Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Aug. 22, 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 and Hamas in Gaza.

The negotiations have entered a critical phase, with expectations of a collapse due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war in Gaza and refusing to withdraw from the Netzarim crossing in central Gaza and the Philadelphia Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Another round of talks, however, is scheduled to take place in Cairo by the end of this week.

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

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,200 Palestinians and injured nearly 93,000 since last Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid. The military onslaight continues.

Thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians on Wednesday evacuated their areas in eastern Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip after new Israeli evacuation orders.

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.

Palestinian group Fatah said on Wednesday that Khalil al-Makdah, a military commanders, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the city of Sidon, southern Lebanon. Israel confirmed the killing.

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.

Israeli forces arrested on Wednesday a young woman from Tubas at the Beit Furik checkpoint, east of Nablus.

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 is 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 that Iran might delay its response to the assassination of Haniyeh if an agreement between the two sides is reached in the light of the new round of negotiations in Qatar.

With no cease-fire deal yet reached after Doha talks which ended last Friday, the prospects for Iran's retaliatory response are looming again.

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.

The group said on Wednesday the coalition launched three airstrikes on Al-Hudaydah province in western 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.

EUROPE

Irregular migration to the UK - quarterly statistics

Home Office to publish quarterly statistics on irregular migration to the UK, including small boats. The high number of illegal immigration is usually circulated on social media accounts by right and far-right figures to increase pressure on the government.

New study on climate change and ageing populations

A new study by The Lancet Public Health has found that climate change and ageing populations are likely to drive greater disparities in deaths from hot and cold temperatures in Europe. The modelling study, which used data on 854 European cities, projects that existing disparities in death risk from hot and cold temperatures will widen in the future as a result of climate change and an increasingly aged population.

- Indian Premier Modi visiting Poland

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda. Modi arrived in Warsaw the previous evening.

US

Comments on developments in the Middle East amid ongoing cease-fire talks, and the prospect of an Iranian reprisal following an attack in Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh late last month.

Vice President Kamala Harris to deliver keynote address on final day of Democratic National Convention. Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are also expected to gather for a rally and march through the streets of Chicago, demanding the US change course on its support for Israel's war on Gaza.

UN

UN Security Council to address the situation in the Middle East, including Palestine as negotiations continue over a potential cease-fire and hostage release deal.

EURASIA

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continue in Kursk region

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an incursion earlier this month. Ukraine claims it has captured 93 settlements since then, particularly the town of Sudzha. Russian authorities have said that 31 people were killed and 143 were injured, and over 121,000 evacuated since the start of Kyiv’s incursion.

Russian president to hold meeting with members of government

Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold a meeting with members of the government to discuss the implementation of measures to support individual housing construction. The session will also consider a number of current issues, according to the Kremlin.

Chinese premier to visit Belarus

Chinese Premier Li Qiang to start two-day Belarus. He will discuss the development of bilateral cooperation with a number of Belarusian officials, and is expected to meet President Alexander Lukashenko.

Azerbaijani president to visit Uzbekistan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to conduct a two-day official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of his counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The visit will include high-level talks and the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council chaired by the two leaders in Tashkent.

AFRICA

South African leader to preside over signing of Presidential Health Compact

President Cyril Ramaphosa to preside over the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact at the Union Buildings in the capital Pretoria. It involves several stakeholders who are integral to supporting the Department of Health in improving the health system in preparation for the implementation of the National Health Insurance.

Latest on the mpox situation in Africa

As the mpox virus continues to spread to more countries on the Africa continent, international aid agencies and pharmaceutical companies are expected to start making vaccine donations to Africa.

ASIA – PACIFIC

Indonesia's top diplomat visits China

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi arrives in Beijing on a three-day official visit to China. Along with her counterpart Wang Yi, Retno will co-chair the 5th Meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation between China and Indonesia,

North Korea likely to respond to South Korea's ‘end of regime’ threat

North Korea is likely to respond to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s threat to wipe out regime in Pyongyang if the latter attempted to invade Seoul.

SPECIAL REPORTS

500 days of war in Sudan: Why has the world forgotten its largest humanitarian crisis?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Report on the war in Sudan as the conflict in the country heads toward the grim mark of 500 days.

The story focuses on how the world has responded to the war in Sudan, and the reasons why one of the worst humanitarian crises has received less priority and lukewarm attention.

It also touches on the latest developments in peace talks and possible future scenarios, with comments from British-Sudanese analyst and activist Mohanad Elbalal and Francois Sennesael, an academic and expert on African affairs.

Athens, Greek islands have exhausted their capacity to host tourists: Expert

By Ahmet Gencturk

Athens – Report about the issue of overtourism in Greece and the measures being taken to combat the issue.

The story explains the effects of overtourism in various areas, including the Greek economic, agricultural, environmental and cultural sectors, while also outlining policy suggestions to remedy the situation and promote better tourism practices.

It includes an interview with Katerina Kikilia, professor of tourism management at the University of West Attica, who shares her views on the current strategies and ways to improve their implementation.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Katerina Kikilia, professor of tourism management at the University of West Attica, about the growing problem of overtourism in Greece and potential policy steps that could help address the issue.