Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

South Africa to submit detailed dossier against Israel at ICJ

South Africa is set to submit a detailed memorial against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), aiming to substantiate its case that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine. A South African diplomatic source told Anadolu that the memorial would be filed Monday. The country’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told the Daily Maverick news website that the memorial contains more evidence in “forensic detail” to show that “this is not just a plausible case of genocide, but indeed it is genocide.”

Officials of South African are expected to make statements related to the fresh evidence.

The country filed the genocide case against Israel at the tribunal based in The Hague in late 2023, accusing Israel, which has been waging a deadly offensive on Gaza since last October, of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Israeli forces continue genocidal attacks in Gaza

Ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza Strip, which continue to claim the lives of more Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.

The death toll in relentless Israeli attacks on the besieged territory since October last year has climbed to nearly 43,000, with over 100,500 injured.

Three more Palestinian journalists were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, bringing the overall death toll since last year to 180, the enclave’s government media office said.

At least 11 people were killed in another Israeli airstrike on the UN-run Asma school sheltering displaced civilians west of Gaza City on Sunday, a medical source said.

Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza Strip

Israel's weeks-long siege, ground invasion, and bombardment in the northern Gaza Strip continues amid food, water, fuel, and medicine shortages.

Ten Palestinians were killed and others injured Sunday in an airstrike that targeted a family home in the Beit Lahia project in northern Gaza, according to a source from Gaza Civil Defense.

Israeli aggression against Lebanon

Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, while the Hezbollah group continues to target Israel with rockets.

More that 2,650 people have been killed and nearly 12,400 injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Eight people were killed and 25 others injured in a fresh airstrike in southern Sidon on Sunday, the Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, a drone fired from Lebanon struck an Israeli aircraft component factory near Acre in the Western Galilee, injuring two.

At least four Israelis were injured in a Hezbollah rocket strike into northern Israel, according to Israeli media.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks after Qatar said it would host a new round of negotiations.

The Israeli negotiating team arrived Sunday evening in the Gulf state’s capital Doha to resume the Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap deal talks.

Egypt proposed an initiative for a 48-hour cease-fire in Gaza, along with a partial prisoner-hostage exchange deal, with negotiations to take place within 10 days for a complete cease-fire, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Sunday.

West Bank raids

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

A Palestinian was shot dead in an alleged car-ramming attack in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, the army said.

Israel has killed at least 762 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured over 6,250 others, with over 11,400 taken into custody.

Algerian president to visit Oman

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is expected visit to Oman on Monday as part of an Arab tour.

This will be the first visit of an Algerian president to Oman and Tebboune’s second foreign trip, after Egypt, since his reelection last September for a second five-year term.

Developments in Sudan

Deteriorating security situation in Sudan amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

At least 124 people were killed Saturday in attacks carried out by the RSF on the village of Alseriha in the Gezira state of central Sudan, the Sudan Doctors Network said.

9th Regional Forum of Union for Mediterranean

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Foreign Affairs Ministers are set to convene, with an agenda focused on regional challenges and the escalating situation in the Middle East. Representatives from the 43 UfM member states are invited to the event, chaired by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, along with Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister. UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel, will also be present. The UfM Regional Forum will be hosted by Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.

German, Croatian defense ministers to meet in Berlin

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will meet with his Croatian counterpart Ivan Anusic for discussions on regional and international security issues.

WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) experts will present the organization’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin to journalists.

Swiss presidential lunch, exclusive news conference

Swiss President Viola Ahmerd will hold an exclusive news conference with members of the media followed by a presidential lunch.

Hungarian president to pay Serbia official visit

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok will meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in an official visit to Belgrade. Serbia and Hungary maintain friendly relations, working closely on various issues including illegal migration and energy. Hungary is also a strong supporter of Serbia’s EU accession.

Emmanuel Macron’s to pay official visit to Morocco

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to make a state visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, though the full itinerary has yet to be confirmed. According to the French presidency, the visit aims to set “new ambitions for the next 30 years” between the two countries. Last year, tensions arose when France reduced the number of visas issued to Moroccans, leading Rabat to recall its ambassador from Paris. This year, France has restored the previous visa allotments.

Oxfam to present climate inequality report

Oxfam is set to present its latest climate inequality report to the media, with a focus on the emissions of the world's richest 1%.

