Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

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

Friday’s Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb claimed lives of 45 people, with 68 others injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Lebanese Hezbollah said on Sunday that it bombed Israeli military industrial complexes north of Haifa, with Israel saying five people were injured in the attack.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Sunday that attacks on the Lebanese group Hezbollah will persist until Israeli residents displaced from northern Israel return to their homes. Foreign Minister Israel Katz also vowed to push Hezbollah out of the border area north of the Litani River.

The Israeli army ordered the closure of beaches and restricted gatherings and educational activities in northern Israel amid escalating tension with Hezbollah.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 41,400 Palestinians and injured nearly 95,800 others since last Oct. 7. Situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue and aid grows more scarce in besieged enclave.

Heavy rains have inundated the tents of displaced people in Gaza, exacerbating the tragedies caused not only by Israeli bombardment but also by harsh weather conditions. About two million displaced Palestinians in Gaza face dire living conditions as winter approaches, according to the government media office in Gaza.

More than 990 Palestinian medics have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, with more than 300 health care workers arrested, Palestinian Health Minister Majid Abu Ramadan 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.

Israeli forces raided and closed the office of Qatar-based Al Jazeera television in the West Bank city of Ramallah early Sunday, in what has been described as an "arbitrary military decision."

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Sunday that half of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza are alive “based on intelligence,” the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

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.

Families of Israeli captives in Gaza accused Netanyahu on Saturday of abandoning the hostages under the cover of engaging in warfare with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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.

President Erdogan's talks in New York

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold closed-door meetings with several of his counterparts at the Turkish House in New York. He will also attend a roundtable meeting with American and Turkish businessmen as part of the 15th Türkiye Investment Conference.

Summit of the Future at UN

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly, where he will highlight the need for reforms in global governance mechanisms, particularly the UN Security Council and the international financial architecture

Biden, UAE president meeting

President Joe Biden to hold a bilateral meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates at White House. In the evening, Biden will depart for UN General Assembly's 79th session.

G7 foreign ministers meeting on margins of UNGA

G7 foreign ministers to gather in New York City on the margins of the UN General Assembly's session. G7+ foreign ministers' meeting on Ukraine Sector Support.

Inclusion of Women in Future of Afghanistan

A high-level side event at UNGA, titled Inclusion of Women in Future of Afghanistan, features remarks from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and actress Meryl Streep. It is Organized by the Permanent Missions of Switzerland, Ireland, Qatar and Indonesia to the UN, and Women's Forum on Afghanistan.

Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Reactions to German state elections

Comments by political party leaders on the results of Sunday's regional elections in the eastern state of Brandenburg.

⁠Labour party conference

UK's governing party is gathering in Liverpool for its first annual conference in government. Today’s agenda includes sessions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.

School support staff's strike in Birmingham

Up to 1,500 school support staff in Birmingham working in 35 schools who are members of the GMB union go on strike for one day in an ongoing dispute over equal pay.

Return of Russian cosmonauts, American astronaut

The Soyuz MS-25 manned spacecraft with Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolay Chub, and an astronaut of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Tracey Dyson is scheduled to return to Earth.

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.

Tanzania beefs up security as opposition protests

Tanzania has made heavy security arrangements in Dar es Salaam and other regions ahead of demonstrations planned by the main opposition party, Chadema. The call for protests comes in the wake of kidnaping and killings of the opposition politicians.

Health authorities battle mpox

Health authorities across Africa are strengthening walls against spread of mpox outbreak which is “not under control” yet. The continent has seen a 177% rise in regular cases while deaths have climbed by 38.5%. DR Congo is hardest hit by the mpox.

Kenya races to revive White Rhino

Kenya holds the last hope for the Northern White Rhino, with only one female, Fatu, remaining in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. A recent study by a conservation organization said scientists are 'close to reviving the population.'

Floods wreak havoc in central Africa

Floods have caused chaos in several Central and West African nations, including in Nigeria as well as Niger where hundreds of thousands of people have been affected.

New Sri Lankan president takes oath

National People’s Power Party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake Monday took oath as the president of Sri Lanka.

Torrential rains continue to wreak havoc in Japan, South Korea

Massive rains have battered large parts of Japan and South Korea with at least two casualties and many missing. Weather authorities have warned citizens of landslide and inundation risks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson's press briefing

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson will address routine press briefing.

Tensions mount between Koreas

North Korea has launched a fresh campaign to send trash-filled balloons toward South Korea amid mounting tensions between divided Koreas.

ECONOMY

Data provider S&P Global to release provisional PMI statements for Germany, Euro area, US, and UK for September.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel’s war on Gaza: Is the UN no longer fit for purpose?

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul – Report evaluating the UN’s current standing around the world and the rising chorus of voices calling for structural reforms.

The story presents an overview of the UN General Assembly and Security Council’s actions during Israel’s war on Gaza, exploring the reasons for its inability to enforce any concrete measures to protect Palestinians.

It includes interviews with Aicha Elbasri, a researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, and Mitchell Plitnick, a political analyst and author, who share their views on the present issues of the UN and their assessment on the push for reforms.

79th UN General Assembly: All you need to know

By Serife Cetin

New York – Report about the annual UN General Assembly session bringing together world leaders in New York.

The story presents key details of the high-level gathering and an overview of the burning issues on the agenda, particularly how Israel’s war on Gaza is likely to dominate proceedings.

The report also looks at the history of the UN General Assembly through past notable events and incidents.

US elections: Where do tech giants and billionaires stand on Trump and Harris?

By Darren Lyn

Houston, US – Report on the US elections and the role of the country’s tech and other billionaires in shaping the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

The story presents an overview of the big names supporting either candidate and explores the reasons for the choices of particular figures such as Elon Musk.

The report also has details on donations made by major tech firms such as Alphabet, Meta and others, along with comments from Mark Jones, a political science professor at Houston’s Rice University.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with political analyst and author Mitchell Plitnick about the growing questions over the UN’s efficacy and relevance, particularly in light of its failures during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.