Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israel’s deadly attack on ‘safe zone’ in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

Reactions to Israel’s deadly airstrike that targeted tents of displaced Palestinians in the al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip early Tuesday.

The strike claimed the lives of at least 40 people and injured 60 others in an area that Israel has designated a “humanitarian safe zone” for displaced civilians in Gaza.

Hamas condemned the attack as a “heinous massacre” and “a confirmation of the Nazi occupation government's continuation of the war of genocide against the Palestinians.”

The Palestinian Authority denounced the Israeli aggression and blamed the US support to Israel for the Palestinian bloodshed in the al-Mawasi area.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack.

Reactions to Israeli killing of Turkish American activist in Nablus

Hundreds of Palestinians in Nablus paid farewell on Monday to Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli forces during a peaceful anti-settlement protest near Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on Friday. Eygi’s body is expected to be transported to Türkiye.

On Tuesday, The Israeli army said it is “highly likely” that Turkish American activist was “indirectly and unintentionally” hit by fire from its forces in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 41,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 95,000 since the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. The situation deteriorates as Israeli attacks continue, and aid becomes scarce in the besieged enclave.

On Tuesday, at least seven Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombardment in al-Shawwa area of Gaza City.

Polio vaccination campaign in Gaza Strip

Amid ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, at least 446,000 children have received the first dose of the polio vaccine, out of 640,000 children under the age of 10.

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

On Tuesday, the campaign started in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry and UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

West Bank raids

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

On Tuesday, two Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli forces in the city of Tulkarem, according the Palestine’s official news agency.

Israeli forces raided the Return Center in Tulkarem refugee camp, detaining its six staff members and converting the facility into a military outpost. Snipers were positioned at the windows of the center.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

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

As anticipation builds around a potential new proposal from Washington to revive stalled indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, senior Hamas leader Izzat al-Rishq on Tuesday denied accusations by US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby that the movement had “changed some of its conditions” regarding a deal.

Al-Rishq asserted that these claims were “baseless,” adding that it was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who had introduced new demands.

During a press briefing at the White House on Monday, Kirby said that Hamas had altered some terms of the prisoner exchange deal, making it “more difficult for us to reach an agreement.”

In response, al-Rishq said that Kirby’s claim that “Hamas is the main obstacle to achieving a cease-fire” was a clear alignment with the Israeli position.

Reactions to call for arrest warrants for Israeli premier, defense minister, Hamas leaders

Reactions to the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s call to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas senior leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif.

Prosecutor Karim Khan urged the Pre-Trial Chamber of the court to issue the arrest warrants “with utmost urgency.”

Khan announced in May that the court was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of committing war crimes.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to put pressure on the government led by Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

On Tuesday, an Israeli drone fired a missile into a vehicle in Beqaa in eastern Lebanon, leaving two people injured, according to Lebanon’s official news agency.

Fighter jets also carried out airstrikes in the towns of Labbouneh, Naqoura and Hamoul in southern Lebanon, but no information was yet available about casualties.

Heavy damage to infrastructure was reported in another Israeli raid in the border town of Ayta al-Shaab, according to Lebanese media.

German president’s visit to Egypt

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is on a visit to Egypt on Sept. 10-12. He is scheduled to hold talks with representatives of civil society and the German political foundations.

Chinese premier’s visit to Saudi Arabia, UAE

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is on visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The trip begins on Tuesday from Saudi Arabia, and will conclude on Friday with meetings in the UAE.

Li Qiang and his Saudi counterpart Mohammed bin Salman to co-chair fourth meeting of the high-level Chinese-Saudi joint committee in Riyadh.

He will also visit the UAE at the invitation of Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris - 9/11 anniversary visits

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to attend 9/11 commemoration ceremony at Ground Zero in New York before heading to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to participate in a Flight 93 wreath laying ceremony. In evening, they will attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon.

Statements from Biden administration on Gaza

Monitoring statements from Biden administration on Gaza war and Israeli killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in occupied West Bank last week.

UN event

UN Security Council expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the 1591 Sudan sanctions regime, including targeted sanctions (assets freezes and travel bans) and an arms embargo, until Sept. 12, 2025.

