ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
EGYPT
Cairo – Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel to reach a hostage swap deal and cease-fire agreement in Gaza to continue despite the difficulties encountered by negotiators, according to an Egyptian source. But Israeli media reports that mediators are trying to bridge differences between the two sides regarding the details of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, as well as the hostages and prisoners to be released from both sides. Hamas is believed to be holding over 130 Israeli hostages following its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
PALESTINE
Gaza City – Developments in the situation of humanitarian efforts and Israeli military actions amid unabated army attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the deaths of over 30,631 Palestinians and injuries of more than 72,043 others since Oct. 7, as well as mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities amid accusations that Tel Aviv administration is intentionally starving Gaza's population.
Ramallah – Israeli soldiers' daily incursions into the occupied West Bank have killed at least 420 Palestinians and injured over 4,650 others since Oct. 7. The number of arrests in occupied territories has reached a new high of nearly 7,422 people in over four months, surpassing previous annual records.
LEBANON
Beirut – Cross-border clashes between the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group and the Israel army have escalated, becoming the deadliest since 2006.
YEMEN
Sanaa – Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties to Israel, as well as US air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, have fueled rising tensions in the Red Sea. This situation raises concerns about a major impact on ship traffic in the region, which is one of the world's most heavily used sea routes for oil and gas shipments.
GERMANY
Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz to meet with the prime ministers of the federal states to discuss the migration crisis and other economic and social issues.
UK
London – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take questions from MPs in the House of Commons. The questions are likely to revolve around the latest situation in Gaza and calls for a cease-fire.
London – Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to present the Spring Budget in the House of Commons.
London – A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine finds that taking 9,000 to 10,000 steps per day may reduce the risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) for sedentary people, regardless of how much time they spend sedentary.
US
Washington - President Joe Biden's administration to issue a statement on the Gaza conflict, as Washington expects Hamas to accept the terms of Israel's hostage swap deal.
Washington - Democratic Representative Ro Khanna to speak at a Washington Post Live discussion about the 2024 presidential election, Israel-Gaza conflict, and status of US aid to Ukraine.
New York - UN Security Council to discuss current situation in Afghanistan.
AZERBAIJAN
Baku – Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to meet with Azerbaijani officials during an official visit.
RUSSIA
Moscow – Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet his Nigerian counterpart Yusuf Tuggar.
Sirius – Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing on current issues of foreign policy.
SOUTH AFRICA
Pretoria – The country's presidency to release a progress report on how the government is tackling high crime, corruption, and problems in the energy sector in Africa's most developed economy.
Cape Town – Pressure is mounting on parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to resign following allegations that she solicited bribes while serving as defense minister.
ZIMBABWE
Harare – The impact of recent US sanctions against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, his wife, and senior government officials for alleged corruption and human rights violations.
KENYA
Nairobi – The 63-member East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to kick off the opening session of the 5th assembly, which will last three weeks to discuss issues concerning the region, especially security and trade.
PAKISTAN
Islamabad – The Supreme Court to announce verdict on a presidential reference requesting that the hanging of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto be declared a "judicial murder." Bhutto, the country's first democratically elected prime minister, was executed after being convicted of murder in 1979.
CHINA
Beijing – Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.
Beijing – Two Sessions - China’s parliamentary as well as advisory groups - continue deliberations on government work reports as well as new laws.
Beijing – After a Filipino and Chinese ship collided in disputed waters, both sides are blaming each other and protesting.
SOUTH KOREA
Seoul – The government is expected to take practical steps against protesting medical professionals who want the decision to add 2,000 more medical seats per year overturned. As the work stoppages entered their third week, defiant medical academics and practitioners shaved their heads to protest their demands.
AUSTRALIA
Melbourne – Leaders of Southeast Asian countries and Australia to issue a statement following special summit to celebrate 50 years of relations between the bloc and Canberra.
SPORTS
Madrid / Manchester – Real Madrid to play against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg. Real Madrid won the first leg 1-0 in Germany. In the same round, Manchester City to face Copenhagen at home. English powerhouse previously beat Copenhagen 3-1 in the first leg held in Denmark.
SPECIAL REPORTS
More political than effective: How do Gaza airdrops compare to aid via land?
By Gozde Bayar
Ankara – Report about the recent international aid airdrops in the Gaza Strip, focusing on their impact, or lack thereof, in addressing the humanitarian crisis created by Israel’s deadly war.
The story compares the capacities and effectiveness of airdrops and aid being delivered through land routes, which has been blocked and limited by Israel.
It includes an interview with Moath Al Amoudi, a specialist in international aid at Kadi Ayyad University of Morocco, who speaks about Israel’s motives in allowing airdrops, terming it a ploy to mislead the international community and marginalize Hamas’ authority in Gaza.
How AI is poised to revolutionize brain surgeries
By Aysu Bicer
London – Report about the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the field of neurosurgery.
The story focuses on a groundbreaking project in the UK, where neurosurgeons are integrating AI into brain surgery procedures, giving details of the project and laying out its aims and potential pros and cons.
The report includes an interview with neurosurgeon Hani Marcus and other doctors involved in the project.
In South Africa, ex-president’s new party threatens ANC’s decades of dominance
By Hassan Isilow
Johannesburg – Report about the recent developments in South Africa ahead of the May 29 general elections.
The story focuses on the prospects of the ruling ANC and the challenge posed by the new political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), launched by former President Jacob Zuma.
The report gives details of the current political situation in the country and the raft of issues that could see the ANC lose dominance for the first time in three decades.
It includes comments from South African analyst Edwin Yingi and Kealeboga Maphunye, a professor of politics at the University of South Africa.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Report about the use of AI in the field of neurosurgery in the UK, where surgeons are integrating the technology into brain surgery procedures. The video has interviews with neurosurgeon Hani Marcus and other doctors involved in the project.