Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Israeli forces continue genocidal attacks in Gaza

The ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on the Gaza Strip. The death toll in the relentless Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave since October of last year climbed to 42,847, with over 100,500 injured.

On Thursday, At least 17 people were killed and 52 others injured in a new Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced civilians in the central Gaza Strip.

In a separate incident, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday that several employees were injured in Israeli artillery shelling on a vehicle near al-Zawayda town in the central Gaza.

Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza

Israel continues suffocating siege, ground invasion, aerial bombardment, and artillery shelling in northern Gaza for more than two weeks amid food, water, fuel, and medicine shortages.

On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike killed one Palestinian and injured several others near Al-Khaldi Mosque in northwest Gaza.

Three more Palestinians were killed and several others injured in an Israeli artillery shell that hit the Al-Fakhoura area in Beit Lahia.

Israeli aggression against Lebanon

Israel's persistent attacks on Lebanon continue, while Hezbollah uses rockets to target Israel.

On Thursday, 23 people were killed, including three Lebanese soldiers, and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes on multiple areas in eastern, southern, and central Lebanon, according to local media.

Hezbollah, on the other hand, announced that it had launched missile and artillery strikes on seven locations in northern Israel and southern Lebanon that house Israeli soldiers.

The group also reported targeting four Israeli Merkava tanks, resulting in casualties among their crews in southern Lebanon.

Israeli media reported that three illegal Israeli settlers were injured after rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel.

Nearly 2,600 people have been killed and over 12,100 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Gaza cease-fire talks

The latest developments in the Gaza cease-fire talks following Qatar’s announcement of hosting a new round of negotiations.

“Two US and Israeli delegations will visit Doha to discuss ways to make a breakthrough in the Gaza cease-fire negotiations,” Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdelrahman Al Thani said on Thursday at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken, for his part, said Gaza cease-fire talks are expected to resume in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the Israeli negotiating delegation that will travel to Qatar next Sunday to discuss the possibility of progressing Gaza negotiations.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank.

On Thursday, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian boy during their incursion into Beit Furik, east of Nablus.

The army also stormed Husan village in the west of Bethlehem, fired live bullets and tear gas canisters, and prevented the movement of vehicles.

Israel has killed at least 760 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured over 6,250 others, with over 11,400 taken into custody.

Sudan’s situation continues to deteriorate

The deteriorating security situation in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

On Thursday, Doctors Without Borders said 12 civilians, including four children, were killed and 27 others were injured in artillery shelling two days ago, which targeted an area near the Al Bashaer hospital south of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

Turkish president to attend SAHA EXPO 2024

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the opening ceremony of the SAHA EXPO 2024 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition at Istanbul Expo Center.

US State Secretary Blinken to visit London to meet with Arab counterparts

Following his visit to the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Arab counterparts in the British capital. The discussions are expected to center on possible cease-fire negotiations in the Middle East. Blinken will meet with partners to discuss the importance of ending the Gaza war, releasing all hostages, and alleviating Palestinian suffering, according to the US State Department.

European Commission president visits Serbia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits Serbia where her schedule includes talks with President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. Talks are expected to focus on Serbia’s EU membership application, migration policies, and regional issues.

Leaders of commonwealth countries meet in Samoa

Leaders and delegations from 56 nations meet in Samoa as the two-day Commonwealth heads of government meeting kicks off in Pacific nation of Samoa. British King King Charles chairs it. Climate change is among the issues under discussion.

UN agencies’ briefing

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

US President Biden expected to apologize for Indian-run boarding school system

President Joe Biden to make remarks at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, where he is expected to issue a formal apology for a government-run boarding school system that forcibly separated generations of Native American children from their parents.

Kamala Harris in Texas campaign event

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris to hold election campaign in Houston, Texas. Singer Beyonce is expected to perform.

Donald Trump visits Texas

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to visit Austin, Texas, to deliver remarks to the press on border security and migrants.

⁠Russian top diplomat’s press conference on BRICS summit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov will summarize the outcome of Russia's BRICS chairmanship. The diplomat will discuss the major outcomes of the economic bloc summit, its progress in 2024, and plans for the future.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in the first week of August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues claiming advances on multiple fronts. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims that about 2,000 Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk.

