Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, August 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

The new development in the region a day after Israeli warplanes carried out 40 airstrikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon, which the Israeli army called a "preemptive strike," claiming to have deterred Hezbollah from attacking, which was the most serious attack since cross-border attacks between the two began on Oct. 8, 2023.

The Lebanese group, for its part, said it launched hundreds of missiles and drones deep into Israel as part of the “first phase” of its response to the assassination of its commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut last month.

The Israeli army initially denied any human loss or material damage. However, later reports in the Israeli media confirmed the death of a navy soldier during clashes with Hezbollah in the north.

According to Israeli media, Israeli Defense Minister Gallant has also declared a 48-hour emergency in the country.

On Sunday morning, at least three people were killed and two injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

In light of Sunday's escalation, 10 foreign airlines canceled flights to Israel. These airlines include Air France, Transavia (Netherlands), Wizz Air (Hungary), Corendon Airlines (Malta), Ethiopian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, and Universal Airlines (Greece).

Royal Jordanian Airlines suspended flights to and from Beirut, while Lebanese Civil Aviation denied canceling all flights to and from Rafic Hariri International Airport.

Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks

The latest on the cease-fire agreement and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, though their chances have dimmed due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war in the Strip. Israeli media has lowered expectations for the talks due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, which Hamas opposes.

US general on surprise visit to Middle East

General Charles Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US, is on a Middle East tour that includes stops in Egypt, Israel and Jordan. He arrived in Israel on Sunday evening following a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. Brown will meet with his Israeli counterpart, Herzi Halevi, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,400 Palestinians and injured over 93,400 since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.

The Israeli army withdrew on Saturday from areas north of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, leaving behind mutilated bodies and widespread destruction.

On Sunday, the Israeli army ordered Palestinians to evacuate the "Block 128" area east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Previously classified as "humanitarian," it is now considered a "dangerous combat area."

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 643 people and injured 5,400 others, with over 10,000 taken into custody.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to put pressure on the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a 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.

Red Sea tensions

Continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea and US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

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

EUROPE

⁠French president meets with leaders from different parties

French President Emmanuel Macron continues talks with leaders from political parties to discuss new government formation following the July elections, in which the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire won the most seats.

Knife, machete surrender scheme in England and Wales

A surrender scheme for zombie knives and machetes begins at police stations across England and Wales. The move comes ahead of new legislation that makes owning a knife illegal beginning September 24. The amnesty is valid until September 23. Knife crime is widespread in the UK, with hundreds killed or injured each year in stabbing incidents.

US

US possible reactions to developments in Middle East

Possible US reactions to Middle East developments following Israel and Hezbollah exchanging the most intense round of cross-border fire since clashes began on Oct. 8, as well as negotiations in Cairo over a cease-fire in Gaza and a hostage swap.

A bipartisan House task force investigating the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will travel to Butler, Pennsylvania, to visit the shooting site.

Two officials from the UN refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) Sam Rose and Louise Wateridge will give a briefing to media on the situation in Gaza at the UN's New York headquarters. During Israel's war on Gaza, UNRWA has lost 209 colleagues and 190 installations bombed.

EURASIA

Russian-Ukrainian troops’ fighting in Russia’s Kursk region continues

Russia and Ukraine continue to fight in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an incursion on August 5-6. Ukraine claims to have seized over 93 settlements since then, including the town of Sudzha. Russian authorities have said 31 people have died, 143 have been injured, and over 133,000 have been evacuated since the incursion. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that the operation's goal is to "establish a buffer zone." Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."

AFRICA

Devastating floods wreak havoc in West and Central Africa

Humanitarian agencies are expected to deliver emergency assistance to support countries affected by floods in West and Central Africa. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad have witnessed devastating floods since August 16. Floods have killed hundreds and damaged private and public infrastructure.

South African Foreign Ministry to hold media briefing

South Africa’s Foreign Ministry to hold a media briefing explaining issues of international interest as well as outlining current and upcoming activities in the country’s international relations calendar.

South African president to address Just Energy Transition conference

President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver keynote address at the opening of the Municipal Just Energy Transition (JET) conference in Johannesburg. The two-day conference to be attended by mayors, and technical managers from all nine provinces.

ASIA – PACIFIC

53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting

Leaders from 18 islands in the Pacific attend the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting hosted by Tonga. Climate change tops the agenda.

US, South Korea kick off large-scale amphibious landing exercise

The US and South Korea begin their large-scale amphibious landing exercise in the southeastern city of Pohang and the eastern coast.

India, Singapore ministerial roundtable

The 2nd round of India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable will be held in Singapore. Indian ministers to interact with their counterparts and will also call on Singaporean leadership.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye: Capacity utilization rate

Turkish Central Bank to share capacity utilization rate for manufacturing industry for August. The rate has been decreasing since April gradually to 75.9 from 76.7.

SPORTS

The US Open - the final Grand Slam of the year in tennis - to begin in New York on Monday, to run until Sep. 8

SPECIAL REPORTS

WITH VIDEO – Mpox spread, COVID-19 surge not at a worrying stage: Experts

By Nur Asena Erturk

Ankara – Report about the spread of mpox and the rise in COVID-19 cases in various countries around the world.

The story is based on interviews with Bruno Ciancio, head of the surveillance section at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and French infectious diseases specialist Pierre Tattevin, who both play down the current threat level of the diseases.

Ciancio says the ECDC views the risk of mpox in Europe as “low,” stressing that the virus’ spread “is a completely different situation than what happened with the emergence of COVID-19.”

Tattevin speaks about potential ways to curb the spread of mpox, emphasizing the need for action in the epicenter, Africa, to “extinguish it there before it becomes a global issue.”

WITH PHOTOS – Pakistan’s rare wild pheasants being pushed to the edge

By Aamir Latif

Karachi, Pakistan – Report on the growing threat of extinction to two species of wild pheasants in Pakistan.

The story explains the reasons for the dwindling numbers of the western tragopan and cheer pheasants, both globally recognized as important flagship species, including climate change, habitat degradation and illegal hunting, and the consequences of their potential extinction.

It includes interviews with Muhammad Naeem Awan, research and conversation director at the World Pheasant Association’s Pakistan chapter, WWF-Pakistan official Jamshed Iqbal Choudhry, and local wildlife expert Mohebullah Naveed.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with French infectious diseases specialist Pierre Tattevin about the spread of mpox and COVID-19 around the world, where he explains the critical differences between the two diseases and lays out the main steps that need to be taken to curb the mpox threat before it becomes a global problem.​​​​​​​