Diary

ISTANBUL - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, August 8, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Military escalation in the Middle East

Israel has been anticipating for over a week a possible military attack from Iran, the Lebanese group Hezbollah, the Houthi group in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria, following the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran at the end of July. This came after the Israeli military claimed responsibility for the assassination of the prominent Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in a Beirut suburb the day before.

Hundreds of doctors in Israel are joining Magen David Adom first aid teams, and hospitals nationwide are being stocked with essential supplies as Israel prepares for potential emergencies, the state-run broadcasting authority reported. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged citizens to remain "patient and level-headed.”

Yahya Sinwar named new Hamas leader

Reactions expected as Hamas chose Yahya Sinwar, its top leader in Gaza, as the head of its political bureau. He succeeds Haniyeh, who was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran last week.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and injured many more since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.

At least seven Palestinians were killed in Israeli artillery shelling of a tent camp sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the Civil Defense Agency said.

Thousands of Palestinians are being displaced from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza after the Israeli army requested evacuations for military operations, claiming rocket launches from the area.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

Talks continue for a potential cease-fire agreement and hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas leader Osama Hamdan told Anadolu that negotiations will continue despite the stalled process and Sinwar's selection as the head of the resistance movement, noting that the real issue is Israel and the US not pressuring Tel Aviv to cease attacks on Gaza.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 620 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 10,000 taken into custody since last October.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called Wednesday for "Palestinian self-management" in the occupied West Bank with security and foreign affairs under Israel's control.

Protests against Israeli government

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

Far-right protests in the UK

The government is likely to make new statements about the ongoing far-right riots. More than 400 arrests have been made so far and 3 rioters have received lengthy jail terms in fast court hearings.

US

Tensions in the Middle East

Reactions from the US amid heightened tension in the Middle East as Iran and Hezbollah both expected to retaliate for the assassination of Hamas political chief and senior Hezbollah commander.

US presidential elections

Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will hold a campaign event in the battleground state of Michigan.

Venezuela elections

Following the repercussions of Venezuela's elections, the National Electoral Council declared President Nicolas Maduro as the winner, but the opposition disputes the results. Over 2,200 protesters were arrested in protests that erupted after the electoral body announced the results.

National Health Services statistics in England

NHS England publishes seven monthly datasets covering its most important areas of care: A&E, Referral to Treatment Times, cancer, diagnostics, ambulances, NHS111, and delayed transfers of care.

Kyrgyz president to visit Kazakhstan

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to visit the neighboring country’s capital Astana. He will take part in the 6th consultative meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Summit of Heads of State of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue.

TÜRKİYE

Turkish leader to meet with Qatari emir

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

Large anti-government protests expected in Kenya

Kenyans expected to hold large demonstrations across the country calling for accountability and good governance. President William Ruto has asked those planning to attend the protests to avoid violence.

South African president embarks on working visit to Angola

President Cyril Ramaphosa to embark on a working visit to the Republic of Angola. He will meet with President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and reflect on their bilateral relations, and also discuss the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts on the African continent.

Nigerians continue protesting over high cost of living

Nigerians are expected to continue protests against the high cost of living and ‘‘bad governance,’ which began on Aug. 1 against the government's tough economic reforms, including the partial end of fuel and electricity subsidies.

Proposal to amend Waqf law in India draws sharp reaction

A bill proposed by Indian government in parliament to amend the law governing Waqf boards -- responsible for maintaining Muslim properties in the country - has come under sharp focus, drawing criticism. Muslim lawmakers and leaders in India have questioned the move which is seen as one "curtailing" powers of the Waqf Boards.

Head of transitional government in Bangladesh takes oath

Bangladesh’s transitional government head Muhammad Yunus to take oath of office.

