ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, August 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Military escalation in region
Israel on alert for possible military attack from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria following assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran at end of July.
Israel has not taken responsibility for Haniyeh assassination, but did claim responsibility for earlier assassination of prominent Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in Beirut suburb.
Hundreds of doctors in Israel are joining first aid teams, and hospitals nationwide are being stocked with essential supplies as Israel prepares for potential emergencies, state-run broadcaster reported. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged citizens to remain "patient and level-headed.”
In new development, major international airlines suspended their flights to Israel on Thursday amid potential escalation in region.
Yahya Sinwar named new Hamas leader
World watched 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.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and injured almost 92,000 since Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.
On Thursday, 15 Palestinians, including children, were killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes on schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza City.
Another 12 people lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
Israeli army issued new evacuation orders for civilians in southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in preparation for new offensive.
Hours later, five Palestinians were killed and two injured in Israeli airstrike targeting residential home in northeastern Khan Younis.
US-based aid group World Central Kitchen (WCK) said Thursday that one of its Palestinian staff members was killed in central Gaza Strip, without providing details.
Israel-Hezbollah escalation
Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of full-blown war following Tel Aviv’s July 30 assassination of senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut.
On Thursday, three people were injured in Israeli drone strike on border town of Yaroun, southern Lebanon.
Israeli army said 15 rockets were fired from Lebanon on Israel’s western Galilee.
Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas
Latest in potential cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Hamas leader Osama Hamdan told Anadolu that negotiations will continue despite stalled process and Sinwar's selection as head of resistance movement, saying real issue is Israel and US not pressuring Tel Aviv to cease attacks on Gaza.
No new official statement has been issued by mediators on course of talks.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 620 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 10,000 taken into custody since last October.
Early Thursday in Dura, Hebron, Israeli army blew up home of Palestinian who was killed by Israeli forces during alleged stabbing attack a few months ago.
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.
Houthis on Thursday reported two US-UK airstrikes on western Yemen city of Al Hudaydah.
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
EUROPE
UN briefing
UN to hold bi-weekly briefing for journalists.
Far-right protests in UK
Ongoing far-right riots and their aftermath. Nearly 500 arrests have been so far made and some rioters have received lengthy jail terms in quick court hearings.
Turkish foreign minister to meet Montenegrin counterpart
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to hold joint press conference with Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic.
US
Tensions in Middle East
US on alert as Iran and Hezbollah both expected to retaliate for assassination of Hamas political chief and senior Hezbollah commander.
US presidential elections
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to hold campaign event in battleground state of Michigan
Venezuela elections
Following aftermath of Venezuela's elections, National Electoral Council declared President Nicolas Maduro winner, but opposition disputes results. Over 2,200 protesters were arrested in protests that erupted after electoral body announced results.
EURASIA
6th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia
Heads of Central Asian states to meet in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss deepening strategic partnership and alliance ties. Leaders will also review expanding cooperation in trade, industry, transport and logistics, energy, agriculture, and water management.
Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are all expected to attend event.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will also take part in meeting.
Russian-Ukrainian combat continue in Kursk region
Russian army continues efforts to restore control over border area captured by group of Ukrainian troops.
Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces, together with Federal Security Service, continued to take out “armed formations of Ukrainian Armed Forces” in Kursk’s Sudzhansky and Korenevsky districts.
Russia also announced tighter security at Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, around 70 km (44 mi) from border.
AFRICA
Arrested Zambian opposition leader to appear in court
Fred M’membe, leader of Zambia’s Socialist Party, expected to appear in court after being arrested Thursday of seditious practices. His party and legal representatives call accusations politically motivated.
Nigerians continue protesting despite arrests
Nigerians are expected to continue protests against high cost of living and “bad governance” despite arrest of some protest leaders. Thousands have been protesting since Aug. 1 against inflation, falling currency, and tough economic reforms, including partial end of fuel and electricity subsidies.
Former aide to South African premier extradited from US
A former personal assistant to Ace Magashule, ex-premier of South Africa’s Free State Province, to arrive home after her extradition from US. Moroadi Cholota is key witness for state over asbestos tender scheme after her former boss refused to cooperate with state.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Nagasaki excludes Israel from commemoration of 1945 nuclear bombing
Local government in Nagasaki commemorates 1945 US nuclear bombing of Japan but excluded Israel from ceremony amid continuing war on Gaza. Nagasaki’s move left G7 envoys fuming, some of whom skipped event.
Japan hit by 7.1 magnitude earthquake
Japan was rattled by strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake, triggering tsunami alerts in several provinces. Aftermath feared to bring more quakes.
Thai opposition to announce new party
Members of former Move Forward Party, dissolved by Constitutional Court, to announce new party to continue their political struggle.
Transitional government takes charge in Bangladesh
Transitional government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus takes charge in Bangladesh.
Top Indian diplomat visits Maldives, 1st since soldiers return to New Delhi
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to visit Maldives, first trip to island nation since it returned soldiers to New Delhi early this year. During three-day trip, Jaishankar to hold bilateral talks with counterpart Moosa Zameer and pay courtesy call to President Mohamed Muizzu.
ECONOMY
Türkiye's industrial production
Turkish Statistical Institute to release industrial production index for June.
German inflation
Germany to release annual inflation figures for July. Figure was at 2.2% in June and preliminary figure pointed to slight increase.
China's inflation
China to share annual inflation figures for July. Figure was at 0.2% in June.
SPORTS
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Team USA to face Australia, France to play Belgium in Paris 2024 women's basketball semifinals at Bercy Arena in Paris.
France to play Spain in Paris 2024 men's football gold medal match at Parc des Princes. In women's Olympic football, Spain to meet Germany in bronze medal match at Lyon Stadium.
Paris 2024 women's 400-meter, 10,000-meter finals, as well as men's 400-meter hurdles final in athletics to be held at Saint-Denis' Stade de France.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Without cease-fire, polio outbreak in Gaza a matter of ‘days or weeks’: Experts
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul - Report on reemergence of polio in Gaza Strip, where officials have recently found samples of virus and declared a polio epidemic.
Story details current situation of health, sanitation, and medical facilities, explaining how thousands of Palestinian children are at now at risk of contracting virus, particularly with no access to vaccines due to Israel’s continuing blockade.
Includes comments by Tarik Jasarevic, spokesperson for World Health Organization, and Francis Hughes, who heads operations in Gaza for global humanitarian agency CARE International.
Londoners reject far-right rioters, voice solidarity with minorities
By Burak Bir
London - Report on anti-racism protests held in London, one of several English towns and cities where thousands took to street to thwart more potential riots by far-right groups.
Story based on interviews with people who came out to take stand against far right, who share their reasons for taking action and expectations for coming days.
Anti-racism protesters also comment on wider implications of unrest and how it is symptomatic of worldwide issue.
Japanese people stand with us, Hiroshima snub due to ‘outside pressure’: Palestinian envoy to Japan
By Riyaz ul Khaliq
Istanbul - Interview with Waleed Siam, Palestinian ambassador to Japan, about ongoing controversy over events held to commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings.
Siam says Palestinian officials were not invited to Hiroshima due to “some outside pressure,” while lauding overall support for Palestinian cause in Japan.
He explains reasons for increased solidarity from public and at official level since Israel launched its war on Gaza last October, and also speaks about possibility of Japan recognizing state of Palestine.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interviews with anti-racism protesters in London condemning recent far-right riots and violence across England, sharing why they took to streets to counter far right and what they expect in coming days.
VIDEO - Interview with Waleed Siam, Palestinian envoy to Japan, on controversy over Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration events, support for Palestinian cause in country, and possibility of Japan recognizing state of Palestine.