Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Situation on the Israel-Lebanon border as escalation between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah group has reached a dangerous level that could ignite an all-out war between them.

Friday’s Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb claimed lives of 37 people, with 68 others injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Beirut's southern suburb on Friday.

The Israeli army on Saturday conducted a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, according to an Anadolu correspondent. In response, at least 100 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, the army said.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 41,400 Palestinians and injured over 95,700 since incursion last Oct. 7 by Palestinian group Hamas. Situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue and aid grows more scarce in besieged enclave.

At least 22 Palestinians, including 13 children, were killed and several others injured on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, according to the government media office in the enclave.

Five employees of the Health Ministry in Gaza were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the ministry’s storage facilities in the Musbah area of Rafah, southern Gaza, the ministry said.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 716 people, including 160 children, and injured 5,750 others, with over 10,800 taken into custody.

Palestinian president in New York

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in New York to participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. On the sidelines of these meetings, he will discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian situation with several world leaders.

Red Sea tensions

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. There are reports of possible Israeli retaliation against Houthi missile attacks on central Israel.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

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

Tel Aviv submitted on Thursday a new proposal to Washington for a prisoner exchange and ending the war in Gaza, according to the official Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

The proposal stipulates releasing all the Israeli hostages in one batch, and securing the "safe exit" of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and disarming the Strip.

While there was no immediate comment from the mediators or Hamas, the movement has previously confirmed repeatedly that it does not want new proposals and that it agrees to the proposal announced by US President Joe Biden at the end of May.

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.

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.

Elections in eastern German state of Brandenburg

Nearly 2 million Germans will cast their votes in regional elections in the eastern state of Brandenburg. The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) is on course for victory, according to the latest opinion polls. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) are expected to come in second, followed by the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU).

Summit Of Future in New York

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly Philemon Yang to address Summit of the Future, which will be held on Sunday and Monday in New York

Turkish president’s meetings in New York

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet with think tank representatives at Turkish House. Later, Erdogan, along with first lady Emine Erdogan, will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish-American National Steering Committee (TASC).

Sri Lanka presidential election results to be announced

Millions of Sri Lankans cast their votes on Saturday to elect their president for the next five-year term. The counting almost near to end and election authorities expected to announce the result on Sunday.

Japan, South Korea hit by heavy rain

Japan and South Korea hit by heavy rain and floods as hundreds of people were evacuated to safe places and flood disrupted normal life. So far one person has died and 10 others are missing after unprecedented rainfall in Noto, the region in Ishikawa province that was hit hard by a magnitude-7.6 earthquake on New Year's Day. While in South Korea, heavy overnight rains across the country triggered landslides and flooding, forcing the evacuation of more than 600 people in southern regions and submerging roads and buildings.

Mali celebrates 64th year of independence from France

Mali celebrates its 64th year of independence from French occupation. President Assimi Goita will preside over a ceremony in Bamako.

SPORTS

Man City vs. Arsenal, critical match for English league's top

English Premier League defending champions Manchester City to play against title contenders Arsenal in matchday five as the game at Manchester's Etihad Stadium will shape the division's top. Man City have 12 points after four wins. London's Arsenal are on 10 points.

Spanish leaders Barcelona to visit Villarreal in league match

Barcelona, the Spanish LaLiga leaders, to visit Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica in the league's matchday six. Barcelona looking to carry on their perfect run after five wins during the 2024-25 LaLiga season. Villarreal are on 11 points in the league table.

Italian top-tier football division to see Inter Milan vs. AC Milan derby

Defending champions Inter Milan to take on AC Milan in a derby in the Italian top-flight Serie A division. Called the "Derby della Madonnina", the Inter vs. Milan fixtures are regarded as one of the fiery derbies in the globe.

Inter have eight points in four matches. Mid-table Milan have five points before the derby at Inter's home ground, the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix to be held

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, the Round 18 of the 2024 season, to be held over 62 laps at the 4.94-kilometer (3-mile) Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Red Bull Racing Honda's Dutch driver Max Verstappen, the three-time F1 champion in a row between 2021 and 2023, have 313 points to lead the 2024 Driver Standings before the Singapore race. He won seven races this season.

McLaren's Lando Norris from UK is second with 254 points. Norris' nearest opponent; Ferrari's Charles Leclerc collects 235 points this season. Both Norris and Leclerc have fewer wins during the 2024 campaign.