ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israeli aggression against Lebanon
The latest developments in the relentless Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon amid border clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
The Israeli warplanes on Tuesday targeted the Tahouitet El-Ghadir area near Beirut's airport, the Burj al-Barajneh area, and the Hreik neighborhood, all in Beirut's southern suburb.
Lebanon’s official news agency said that 3 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on home in Sohmor town in Western Bekaa, eastern Lebanon.
The Israeli army said it deployed the 146th Reserve Division for its ongoing ground invasion of southern Lebanon, marking the fourth division deployed in the area.
The army also claimed that it has killed Suhail Hussein Husseini, head of Hezbollah's logistics network, and is responsible for arms transfers between his group and Iran, in an attack on southern Beirut that was carried out on Monday.
For its part, Hezbollah said that it targeted a group of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Marj military site in northern Israel.
The group also reported firing rockets at Israeli soldiers in the northern illegal settlement of Metula.
In a significant development, Hezbollah said that the first Israeli ground incursion from the western sector in southern Lebanon repulsed, forcing infiltrating Israeli forces to withdraw from the town of Al-Labouneh.
The movement further said that it attacked with rockets Haifa city and Krayot settlement in northern Israel.
The Israeli army reported launching some 100 rockets from Lebanon toward Haifa and the Galilee region in northern Israel.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Channel said that 12 people were injured in a rocket attack from Lebanon on the city of Haifa and its surroundings in northern Israel.
Due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which started on Sept. 23, at least 2,083 people have been killed so far, over 9,869 injured, and 1.2 million others displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israeli forces continued genocide in Gaza
A year after the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave continue, resulting in nearly 42,000 deaths, most of whom are women and children, and nearly 97,600 injured.
The humanitarian situation for Palestinians is worsening daily as a result of ongoing attacks and a suffocating siege that is preventing aid from entering Gaza.
The war has not only targeted civilians but have also left much of the enclave's infrastructure in ruins, endangered and killed health workers, and destroyed homes, schools, and entire neighborhoods.
The humanitarian situation for Palestinians is worsening as a result of ongoing attacks and a suffocating siege that is preventing aid from entering Gaza.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army ordered Palestinians to evacuate their homes in Jabalia in northern Gaza and to move south via a “safe corridor.”
At least 20 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting several areas in the enclave, including Rafah, the Bureij refugee camp, and the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Potential Israeli attack on Iran
Israel has decided to strike Iran following last week’s missile attack on Tel Aviv, Israeli Channel 12 said on Sunday. “The discussions on the method and timing of the attack are still ongoing,” the broadcaster added.
A New York Times report suggested that Israel is reportedly considering targeted strikes on Iranian military bases and intelligence compounds in a potential retaliatory response to the missile attacks from Tehran.
The report suggests that Israel may avoid targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in the first phase, a decision influenced by US advice to avoid escalating the conflict beyond a “proportional response.”
On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed a “crushing response” to any Israeli attacks against his country.
The situation, however, remains on high alert in Iran, as to repel an anticipated Israeli attack on vital targets in Iran.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 744 people since October of last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,200 others, with 11,200 taken into custody.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces raided the village of Madama, south of Nablus, leading to clashes with local youth. The Israeli forces fired sound bombs at the Palestinians during the confrontation, causing heightened tensions in the area.
Illegal Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Um Safa, located northwest of Ramallah, throwing stones at homes and setting fire to areas near residential buildings.
Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to pressure the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.
On Tuesday, Israeli demonstrators blocked the road leading to Netanyahu's office in West Jerusalem, demanding a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.
Amid the protest, Israeli police arrested seven demonstrators who were part of the blockade.
Protesters have been consistently calling for a deal with Hamas to secure the release of Israeli captives, especially as the Gaza war enters its second year.
Despite ongoing mediation efforts, the Israeli government has yet to reach an agreement with Hamas.
Red Sea tensions
Red Sea tensions and the possible exchange of attacks between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi group.
Following the Israeli airstrike on Hudaydah port on Sept. 29, the Houthis said they had taken precautionary measures and that Tel Aviv's strikes would not deter them from attacking shipping routes and Israel.
Continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea and US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.
Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Humanitarian and security situation continue to deteriorate in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Hurricane Milton in Florida
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to receive a briefing on the administration’s life-saving preparations for Hurricane Milton, as well as the latest updates on the forecast and expected impacts for the state of Florida. They will also receive an update on the ongoing response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.
