Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

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 19 more Palestinians in the latest attacks on the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll to over 42,600 since last year, with nearly 99,700 others injured, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave.

Three people were killed when an Israeli fighter jet struck a car in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to a medical source. The attack occurred in an area designated by Israel as a "safe zone" for civilians, witnesses said.

Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza

Israeli siege of northern Gaza continues for a 17th day with ground invasion and aerial bombardment.

Thousands of Palestinians have been gathering for several days in the Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, after fleeing their homes in the Jabalia camp and its surroundings.

Israeli army targeted a residential bloc in Beit Lahia area, killing at least 87 Palestinians, and injuring 40 others, some of them in critical condition.

Two aid workers with British aid group Oxfam were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia, the group said.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing, announced Sunday that they sniped two Israeli soldiers and targeted military vehicles in northern Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that commander of 401st armored brigade has been killed in clashes in northern Gaza’s Jabalia.

Israeli aggression against Lebanon

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

The army shelled the southern Lebanese town of Kafr Shuba with internationally banned phosphorus munitions, Lebanon’s state news agency reported on Sunday.

Three Lebanese soldiers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, according to the military.

Hezbollah on Sunday announced it launched rocket attacks on Israeli military targets in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, including groups of soldiers in Markaba and the Birya air defense base. They also targeted the Shamshon base near Lake Tiberias and Haifa, framing these actions as retaliation for assaults on Beirut's southern suburb.

The death toll from Israel’s ongoing onslaught on Lebanon since Oct. 8, 2023, has surged to 2,448, with nearly 11,500 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Saturday.

2nd round of polio vaccination in Gaza Strip

The second round of polio vaccination in Gaza Strip amid Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on the enclave. The second phase of the second round, which started on Oct. 19, will continue until Thursday.

The campaign, according to WHO, aims to vaccinate over 500,000 children under 10 years of age with a second dose of the novel oral polio type 2 (nOPV2) vaccine.

Potential Israeli military response to Iran’s missile attack

Iran is on high alert in anticipation of an Israeli military response to its Oct. 1 missile attack it carried out in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Israel says Iran would "pay" for the attacks.

West Bank raids

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

Three Palestinian children were injured by Israeli army fire in the West Bank town of Beit Furik on Sunday, according to medics.

Tunisian president takes oath of office

Tunisian President Qais Saied to take the oath of office before parliament, following his election on Oct. 6 for a second presidential term that will last until 2029.

Germany’s Baerbock meets foreign ministers of Nordic countries

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to host her counterparts from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway in Berlin for discussions on regional cooperation, international issues.

Farmers’ protest in France

Disruptions are expected as French farmers will protest in the eastern city of Strasbourg, and plan to block traffic. Farmers call for concrete measures and say government did not implement administrative simplification as promised earlier this year. Farmers ask concrete measures from the government after the latter promised earlier this year administrative simplification for them.

UK foreign secretary’s South Korea visit

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits South Korea as part of trip to the region. He holds talks with his counterpart Cho Tae-yul.

Turkish foreign minister to meet Ukrainian counterpart

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Ankara.

Russian premier to meet Kyrgyz counterpart

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to hold talks with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov in the capital Moscow.

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 in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues claiming advances on multiple fronts.

Biden's address at White House reception

President Joe Biden to deliver remarks at a National Arts and Humanities Reception at White House.

Blinken to address ceremony at State Department

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to deliver remarks at the second annual ceremony for the Secretary of State’s Award for Global Anti-Racism Champions at the State Department of State.

Kamala Harris - events with former Republican Liz Cheney

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney hold a series of events in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.

UN Security Council on Ukraine

UN Security Council to convene for a briefing on Ukraine. The meeting was requested by Slovenia and the US. Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca is the anticipated briefer.

Prabowo takes charge as Indonesia’s 8th chief executive

Prabowo Subianto takes charge as 8th president of Indonesia, succeeding Joko Widodo’s decade-long two terms. Prabowo is expected to issue his policy direction.

Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. It may include statements on upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan as well as Beijing’s response to accusations of supplying arms to Russia.

Polls campaign in Japan continues

Political parties are engaged in rigorous campaigning in Japan which will hold general elections on Oct. 27. Opposition parties have gained steam against ruling Liberal Democratic Party which may lose majority this time.

Commonwealth leaders summit begins

The bi-annual Commonwealth heads of government meeting will begin in Samoa’s capital Apia. More than 3,000 delegates and leaders from 56 Commonwealth countries, representing 2.7 billion people will attend the meeting. British King Charles is expected to attend the meeting.

Mozambique opposition party to protest over election results

Supporters of Mozambique’s opposition Podemos party are expected to hold protests as partial election results showed the ruling Frelimo party in the lead. Two opposition figures were shot dead by gunmen on the weekend in the Southern African nation.

Kenya braces for legal battle after impeachment of deputy president

The impeachment of former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua by the senate while he was in hospital last Friday, to come under scrutiny after his attorney obtained court orders challenging the move, as well as his replacement. President William Ruto appointed Kithure Kindiki as new deputy president.

Turkish governmental debt

Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to share central government’s debt figures for September. It was at $234.5 billion as of August.

China's interest rate

China to reveal interest rate decision. Country lowered rate from 3.45% to 3.35% in July and kept rate constant during last two meetings. Market expected new decline to 3.15%.

Germany's producer inflation

Germany to reveal producer inflation for September. During last 14 months, producer prices posted declines. Downward trend expected to continue in September.

SPECIAL REPORTS

BRICS: Global turmoil and challenges top Russia summit agenda

By Elena Teslova

Moscow - Report on the 16th summit of the BRICS bloc set to kick off in the Russian city of Kazan on Tuesday.

The story gives details of the key issues on the agenda for top leaders from countries including China, India, Brazil, Iran and others, and explains the ongoing process for further expansion of the group.

The report also sheds light on the history of BRICS, key developments in recent years, and an overview of potential outcomes that could influence the group’s future course.

UK House of Lords member backs halt to Israel arms sales

By Esra Tekin

Istanbul – Interview with Syed Kamall, a member of the British House of Lords, about UK weapons sales to Israel.

Kamal explains the divisions over the issue within Britain and shares his assessment on the issue, saying that he is in favor of a halt to any such trade.

The story also includes comments from Ali Salman, CEO of advocacy group Islam and Liberty Network, who speaks about the failure of Muslim and Arab nations to stop Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.