Diary

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 41,200 Palestinians and injured more than 95,300 since incursion last Oct. 7 by Palestinian group Hamas. Situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue and aid grows more scarce in besieged enclave.

Palestinians have warned of an imminent famine in the northern Gaza Strip as an ongoing Israeli blockade has forced five out of six functioning bakeries to shut down in the region.

Israeli bombardment continued on Monday across areas of the Gaza Strip, killing more Palestinians. According to a statement by the Civil Defense, three Palestinians were killed when an Israeli aircraft shelled a group of civilians in the northern Gaza Strip, and in another incident, two more people were killed in another attack on a tractor north of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 703 people, including 159 children, and injured 5,700 others, with over 10,400 taken into custody.

In addition to the daily Israeli army incursions into areas across the West Bank, illegal Israeli settlers also assault and attack Palestinians and their properties almost on daily basis.

On Monday, illegal Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian school in the Mu'arrajat area, northwest of the West Bank city of Jericho, according to a local activist.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

On Monday, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Israeli army's Metula site.

According to Israeli media reports, Defense Minister Gallant opposes launching a military campaign in Lebanon before reaching an agreement on a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange with Hamas.

US envoy Amos Hochstein in Israel

US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Israel on Monday amid efforts to prevent a full-scale war between Tel Aviv and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Hochstein is scheduled to meet with top Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to Israeli media.

His second stop is expected to be Beirut on Tuesday, where he’ll meet with Lebanese government top officials.

Hochstein is also expected to present a proposal for redefining the border with Lebanon during his visit, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said.

Feud between Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Gallant

Ongoing tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have risen further in recent days amid reports saying that Netanyahu is considering firing Gallant. But Netanyahu's office denied that negotiations are taking place to replace Gallant with Gideon Sa’ar.

According to Israeli Channel 12, Gideon Sa’ar may receive the foreign minister's role while Israel Katz takes over for Gallant.

Red Sea tensions and possible Israeli retaliation against Houthi's missile attack on central Israel

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

The Houthi group claimed it targeted a military site in the central Israeli city of Jaffa using a hypersonic ballistic missile with a range of over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles).

The Houthi-launched missile targeted central Israel and caused minor injuries to nine people while rushing to shelters. Fires broke out in nearby forests, and a large cement factory also caught fire, likely due to debris from the interceptors, the media reported.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the Houthi group of severe retaliation, vowing that he would “exact a heavy price” on them.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

Latest on Israel-Hamas talks on possible cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap.

No breakthrough in negotiations expected as Israel continues to delay progress, obstructing talks by introducing new conditions.

US recently accused Hamas of “changing some of its conditions” on possible deal. Hamas denied this, asserting that in fact Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the one adding new conditions.

Hamas reaffirms its readiness to implement immediate cease-fire in Gaza Strip based on the plan presented by US President Joe Biden earlier this year. Hamas reiterated its refusal to add any new conditions to Biden’s proposal.

Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

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

Central Europe floods

Monitoring situation in central and eastern European countries where severe flooding claimed the lives of at least 16 people in the past few days and left many people homeless. In Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated as a precaution.

European ministers to discuss migration crisis

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to meet her counterparts from European and Western Balkan states to discuss measures to curb irregular migration.

UN agencies’ briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continue in Kursk, Donetsk

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began incursion last month, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues claiming advances on multiple fronts.

Kazakhstan to host Germany-Central Asia Summit

Kazakhstan's capital Astana to host the first Germany-Central Asia Summit amid a regional visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The meeting will also be attended by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Meeting between Russian foreign minister, Red Cross president

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric to come to Russia to attend the 4th Eurasian Women’s Forum, which will be held in the city of St. Petersburg on Sept. 18−20. Before the forum, she will visit Moscow, where she is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sept. 17. They will discuss a broad range of issues related to humanitarian relief across the world. The ICRC president’s agenda includes meetings with officials from other government and public agencies, as well as the leadership of the Russian Red Cross.