Biden and Simon Harris - White House meeting
Biden to host Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic history with Ireland.
Gaza briefing at UN Security Council
UN Security Council to hold a briefing and consultations on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Director of the Financing and Partnerships Division of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Lisa Doughten and UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini are expected to brief participants.
UN General Assembly - election of new UNHRC members
UN General Assembly to elect new members to the UN Human Rights Council. Thailand, South Korea and Saudi Arabia are among six candidates for the Asia and Pacific States grouping,
Donald Trump - Pennsylvania events
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to campaign in Pennsylvania where his schedule includes remarks in Scranton and then a rally in Reading.
Turkish president's remarks at party meeting at parliament
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address lawmakers of his Justice and Development Party in meeting at parliament.
Nobel Prize in chemistry
The winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry will be announced in Stockholm.
Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit
Croatia hosts summit of leaders from southeast Europe and Ukraine, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to participate in the summit.
PMQs in London
Prime Minister Keir Starmer to respond to lawmakers’ questions.
Putin to hold separate meetings with Belarusian president, Russian government
Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. The two leaders expected to discuss issues regarding the further development of Russian-Belarusian relations. Putin will hold a videoconference meeting with members of the government.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman's weekly press briefing
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold a weekly press briefing. She will present Russia’s assessments of the topical issues of foreign policy and answer reporters’ questions.
Moscow to host meeting of heads of 3 international organizations
Russia's capital to host a meeting of the general secretaries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Mozambique to hold crucial elections
Mozambicans head to the polls to elect a new president, members of parliament and provincial representatives. Incumbent President Filipe Nyusi will not contest as his two terms in office have come to an end.
Uganda marks 62 years of independence with mixed views
Ugandans celebrate 62 years of independence with mixed views, with some saying it is a milestone, while others decry the high levels of unemployment, poverty, corruption and political repression.
Colombian top diplomat visits China
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo will arrive on his 4-day visit to China. During his stay in China from Oct. 9 to 12, Murillo will meet his counterpart Wangi Yi and other Chinese leaders.
High-level Saudi delegation to arrive in Pakistan
A high-level Saudi delegation, led by Investment Minister Engineer Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, will arrive on a 3-day visit to Pakistan. The delegation comprises representatives from a wide spectrum of government agencies and private sector entities. During their visit, the Saudi minister will meet Pakistani president, prime minister and Cabinet members.
ASEAN leaders meet in Laos
The 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits will kick off on Wednesday in Vientiane, Laos.
Chinese premier to visit Laos
Chinese Premier Li Qiang will embark on his 4-day visit to Laos starting Wednesday. During his visit, Li will also attend China-ASEAN summit.
THE ECONOMY
Turkish finance minister to hold meetings in Qatar, Kuwait
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek will hold official talks and meet with investors during his visit to Qatar and Kuwait.
Germany's foreign trade
Germany to reveal foreign trade figures for August. Country posted foreign trade surplus of €16.8 billion in July, down from €20.4 billion in June. For August, markets expect €18.9 billion of surplus.
SPORTS
Top-tier Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's Round 2 to start
Europe's top-flight basketball competition Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's Round 2 to begin. France's Monaco to host Israeli opponents Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv at Monaco's Salle Gaston Medecin. In addition, Serbia's Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade to face Spain's Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at the Belgrade Arena.
SPECIAL REPORTS
US election: Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck, but who has the edge?
By Darren Lyn
Houston, US – Report on the current standing of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in polls ahead of next month’s US presidential election.
The story presents an overview of both candidates’ positions using comparative data from various latest polls and surveys, including in key swing states that could prove decisive in the final result.
The report also details the key points that could determine voters’ choices, along with a snapshot of the position Trump and Harris have taken on specific issues such as abortion, the economy, and immigration.
It includes an interview with Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.
Occupied West Bank: Israel’s other war on Palestinians
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul – Report on how Israel’s aggression in the occupied West Bank has escalated over the past year.
The story presents an overview of Israeli repression of Palestinians in the West Bank, including killings, detentions, seizure of land and demolition of properties, along with the growing threat of what experts view as state-backed settler violence.
It includes interviews with Mairav Zonszein, Israel analyst at the International Crisis Group, and Ramallah-based writer and academic Abdaljawad Omar.
NEW MEDIA
INFOGRAPHIC - Visual illustration of how Israel’s violence and aggression against Palestinians has risen over the past year, presenting key figures such as killings by Israeli forces, detentions, expulsions and evictions, and settlement expansion.