Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, April 11, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
PALESTINE
Gaza City - The humanitarian and military situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its relentless offensive despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the besieged enclave.
The Israeli offensive resulted, in its 188th day, in killing nearly 33,500 people and injuring over 76,000 others since last October amid a crippling blockade that has left most of the population on the verge of starvation.
Ramallah - Security tensions continue in the West Bank as Israel has stepped up military raids on Palestinian towns in the occupied territory, which have resulted in at least 460 Palestinian deaths since Oct. 7, 2023. The number of arrests has risen to a six-month record of 8,165, exceeding those recorded on an annual basis in previous years.
EGYPT
Cairo - Indirect talks between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas for a hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza.
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv - Protests in Israel to pressure the government to resign and reach a hostage swap deal with Palestinians.
Expected reactions to escalating threats from Israeli officials to invade densely populated Gaza Strip city of Rafah, overcrowded with Palestinian refugees, including the latest from War Cabinet member Benny Gantz expressing persistent resolve to enter the area, as well as return to its neighboring city of Khan Younis after the army’s current withdrawal.
LEBANON
Beirut - Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel that broke out last October, in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.
YEMEN
Sanaa - Growing tension in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen amid fears of a significant disruption to maritime traffic in one of the busiest global routes for oil and fuel transport.
US
Washington - President Joe Biden to meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at White House. Biden to later hold trilateral meeting with Marcos, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
Washington - Possible key remarks by FBI Director Christopher Wray about 2025 budget request at House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.
Washington - Japanese Prime Minister Kishida to address joint session in Congress.
Washington - Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters at State Department.
New York - UN Security Council to discuss conflict in Ukraine.
LITHUANIA
Vilnius - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address Three Seas Summit via video link.
UK
LONDON - 5th anniversary of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s arrest after seven years in Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Assange, who remains in UK prison while appealing extradition request to US, is currently awaiting final judgment.
KAZAKHSTAN
Astana - Kazakh government to host Georgian parliament chief Shalva Papuashvili, who will be paying 3-day visit.
RUSSIA
Moscow - President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with his Belarusian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko, who will be on working visit in Russia.
Moscow - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with parliamentary representatives of members of BRICS economic bloc.
SOUTH KOREA
Seoul - Expected official results of general elections. Exit polls show likely two-thirds majority going to opposition bloc.
SOUTH AFRICA
Limpopo - Presidents of South Africa, Botswana expected to visit site of bus accident that claimed 45 Botswana lives in Limpopo province.
TOGO
Lome - Clashes between security operatives, protesters feared after government ban on planned 3-day opposition protest.
THE ECONOMY
Beijing - China’s consumer inflation rate for March to be released.
Frankfurt - European Central Bank to announce interest rate decision. Bank projected to keep rate unchanged.
SPORTS
EUROPE - Europa League, Conference League quarterfinal first legs to be played.
Quarterfinals’ first legs to take place on April 11, followed by second legs seven days later.
Europa League quarterfinal draw:
- Milan vs Roma
- Liverpool vs Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham United
- Benfica vs Marseille
Conference League quarterfinal draw:
- Olympiacos vs Fenerbahce
- Club Bruges vs PAOK
- Aston Villa vs Lille
- Viktoria Plzen vs Fiorentina
SPECIAL REPORT
Israel’s targeting of aid workers is genocide: 12-year-old Indian activist
Bt Burak Bir
LONDON - In an interview with Anadolu, Indian climate and child rights activist Licypriya Kangujam denounces the killing of seven aid workers by Israel as an act of "genocide" in Gaza.
Kangujam, 12, underlines the need for the US, EU, UK, and others to stop providing arms to Israel and for them to instead ensure the implementation of a cease-fire in the Palestinian enclave.
The activist decries the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, including women, children, and aid workers in Israeli attacks that have so far claimed nearly 33,500 lives and injured over 76,000 people.