New Zealand's top diplomat visits Pacific nations

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters to lead a broad political delegation on a week-long visit to four-countries of the Pacific, including Fiji, Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

India's president to visit New Zealand

Indian President Droupadi Murmu to visit New Zealand during the second leg of her tour to the Pacific. During the visit, she will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Cindy Kiro and also meet with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

India's chief election commissioner to visit Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Election Commission officials to visit Jammu and Kashmir to review preparedness for the upcoming legislative elections. Elections have not been held in the disputed region since 2019 when India downgraded and divided Jammu and Kashmir into two federally administered union territories.

Nagasaki defies pressure to invite Israel to US bombing commemoration event

Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki has defied pressure from G7 nations, including the US, the UK, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, as well as the EU, to invite Israeli officials to commemorate nuclear bombing of Japan by America during World War II. This year is the 79th anniversary of the US bombing which killed around 140,000 people. Suzuki has said Nagasaki will change the decision which is not political either.

SPORTS

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Hosts France to face Germany, Serbia to play star-studded Team USA in Paris 2024 men's Olympic basketball semifinals at Bercy Arena.

USA to face Brazil, Türkiye to take on world no.1 Italy in women's Olympic volleyball semifinals at South Paris Arena 1.

Paris 2024 men's 200-meter final to take place at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Global South has key role to play in ending Israel’s war on Gaza, reforming world order: UN rapporteurs

By Serdar Dincel, Muhammet Tarhan, and Faruk Hanedar

Istanbul - Interviews with current and former UN special rapporteurs Richard Falk, Michael Lynk, and Balakrishnan Rajagopal about Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.

The story focuses particularly on the reasons for the international community’s continuing failure to put a halt to Israel’s deadly assault, with the rapporteurs emphasizing the critical role that nations of the Global South could play in this regard and in reforming the current world order.

They also share their views on the potential accountability of Israel and its leaders down the line, as well as the other mechanisms that could be utilized to force Israel to comply with international law.

No place for hate and division in our communities: UK lawmaker

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

Peterborough, England - Report on the situation in Peterborough, one of the English towns where there was a fear of more far-right riots and protests.

The story details the conditions in the town and how community members have come together in a show of a solidarity against the far right’s racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric.

It includes interviews with residents and local officials, including Andrew Pakes, the Labour parliamentarian elected from Peterborough, who emphasizes the unity within the community and their stand against “hate and division in this city.”

‘They don’t represent us, our city’: Birmingham locals stand up to far-right threat

By Mehmet Solmaz

Birmingham, England - Report about the counter-protests against far-right rallies in Birmingham, an English city with a diverse population that made it a target for potential violence.

The story details how the expected far-right disorder never materialized, as thousands of anti-racism demonstrators poured out onto the streets in a show of solidarity and unity.

The report includes interviews with several locals and activists, who speak about Birmingham’s history and diversity, as well as the underlying reasons for the current wave of racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant violence.

Pakistan’s wild parakeets headed for extinction, warn conservations

By Aamir Latif

Islamabad - Report about the reasons for the increasing threat of extinction facing wild parakeets in Pakistan.

The story explains the variety of factors leading to a decline in the bird’s numbers, including illegal poaching and smuggling, and habitat loss driven by climate change and environmental factors.

It includes interviews with conservationists, including Rab Nawaz, a senior official at WWF Pakistan, Mubeenullah Naveed of the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, and Anis Rehman, the founding chairman of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with current and former UN special rapporteurs Richard Falk, Michael Lynk, and Balakrishnan Rajagopal about the ongoing war on Gaza, focusing on the international community’s continuing failure to stop Israel and the question of accountability for its war crimes.

VIDEO - Interviews with residents and local officials in Peterborough, England, including Labour parliamentarian Andrew Pakes, about the far-right riots and violence, who shed light on how the local community has come together to take a stand against hate and division.

VIDEO - Interviews with locals and activists in Birmingham who were among the massive crowds that came out to thwart the expected far-right rallies in the city, where they speak about the city’s history of diversity and the underlying reasons for the current wave of racist, Islamophobic, and anti-migrant violence in England.