ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Yahya Sinwar named new Hamas leader
Reactions expected as Hamas chose Yahya Sinwar, its top leader in Gaza, as head of its political bureau. He succeeds Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iranian capital Tehran last week.
Israel-Hezbollah escalation
Months-long tensions have escalated between Hezbollah and Israel since the killing of the Lebanese group's military commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday vowed to respond but with deliberation and prudence, adding that Israel's “waiting for our response is part of the punishment.”
- Anticipated Iranian response to assassination of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh
Middle East is holding its breath over Iran's possible response to assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iranian Tehran.
Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel, which has not commented on the attack directly.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and injured many more than since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.
Israel continued its onslaught on Tuesday with many casualties reported in the southern city of Rafah, Gaza City as well as Khan Younis.
Israel also delivered the remains of more than 80 Palestinians through the International Committee of the Red Cross who were killed on the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza.
The UN reported over 300% increase in malnutrition cases among children in the Gaza Strip as the humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave continues to deepen.
Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas
Talks continue for a potential cease-fire agreement and hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
It is being said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking US guarantees to resume its war on Gaza if there is no progress on phase two of the proposed deal.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 614 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 9,970 taken into custody since last October.
The Israeli army on Tuesday announced withdrawal of its troops from Jenin, northern occupied West Bank, after a 20-hour military operation that killed four Palestinians.
Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to pressure government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.
Red Sea tension
Continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in Red Sea and US-led coalition airstrikes on group's positions in Yemen.
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan deteriorates as clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue.
The head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council on Tuesday demanded that the US address its concerns before any peace negotiations with the RSF.
EUROPE
Far-right riots in UK
Violence and riots by far-right groups riots and its aftermath. While more than 400 arrests have been made so far, further gatherings and counter-protests are planned.
A Telegram message circulating is calling for protests in over 30 locations, specifically targeting lawyers specializing in immigration claims.
In Liverpool, messages shared on social media suggest far-right groups plan to target Merseyside Refugee Centre, with a counter-protest planned for the same location at 8 p.m.
Activity is also expected in Brighton, with far-right groups planning to target an immigration lawyer's office and a 'Stop Neo Nazis' counter-protest planned for the same location at 7.30 p.m.
US
Tensions in Middle East
Reactions as Iran and Hezbollah are both expected to retaliate for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. The US has called on both sides to “not escalate” and deployed additional military assets in the Middle East.
US presidential election
Vice President Kamala Harris chose her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who are set to campaign in Wisconsin and Michigan.
They held their first rally in the battleground state of Philadelphia on Tuesday.
EURASIA
Russia's Putin to hold meeting with government
Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold a meeting with government members; development of manufacturing industry on the agenda. Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov, along with Acting Samara Governor and Chairman of the State Council Commission on Industry Vyacheslav Fedorishchev will present reports.
Georgia marks 16th anniversary of Russo-Georgian War
Georgia to mark 16th anniversary of 2008 Russo-Georgian War, which resulted in breakaway of its internationally-recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.
Uzbek president to visit neighboring Kazakhstan
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to conduct a three-day official visit to neighboring Kazakhstan at the invitation of his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Mirziyoyev is expected to ttend the 6th consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and the first summit of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue in Astana.
AFRICA
Arrested Uganda opposition members to appear in court
Opposition members arrested on Monday in Uganda’s capital Kampala to appear in court. The group was held for attempting to march to the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala, to denounce Nairobi's decision to deport 36 Ugandan opposition members who have now been charged and detained.
Protests in Nigeria over cost of living crisis
Protests against high cost of living and ‘‘bad governance’’ continue in Nigeria, with the army saying it’s a "treasonable offence" for protesters to wave foreign flags. Dozens of protesters were arrested for waving Russia's national flag.
Arrested Kenyan tycoon Yagnesh Devani to appear in court over oil scandal
Businessman Yagnesh Devani expected to appear in court in Nairobi in connection to the Triton Oil scandal amounting to Ksh.7.6 billion ($58.6 million). Devani was arrested on Tuesday at his office in the Kenyan capital.
ASIA – PACIFIC
Thai top court to decide fate of opposition Move Forward Party
Thailand's Constitutional Court to decide fate of opposition Move Forward Party, which is facing a case of proposing to amend a law that forbids defaming the monarch of the Southeast Asian Buddhist-majority nation.
Bangladesh’s transitional gov’t head likely to nominate team
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead Bangladesh’s transitional government head. He is likely to nominate his team until fresh elections are announced in the South Asian nation.
Parliament was dissolved after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country due to anti-government protests.
China issues red alert for high temperatures
China’s Hubei province has issued a high-temperature warning amid heat waves, could touch 36-39 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 40C.
Pakistan’s top diplomat to address OIC summit in Jeddah
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to participate in special summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
South Korea bans citizens from travel to Lebanon
South Korea imposes ban on its citizens from travelling to the border areas of Israel and Lebanon after advising them to leave the countries due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Taiwanese military holds live-fire drill
Taiwanese military begins two-day live-fire artillery exercises in northern and central Taiwan. The drills are being held at the Keng Zikou shooting range in Hsinchu.
China likely to react to political changes in Bangladesh
The Foreign Ministry in Beijing is likely to respond to political developments in Bangladesh, which saw the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following mass anti-India demonstrations.
THE ECONOMY
China's foreign trade
China to reveal foreign trade figures for July. Country’s exports increased in June, while imports fell.
Germany's int'l trade & industrial production
Germany to share foreign trade figures for June. While both exports and imports fell in May, trade balance posted surplus of €24.9 billion. Country will also release industrial production data, which was in red side with minus 6.6% in May.
SPORTS
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Athletics - Men's 400m Final, Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final to be held at Stade de France.
Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 quarterfinals to take place at Bercy Arena.
(Serbia vs. Australia, Spain vs. Belgium, Germany vs. France, United States vs. Nigeria)
SPECIAL REPORTS
Rotherham residents stand for ‘hope and peace’ after far-right violence
By Burak Bir
Rotherham, England – Report about the violence in the northern English town of Rotherham, where far-right rioters targeted hotels housing asylum seekers and attacked police and locals.
The story is based on interviews with local residents who narrate how the shocking violence played out, while explaining its impact on the town and its people.
They also speak about how the local community has come together to clean up the town and share their views on the need to protect and accept asylum seekers.
Netanyahu enslaving national interest for his own ‘criminal interests’: Ex-Israeli National Security Council deputy head
By Beril Canakci
Istanbul – Interview with Eran Etzion, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, about the actions and decisions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.
Etzion is highly critical of Netanyahu’s approach, saying the prime minister is “enslaving the national interest in the service of his own political, personal and criminal interests.”
He explains how Netanyahu’s decisions go against what the Israeli public and other officials are supporting, while also sharing his view on why Israel’s recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders show a lack of a “real political strategy.”
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interviews with residents of Rotherham about the far-right riots in the northern English town, where they narrate details of the violence and speak about how the local community has banded together in the aftermath of the riots.
VIDEO – Interview with Eran Etzion, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, where he criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions and decisions, calling him out for protecting his own “criminal interests.”