotels housing asylum seekers.

AFRICA

Protests against economic hardship continue in Nigeria

Protests against economic hardship and bad governance to continue in major cities across Nigeria, despite government appeals to call off the protests. Organizers have called for 10 days of demonstrations.

Uganda faces influx of new refugees from DR Congo following renewed clashes

Fresh clashes in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between M23 rebels and the Congolese army has seen an influx of refugees fleeing into neighboring Uganda which is already struggling with a surge of refugees from other neighboring countries.

People fleeing conflict in Sudan face hunger crisis in South Sudan

Thousands of people who fled conflict in Sudan into neighboring South Sudan are facing a worsening hunger crisis in the country amid soaring food insecurity and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.

US

Attack on Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq

Developments after Iran-aligned militia attack US forces stationed at Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq, injuring several US personnel.

US defense chief Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant agreed that the attack marked a "dangerous escalation and demonstrated Iran's destabilizing role in the region." US President Joe Biden was also briefed on the attack.

Australia-US ministerial consultations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to hold news conference with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles in Annapolis, Maryland.

Security Council meeting

UN Security Council to meet to discuss the situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ASIA – PACIFIC

Bangladesh to name transitional gov’t head

Bangladeshi army is likely to nominate the head and members of the transitional government to run the country after ouster of Sheikh Hasina government. Hasina fled to neighboring India following overwhelming student protests against Awami League-led government. Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said Hasina has resigned.

India to host largest international air exercise

India to host largest international air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti-2024' and the first phase will begin in southern Tamil Nadu state. India had sent invitations to 51 countries for the exercise.

Hiroshima hosts Israel amid war on Gaza, draws backlash

Hiroshima is hosting Israeli official at an event to commemorate 79th anniversary of nuclear bombing of Japan by the US in 1945. Local government in Nagasaki has refused to invite Tel Aviv.

Taiwan’s top court hears case against legislative empowerment

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court hears arguments on the constitutionality of a package of amendments to empower the Legislature.

ECONOMY

Germany's factory orders

Germany to reveal factory orders for June. Country’s factory orders in downward trend for last three months.

Eurostat retail sales

Eurostat to reveal retail sales figures for June. After declining for long period since June 2022 to February 2024, retail sales figures posted slight increases during last three months.

US' foreign trade

US to reveal foreign trade figures for June. Its trade balance posted deficit of $75.1 billion in May and in June, this figure is expected to increase slightly.

SPORTS

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Athletics - Women’s 200m finals, Men's 1500m finals to be held at Stade de France

Men’s Olympic Basketball quarterfinals to take place at Bercy Arena. Germany to face Greece, Serbia to play with Australia, Canada to take on France, US team to play against Brazil.

Women's Olympic Football Tournament semifinals to take place in Lyon and Marseille. USA and Germany to meet in Lyon Stadium, World champions Spain to face Brazil at Marseille Stadium.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Reform to removal: How Bangladesh student protests brought down Hasina government

By Faisal Mahmud

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Report on the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh, focusing on how student-led protests evolved from a call for public job reforms into a push that brought down the government.

The story charts the events that led up to the fall of the government, explaining the main issues that fueled the protests and the key moments that transformed them into a wider anti-government movement.

It will include interviews with leaders of the student movement and Bangladeshi analysts, along with other figures from the Bangladeshi political landscape.

Are UK politicians, media downplaying Islamophobia in far-right riots?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Report on the criticism in the UK regarding government officials, media and other authorities downplaying the Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism element in the violent far-right riots gripping England.

The story explains how the framing of the violence, particularly in government statements and media coverage, has shifted the focus from the underlying Islamophobia and anti-Muslim vitriol that has been a prominent driver of the entire crisis.

It includes interviews with Kawtar Najib, a UK-based academic and expert on Islamophobia, and officials from watchdogs including Tell MAMA, which focuses specifically on anti-Muslim incidents.

US recession fears, overdue Fed response at heart of global stock ‘flash crash’: Expert

By Ovunc Kutlu

Istanbul – Report about the main reasons for the turbulence hitting stock markets around the world.

The story details the losses seen in major markets from the US to Japan and illustrates the main drivers of the unexpected crashes, primarily fears about the health of the US economy, where weak economic data has triggered worry about an impending recession.

It includes interviews with financial market analyst Grzegorz Drozdz and Martin Wurm, a director at Moody’s Analytics, who shed light on investors’ concerns and the possible future strategy path of the US Federal Reserve.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Report on the criticism against British government officials, media and other authorities for downplaying the Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism element in the violent far-right riots gripping England, featuring interviews with representatives of watchdogs including Tell MAMA.​​​​​​​