ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip amid stymied efforts to reach cease-fire that would end Israel's relentless attacks. Since last Oct. 7, Israel has killed nearly 38,000 Palestinians and injured over 87,000 others.
Israeli raids on residential areas across Gaza Strip continue to claim lives. On Tuesday, Israeli airstrike killed 10 Palestinians and injured several others at a market in Al-Zaytoun, southeastern Gaza City.
Military operation in Gaza
Israeli military operations taking place in various areas across Gaza Strip, including Rafah and Shejaiya in eastern Gaza City, with airstrikes and artillery shelling in areas across enclave.
Israeli media reported on Tuesday that Israeli army is preparing to enter war's third phase in Gaza after almost nine months of fighting. This means transitioning from intensive bombing of Gaza to targeted airstrikes based on intelligence.
Also, Israeli army said two officers were killed and two soldiers seriously injured during clashes in central and southern Gaza.
Dire humanitarian situation, looming famine in Gaza
The humanitarian situation across Gaza Strip continues to get worse every day amid continued Israeli attacks and closure of Gaza's crossings.
UN agency said around 250,000 people were impacted in Khan Younis on Tuesday after Israeli army ordered residents to leave immediately, claiming area has become “dangerous combat zone.”
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 556 people and injured 5,300 others, with 9,480 taken into Israeli custody since last Oct. 7.
On Tuesday, a Palestinian youth was injured by gunfire during clashes with Israeli army during incursion into city of Nablus.
Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to either negotiate hostage-prisoner swap deal with Palestinians or resign.
Israel-Hezbollah escalation
Daily border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah amid warnings of escalation into potential full-blown war.
Lebanon’s official media agency reported that Israeli enemy drone launched three missiles at southern Lebanese town of Al-Taybeh on Tuesday. It also said Israeli airstrike killed a civilian in town of Al-Bustan.
Hezbollah said that it targeted Israeli site of Jal al-Alam with artillery shells.
Red Sea tension
Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in Red Sea, as well as US-led coalition airstrikes on group's positions in Yemen.
Iranian presidential election
Iran's snap presidential election heading to Friday runoff after no candidate managed to secure 50% of vote, according to initial results from Saturday.
Reactions by Iranian officials to elections, and international stances on elections process, with US State Department spokesperson claiming elections are "not free and not fair."
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan amid ongoing clashes between Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, El Fasher in North Darfur State, as well as in states of Sennar and Al-Jazira.
EUROPE
German chancellor takes questions in parliament
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to take lawmakers’ questions in Bundestag. He is expected to make comments about government’s efforts to address migration crisis, current developments in Europe.
TÜRKIYE
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend informal dinner hosted by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in honor of heads of state during his visit to Astana, Kazakhstan for 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of State Summit.
EURASIA
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Heads of SCO member states set to discuss political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Leaders of observer countries and dialogue partners also expected to participate.
Heads of state and government of Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set to participate.
Leaders expected to hold a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings on sidelines of event.
AFRICA
Swearing-in of South Africa’s new Cabinet ministers
Newly appointed members of South Africa’s Cabinet of government of national unity to take oath of office at ceremony in Cape Town. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed 77 ministers and deputy ministers on Sunday, a month after May 29 elections.
African Union conducts financial crimes training for police agencies
African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) holds five-day training of police agencies on financial crimes investigations including money laundering. Training is aimed at strengthening their skills in analyzing, investigating, and prosecuting complex corruption practices.
Protests persist in Kenya despite government junking tax hike
Protests continue in Kenya calling for resignation of President William Ruto, despite his scrapping tax hike which caused violent protests leading to death of 39 people. Opposition has asked government to listen to protesters and address their grievances. Heavy police deployment nationwide.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Stampede in northern India
Monitoring situation after 121 people killed in stampede at religious event in northern India. Incident took place in Uttar Pradesh after Hindu religious gathering.
Top Indonesian diplomat visits Malaysia
Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to pay one-day visit to Malaysia where she will hold talks with her counterpart Mohamad bin Hasan. Marsudi will also call on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Indonesia was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner globally and third-largest among Southeast Asian nations last year, with total trade at $24.39 billion.
Pakistani premier to address SCO summit
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address summit of council of heads of state of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan. Sharif is also expected to hold meetings with participating leaders on sidelines of summit.
China’s Xi to address SCO summit
China’s President Xi Jinping to address summit of council of heads of state of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Korean tensions
Monitoring developments on Korean Peninsula amid military activities by two Koreas.
SPORTS
Wimbledon's main table matches to continue in London with 2nd round.
Round of 16 matches in FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, hosted by Turkey.
THE ECONOMY
Turkish Statistical Institute to release annual inflation rate for June. It was at 75.45% in May but starting in June, government expects to enter downward inflation trend. Economists’ forecast for June was at around 70%.
Eurostat to share producer inflation figures for May. In April, producer prices fell around 5.5% in EU and eurozone on yearly basis. In May, around 4% decline is expected.
US to release initial jobless claims figures and factory orders.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Pro-Palestine independent candidates vow to shake up Britain’s politics
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul – Report on independent candidates competing in UK’s July 4 general elections.
Story explains reasons for high number of independents in election, many of them former Labour members or voters, with a primary factor being stance taken by both Labour and Conservatives in support of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Report includes interviews with three independent candidates: Andrew Feinstein for Holborn and St. Pancras, Nandita Lal of Tottenham, and Perveen Hussain for Halifax.
UK elections: Why NHS is a top issue for voters
By Aysu Bicer
London – Report on Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) and plethora of problems that have made it one of biggest voting issues ahead of July 4 elections.
Story gives details of problems that have plagued NHS under Conservative governments, such as massive waiting lists, understaffing, and low wages.
Report includes insights from various reports by think tanks, universities, and NGOs, which shed light on mismanagement and impact on public welfare.
FACTBOX – UK elections: All you need to know
By Aysu Bicer
London – Explainer on Thursday’s UK general elections, including polling figures and expected outcomes.
Story lays out details of main parties and candidates, along with their stances on key issues such as economy, migration, and geopolitical issues.
It explains voting process and UK Parliament structure, along with related information such as voter statistics and demographic details.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interviews with Andrew Feinstein, Nandita Lal, and Perveen Hussain, three pro-Palestine independent candidates running for British Parliament, speaking about their grievances with mainstream parties and how they aim to change British policies if elected.