Biden's participation in briefing

US President Joe Biden to participate in briefing at Oval Office regarding the ongoing wildfire season response and efforts to reduce wildfire risk. In afternoon, Biden will meet with Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, to discuss the bank’s work to reduce global poverty and address global challenges, including climate change.

Statements from Biden administration on Gaza

Statements from the Biden administration on the Gaza war and the Israeli killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the occupied West Bank on Sept. 6.

Hate crimes in America: US Senate committee hearing

Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearing 'to examine threats facing marginalized communities and how the federal government can better protect the civil rights and safety of all Americans, including Jewish, Arab, and Muslim Americans.'

Donald Trump at Michigan town hall

Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump to make an appearance at a town hall in Michigan, two days after apparent assassination attempt. It will be moderated by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

UN General Assembly debate on Gaza

UN General Assembly will meet to continue debate on 'illegal Israeli actions in Occupied Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory'. A vote on a Palestinian resolution demanding Israel end 'its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory' within six months is expected to go to a vote on Wednesday.

Indian top court expected to issue guidelines on destruction of property

The Supreme Court is expected to lay down procedure about the bulldozing of homes and private properties of persons accused of crimes by public authorities.

Strongest typhoon in 75 years hits parts of China

Strongest typhoon in 75 years has wreaked havoc in parts of China with financial hub of Shanghai the hardest hit. Authorities have raised emergency level to IV, highest in eastern Fujian province to meet any situation.

Samsung workers strike in India

Hundreds of Samsung workers are protesting low wages in India. Police have arrested dozens of the workers at a plant in southern India.

Nigerian authorities search for escaped prisoners

Authorities in Nigeria intensify search for over 250 prisoners who escaped after floods destroyed parts of Maiduguri city, capital of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast. Floods have left around one million people stranded.

Rwanda senate elections

Rwanda’s electoral body is expected to announce election results from Monday’s senate polls, the upper chamber of Rwanda’s parliament. A total of 32 candidates are vying for 26 seats in the senate.

ECONOMY

Germany’s economic sentiment

Zew Institute to share economic sentiment index for German economy for September.

Türkiye’s house sales

TurkStat to reveal house sales figures for August.

Turkish private sector’s debt

Türkiye’s Central Bank to share private sector’s foreign debt figures for July.

SPORTS

UEFA Champions League's inaugural phase to begin

⁠2024-25 UEFA Champions League's inaugural phase to start as Juventus to play against PSV Eindhoven at Turin's Juventus Stadium. AC Milan to meet Liverpool at Milan's San Siro Stadium. Additionally defending champions Real Madrid to face Stuttgart in their home ground Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Zimbabwe divided over plan to cull elephants for drought relief

By Jeffrey Moyo

Harare, Zimbabwe – Report on Zimbabwe’s plan to cull elephants to feed people in drought-affected areas.

The story explains the reasons for Zimbabwe’s plan, which follows a similar recent decision by Namibia, and lays out the debate that it has sparked in the country, with conservationists and other civil society groups voicing vehement criticism.

The report includes comments from locals living in the drought-affected areas, along with interviews of animal rights activist Natirai Mudadi, Farai Maguwu, director of the Center for Natural Resource Governance, and political analysts like Rashweat Mukundu.

EXPLAINER – Indian-administered Kashmir set for first local elections in a decade

By Hilal Mir

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – Explainer on the legislative elections in Indian-administered Kashmir, which will be the first such polls there in a decade.

The story presents key details of the three-phased polls, which begin on Sept. 18 and conclude on Oct. 1, including candidates, the process, and the main agenda.

It also explains the significance of the electoral exercise, particularly in light of political changes in the region over the past few years, and its implications for the area’s future politics.

The untold story of Russia’s Vologda city

By Elena Teslova

Moscow – Report about Vologda, a city in northwestern Russia that was once a key center of power in the country.

The story explains the history and significance of the city, providing insights into past decisions and steps taken by major figures, such as Ivan IV, which shaped Vologda’s fate.

The report includes an interview with Larisa Gulneva, head of the Excursion and Educational Department of Vologda Museum, who sheds light on the most pivotal moments in Vologda’s history and their impact.