Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli aggression in Lebanon

Israel's onslaught on Lebanon has pushed the conflict between Tel Aviv and the Hezbollah group to dangerous levels, threatening to ignite an all-out war.

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

Nearly 610 people have been killed and over 2,000 others injured since Monday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Amid heavy Israeli bombardment, around 40,000 people were forced to flee from southern Lebanon to the capital Beirut and other parts of the country.

A photojournalist working for local TV broadcaster al-Manar was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. His death came a day after Hadi al-Sayyed, a journalist for Al-Mayadeen television, was killed in an Israeli attack on his home, also in southern Lebanon.

For its part, the Israeli army said Wednesday that it is preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon as it continues to pound the country with airstrikes. The country's military called up two additional reserve brigades to the northern border with Lebanon on Wednesday.

However, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to inform the US that Tel Aviv is willing to negotiate a temporary cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The daily Israel Hayom noted that the US and France are working to promote an initiative to halt the ongoing escalation between the warring sides.

In response of the Israeli attacks, Lebanese group Hezbollah announced Wednesday that it had fired a missile at Tel Aviv for the first time, targeting the headquarters of intelligence agency Mossad deep inside Israel. The group also said it shelled the settlement of Hatzor and the Dado military base in northern Israel with dozens of rockets.

The Israeli escalation against Lebanon has also prompted a wave of international and regional reaction.

Arab leaders to address UN General Assembly

The 79th session of the UN General Assembly, currently taking place in New York, continues until Sept. 30.

On the third day of discussions, leaders from Arab countries are scheduled to speak, including Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

Netanyahu to fly to New York to address UN General Assembly

The office of Israel's Premier Netanyahu announced Wednesday morning that he would depart for his speech at the UN on Thursday, instead of Wednesday night. Netanyahu will then return on Saturday night.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 41,500 Palestinians and injured over 96,000 since last year's Oct. 7 incursion by Palestinian group Hamas. The situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue and aid grows scarcer in the besieged enclave.

At least 17 Palestinians were killed in fresh Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to medical sources.

Gaza's authorities returned a container carrying the bodies of 88 Palestinians to Israel on Wednesday due to a lack of data about their identities. Ismail al-Thawabteh, who heads Gaza's government media office, said the bodies were delivered by Israel in a container in southern Gaza "without any coordination with Palestinian or international parties."

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 717 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured 5,750 others, with nearly 11,000 taken into custody.

A Palestinian woman was killed, and four others, including three women, were injured with critical wounds by Israeli army fire during a raid Wednesday on the town of Anza, south of Jenin, in the northern West Bank.

Protests against Israeli government

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

On Wednesday, the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza criticized Netanyahu's trip to the US to address the UN General Assembly, deeming it "performative and unnecessary."

Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Humanitarian and security conditions continue to deteriorate in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

European leaders to address UN General Assembly

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, EU Council President Charles Michel, and Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro will be among the leaders addressing the UN General Assembly meeting Thursday in New York.

AUKUS defense ministers meeting

British Defense Secretary John Healey is hosting a meeting of defense ministers in the trilateral Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) partnership, attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

House of Lords report on Ukraine

The British House of Lords' International Relations and Defence Committee published a report titled "Ukraine: A wake-up call," following an inquiry by the committee into lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and its implications for the UK.

Protests against Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon

Demonstrators plan to gather outside the Prime Minister's office in London to protest Israel's ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

Pope Francis to visit Luxembourg

Pope Francis will pay an official visit to Luxembourg, meeting with national leaders and representatives of the Catholic community.

Biden, Zelenskyy to hold White House meeting

US President Joe Biden will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is due to meet separately with Zelenskyy, whose office has also announced a planned meeting with Donald Trump. Later, Biden will deliver remarks on addressing the scourge of gun violence in America.

