Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Military escalation in Mideast

Israel on high 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's assassination, but did claim responsibility for earlier assassination of prominent Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in Beirut suburb.

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

Lufthansa announced on Monday that it is extending the suspension of flights to the Middle East crisis region for another week due to security concerns, joining many airline companies 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 over 92,000 since Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.

In a significant development, Palestinian resistance group Hamas claimed rocket attacks on Tel Aviv on Tuesday in response to Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

The attack was the first by Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, on the central Israeli city since May 26.

On Tuesday, at least 15 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli forces attacks on Deir al-Balah and the Bureij and Nuseirat refugee camps, as well as Rafah.

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.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army announced downing of two drones fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel amid the ongoing tension between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Hezbollah, for its part, said its fighters targeted spy and surveillance equipment at the Israeli army's Misgav Am site in northern Israel.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Health Ministry said that two people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in the southern border town of Baraachit.

Al-Aqsa Mosque storming

The regional reactions and developments following an incursion by Israeli ministers and illegal settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem.

Over 2,200 illegal settlers forced their way into the flashpoint site on Tuesday to commemorate Tisha B'Av, an annual Jewish fast day that marks the occurrence of several disasters in Jewish history.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf were among the intruders.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 625 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 10,000 taken into custody since last October.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army killed a Palestinian during clashes in the Al-Tira neighborhood of Ramallah and Al-Bireh city after demolishing two residential apartments belonging to Palestinian detainees held in Israeli jails.

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 tensions

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.

Britain's maritime agency on Tuesday reported an incident that occurred off the Al-Hudaydah coast, in western Yemen.

In a statement, the UK Maritime Trade Operations said the incident occurred on Monday midnight, and took place 63 nautical miles southwest of Al-Hudaydah port city on the Red Sea coast of 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.

Turkish president's meeting with Palestinian counterpart

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential Complex in capital Ankara. Erdogan is also due to attend his Justice and Development Party's 23rd foundation anniversary event at party’s Congress Center.

Turkish foreign minister's meeting with his counterpart from Turkmenistan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet his counterpart Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov in capital Ankara.

Sentencing for Manchester rioter who attacked Black man

A man, who attacked a Black man during a far-right riot in Manchester, to appear before court for sentencing. The court heard how Liam Ryan traveled from his home in Bradford to Manchester to take part in a far-right riot on Aug. 3. Ryan was seen on CCTV playing an active role in the disorder and aiming a punch at a Black man. He pleaded guilty.

Sudan conflict - Geneva talks planned

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has invited the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to talks in Switzerland, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has suggested that the government may not take part in talks unless certain conditions are met.

SADC Council of Ministers meets in Zimbabwe

Foreign Ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc hold a Council of Ministers meeting in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare. The ministers are expected to issue a statement at the end of their deliberations.

Malawi’s President Chakwera on 2-day state visit to Mozambique

President Lazarus Chakwera to embark on a two-day state visit to Mozambique where he will hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Filipe Nyusi aimed at strengthening cordial relations between the two countries.

Somali President Hassan Mohamud in Egypt for 2-day trip

President Hassan Mohamud is in Cairo where he will engage in bilateral talks with his counterpart President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

His visit comes weeks after Egypt offered to support a new African Union peacekeeping mission to Somalia that will replace the current mission force.

Thailand’s top court decides fate of Prime Minister Srettha

Thai constitutional court announces verdict in ethics violation case against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. It follows a case filed in May which said Thavisin appointed to his Cabinet a lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, who had served jail time for contempt of court and thus lacked moral and ethical standards.

Pakistan celebrates 78th Independence Day

Pakistan celebrates 78th Independence Day, marking liberation from colonial British Raj on this day in 1947. The South Asian nation’s leadership is expected to make statements besides events being held nationwide.

Japanese Premier Kishida to step down

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his exit from next month's reelection as head of ruling Liberal Democratic Party, effectively ending his tenure after just under three years.

He is Japan's 8th longest-serving prime minister since World War II.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi visits Myanmar

Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Myanmar where the junta regime is witnessing attacks by rebel groups. The Southeast Asian nation has witnessed continuous attacks in northern regions bordering China.

THE ECONOMY

UK inflation

UK to reveal annual inflation data for July. It was at 3.5% in June.

US inflation

US to share annual inflation rate for July. It was at 3% in June.

Eurozone GDP growth

Eurostat to reveal second quarter GDP growth, industrial production data for June.

Flash estimate shows the euro area's GDP rose 0.3% quarter-on-quarter this April-June, at the same pace in the prior quarter. On an annual basis, the GDP increased by 0.6% in the euro area.

SPORTS

Spanish LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid to meet Italian Serie A side Atalanta in 2024 UEFA Super Cup final.

SPECIAL REPORTS

School ‘slave auction’ spotlights racism in South Africa decades after apartheid

By Hassan Isilow

Johannesburg, South Africa - Report about how South Africa is still grappling with racism decades after the end of apartheid, with the problem back in the national discourse after a recent mock “slave auction” at a Cape Town school.

The story gives details of the incident and its fallout, while taking a deeper look into how it reflects the persistent issue of racism and inequality in South Africa.

It includes interviews with experts including Neeshan Balton, executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and sociopolitical commentator Hassan Logart.

Will recession be a new global headache after inflation?

By Gokhan Ergocun

Istanbul - Report about the growing apprehensions of economic recession in various parts of the world as countries make efforts to rein in inflation, specifically triggered by weak economic data from the US.

The story presents an overview of the financial situation in major economies, particularly inflation rates and trends, while explaining how the current circumstances are influencing negative outlooks for the longer term.

It includes comments from Steve Hanke, a professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University; economist and strategist Timothy Ash; Ken Wattret, a global economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence; and Boris Balabanov of the International Monetary Fund.