Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Military escalation in region

Israel is on high alert for a possible military attack by Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis 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.

Israel has not accepted responsibility for Haniyeh's assassination but has claimed responsibility for the earlier assassination of prominent Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in a Beirut suburb.

Following an assessment of the situation, Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar suspended personnel travel abroad amid heightened tensions with Iran.

Lufthansa announced on Monday that it is extending its suspension of flights to the Middle East crisis region for another week due to security concerns, joining several other airlines in suspending flights to Israel, Lebanon, and Iran.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and injured almost 92,000 others since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce.

On Monday, Israeli forces killed at least 18 Palestinians during heavy bombardment of the eastern regions of the central and southern Gaza Strip, as well as targeting residential areas in eastern Khan Younis and western Rafah.

French emergency room doctor, Pascal Andre, who returned home after working in Gaza, told Anadolu that all health care professionals working in Gaza witnessed Israel's "genocidal intent."

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Border clashes between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah have continued, raising fears of a full-fledged war following Tel Aviv's assassination of senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut on July 30.

At least three people were injured in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said on Monday as tension continues to escalate between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Israeli army also reported the launch of dozens of rockets from Lebanon targeting the Western Galilee region in northern Israel, resulting in fires that are currently being tackled by firefighting teams.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 624 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 10,000 taken into custody since last October.

On Monday, the Israeli army conducted a series of raids across various cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, arresting more Palestinians.

Protests against Israeli government

Protests are escalating in Israel, putting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage swap deal with Hamas or resign.

Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks

The latest on a possible cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Red Sea tension

Continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links to Israel in the Red Sea, as well as US-led coalition forces airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.

The Houthi group on Monday reported more joint airstrikes by US and British forces in Yemen's western Al Hudaydah province.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

EUROPE

UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reviews UK

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva to conduct a review of the UK. The review comes following a week of far-right violence against Muslims and immigrants.

Sentencing of man over racially abusing Muslim bus driver

A man who was caught on camera racially abusing and spitting at a bus driver in London has appeared in court for sentencing. Viral footage shows Michael Mongan spitting at and hitting the driver's protective screen several times and using Islamophobic language towards the bus driver who refused to let him on as he did not have enough money. Mongan pleaded guilty to racially aggravated public order offense and criminal damage over the incident on August 7.

Turkish-mediated talks between Ethiopia and Somalia

Delegations from Ethiopia and Somalia are expected to continue indirect talks on Tuesday under Türkiye's mediation in efforts to resolve a dispute between the two countries over Addis Ababa’s deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

The delegations started indirect talks on Monday in the Turkish capital Ankara as part of a series of continuing talks between the countries, said Turkish diplomatic sources.

EURASIA

Russian president holds talks with Palestinian counterpart

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with his visiting Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in the capital Moscow. According to the Kremlin, the two leaders are expected to exchange views on the situation in the Middle East and discuss current issues regarding bilateral cooperation.

Russian-Ukrainian troops’ clashes continue in Kursk region

Russia and Ukraine continue to clash in the Kursk region, where Kyiv initiated an incursion last Tuesday. Since then, Ukraine has captured 28 settlements and penetrated 12 kilometers into the border region, which lies adjacent to Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region. Russian authorities said 12 people have been killed and 121 injured in the region since the start of Kyiv’s incursion. Meanwhile, about 121,000 residents of the Kursk region have been evacuated, with 59,000 others preparing to do the same.

US

Biden's visit

President Joe Biden to visit the state of Louisiana to attend the Biden Cancer Moonshot event at Tulane University.

UN Security Council meeting

The UN Security Council will meet at Algeria's request to discuss the situation in Gaza following an Israeli attack on a school, which killed at least 100 Palestinians. When the facility was struck on Saturday, it was serving as a makeshift shelter for displaced Palestinians.

The Security Council will also hold an informal session at Russia's request to discuss Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region, which is Kyiv's first formally acknowledged incursion into Russian territory.

AFRICA

Outrage as police arrest Tanzanian opposition leaders

Rights groups and Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema are calling for the immediate release of senior leaders and supporters arrested by police over the weekend.

South African woman extradited from US to appear in court

A former personal assistant to Ace Magashule, the then-premier of South Africa’s Free State province, is set to appear in court on several corruption charges. Moroadi Cholota was extradited from the US last week. She is accused of being involved in a 255 million rand ($13.8 million) asbestos scandal that also includes her former boss and others.

Search for survivors likely to continue after landslide in Uganda

Search and rescue efforts are expected to continue in Uganda's capital Kampala after a landslide broke off at the city's only landfill site, burying several houses on the site while residents slept. According to emergency services officials, 23 bodies have been recovered, with many more possibly trapped under the garbage.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Government head meets with minorities as Bangladesh strengthens safety measures

Muhammad Yunus, head of the transitional government, meets with minorities' representatives as Bangladesh strengthens security measures around religious and residential areas.

THE ECONOMY

Housing sales in Türkiye

Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal house sales figures for July. In June, the number of houses sold in Türkiye fell 5.2% annually to 79,313 units.

Türkiye’s current account balance

Turkish Central Bank to reveal current account balance data for June. In May, Türkiye's current account balance ran a $1.24 billion deficit, marking its lowest level in 7 months.

UK to share unemployment figures for June

The unemployment rate in the country was at 4.4% in May.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Empty statements’: Will UK suspend arms sales to Israel?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on the Labour government’s claims about a possible embargo on British weapons sales to Israel.

The story explains the current situation regarding the issue, particularly how the Labour government has been giving mixed signals, with some reports about an imminent embargo and others alluding to the contrary.

The report lays out the demands being made by rights organizations and activists and addresses the issue of the UK’s complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza under international law.

It includes comments from Zaki Sarraf, legal officer of the UK-based International Center of Justice for Palestinians, and Gerhard Kemp, a law professor from the University of the West of England, Bristol.

From traffic to price patrols, students take charge of Bangladesh’s capital

By Faisal Mahmud

Dhaka, Bangladesh - Report about how students have taken up various vital roles in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The story explains the different duties that students have been performing, including managing traffic, conducting security patrols and monitoring prices in markets, as police and other authorities are yet to resume their operations.

It includes interviews with Rabbi Zayed, a key coordinator of the student-led protest movement, and several student volunteers, who speak about their motivations and aspirations for the country’s future.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report about how Bangladeshi students have taken up various roles in the capital Dhaka such as managing traffic, security patrols and monitoring prices in markets, with comments from several student volunteers.