Cabinet meeting in Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair a weekly Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.

US President Biden to cast early-voting ballot

President Joe Biden is expected to cast his early-voting ballot in the US presidential election in his hometown in Delaware state. Biden will later deliver remarks at a reception in celebration of the Indian festival Diwali at the White House.

US reactions on Israel, Gaza, Lebanon

Monitoring reactions from Biden administrations regarding Israeli strikes on Iran this weekend, the situation in Gaza, and Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

Kamala Harris in Michigan state

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks at campaign events in Saginaw, Macomb County and Ann Arbor in the state of Michigan, where Harris and her rival, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump, are battling for voters that include a significant Arab American and Muslim population.

UN Security Council meetings on Sudan, Israeli strikes on Iran

The UN Security Council will convene to discuss the situation in Sudan. Later in the afternoon, the council will convene again to discuss Israel’s strikes on Iran this weekend.

Assassination attempt against former Bolivian president

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales said he survived an assassination attempt after unidentified men opened fire on his car.

⁠Talks between Russian, Kuwaiti top diplomats

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to meet with his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Al Yahya. The two diplomats are expected to discuss the development of bilateral ties, the situation in the Middle East, and other pressing issues on the international agenda.

⁠Kazakh president to pay Mongolia 2-day visit

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will embark on an official two-day visit to Mongolia, where he will hold talks with President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, parliament speaker Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan, and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene. During the visit, several major bilateral documents are expected to be signed.

Post-election developments in Georgia

Developments in the aftermath of Saturday’s parliamentary elections in Georgia, in which the ruling Georgian Dream emerged as the first party with 54% of the vote.

President Salome Zourabichvili said on Sunday that she would not recognize the results, alleging Russian interference in the election. She called on international allies to “protect Georgia” and urged people and opposition leaders to protest in front of Parliament in the capital Tbilisi Monday evening

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in Russia’s border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues to claim advances on multiple fronts. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that about 2,000 Ukrainian troops have been encircled in Kursk.

Decision likely on new government after snap polls in Japan

Winning parties in Japan’s snap elections held over the weekend are expected to announce a new government. Initial results show the ruling coalition of Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito party may secure a slim majority to form government on their own. A party or coalition needs 233 seats in Parliament to form a government.

Indian, Spanish premiers to inaugurate aircraft complex

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez will jointly inaugurate an aircraft manufacturing facility in the western state of Maharashtra for C-295 transport plane. Sanchez is on a three-day trip to India for bilateral talks and discussions on international issues, including conflicts in Middle East.

Foreign Ministry to hold news conference in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry will hold a regular news conference in Beijing. The spokesperson is expected to react to Israeli attack on Iran, as well as fresh evidence of genocide by Israel to be filed at the International Court of Justice by South Africa, along other important issues.

South African foreign minister to host Ukrainian counterpart

South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola will host Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha for political consultations in the capital Pretoria. The visit’s agenda includes strengthening bilateral relations.

SPORTS

⁠The Ballon d’Or 2024 ceremony will be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

SPECIAL REPORTS

US election: Who does Russia want in the White House?

By Elena Teslova

Moscow – Report on Russia’s views on the US presidential election and its choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

The story presents a picture of the current assessment in Russia and the implications of either outcome, particularly on the war with Ukraine, and outlines the various challenges that could emerge with a Democrat or Republican administration.

It has interviews with Russian political analysts Konstantin Kalachev and Viktor Kozyrev, and columnist Andrey Sitov, who break down the Western narrative of Russia favoring a Trump victory, explaining that there are a range of viewpoints in Moscow, with both Trump and Harris believed to be offering different advantages.

US election: Who does Ukraine want in the White House?

By Burc Eruygur

Istanbul –​​​​​​​ Report on Ukraine’s choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the US presidential election.

The story presents Kyiv’s views on the race and potential points of concern with either a Republican or Democratic administration, specifically in terms of the future of the ongoing war with Russia.

It recaps recent statements on the election by top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has questioned Trump’s repeated claims of having a plan to end the war.

The report has comments from Simon Schlegel, a senior analyst on Ukraine at the International Crisis Group, who explains the reasons for the mostly pro-Harris views in Kyiv, but also how some observers are hoping “Trump’s unpredictable foreign policies might hold pleasant surprises for Ukraine.”