Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israeli major military offensive in northern West Bank

Developments in Israeli military operation in northern West Bank cities, considered the largest in over two decades, which killed 10 Palestinians and injured several others by Wednesday evening.

The operation, which involves two army brigades, helicopters, drones, and bulldozers, particularly targets the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.

Israeli forces already have reportedly raided the Jenin refugee camp, cordoned off two hospitals, and are planning to storm the Jenin Governmental Hospital, according to Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the military operation involves the “temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents” from certain areas in the northern West Bank. He also called for dealing with the northern West Bank with the same measures applied by the army in Gaza.

The Israeli army also ordered Palestinian residents of the Nour Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank to evacuate within four hours.

The latest fatalities in the West Bank brought the death toll since Oct. 7 to 661 with injuring 5,400 others.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,500 Palestinians and injured nearly 93,800 since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah, which carried out a major attack on Israeli military targets Sunday that Israel claimed to have thwarted. Both sides proceeded to exchange fire, as has been taking place since Oct. 8.

The Israeli army on Wednesday claimed to have assassinated a field commander from the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in an airstrike near the Syrian-Lebanon border.

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.

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.

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.

EU foreign ministers - informal meeting (Gymnich)

EU counterparts gather for informal ministerial meeting in Brussels to discuss Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, and diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to also attend EU’s informal foreign ministers’ meeting.

France’s Macron meets with British premier

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to meet French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Paris. He is also scheduled to meet with business leaders. Starmer travelled to the French capital on Wednesday to attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

Macron to visit Serbia

French President Emmanuel Macron pays two-day visit to Belgrade at invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

US reactions to developments in Middle East

US’ reactions to developments in the Middle East after Israel launched a massive military operation in the occupied West Bank, and as negotiations over a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal continue in Cairo, Egypt.

Harris to hold rally in Georgia

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to hold rally in pivotal state of Georgia as she seeks to put key battleground state back in play after President Donald Trump made strides there against President Joe Biden, who has since dropped out of the race.

Trump to deliver economic address in Michigan

Republican nominee Donald Trump to deliver economic address in battleground state of Michigan where his rival, Kamala Harris, has gained ground since formally becoming the Democratic nominee for president.

Harris, Walz’s first interview with CNN

CNN to air first interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her running-mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The interview is Harris’ first since she became the Democratic presidential nominee.

UN Security Council to discuss Middle East

UN Security Council to meet to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank, and negotiations to secure a cease-fire in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Media briefing on UN’s polio vaccine campaign in Gaza

Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, to brief reporters at the UN’s New York headquarters about the UN’s polio vaccine campaign in Gaza, and the more general health situation in the war-torn coastal enclave.

⁠Russian, Senegalese foreign ministers to meet in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to hold talks with his Senegalese counterpart Yassine Fall. At a meeting in Russia’s capital Moscow, the two ministers plan to discuss prospects of the development of bilateral cooperation, as well as international and regional pressing issues.

Fighting between Russian, 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 100 settlements since then, particularly the town of Sudzha. Russian authorities have said that 31 people were killed and 143 were 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."

More mpox vaccines expected to arrive in Africa

African countries affected by the outbreak of the mpox virus expected to receive donation of vaccines to combat the disease, after the World Health Organization declared it a global public health emergency. Nigeria was the first African country to receive 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines on Tuesday to respond to the outbreak of the viral disease that is sweeping across several countries.

Spain’s prime minister winds up West Africa tour

Spain’s leader Pedro Sánchez to conclude his three-day visit of West African countries where he reinforced bilateral ties and discussed ways to tackle irregular migration. Sanchez visited Mauritania on Tuesday, and Gambia on Wednesday. He is expected to meet Senegal’s president on Thursday.

Japan likely to be hit by powerful typhoon

Japan weather agency has issued a warning that a powerful typhoon is likely to hit the country’s southwest region from Thursday. Authorities already announced to cancel train service in the region while Toyota Motor also suspended all its 14 plants across the country.

South Korean nurses, medical workers go on strike

Over 30,000 nurses and medical workers in South Korea are set to launch a strike calling for a pay raise and normalization of crippled medical system following prolonged doctors protest in the country.

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UEFA Champions League's league phase draw to be held in Monaco

The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League's league phase draw will take place at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Climate change fanning wildfires in vulnerable Eastern Mediterranean region, warn Greek scientists

By Ahmet Gencturk

Athens – Report about the reasons and increasing environmental effects of wildfires in Greece.

The story explains why climate change is a primary factor in the growing issue of wildfires in Greece and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, which has witnessed massive and devastating blazes in recent weeks and consistently over the past few years.

It lays out the immediate and long-term effects of wildfires, particularly on the environment and human health, while also outlining measures to tackle the issue.

The story includes interviews with Nikos Michalopoulos, director of research at the Athens National Observatory, and researcher Athanasios Nenes from the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas.

Nairobi’s robot cafe transforms dining with AI-powered service

By Andrew Wasike

Nairobi, Kenya – Report about a new restaurant in Kenya’s capital Nairobi called the Robot Cafe, which has become the country’s first to have AI-powered robot servers.

The story gives details of the new restaurant and how it is incorporating latest technology to redefine the hospitality industry.

It includes interviews with John Kariuki Mwangi, the manager of the restaurant who oversaw the launch of the project, and other people associated with the initiative.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with Greek scientists Nikos Michalopoulos and Athanasios Nenes about the role of climate change in increasingly devastating wildfires in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as their environmental impact and effects on human health.

VIDEO – Report about a restaurant in Kenya’s capital Nairobi that has become the country’s first to have AI-powered robot servers, including interviews with the cafe’s manager and diners.