Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Possible killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

International and regional reactions after Israeli media reports claimed that Israel had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a military operation in Gaza.

The army has not provided any details as of 19:00 (Istanbul time), with Israeli media saying that the army was undergoing dental and fingerprint checks to confirm Sinwar’s death.

There was no confirmation yet from Hamas of the Israeli claim.

Israeli forces continue to carry out genocidal attacks on Gaza

More than a year after Israel launched its genocidal attacks on Gaza, the besieged enclave is still being attacked, with more people killed and infrastructure and buildings destroyed.

Israeli attacks killed at least 29 more Palestinians in the latest attacks on the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll to 42,438 since October last year, with over 99,200 others injured, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Thursday.

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces committed a new massacre by killing at least 25 civilians and injuring scores others in shelling of the Abu Hussein School in the Jabalia refugee camp as displaced people gathered to take their lunch.

The Israeli army admitted that it hit the school, alleging that Hamas and Islamic Jihad members were operating inside the building.

The Israeli army on Oct. 6 began its third offensive in northern Gaza since the start of its genocidal war on Gaza last year, alleging that the onslaught aims to “prevent Hamas from regaining strength in the area.”

Separately, three people were killed and several others injured in Israeli shelling targeting a group of civilians east of Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City, according to medics.

In central Gaza, nine Palestinians, including three children and their mother, were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential home in the Maghazi refugee camp. Several others were wounded in the attack.

Israeli aggression in Lebanon

Israel continues to pound Lebanon with relentless airstrikes amid border clashes between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

The death toll from Israel’s ongoing onslaught on Lebanon since last year has reached 2,367, with 11,088 others injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

On Thursday, three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Tayr Debba in southern Lebanon.

An Anadolu correspondent reported that a building in central Beirut housing offices of Al Jazeera and two embassies evacuated after Israeli warning of striking the area.

For its part, Hezbollah said that its fighters destroyed two Israeli tanks in southern Lebanon’s Labbouneh Heights, inflicting casualties on the soldiers.

The group also reported launching a rocket strike on Israeli soldiers in the northern Avivim settlement.

Meanwhile, Israeli military fighter jets launched airstrikes on seven villages in southern and eastern Lebanon on Thursday. The attacks followed warnings issued to residents to evacuate buildings ahead of the strikes.

Israeli attacks on UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon

Israel's repeated violations in Lebanon, targeting UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers, have outraged the international community, including the UN, top EU officials, and many countries.

The UNIFIL told Anadolu that it would not abandon its positions despite being “directly and deliberately attacked” by the Israeli military.

On Thursday, the German warship Ludwigshafen am Rhein, which was deployed as part of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it shot down an unidentified drone off the coast of Lebanon. The drone fragments were picked up by experts for examination.

More reactions are possible in response to the UNIFIL situation, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the UN on Sunday to withdraw its peacekeeping mission from southern Lebanon amid his forces’ repeated incursions.

Potential Israeli military response to Iran’s missile attack on Oct. 1.

On Thursday, the chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to respond ‘painfully’ to any Israeli attack.

Iran is on high alert in anticipation of an Israeli military response to the Oct. 1 missile attack by Tehran, which said the attack was in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Israel has threatened a "lethal, precise, and especially surprising" retaliatory attack against Iran.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 757 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured over 6,250 others, with over 11,200 taken into custody.

The Israeli army deployed additional forces in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday ahead of a weeklong Jewish holiday.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said Thursday that three people from Bayt Fajar, near Bethlehem, were injured by Israeli army fire and taken to Beit Jala Hospital, with one in serious condition.

Later, the ministry reported two more people from the Al Aroub refugee camp were injured and taken to Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron, including one critically wounded with a head injury.

In a separate incident, a Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli forces while harvesting olives in the town of Faqqua in Jenin.

Turkish president's diplomatic meetings in Istanbul

Turkish President Erdogan will host Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul.

3+3 South Caucasus format meeting in Istanbul

3rd 3+3 South Caucasus format meeting in Istanbul with Russian, Iranian, Armenian, Azerbaijani foreign ministers as participants. Meeting will be hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

NATO defense ministers meeting concludes

Alliance counterparts meet to discuss major operational issues on the second and final day of the 2-day gathering.

US President Biden's Germany visit

President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his farewell visit to Germany. Biden will also hold a "Quad" meeting with Chancellor Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer later in the day. The leaders are expected to discuss pressing global issues, including Ukraine, and the Middle East.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

⁠Russian president to meet with executives of leading media outlets from BRICS countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with executives of leading media outlets from BRICS countries in the capital Moscow. Those participating in the meeting include Director General of Rossiya Segodnya media group Dmitry Kiselev.

⁠⁠Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

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

China likely to respond to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s accusations

Beijing is likely to respond to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's accusations that China was helping Russia in dragging out Ukraine war.

Pakistan's main opposition party to hold countrywide protests

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to hold nationwide protests as government isolates former Prime Minister Imran Khan inside the prison with a ban on communication with family, doctors as well as party officials. This comes amid growing student protests over an alleged rape incident in Lahore city.

King Charles, Queen Camilla to visit Australia, Samoa

British King Charles and Queen Camilla to begin their week-long trip to Australia and Samoa.

Taiwan’s President Lai to visit military camps

Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te to visit military camps and the coast guard to commend their efforts and determination in safeguarding the island nation during the recent Chinese military exercises.

