Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, September 24, 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 between them.

Since early Monday, the Israeli army have been launching intensive airstrikes in southern Lebanon, marking the heaviest bombardment since the onset of hostilities last Oct. 8.

Monday’s airstrikes killed 492 people, including 58 women and 35 children, and injured 1,645 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Amid heavy Israeli bombardment, thousands were forced to flee from southern Lebanon to Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.

Lebanese group Hezbollah, for its part, said it fired rockets at an Israeli military industrial complex in Haifa on Monday, marking the second attack on the northern city since the current conflict began last Oct. 8.

The group said dozens of rockets were launched at Rafael Electronics Company north of Haifa, as well as the reserve headquarters of the Northern Corps and logistics base of the Galilee Formation in the Ami'ad camp.

It said that Israel’s Megiddo Military Airfield west of the city of Afula was also struck three times and that Ramat David Airbase and the Amos base, a key logistical hub for Israeli military operations in the north, were also hit.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his departure to New York for the second time amid the unprecedented escalation with Hezbollah.

International and regional reactions towards the Israeli escalation against Lebanon to be followed.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

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

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the Israeli army killed 24 more Palestinians in raids across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.

Among the Palestinian victims, there were a mother and her four children who were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting the Al-Samak family’s home in Deir Al-Balah city, according to the Gaza Civil Defense.

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.

On Monday morning, the Israeli army forces raided a Palestinian school in the West Bank town of Hares, and held students and teachers inside, according to witnesses.

The raid was part of an Israeli military operation in the town since Sunday where dozens of people were detained and several houses searched.

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 last week 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.

Citing “intelligence” reports, Netanyahu said Sunday that half of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza are alive, 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.

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.

Turkish President Erdogan to address UN General Assembly

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, during which he is expected to deliver remarks about regional and global issues including war in Gaza and call for reform at the Security Council. The Turkish president is also expected to hold talks with his counterparts on the sidelines of the session.

Biden's addresses at UN events

US President Joe Biden to deliver remarks before 79th session of the UN General Assembly. In afternoon, Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Biden will deliver remarks at the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. Biden will also deliver remarks on climate at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum.

UN General Assembly debate opens

Highlight of the UN General Assembly's calendar begins, featuring addresses from leaders of UN member states. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opens the debate, followed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Security Council meeting on Ukraine

UN Security Council to hold a high-level briefing on the situation in Ukraine. France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, the UK, and the US requested the meeting. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob is expected to chair the meeting, at which Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will brief the council.

Missouri inmate Marcellus Williams' execution

Monitoring the planned execution of a Black man, Imam Marcellus Khalifah Williams, by lethal injection in Missouri, for whom prosecutors say he may be innocent. The Missouri Supreme Court and Gov. Mike Parson have declined to halt Tuesday’s execution. He was convicted of killing Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter found stabbed to death in her home in 1998.

European leaders to address UN General Assembly

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be among the leaders addressing the UN General Assembly meeting today in New York.

British premier addresses party conference

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address the Labour Party's annual conference.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

Kyrgyz, Tajik presidents to address UN General Assembly

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to address the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continues 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.

Turkish parliament speaker's visit to Moscow

Türkiye's parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus will meet Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of the Russian Federal Council.

Tensions escalate in Horn of Africa

Tensions have escalated in Horn of Africa as Egypt delivered the largest military shipment to Somalia since the UN arms embargo was lifted last December. It has also triggered sharp reaction from breakaway Somaliland.

South Sudan to propose annual budget

South Sudanese transitional government to propose delayed annual budget to parliament.

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake likely to dissolve parliament

Newly-elected Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is likely to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections. He will also appoint his Cabinet.

New Caledonia annexation anniversary by France

New Caledonia marks anniversary of annexation of the islands by France in 1853. French authorities are worried about protests despite a ban on gatherings in capital Noumea and other areas due to ongoing violence since May 13 over now-junked electoral reforms. Demonstrations are expected to be held in France as well.

Tensions rise in Pacific

Japan has accused Moscow of violating its airspace thrice in one day as militaries of Russia and China hold weeklong drills in Sea of Japan. Japanese military jet fired signal flare in response.

Vietnamese, Maldivian leaders to address UN General Assembly

Vietnamese and Maldivian presidents will address the UN General Assembly.

THE ECONOMY

Capacity utilization in Türkiye

Turkish Central Bank to release capacity utilization rate for manufacturing industry for September. Rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 75.7 in August.

Tourist figures in Türkiye

Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry to share number of foreigners visiting country for August. Foreign tourist arrivals in Türkiye increased by 2.6% year-on-year to 7.3 million in July.

US house prices

US will share house prices index for July.

SPORTS

Spanish La Liga title contenders and defending champions Real Madrid to meet underdogs Alaves in home match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

SPECIAL REPORTS

General Assembly highlights ineffectiveness of UN amid Gaza, global crises

By Rabia Iclal Turan

New York – Interview with Richard Gowan, an analyst and UN director at the International Crisis Group, about the issues plaguing the UN and its organs.

The interview focuses on the current UN General Assembly session and the UN’s overall limitations, glaringly exposed during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. Gowan emphasizes the need for reforms to the UN, saying there is “a growing desire to see change.”

He shares his expectations on the key outcomes of the 79th General Assembly session underway in New York, as well as his views on the current crises around the world.

‘More determined than ever’: University student speaks out after losing Swedish citizenship over pro-Palestine activism

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

Geneva – Interview with Isra Barham, a master’s student at Chalmers University, who lost her bid for Swedish citizenship because of her pro-Palestine activism on campus.

Barham narrates what she experienced at the hands of the university management and Swedish authorities, explaining how she and her fellow students faced pressure to organize protests aimed at forcing the university to sever ties with Israeli institutions involved in arms manufacturing.

She calls out the university for its divergent stance on Gaza and Ukraine, while emphasizing her motivation to continue her advocacy for Palestine despite the discrimination she has faced.

Fed’s jumbo rate cut makes sure of ‘soft landing’ in US economy: Experts

By Ovunc Kutlu

Istanbul – Report about the US Federal Reserve’s latest decision on interest rates and future projections.

The story explains the reasons for the massive rate cut announced by the Fed, which experts say indicates that the central bank believes the US economy is headed for a “soft landing.”

It includes interviews with Martin Wurm, a director at Moody’s Analytics, and research strategist Michael Brown, who share their views on the US Fed’s expected path forward, as well as the general outlook for the American economy.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Isra Barham, a student at Chalmers University, who lost her bid for Swedish citizenship because of her pro-Palestine activism on campus, where she narrates her ordeal and the pressure she has faced from the university administration and authorities.