Germany’s Scholz addresses parliament

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to address parliament on government’s 2025 budget proposal. He is expected to make comments on his government’s foreign policy, plans to increase defense spending.

British premier takes questions in parliament

Prime Minister Keir Starmer to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Gaza protest in London

An emergency protest – Hands off Gaza, Stop Arming Israel – to be held at Downing Street.

Israeli president to visit Serbia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog to meet his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic for talks on bilateral relations, international issues.

Turkish president to attend swearing-in ceremony of new member of Constitutional Court

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of a new member of the Constitutional Court at the Supreme Court Hall.

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

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. The Eurasia desk will follow ongoing developments in both conflict areas based on official and media reports.

Russian president to hold meeting with Cabinet of ministers

President Vladimir Putin to chair a regular meeting with members of the Russian government via videoconference.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly press briefing, addressing key foreign policy issues.

Chinese foreign minister to visit St. Petersburg

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Sept. 11-12 to attend a meeting of high-level BRICS representatives responsible for security issues. Wang Yi will exchange views with his BRICS counterparts on the international security situation, as well as major international and regional concerns.

Top American, British diplomats to visit Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, together with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, to travel to Ukraine, where they will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian government officials.

Reactions to arrest of opposition leaders in Pakistan

Reactions after government arrested from parliament premises key leaders and lawmakers from main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Hong Kong hosts Belt and Road summit

Hong Kong hosts a two-day summit on the Belt and Road Initiative which is being attended by policymakers, government officials, corporate bigwigs and finance executives from across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The focus of the deliberations would be building a connected, innovative and green Belt and Road.

Pope Francis visits Singapore

On the last leg of his 12-day trip to Asia, Pope Francis arrives in Singapore. The 87-year-old pontiff will conclude his four-nation tour with his engagements in the city-state. It is his longest trip since his papacy began in 2013.

Anti-war activists disrupt defense expo in Australia

Mass anti-war protests held in Australia against Land Forces Military Expo. Thousands have joined the demonstrations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa makes bid run for ruling party leadership

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announces bid for ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership. She is ninth candidate to stand for intra-party elections on Sept. 27.

Rohingya refugees on hunger strike in India

Rohingya refugees held in India’s largest camp in eastern Assam state have been on hunger strike since Monday. They are demanding transfer to third nation through UN refugee commissioner.

Work on TAPI project begins in Afghanistan

Afghanistan kicks off work on long-pending Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

Zoo animals escape into communities as floods hit northern Nigeria

Zoo animals have escaped their confinement into communities in Nigeria’s northern Borno State after floods. Dozens of families too have been forced to leave their homes as flooding continues.

Death toll in Senegal’s migrant boat accident expected to climb

The death toll from a boat that capsized off Senegal's coast this week is expected to climb after the navy found 17 bodies on Tuesday, bringing the toll to 26. Officials say many of the boat passengers are still missing.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's retail sales and turnover indexes

Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal retail sales figures for July. Year-on-year figures have been posting positive figures during year. TurkStat also to share turnover indexes.

OECD unemployment

OECD to share unemployment figures.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Global repercussions of Sept. 11 terror attacks continue to reverberate 23 years later

By Michael Hernandez

Washington - Report on the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the US, focusing on their continuing global fallout.

The story includes a timeline of the chain of events triggered by the attacks, including the “War on Terror,” the US invasion of Iraq, mass torture allegations against the US, the killing of Osama Bin Laden, and the rise of the Daesh/ISIS terror group.

The report includes key archived comments, presenting an analysis of US policies in the aftermath of 9/11 and their ramifications for the international community.

Turkish Cypriots expect more from new UK government to end ‘unjust isolation’

By Aysu Bicer

London – Report on the UK Turkish Cypriot community’s call for the new British government to play a more active role to end the “unjust isolation” of Turkish Cypriots.

The story lays out what Turkish Cypriots are demanding from Britain in its capacity as a guarantor power, and explains their concerns over the behavior of the Greek Cypriot administration.

It includes an interview with Alp Cengiz Alp, a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, who stresses the need for immediate efforts to check the Greek Cypriot administration’s actions and emphasizes the importance of UK’s role in the matter.