Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, August 12, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Palestinian president to conduct visit to Moscow

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will conduct an official visit to the Russian capital Moscow. Abbas is scheduled to arrive in Moscow late Monday, where he is expected to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the following day, as well as hold a meeting with Arab ambassadors in the country.

The main focus of the discussions will be the situation in Gaza and Russia's potential role. The visit, initially set for November 2023, was rescheduled due to Gaza's situation.

During his trip, Abbas will also lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Military escalation in region

Israel on alert for possible military attack from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria following assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran at end of July.

Israel has not taken responsibility for Haniyeh assassination, but did claim responsibility for earlier assassination of prominent Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in Beirut suburb.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and injured almost 92,000 since Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.

Israel has killed around 1.8% of Gaza’s population since last Oct. 7 amid a devastating war on the enclave, according to figures released by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. According to the bureau, around 24% of the Palestinian victims in Gaza were young people.

More than 75,000 Palestinians have been displaced in southwest Gaza in the past few days, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Sunday.

At least five Palestinians were injured on Sunday when the Israeli army targeted areas in the southern Gaza Strip shortly after expanding evacuation orders. The army expanded these orders to include more areas in Khan Younis after it already ordered residents to evacuate the Al Jalaa neighborhood of Khan Younis, previously designated as a “safe humanitarian zone” by the army.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of full-blown war following Tel Aviv’s July 30 assassination of senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut.

Hezbollah attacked several military sites in northern Israel on Sunday amid a growing escalation between the two sides. The sites included the Marj, Barakat Risha, and al-Raheb posts.

West Bank raids

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

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.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

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

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 continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Gaza protest in London

An emergency protest – Stop the Massacre in Gaza, Stop the Genocide – to be held at Downing Street.

⁠French President Emmanuel Macron who took a break to go on holiday amid the political crisis and the Paris Olympics, is likely to be back in office and gather the Council of Ministers in a meeting. In July, Macron postponed the announcement of a prime minister to form the new government, due to the Olympic Games.

ILO report on global youth employment trends

International Labour Organization publishes Global Employment Trends for Youth report. Includes data on youth unemployment globally and broken down by region and by gender.

US

Tension in the Middle East

Reactions from the US amid heightened tension in the Middle East, as well as the US push for a Gaza cease-fire deal.

X owner Elon Musk will interview Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Venezuela elections

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is expected to hold a press conference amid the dispute over election results.

Türkiye to host Ethiopia-Somalia talks

Türkiye is expected to host the second round of mediation talks between Somalia and Ethiopia aimed at resolving a dispute between the two neighboring Horn of Africa countries after Ethiopia struck a port deal with the breakaway Somaliland region.

Turkish president to chair AK Party Central Executive Committee meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair AK Party's Central Executive Committee meeting at the headquarters of his party in Ankara.

South Africa’s Foreign Ministry to hold a media briefing.

The Foreign Ministry will hold a media briefing in the capital Pretoria on topical issues of regional and international interest.

Death toll in Uganda’s garbage landslide expected to rise

Search and rescue efforts continue in Uganda’s capital Kampala after a landslide at the city’s only landfill site broke off burying several house that were on the edge of the site while residents were sleeping. City authorities have so far retrieved 18 bodies.

Fiji premier to begin 9-day trip to China

Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka to pay an official nine-day visit to China.

Japan grapples with warning over ‘mega' tremor

Japan has experienced strong earthquakes last week and the state weather agency has issued alert on a possible "mega” earthquake.

Persecuted Rohingya flee for safety

Hundreds of Rohingya community members have fled their native residences after a drone attack killed over 200 of them. The deadly drone attack was reported near the Naf River that makes a natural boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Pakistan's top court announces verdict on parliament seats

The Pakistani Supreme Court to deliver verdict on appeals for recounting in three National Assembly constituencies. Appeals were filed by candidates of jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan's party.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Nairobians hiss at ‘cat-astrophic’ feline levy

By Andrew Wasike

Nairobi, Kenya - Report on the proposed cat tax in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, which has drawn strong backlash from feline lovers and the public at large.

The story explains the proposal in detail, which could lead to cat owners having to pay a tax for their pets, and outlines the reservations being expressed by people.

It includes interviews with several local cat owners and animal rights activists such as Rachael Kabue, affectionately known as the Cat Woman of Nairobi, and Naomi Mutua, who has been campaigning against the proposal.

Expert sounds alarm over climate change impact on Greece’s agriculture sector

By Ahmet Gencturk

Athens - Report about the growing impact of climate change on Greece’s agriculture sector.

The story details the various ways in which environmental factors linked to climate change are taking a toll on agricultural production and output in the country.

It includes an interview with Christos Tsadilas of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization, who also outlines several sustainable solutions and mechanisms that could help address the issue.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report on the public backlash over a proposed cat tax in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, which could lead to cat owners having to pay a fee for their pets, including interviews with local residents and animal welfare activists.​​​​​​​