Top diplomats of Australia, Vietnam meet

Top diplomats Penny Wong and Bui Thanh Son co-chair sixth Australia-Vietnam foreign ministers’ meeting in Adelaide to advance cooperation under Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and address key regional challenges.

Divided Koreas on alert amid tensions on peninsula

The divided Koreas are on alert amid high tensions on the Korean Peninsula after drone flights over Pyongyang, and North Korea declared South Korea as a “hostile” state, first time since 1950s inter-Korean war.

Bangladesh seeks arrest of ex-Premier Hasina who lives in India

Bangladesh is seeking arrest of former Premier Sheikh Hasina, who is currently living in India. The court warrants were issued against Hasina and 45 others over alleged crimes against humanity and the accused have been ordered to be produced before court by Nov. 18. India has refused to comment over the issue.

South Africa expected to respond to claims made by Taiwan

The Foreign Ministry is expected to respond to reports that it ordered Taiwan to move its representative office outside the capital Pretoria by the end of October or it would be shut.

Zambia to hold National Prayer Day amid serious drought

Zambia will hold a National Prayer Day to seek divine intervention in many of the challenges the Southern African nation faces, including a long period of drought.

Heightened security in South African townships after incidents of looting

Police are expected to beef up security across townships in Johannesburg, a day after demonstrators looted shops belonging to foreign nationals. Locals accuse foreign shopkeepers of selling them expired goods and taking their business opportunities.

SPORTS

⁠⁠⁠EuroLeague round 4 matches to continue

Crvena Zvezda to face Barcelona, while Anadolu Efes to face Olympiacos in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague round 4 matches.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade are at the top of the standings without a loss from three games while Barcelona are 2nd with 2 wins and 1 loss.

Anadolu Efes are 10th with 1 win and 2 losses while Olympiacos are 4th with 2 wins and 1 loss.

⁠Ligue 1 contenders Monaco and Lille to clash with each other

In French Ligue 1, contenders Monaco and Lille to meet at Stade Louis II.

Undefeated Monaco lead Ligue 1 standings with 19 points, while Lille are at the 5th spot with 13 points.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s investment position

Turkish Central Bank to reveal international investment position for August. Country’s external assets recorded at $348.8 billion as of July.

Newly established Turkish firms

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges to share newly established and liquidated companies’ data for September. In the first 8 months of 2024, compared to the first 8 months of 2023, the number of established companies decreased by 14.2%, and the number of closed companies increased by 25.4%.

Chinese economy

China to share GDP figures for third quarter, industrial production, unemployment, and retail sales data for September. Chinese economy expanded by 4.6% in second quarter and market expects 4.7% for third quarter.

UK retail sales

UK to share retail sales figures for September. In August, retail sales grew by 2.5% and for September, this rate is expected to rise by 3.7%

SPECIAL REPORT

Senior US official upbeat on energy ties with Türkiye

By Iclal Turan

Washington – Interview with Geoffrey Pyatt, the US assistant secretary for energy resources, about his recent visit to Türkiye and ties between the two countries.

Pyatt shares details of his discussions with Turkish and other officials, potential prospects for increasing energy cooperation, and advancing clean energy development.

He also speaks about the global energy situation, the impact of spiraling tensions, and possible ways to address growing concerns in various parts of the world.

Chancellor Scholz recognizes strategic importance of Türkiye, says German expert

By Ayhan Simsek

Berlin – Interview with German foreign policy expert Nils Lange on Germany-Türkiye relations and Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s upcoming visit.
Lange, a non-resident fellow at the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin, says the visit provides an opportunity to address political differences and enhance cooperation on shared interests.

He stresses that despite political differences, Scholz “is recognizing the strategic importance of Türkiye” and seeks to “enhance cooperation through a more transactional policy.”

Expanded BRICS meets in Russia: What to expect

By Burc Eruygur

Istanbul – Factbox on the 16th summit of the BRICS economic group set to be held in the Russian city of Kazan next week.

The story gives details on the high-level gathering, particularly information on key agenda items such as de-dollarization and the further expansion of the economic bloc.

The report also lays out key developments regarding BRICS in recent years and includes past public statements from top officials.

Türkiye’s strategic partnership key to tackling climate crisis in Europe and Central Asia: UN official

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

Istanbul – Interview with UN Assistant Secretary-General Ivana Zivkovic about Türkiye’s crucial role in driving regional cooperation for climate action.

Zivkovic emphasizes the importance of Türkiye as a strategic partner for the UN Development Programme, saying Türkiye's experience in managing climate-related challenges offers valuable lessons for other countries in the region.

She also speaks about the major global challenges ahead related to the environmental and climate change crises, as well as the need for greater efforts to address gender equality and other interrelated issues.

Warning letter to Israel ‘one piece of hope’ but US still not using its leverage: American doctor

By Diyar Guldogan

Washington – Interview with Zaher Sahloul, president of aid group MedGlobal, who volunteered in Gaza and has been advocating for US action to stop Israel’s deadly war.

Sahloul speaks about the Biden administration’s failure to use its leverage over Israel, stressing the need for more and concerted pressure to bring a halt to the deadly Israeli assault.

He says the recent letter sent by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to their Israeli counterparts could be “one piece of hope,” but still requires a major shift in the administration’s policies.