Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, September 30, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli aggression on Lebanon

Reactions following the assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah after an airstrike by Israeli F-35 fighters targeted a site in the Haret Hreik area of the southern suburb of Beirut, Hezbollah's main stronghold.

In the wake of the assassination of Nasrallah, the Lebanese army urged citizens to uphold national unity and refrain from actions that could disrupt civil peace.

The Israeli army claimed to have killed Hezbollah commander Nabil Qaouk in an airstrike in the southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday.

Israeli airstrikes continue in various regions of Lebanon, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. The ongoing attacks are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and increasing tensions in the area.

At least 816 people, including women and children, have been killed and 2,507 others injured in ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since Sept. 23, according to an Anadolu tally based on figures released by the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Sunday that around one million people have been displaced due to Israeli attacks, marking the largest wave of displacement in the country’s history.

In recent days, Israeli officials have hinted at an imminent ground operation in southern Lebanon, with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Northern Command leader Ori Gordin discussing the army's readiness for a ground operation in Lebanon.

Hezbollah on Sunday shelled the city of Safed in northern Israel and targeted the Ofek military base and Eliakim base with rockets.

Final Day of 79th session of UN General Assembly

The final day and sixth day of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Representatives from Arab countries scheduled to speak include Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, and Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 41,600 Palestinians and injured nearly 96,300 since last year's Oct. 7 incursion by Palestinian group Hamas.

The situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue amid dwindling aid flow in the besieged enclave.

Around 17,000 Palestinian children have been killed in Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip since last October, according to local authorities on Sunday.

At least four Palestinians were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced civilians in the northern Gaza Strip, according to medical sources.

Six Palestinians were killed and several others injured on Sunday as Israeli airstrikes hit residential homes in multiple areas across the Gaza Strip, according to medical sources.

Israeli attack on Yemen’s western city of Al Hudaydah

Aftermath of the Israeli army’s attack on Houthi military sites in the Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah, including power stations and a port, claiming hit targets used for “weapon transfers.”

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 719 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured over 5,750 others, with nearly 11,000 taken into custody.

Three Palestinians were wounded by Israeli army fire during a military raid in the West Bank city of Tubas on Sunday, according to the Red Crescent Society.

Protests against Israeli government

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

Demonstrations in Israel have slowed in recent days amid escalating tensions between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah along the northern border.

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.

Austria elections

Comments from political party leaders on the results of Sunday's elections in Austria.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on trial

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen and other officials from her National Rally party will go on trial for claims that they used European Parliament funds to finance party activities in France.

UNRWA Commissioner-General’s press conference

A press conference from Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Biden administration's statement on Lebanon, Gaza

Monitoring statements from the US administration regarding the Israeli strikes on Lebanon which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the situation in Gaza as the death toll nears 41,600.

Death toll from Hurricane Helene rising

US Southeast has been grappling with widespread devastation due to Helene since Thursday, reportedly killing at least 93 people in six states. President Joe Biden will deliver remarks on his administration's continued response efforts to Hurricane Helene. Biden will later deliver remarks at an event celebrating the 2024 US Olympic and Paralympic teams.

US hosts ministerial meeting of Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to deliver opening remarks as he hosts annual ministerial meeting of Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS at the State Department. Later, Blinken will separately meet with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

UN Security Council - Haiti vote

UN Security Council to vote on a draft resolution renewing for one year the authorization for member states to deploy a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti.

Russia celebrates ‘Reunification Day’ with annexed Ukrainian regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in special events on the annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions by Moscow. Putin is expected to meet with Russian-installed officials from the annexed regions to discuss the current situation and prospects of the development.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

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

Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda claims lives

The Marburg virus, a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever whose outbreak was reported on Friday in Rwanda has already claimed 6 lives and infected several people. Majority of victims are health workers, the Health Ministry said.

Protests expected in Ghana

Trade unions and civil society groups set to hold a protest in Ghana following the arrest and detention of anti-illegal mining demonstrators.

UNESCO, Africa Union to discuss transforming knowledge for Africa’s future

UNESCO and the African Union Commission to hold a two-day international forum to discuss transforming knowledge for Africa’s future. President of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde is expected to attend the forum.

US Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello is set to visit Nairobi and Addis Ababa starting Monday, to further diplomatic efforts in resolving Sudan’s conflict. Perriello will engage with key AU and IGAD officials, as well as Sudanese civil society leaders. The talks will focus on advancing Sudan’s transition to civilian governance and improving humanitarian access.

Xi leads tributes at Tiananmen Square as China marks foundation day

President Xi Jinping lead tributes at Tiananmen Square as China marks its 75th anniversary of foundation on Oct. 01.

Foreign Ministry to hold news conference

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing.

Japan braces for Typhoon Jebi in east, Typhoon Krathon in south

Typhoon Jebi is expected to affect eastern Japan, which includes capital Tokyo, in the next couple of days. On the other hand, the country's southern island prefecture of Okinawa has been warned of strong winds and high waves as Typhoon Krathon is forecast to hit between Wednesday and Thursday.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish banking sector figures

Turkish banking watchdog to reveal sector statistics for August.

China PMI

China to share manufacturing sector’s PMI figures for September. Last month, PMI slightly declined in country but recovery is expected for September.

UK GDP

UK to share GDP figures for second quarter. British economy narrowed by 0.2% in last quarter of 2023 and posted slight increase in first quarter of 2024. For second quarter, growth rate below 1% is expected for country.

Germany's inflation

Germany to share import prices for June and provisional inflation data for September. During 2024, inflation in country was over 2% and dropped to below 2% in August for first time.

SPECIAL REPORTS

After Nasrallah assassination, what next for Israel?

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on Israel’s possible military and political strategies for the expected further escalation with Lebanon after the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The story presents an overview of recent Israeli actions since it expanded its war goals earlier this month, and also focuses on the possible Israeli military strategy on Lebanon in the coming days.

It includes comments from Israeli political analyst Ori Goldberg and Giorgio Cafiero, head of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based geopolitical risk consultancy.

Russia changes nuclear doctrine: What happens now?

By Elena Teslova

Moscow - Report about Russia’s planned revisions to its nuclear doctrine recently announced by President Vladimir Putin.

The story details the proposed changes and explains their significance, particularly in the context of increased fighting in Ukraine and escalating tensions with the West.

It includes comments from former Putin adviser Sergey Markov, Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the Russian National Defense magazine, and political analyst Viktor Kozyrev.