ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, July 4, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Israel-Hezbollah escalation
Daily border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah amid warnings of escalation into a potential full-blown war.
Israel killed on Wednesday Mohamed Naim Nasser, Hezbollah commander of the unit leading the western sector in southern Lebanon, in drone attack in Tyre.
Israeli warplanes flew at low altitudes over Beirut, the southern suburb, and surrounding areas. In other regions like Sidon and Tyre, Israeli jets broke the sound barrier at medium altitude, causing panic among the citizens, according to National News Agency.
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 Oct. 7,2023 Israel has killed nearly 38,000 Palestinians and injured many others.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 561 people and injured 5,300 others, with 9,510 taken into Israeli custody since last October.
Israeli seizure of West Bank land for settlers
Reactions over Israel’s approval of its largest land seizure in the occupied West Bank in over 30 years. Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, said authorities have appropriated 12.7 square kilometers (nearly 5 square miles) of land in the Jordan Valley, the largest since the 1993 Oslo Accords.
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.
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.
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
UK voters go to polls in general election
Millions of British voters to go to polls to decide new members of the House of Commons. The Labour Party is ahead of Conservatives with a big margin, according to projections. There are about 46 million people registered to vote.
New report on risks faced by refugees, migrants
Launch of new UNHCR/IOM/MMC report on risks faced by refugees and migrants on the Central Mediterranean route.
US
Independence Day celebrations
President Joe Biden to host barbeque with active-duty military service members and their families at White House. He will host a Fourth of July celebration for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors, and deliver remarks to celebrate Independence Day.
EURASIA
2nd day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana
Second day of SCO's Council of Heads of State includes a plenary session where leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will deliver speeches and answer questions. First meeting of SCO Plus format (with countries that are not members of the organization) will also be held on sidelines.
AFRICA
Rwanda marks 30th anniversary of liberation
President Paul Kagame expected to address national celebrations in capital Kigali to mark 30th anniversary of country's liberation. The day is celebrated to remember when the then Rwanda Patriotic Army led by Kagame captured Kigali, stopping the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
Kenyan protests infiltrated by looters
Kenyans plan to return to the streets again to protest demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, but participation has recently dwindled due to widespread robberies, chaos, and vandalism.
Leap of faith as South Africa’s new Cabinet of national unity is inaugurated
South Africa’s Government of National Unity expected to start its long journey of working together to serve the people after 32 ministers, and 43 deputy ministers drawn from different parties were inaugurated. The country’s former ruling African National Congress party will now work with 10 former opposition parties.
ASIA - PACIFIC
China’s Xi, Pakistani premier to address SCO
China’s President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana.
China hosts World Artificial Intelligence Conference
World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2024 kicks off in Shanghai. It includes an exhibition where more than 500 companies are participating.
Medical services worsen in South Korea
Senior doctors in Seoul to cut procedures and outpatient care, blaming government for causing disruptions in public health services in the wake of increase in annual medical seats. Junior doctors are on strike since February.
Political crisis in Nepal
Nepal is expected to have new prime minister after coalition ally CPN-UML withdrew support for Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Chinese Foreign Ministry to address news conference
China’s Foreign Ministry will hold regular news conference in Beijing. Issues including SCO summit and South China Sea tensions could come up for discussion.
4th Trans Himalaya Forum for international cooperation
Fourth Trans Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation continues in China with participation from neighboring nations.
SPORTS
Tennis major Wimbledon to continue in London with 2nd round matches in women's, men's singles.
THE ECONOMY
Turkish banking watchdog to release sector figures for May.
Australia to share international trade figures for June. The country's both exports and imports posted declines in May.
Germany to reveal factory orders for May. Factory orders dropped by 0.2% in April but markets expect slight increase for May.
SPECIAL REPORTS
EXPLAINER – Iran’s presidential runoff: How does it work and who has the edge?
By Syed Zafar Mehdi
Tehran, Iran – Report about the July 5 Iranian presidential runoff election between reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative contender Saeed Jalili.
The story explains how the runoff vote is conducted and outlines Iranian laws regulating the process, along with figures on expected voter numbers and other relevant details.
It also gives profiles of the candidates, latest polling numbers and the key issues that could influence voter trends in the second round, as well as offering an assessment on the possible outcome.
How landslides fueled a climate warrior’s forestation win in Pakistan
By Aamir Latif
Bajaur, Pakistan – Report about a successful forestation project in Pakistan’s remote Bajaur tribal region.
The story lays out details of the initiative, which was led by a local community leader and social worker Khan Zaib, and started as a way of protecting the area from recurring landslides.
It includes an interview with Zaib and other community figures who played a pivotal role in the campaign, along with local climate activists and environmental experts.
Tanzania’s Gombe chimps on verge of extinction, warns researcher
By Kizito Makoye
Kigoma, Tanzania – Report about the growing threats to a chimpanzee colony in Gombe, one of Tanzania’s famous chimpanzee forests.
The story gives details of the issues in Gombe National Park that are threatening the existence of the chimpanzee colony, including rapid habitat loss due to deforestation and unchecked construction.
It includes comparative data and figures illustrating the decline of the chimpanzee population, along with comments from experts including local conservationists Livingstone Paul and Yohanna Manumbu.
NEW MEDIA
INFOGRAPHIC – Visualization of key information about Iran’s presidential runoff, including the main contenders, voter statistics, first-round results and other related data.