ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas
Latest in potential cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The new round of talks in Doha concluded with a joint statement by the three mediators - Qatar, Egypt, the US - affirming that talks were serious, constructive, and held in positive atmosphere.
A joint statement by the three mediators presented "a proposal that narrows the gaps" between the warring parties, and is consistent with the principles set out by US President Joe Biden on May 31.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,000 Palestinians and injured more than 92,400 since Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.
Over 20 Palestinians were killed and injured on Friday in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting houses and civilian gatherings across the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army issued new evacuation orders on Friday for residents in several areas of central and southern Gaza Strip, which have been previously designated as “humanitarian safe zones.”
Military escalation in Mideast
Israel is on high alert for possible military attack from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria, following last month’s assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
International reports suggest that Iran might delay its response to the assassination of Haniyeh if an agreement between the two sides is reached in the light of the new round of negotiations in Qatar.
With no cease-fire deal yet reached after Doha talks, the prospects for Iran's retaliatory response are looming again.
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.
In a show of deterrence, Hezbollah on Friday unveiled "Imad 4," a massive missile complex with long subterranean tunnels and massive rocket launchers, highlighting the scale of the underground installation, which includes large rocket launchers and military equipment housed in vast tunnels.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 632 people and injured 5,400 others, with over 10,000 taken into custody.
On Friday, Illegal Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the northern and eastern parts of the occupied West Bank.
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 tensions
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 continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
EURASIA
Russia's Progress MS-28 cargo spacecraft expected to arrive at International Space Station
Russian Progress MS-28 cargo spacecraft, delivering food, fuel, and other consumables to the cosmonauts, is expected to arrive at the International Space Station.
Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continue in Kursk region
Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an incursion on Aug. 5-6.
Ukraine claims it has captured more than 80 settlements since then, particularly the town of Sudzha.
Russian authorities have said that 12 people were killed and 121 injured in the region, including 10 children, since the start of Kyiv’s incursion.
Ukraine's presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak admitted the incursion is aimed at improving position at possible peace talks.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Indonesia inaugurates new capital on Independence Day
President Joko Widodo inaugurates new capital city Nusantara on Saturday as the Southeast Asian nation marks Independence Day.
India hosts 3rd 'Voice of Global South' summit
India hosts third 'Voice of Global South' summit. The summit will "act as a platform to expand discussions held in the previous summits on a range of complex challenges that continue to affect the world, such as conflicts, food and energy security crises, climate change."
Health services affected nationwide as Indian doctors demand justice for colleague
Doctors across India halt medical services to protest rape and the murder of a colleague in West Bengal state. Health services have been badly affected.
New Thai premier likely to receive royal assent
Pheu Thai Party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra is likely to receive assent from Thailand’s monarchy after being elected 31st prime minister of the Southeast Asian nation.
AFRICA
Leaders from Southern Africa meet in Zimbabwe for annual summit
Zimbabwe will host the annual summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the capital Harare, with heads of state and government from the 16-member regional bloc expected to attend.
Kidnapping of Nigerian medical students
Nigerian authorities are expected to divulge more details regarding the kidnapping of 20 medical students by gunmen in the north-central state of Benue. Kidnappings have become common in Africa’s most populous nation, where gangs abduct people for ransom.
SPORTS
Arsenal tohost Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Premier League opener at London’s Emirates Stadium.