ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, June 7, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
PALESTINE
Gaza City - Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip entered its 245th day, with more than 36,650 Palestinians killed and over 83,300 others injured as a crippling blockade has left majority of population on verge of starvation.
At least 40 displaced Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school sheltering thousands of displaced people in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip early Thursday.
Ramallah - Israeli raids in occupied West Bank have continued since Oct. 7, 2023, with at least 528 Palestinians so far killed, 5,100 more injured, and 9,100 detained.
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv - Protests in Israel to pressure government to resign and reach hostage-prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.
EGYPT
Cairo - Efforts to reach hostage-prisoner swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza underway.
An Egyptian source on Thursday said Palestinian group Hamas will respond to Israel's truce proposal, announced by US President Joe Biden last week, in coming days.
LEBANON
Beirut - Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel, which began last October, continue, becoming the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their full-fledged war in 2006.
YEMEN
Sanaa - Tensions in Red Sea continue to increase amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties to Israel and airstrikes by US-led coalition forces on targets in Yemen.
The Yemeni group claimed on Thursday joint military attacks with Iranian-backed Iraqi militia in Haifa, northern Israel.
IRAN
Tehran - Developments related to snap presidential election scheduled for June 28.
FRANCE
Paris - President Joe Biden to continue his first state visit to France. Expected to deliver speech on importance of defending freedom and democracy.
Paris - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address National Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron will host Zelenskyy at Elysee Palace to discuss support for Kyiv.
SWITZERLAND
Geneva - United Nations Information Service to hold biweekly press briefing for UN bodies headquartered in Geneva.
SWEDEN
Stockholm - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to hold press conference alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
RUSSIA
St. Petersburg - President Vladimir Putin to take part in discussion at plenary session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, meet participants of all-Russian public organization Business Women.
St. Petersburg - Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold weekly news conference.
Moscow - Meeting of Bank of Russia's board on key rate. Governor Elvira Nabiullina and deputy Alexey Zabotkin to hold news conference on session, monetary policy.
US
Washington - Statements from Biden administration regarding Gaza cease-fire proposal, and latest Israeli strike on UNRWA shelter that killed at least 40 civilians.
Washington - Biden to host bilateral meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy in Paris.
Washington - National Gun Violence Awareness Day in US; American campaign to raise awareness on gun violence and encourage stricter gun controls.
New York - UN Security Council to convene for open briefing on humanitarian situation in Ukraine following request by France in light of intensification of Russian attacks in Kharkiv region.
SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg - President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to announce type of new government he will form after his party failed to obtain majority in May 29 polls.
KENYA
Nairobi - Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to meet Kenyan officials for talks.
NIGERIA
Abuja - Rescue efforts continue in northcentral Nigeria where dozens of workers were trapped in gold mine collapse on Monday.
THAILAND
Bangkok - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin likely to respond to Thailand’s Constitutional Court over appointment of a convicted criminal as minister. Junta-appointed 40 senators had sought removal of Thavisin over appointment of Pichit Chuenban, and premier was given 15 days to respond.
INDIA
New Delhi – Ruling National Democratic Alliance likely to officially stake claim before president to form government for third consecutive term. It will also include composition, including ratio of Muslim representation, of lawmakers in 18th parliament.
CHINA
Beijing – Chinese leadership expected to host Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for bilateral talks. Two sides expected to announce second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Beijing – Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.
MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia and New Zealand to hold inaugural annual Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur as top diplomats Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and Winston Peters meet. Peters will also meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
SOUTH KOREA
Seoul - South Korean fleet of warships and maritime aircraft along with around 840 navy and marine troops set to depart for Hawaii to join a US-led multinational maritime exercise slated to kick off later this month.
SPORTS
Paris - Men's tennis singles semifinal round matches to be played in French Open.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Suppression of pro-Palestine voices part of wider effort to ‘drive Muslims out of public life’: UK academics
By Burak Bir
London – Interviews with academics David Miller and Brendan Ciaran Browne about Gaza and Palestine-related censorship at universities in the UK.
Miller, who was sacked by University of Bristol for his anti-Zionist comments, speaks about how the British government and society’s stance on Gaza reflects a wider push to “drive Muslims out of public life.”
Browne, an expert on conflict resolution at Trinity College Dublin, says UK universities are increasingly clamping down on pro-Palestine people to silence any legitimate criticism of Israel or its actions.
How will Greece’s ruling party fare in European Parliament elections?
By Ahmet Gencturk
Athens – Report about the prospects of Greece’s ruling New Democracy party in the European Parliament elections.
The story is based on an interview with Nick Malkoutzis, co-founder of MacroPolis, an Athens-based website specializing in economic and political analysis on Greece.
Malkoutzis explains why he believes the party will have a strong showing in the polls, detailing reasons such as strategic successes of the incumbent government and weakening position of Greek leftist opposition parties.
Predatory policy or protectionism? Experts weigh in on US-China trade tensions
By Ovunc Kutlu
Istanbul – Report about the US’ recent tariffs decision against China, focusing on the impact on bilateral ties and the differing perspectives on the issue held by the two economic giants.
The story includes details of the recent tariffs measures in critical industries such as solar cells, electric vehicles and batteries, semiconductors, steel and aluminum.
It includes interviews with Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston, and Wang Zaibang, a senior fellow at China’s Taihe Institute.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with academics David Miller and Brendan Ciaran Browne about Gaza and Palestine-related censorship at universities in the UK, where they explain the reasons and impact of the crackdown on any form of legitimate criticism of Israel and its actions.
VIDEO – Interview with Greek analyst Nick Malkoutzis about the European Parliament elections and his expectations for Greece’s ruling New Democracy party.