Zelenskyy to visit US Congress

Zelenskyy will pay a visit to US Congress for meetings with lawmakers as part of his visit to Washington. His schedule includes a bipartisan meeting with senators, hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

House task force on Trump assassination attempt to hold first hearing

The bipartisan House of Representatives task force to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump is due to hold its first hearing on the July 13 attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Meeting on UNRWA

A high-level ministerial meeting will take place on the margins of the UN General Assembly in support of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Moscow visit by Turkish parliament speaker

Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus is scheduled to meet with the chairman of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, Aleksander Belsky.

Armenian premier to address UN General Assembly

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will address the UN General Assembly.

Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeeping exercises in Kazakhstan

Peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will hold the Indestructible Brotherhood-2024 military exercise in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. The military contingents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan will be participating.

Russian President Putin to meet Equatorial Guinean counterpart

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Moscow. The two will discuss the advancement of bilateral ties in various areas, as well as a range of current international and regional issues.

Russian foreign minister to meet with UN secretary-general

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss the most pressing issues of the international agenda, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continue in Kursk, Donetsk

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

Africa-CDC to brief media on latest situation in mpox outbreak

The Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Jean Kaseya will address reporters on the current situation in the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected African countries.

African leaders to address UN General Assembly as calls for reforms escalate

President William Ruto of Kenya, Malawi's Lazarus Chakwera, and South Sudan's Salva Kiir are expected to address the UN General Assembly in New York a day after South Africa's leader Cyril Ramaphosa called for reforms at the UN Security Council.

China expected to detail test-firing of intercontinental ballistic missile

China is expected to release details on a Wednesday's intercontinental ballistic missile test-fire into the Pacific Ocean, the first known in 44 years.

High-level participation at UN General Assembly

Representatives of Nepal and New Zealand will be addressing the General Assembly.

THE ECONOMY

Switzerland interest rate

Switzerland will reveal its interest rate decision. The country's Central Bank lowered its rate to 1.25% at its last meeting, with this meeting expected to result in a rate cut to 1%.

US gross domestic product

US to share gross domestic product figures for the second quarter, as well as jobless claims data. After the country's economy grew 1.7% in the first quarter, the market expectation is 2.2% in the second quarter.

SPORTS

UEFA Europa League's league phase to continue with several fixtures

Roma will host Spain's Athletic Bilbao at Rome's Olimpico in one of the night's major games.

Turkish football giants Fenerbahce and Besiktas will also play their Europa League openers. Fenerbahce will meet Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise at Istanbul's Ulker Stadium, while Besiktas will visit Ajax at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. Ajax were the 1992 winners of the title.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Who could be Japan's next prime minister?

By Anadolu staff

Ankara – Report about the Japanese ruling party’s leadership election set to be held on Friday to select a successor to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The story gives details of the main contenders, including their political backgrounds and stances on key issues, particularly domestic policies and geopolitical issues.

It also explains the process of the vote and presents an assessment of the frontrunners in the race for premiership.

Churna Island: Pakistan's biodiversity hotspot in danger

By Aamir Latif

Karachi, Pakistan – Report on Pakistan’s Churna Island, which the government has recently declared a maritime protected area, and the threats to its unique but eroding biodiversity.

The story explains the various factors that are endangering natural habitats on the island, as well as its marine and animal life, such as marine pollution, illegal fishing and industrial activities.

It includes interviews with WWF Pakistan’s Muhammad Moazzam Khan, environmentalist Khizar Sharif, and Sharifuddin Baloch, chief conservator of Balochistan’s Wildlife and Forest Department.

Will rapid rate cuts lead to new global economic problems?

By Gokhan Ergocun

Istanbul – Report about the recent interest rate decisions around the world, including the US Federal Reserve, and their implications for global economies.

The story presents an overview of the interest rate path of major countries and their key current economic indicators, along with the expected impact of these moves.

It includes comments from US-based economist Michael Parkin, finance professor George Constantinides, and Charles Calomiris, an economist from Columbia Business School.

NEW MEDIA

INFOGRAPHIC – Visualization of key information about the leadership election of Japan's ruling party, including the main contenders to succeed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other related data.