Indonesian President Prabowo to chair 1st Cabinet meeting

Policy direction is expected to be issued as newly elected President Prabowo Subianto convenes his first Cabinet meeting with his 109 ministers, deputy ministers, and agency heads. The Cabinet will hold a three-day brainstorming session over the weekend.

Hong Kong puts on display its 1st dinosaur fossils

The first dinosaur fossils discovered in Hong Kong are put on display at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, to increase public interest and education in paleontology. A dedicated space is being built at the center for experts to continue cleaning and restoring fossils while displaying previously prepared samples.

Live-fire military exercises conclude in Taiwan

Taiwan's two-day live-fire military drills on the Penghu Islands are set to conclude. The drills, which simulated an attack by Beijing, were held overnight near one of the hotspots where the Chinese military recently conducted exercises.

North and South Korea continue trading barb amid tensions on Korean Peninsula

North Korea is likely to react to South Korean president’s vow to consider arms supply to Ukraine if troop deployment by Pyongyang to Russia is proven. US has backed claims of Seoul that nearly 3000 North Korean soldiers have reached Russia, possibly to join war against Kyiv.

North, South Korea continue to trade barbs amid tensions on Korean peninsula

North Korea is likely to respond to South Korea's president's pledge to consider supplying arms to Ukraine if Pyongyang's troop deployment to Russia is confirmed. The US has backed Seoul's claims that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers have entered Russia, possibly to join the war against Kyiv.

Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold press briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold a regular briefing in Beijing. It may include reactions to wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine as well as tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Thailand marks 20th anniversary of Tak Bai massacre of Muslims

Thailand marks the 20th anniversary of the deaths of 78 Muslims, who were suffocated after being bundled into military trucks by security forces following a crackdown on protests against the arrest of six youths.

Mozambique’s President-elect expected to address supporters

Mozambique's President-elect Daniel Chapo is expected to address his supporters the day after being declared the winner of the Oct. 9 presidential elections. The 47-year-old Chapo will now succeed incumbent President Filipe Nyusi, who did not seek re-election after serving two terms. Chapo received 71% of the vote, defeating closest challenger Venancio Mondlane, who received 20%.

Southern Africa marks anti-sanctions day

Southern African Development Community member states mark anti-sanctions day with the African Union calling for immediate and unconditional lifting of all remaining sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe.

ECONOMY

Türkiye’s capacity utilization

Turkish Central Bank to share capacity utilization rate for manufacturing industry for October. Capacity utilization rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points in September compared to previous month and realized as 74.9%.

Russia’s interest rate decision

Russian Central Bank to reveal interest rate decision. Bank increased the rate during the last two meetings from 16% to 19% and the market expects another hike to 20% for this meeting.

SPORTS

Round 5 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (Basketball)

In one of the most awaited matches of Round 5, Fenerbahce Beko to face off against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. This exciting showdown between the Turkish powerhouse and the Greek giants promises high-energy play and fierce competition, as both teams aim to strengthen their standings in the EuroLeague.

SPECIAL REPORTS

US election: Who do Iran and Gulf states want in the White House?

Report on Iran and the Gulf states’ choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the US presidential election, presenting their views on the race and main points of concern with either a Republican or Democratic administration.

It includes comments from Anna Jacobs, International Crisis Group's senior analyst for the Gulf states, and Mahjoob Zweiri, professor of Middle East politics at Qatar University, who explain how countries in the region could be “flexible” and open to cooperation with either Trump or Harris.

The report also has interviews with Iranian political analyst Saeid Jafari and Mehran Kamrava, professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, who have opposing views on the issue, with one saying the Iranian government could be “more likely to welcome a Harris victory” and the other explaining why Trump could prove easier to deal with for Tehran.

EXPLAINER – Japan’s snap general elections: What to know

Explainer report on the snap elections set to be held in Japan on Oct. 27, which represent a crucial test for new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and a scandal-plagued ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The story lays out key details of the elections, including demographics, process, key contenders, the significance of the vote, and the expected outcomes and their implications for Japanese politics.

It includes an interview with Saul Takahashi, a professor at Osaka Jogakuin University, who discusses the main issues in electoral campaigning and the challenges facing the ruling LDP, and shares his assessments on the results.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with experts including Mehran Kamrava, professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, and International Crisis Group senior analyst Anna Jacobs, about Iran and the Gulf states’ choice between Trump and Harris in the US presidential election.