Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

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

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday: “Israel will not, under any circumstances, leave the Philadelphi Corridor and Netzarim Axis despite enormous pressure it is under to do so. These are strategic principles, both militarily and politically.”

His comments came hours after US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israeli premier had agreed to a recent cease-fire and prisoner swap proposal floated by Washington.

Corridor, a 14-kilometer (8.69-mile) demilitarized buffer zone along border between Gaza Strip and Egypt, remains major sticking point in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas called Biden’s claim that it had backed away from a Gaza cease-fire deal “misleading.”

Biden’s remarks came as he prepared to leave Chicago after a keynote address to Democratic National Convention, saying: “Israel says they can work it out ... Hamas is now backing away.”

On Monday, Netanyahu told Blinken that he will send his negotiating team to Cairo this week to continue talks on a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.

End of US Secretary of State Blinken's regional visit

End of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's ninth regional visit to Mideast since Oct. 7 where he held discussions with Israeli and Egyptian top officials on Monday and Tuesday to push for cease-fire in Gaza and prisoner swap between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.

Blinken was in Qatar on Tuesday and Wednesday for Gaza cease-fire talks with top Qatari officials, including Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,170 Palestinians and injured more than 92,700 since Hamas incursion last Oct. 7. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.

On Tuesday, at least 12 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Mustaf Hafez school which shelters displaced people in al-Rimal, western Gaza City.

Another nine Palestinians, including a woman and her children, were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrike on marketplace in central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah.

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.

Israeli army on Tuesday said it detected 80 rockets fired from Lebanon that caused several fires in northern Israel, without reported casualties.

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli spy equipment at Jal al-Alam, northern Israel. It also launched a salvo of Katyusha rockets targeting headquarters of Israeli 146th Division in Jatoun.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 635 people and injured 5,400 others, with over 10,000 taken into custody.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces arrested released prisoner from city of Tubas.

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.

Military escalation in Mideast

Israel on high alert for possible military attacks from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria, following last month’s assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

International reports suggest Iran might delay its response to assassination of Haniyeh if agreement between two sides is reached in light of new round of negotiations in Qatar.

With no cease-fire deal yet reached after Doha talks, prospects for Iran's retaliatory response again looming.

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.

Human Rights Watch on Monday denounced last month’s Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Al Hudaydah Port as “possible war crime.”

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

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

Following all topics through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, and relevant websites in addition to giving breakings on related possible important developments.

US

Ex-President Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee JD Vance to deliver remarks on national security in North Carolina. Republicans expected to address border policy, US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Israel’s ongoing war on besieged Gaza Strip.

Day 3 of Democratic National Convention, with vice presidential nominee Tim Walz expected to address assembled Democrats. Pro-Palestinian protests expected to continue on sidelines of gathering.

EUROPE

Germany’s Scholz to visit Moldova

Chancellor Olaf Scholz to pay official visit to Chisinau to discuss bilateral relations, regional security issues, and Moldova’s EU membership bid. Scholz scheduled to hold talks with Moldova’s President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

EURASIA

⁠Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk region

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an incursion on Aug. 5-6.

Ukraine claims it has captured 92 settlements since then, particularly town of Sudzha.

Russian authorities said that 17 people were killed, 140 injured, and over 121,000 evacuated since start of Kyiv’s incursion.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Kyiv captured 92 Russian settlements, describing objective of operation as “establishment of buffer zone.” Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned incursion as "terrorist attack."

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to meet with Chinese counterpart Li Qiang

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to meet with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in Moscow. Two officials plan to discuss issues related to bilateral economic cooperation, including problems with payments caused by Western sanctions.

⁠Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

At press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to present Moscow’s assessments of current international issues. Zakharova will also take reporters’ questions.

AFRICA

Latest on Kenyan serial killer and dozen others who escaped from custody

Kenyan police to update public on search for 13 inmates who escaped from custody including Collins Jumaisi, prime suspect in gruesome murders of 42 women.

Police to investigate possible fraud around citizenship of Ex-Miss South Africa contestant

South Africa’s elite police unit to start investigation into allegations of possible fraud committed by parents of former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina while registering her at birth for citizenship. Adetshina, 23-year-old law student of Nigerian heritage, was finalist in this month’s beauty contest but withdrew after Home Affairs Department said her mother of Mozambican descent had committed identity theft.

African countries urge vigilance as mpox cases surge

Health officials across continent are urging people to be more vigilant as cases of mpox caused by a fast-spreading variant spreads.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Qatari prime minister visits New Zealand

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrives for official visit to New Zealand for series of bilateral meetings, first such visit by Qatari premier.

Pakistan court to hear jailed former Premier Khan's bail plea

Islamabad High Court expected to hear bail application of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Tension grows in South China Sea following collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels

Tension between Philippines and China grows as Manila announced it would consider filing case against Beijing with UN following latest collision between their vessels in South China Sea.

Indian prime minister to visits Poland, Ukraine

Indian Prime Minister Narandra Modi to depart for two-nation visit. Set to visit Poland on Wednesday and Thursday and arrive in Ukraine on Friday to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

SPECIAL REPORTS

FACTBOX – Moscow, Kyiv claim advances as Russia-Ukraine war rages on

By Efe Ozkan and Burc Eruygur

Istanbul – Report on current situation on ground in Russia-Ukraine war.

Story, based primarily on official statements by Russian and Ukrainian authorities, reviews recent moves on front lines as clashes between two sides have intensified, especially following Kyiv’s incursion into Russian border region of Kursk.

Also includes latest data on civilian casualties and evacuations, particularly on front in Kursk.

Cragside Mansion: World’s first house powered by hydroelectricity

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

Northumberland, England – Report on UK’s Cragside Mansion, believed to be world’s first home powered by hydroelectricity.

Story gives details of 19th century Victorian mansion located in English town of Rothbury, including its architectural design and power system that made it one of the most unique buildings of its time.

Includes interview with Clara Woolford, National Trust property curator at Cragside.