Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

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.

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."

Gaza local authorities on Monday said Israeli evacuation orders have forced around 250,000 Palestinians to flee their neighborhoods in Deir al-Balah.

On Monday, UNRWA said that Israeli attacks in central Deir al-Balah have forced most water wells out of service, resulting in an 85% water shortfall.

A medical source on Monday said seven fishermen were killed and several others injured in an Israeli drone strike near Gaza City beach.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Following Hezbollah's major attack on Israeli military targets on Sunday which Israel claimed to have thwarted. Both continued on Monday to exchange firing that has been taking place since Oct. 8 on the Israeli-Lebanese border areas.

Hezbollah on Monday announced targeting spy equipment at the Israeli army's Ramia site.

The Lebanese official news agency NNA also reported Israeli drone strikes on the town of Hanin in the Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon.

Reactions to Ben-Gvir's call to build a synagogue inside Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli, regional, and international reactions to Israeli extremist Minister Ben-Gvir's call to build a synagogue inside Al-Aqsa Mosque. On Monday, he claimed that Jews have the right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that he would build a synagogue at the flashpoint site.

His statement triggered condemnations by the Palestinian Authority and groups warning against any change to the status of the mosque.

Israeli officials also slammed his statement, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition leader Yair Lapid, who said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unable to control his government.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

The latest on the cease-fire and hostage swap talks 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.

On Monday, Egyptian media quoted an informed Egyptian source that rejected any presence of the Israeli army in the Philadelphi Corridor border area between Gaza and Egypt.

The Philadelphi Corridor issue is one of the main sticking points in the cease-fire talks. Israel insists on staying in the area, while the Palestinians insist on Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor.

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.

New French prime minister

President Emmanuel Macron may announce today who he has chosen to succeed Gabriel Attal as prime minister, following his resignation in July in the wake of parliamentary elections which saw the left-wing alliance the Nouveau Front Populaire win most of seats.

Azerbaijan's foreign minister to visit Türkiye

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov in Ankara.

Moldovan Independence Day

Moldova is celebrating independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 27, 1991. Estonian President Alar Karis, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda to attend this year's commemorations.

US reactions to developments in Middle East

US reactions to developments in the Middle East after Israel and Hezbollah exchanged the heaviest round of cross-border fire since clashes broke out on Oct. 8, and negotiations over a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal in Cairo, Egypt.

Representation in Security Council

UN General Assembly to address the question of equitable representation in Security Council, as well as the body’s potential expansion. The council has been the subject of increased criticism as it has repeatedly faced deadlock in the face of pressing global challenges. Several nations have called for a complete overhaul of the council’s internal mechanisms.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continue in Kursk region

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an "operation" on Aug. 5-6. Ukraine claims it has captured over 93 settlements since then, particularly the town of Sudzha. Russian authorities have said that 31 people were killed and 143 injured, and over 133,000 evacuated since the start of Kyiv’s incursion.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the objective of the operation as the “establishment of a buffer zone.” Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."

⁠IAEA chief to visit Kursk Nuclear Power Plant

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to lead a team to inspect Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, which Moscow claimed Ukraine tried to hit in a drone attack last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the IAEA was informed of the alleged incident. The nuclear power plant is located almost 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Africa CDC to provide update on latest mpox situation

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to provide latest updates on the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected African countries.

Renewed clashes in DR Congo violate cease-fire agreement

Renewed clashes between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and M23 rebels in the eastern North Kivu Province are increasing an already dire humanitarian situation in the country and violating the recently signed Luanda cease-fire agreement.

Devastating floods in West, Central Africa

Hundreds of people have been killed by devastating floods across West and Central Africa since Aug. 16. Tens of thousands displaced in some of the countries now face hunger and a risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera and malaria.

Anti-government protests in Kenya

A group of activists in Kenya to hold protests. The fresh street protests are set to reignite the wave of anti-government protests that started in June.

US national security adviser visits China

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan arrives in China on a three-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for China-US strategic talks.

Indonesian parliament likely to pass new election rules

Indonesia’s parliament is likely to pass new election rules in line with demands from protesters, who have been furious over an attempt by allies of outgoing President Joko Widodo to change eligibility requirements.

Brazil's foreign minister visits India

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will hold discussions with his Indian counterpart in New Delhi.

German economy

⁠Germany to share GDP figures for Q2. Country's economy contracted by 0.1% in Q2, according to provisional figures, below market expectations. Since first quarter of 2023, German economy has been contracting.

House prices index

US to share house prices index for June.

SPORTS

UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League playoffs second leg, which is the round prior to the league phase, will begin. Mauro Icardi-led Galatasaray, one of the tournament frequenters, will play against Swiss opponents Young Boys on Tuesday in Istanbul after a 3-2 defeat in the first leg played on Aug. 21 in Bern, Switzerland.

Tuesday will also see the Sparta Prague vs. Malmo, and Salzburg vs. Dynamo Kyiv matches in the playoffs. Sparta Prague and Salzburg took convincing away wins by 2-0 each to be on the verge of qualifying for the league phase. All matches on Tuesday will start at 1900GMT.

2024 US Open

⁠The 2024 US Open, this year's fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament being held in New York City.

Polish top seed in women's singles Iga Swiatek will face Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova while Jannik Sinner from Italy, men's world No. 1, will take on US player Mackenzie McDonald in 1st round.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Trying to make an example out of me’: British journalist says UK arrest was for pro-Palestine reporting

By Burak Bir

London – Interview with Richard Medhurst, an independent British journalist who was recently arrested in the UK on terrorism charges.

Medhurst says the UK government “targeted” him for his pro-Palestine reporting and comments on the British government’s complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza.

He narrates details of his arrest and what he went through during his time at a police station where he was held for around 24 hours.

Medhurst shares his views on why he believes the UK is “trying to make an example out of him,” decrying the eroding freedoms in the West and warning that such measures will be used to silence other critical voices in the future.

‘Bombs all around us’: More Rohingya brave death to escape Myanmar violence

By Faisal Mahmud

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – Report on the new Rohingya refugees who have been arriving in Bangladesh, escaping increasing violence in Myanmar.

The story is based on interviews with Rohingya who have recently arrived in Bangladesh, who narrate their perilous journey and what they experienced in Myanmar, including Mohammad Lalu, a man who lost his leg in a mortar explosion.

It also has comments from Rohingya community leader Mohammad Alam and Maung Zarni, co-founder of the rights group Free Rohingya Coalition, about the larger issue of Rohingya repatriation and their expectations after the recent change in government in Bangladesh.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with independent British journalist Richard Medhurst, who was recently arrested in the UK on terrorism charges, where he narrates details of his arrest and interrogation, and shares his views on why he believes the UK is “trying to make an example out of him” for his pro-Palestine reporting.