Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Polio vaccination campaign in Gaza Strip

Amid ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, at least 443,000 children have received the first dose of the polio vaccine. However, the Health Ministry has been waiting for four days for Israeli approval to coordinate access to seven other areas in the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

The final phase of the inoculation will take place in Gaza City and the northern regions on Sept. 9-12, according to the Gaza Media Office.

Lebanese premier asks for urgent meeting with Western ambassadors

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati demanded an urgent meeting on Monday with Western ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Lebanon, after an Israeli attack on civil defense personnel.

Three paramedics were killed and two others were injured in the strike earlier that targeted a civil defense fire truck in southern Lebanon.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians and injured many more since the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue, and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.

The Gaza civil defense announced on Sunday the death of its deputy director for northern Gaza in an Israeli airstrike, raising the number of personnel killed since Oct. 7, 2023 to 83.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 692 people and injured 5,700 others, with over 10,400 taken into custody.

Three Israelis were killed in a shooting attack at the border with Jordan on Sunday, according to Israeli media.

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said a truck driver opened fire at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank.

Senior Israeli officers said Sunday that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are “directly responsible” for the rise in violence in the occupied territory, warning that the situation could spiral into a full-blown uprising, with many young Palestinians already facing unemployment and lack of opportunities.

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.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

The latest on Israel-Hamas cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap talks.

Washington is drafting a new proposal, which will be presented to Tel Aviv and mediators, although the US is not optimistic about finalizing a deal soon, the state-run broadcasting authority KAN reported, citing unnamed Israeli and US officials.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Lebanese group Hezbollah said Sunday it struck Israeli Kiryat Shmona and Shamir Malikiya sites in northern Israel in response to airstrikes on towns in southern Lebanon.

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 the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune reelected president of Algeria

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune secured a new five-year term in the recent early presidential elections held on Saturday with 94.65% of the vote. His closest competitor, Abdelali Hassani Cherif of the Movement for Society and Peace, received 3.17%, while Youcef Aouchiche of the Socialist Forces Front garnered 2.16%.

Out of over 24 million registered voters, 5,630,196 cast their ballots, leading to a voter turnout of 48.03%, up from 39.88% in the 2019 elections. The results are set to be reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which has 48 hours to address any appeals before the final results are announced within 10 days.

US secretary of state visits London

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to travel to London on Monday for a two-day visit during which he will meet with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The two will discuss a range of issues, including the Indo-Pacific, AUKUS partnership, the Middle East, and Ukraine, according to US diplomatic sources.

UN Human Rights Council meeting

The 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place in Geneva from Sept. 9 to Oct. 11. The council will discuss global human rights issues, as well as the situation in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Yemen.

Biden's White House program

President Joe Biden to deliver remarks to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act and to mark Disability Pride Month at the White House.

Killing of Turkish American activist

Statements from the Biden administration regarding the Israeli killing of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the occupied West Bank.

UN event

UN Security Council to hold a meeting about United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The 3rd meeting of the inter-parliamentary commission on cooperation between the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the National Assembly of Vietnam to be held in the Russian capital Moscow.

Tajikistan celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its independence.

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an "operation" on Aug. 5-6, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues claiming advances on multiple fronts. Ongoing developments in both conflict areas.

South Africa's police probes graft allegations against minister

South Africa's elite police unit, the Hawks, to intensify investigations into claims that Justice Minister Thembi Simelane was among politicians involved in looting a local building society Mutual Bank which collapsed over five years ago.

Africa increases efforts to combat spread of mpox

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are expected to issue updates on the mpox situation, including figures of new infections, deaths, and the arrival of vaccines. Last week, the two health bodies launched a joint response plan to combat the spread of the virus on the continent.

Namibia hosts African Union business forum

Namibia to host the African Union’s 3rd Annual Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum in the capital Windhoek. The four-day forum, themed Fostering Financial Empowerment and Educational Innovation for African Startups & Medium Small Enterprises, will be officially opened by Namibia’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Typhoon Yagi continues to wreak havoc

Super Typhoon Yagi has killed at least 14 people and injured nearly 200 people in Vietnam. Officials fear a rise in the death toll as 13 fishermen are missing. Authorities have warned of more rain and landslides.

Spanish prime minister begins his China visit

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez begins his official visit to China where he will meet with his counterpart Li Qiang, as well as with President Xi Jinping.

Norwegian prime minister visits China

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store arrives in China on a 3-day official visit set for Sept. 9-11 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang. He is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li.

Abu Dhabi's crown prince meets with Indian prime minister

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed bin Zayed to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Pakistan to celebrate 147th birthday anniversary of national poet Iqbal

Pakistan marks the 147th birth anniversary of the celebrated poet, philosopher, and thinker Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Several events, including the changing of guards ceremony, will be held to mark the day.

North Korea commemorates foundation day

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is commemorating its 76th founding day.

THE ECONOMY

Japan's GDP

Japan to release GDP figures for the second quarter. In the first quarter, the Japanese economy contracted by 0.5% year-on-year and provisional data showed that the country’s economy expanded by 0.8% in the second quarter.

China's inflation

China to release inflation figures for August. In July, the annual inflation rate was at 0.5%, and August is expected to see a rate of 0.7%.

WTO trade report

World Trade Organization to release World Trade Report.

SPORTS

The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League matchday 2 to be continued across Europe on Monday.

Türkiye national football team to face Iceland in Izmir's Gursel Aksel stadium at League B Group B4.

France to take on Belgium in Decines’ Groupama Stadium at League A Group A2.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Holocaust survivor, family decry Israeli killing of Turkish-American activist

By Burak Bir

London - Interviews with Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, his son, and daughter about the killing of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Kapos terms the killing “outrageous,” pointing out the need for accountability and action as the activist was deliberately targeted. He also calls out the double standards in the coverage of Israeli violence against Palestinians.

His son criticizes Israel’s actions as “absolutely criminal,” emphasizing that its way of “prosecuting this war (is) that it assassinates civilians,” while his daughter labels Eygi’s killing “a symptom of the genocide.”

Divisions in Rwanda over crackdown on churches, faith groups

By James Tasamba

Kigali, Rwanda - Report about Rwanda’s recent steps to ban the activities of over 40 faith groups, and the closure of thousands of churches and prayer houses.

The story explains the measures in detail and their impact on Rwandan society, particularly as they have sparked a growing debate over the relationship between religion and the state.

It includes statements made by various officials, including President Paul Kagame, Local Government Minister Jean Claude Musabyimana, and Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, chairperson of the Rwanda Inter-religious Council, along with comments from political analyst and rights activist Louis Gitinywa.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos and his family members about Israel’s killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi at a protest in the occupied West Bank, where they criticize the deliberate targeting of the activist and the unchecked continuation of Israel’s "absolutely criminal" actions.