ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israeli forces continue genocidal attacks in Gaza
The death toll of the relentless Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave since October last year has reached 42,718, with over 100,000 injured.
On Tuesday, 13 more Palestinians were killed as the Israeli army staged airstrikes and artillery shelling in several areas across the enclave.
Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza
Israel's suffocating siege, ground invasion, and aerial bombardment continue in northern Gaza for more than two weeks amid food, water, fuel, and medicine shortages.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces bombed and burned homes and civilian facilities in the north Gaza province, killing dozens of displaced people in Jabalia camp and Beit Lahia.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said “in northern Gaza, people are just waiting to die.”
Israeli aggression against Lebanon
Israel continues to pound Lebanon while Hezbollah continues to target Israel with rockets.
On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes conducted several airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb and eastern Lebanon, killing five and injuring seven.
Meanwhile, six Israeli settlers were injured in northern Israel by Hezbollah rockets.
At least 2,546 people have been killed and 11,862 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.
US secretary of state’s new Mideast tour
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met top Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv to push for a cease-fire in Gaza and allow more aid into the blockaded enclave.
He arrived in Israel on Tuesday on his 11th visit to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago.
The trip is said to include stops in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates as well.
Blinken, in his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also addressed the Lebanon conflict, seeking a diplomatic resolution along the Blue Line under UN Resolution 1701.
Gaza cease-fire talks
Latest developments on the Gaza cease-fire after Netanyahu dispatched Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet internal security service, to Cairo to discuss a new proposal with Egyptian officials.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) said the proposal includes a temporary cease-fire in exchange for releasing several Israeli captives in Gaza.
It, however, does not include the Israeli army's withdrawal from Gaza.
Polio vaccination in Gaza Strip
The second phase of the second round of polio vaccination in the Gaza Strip, which started on Oct. 19, continues until Thursday and aims to vaccinate over 500,000 children under age 10.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed nearly 760 people since October of last year, including 160 children, and injured over 6,250 others, with over 11,200 taken into custody.
A Palestinian child was killed on by Israeli forces in the city of Nablus on Tuesday.
Arab leaders at BRICS summit
Arab leaders to address and hold bilateral meetings at the 16th BRICS summit hosted in Kazan, Russia. The meeting kicked off on Tuesday and will continue until Thursday with the participation of 24 leaders and presidents from 32 countries.
The UAE is represented by its President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Egypt by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Palestine by President Mahmoud Abbas, while Saudi Arabia is expected to be represented by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.
Questions to British prime minister
Prime Minister Keir Starmer to respond to lawmakers’ questions in the House of Commons.
European Parliament debate on managing migration
MEPs continue plenary session in Strasbourg. Agenda includes key debates on managing migration 'in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns'
Ursula von der Leyen's Albania visit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits Albania where her schedule includes talks with Prime Minister Edi Rama, and President Bajram Begaj. Her visit comes a week after the EU officially opened the first set of chapters with Albania, marking a significant step in the country’s accession negotiations.
Republic Day in Hungary
Hungary celebrates the anniversary of the 1956 uprising against the Soviet-supported Hungarian communist regime, and the declaration of the current Republic. Prime Minister Viktor Orban typically gives a speech to mark the occasion.
Kamala Harris' CNN town hall event in Pennsylvania
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris to participate in a live CNN town hall event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, less than two weeks before polling day. Anderson Cooper will moderate.
UN Security Council to discuss CAR and Syria
UN Security Council to meet for a briefing followed by consultations on the UN mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, and then in afternoon for a briefing followed by consultations on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.
Narrow, expanded meetings on 2nd day of BRICS summit
Narrow and expanded meetings of the BRICS economic group to commence on the second day of the bloc's summit in Kazan. Besides Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders of the economic bloc are expected to address the narrow-format meeting. The summit will end on Thursday.
Turkish president at BRICS summit in Kazan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the expanded-format session of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The two are expected to discuss issues regarding bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as topics on the regional and international agenda.
Russian Foreign Ministry to hold press briefing
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow on current issues of foreign policy. She will also hold a Q&A session.
Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk
Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues claiming advances on multiple fronts.
Chinese, Indian leaders to hold bilateral meeting in Kazan, Russia
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold bilateral meeting on sidelines of BRICS summit. The meeting comes two days after the two sides announced a pact to end border tensions.
Tensions persist on Korean Peninsula
Developments and reactions to deteriorating conditions on Korean Peninsula amid claims of Pyongyang sending soldiers to Russia to help its Ukrainian war effort. Seoul has signaled to send arms to Ukraine in response to North Korea’s move, which has yet to be confirmed.
Mozambique to hold protests ahead of election results
Mozambicans to hold protests as National Electoral Commission prepare to announce results of Oct. 9 general polls. Opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane claims to have won the polls, and accused the commission of preparing "profoundly false results." Incumbent President Filipe Nyusi is stepping down after two terms as his party candidate Daniel Chapo is widely expected to win the ballot.
Kenya court to hear case against impeachment of deputy president
A court in Kenya will hear a case against the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who was removed from office last week. The Senate voted for Gachagua’s removal from office while he was in hospital.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye’s consumer sentiment
The Turkish Statistical Institute to share consumer confidence index for October. Consumer confidence index increased by 2.4% to 78.2 in September from 76.4 in August.
Canada’s interest rate
Canadian Central Bank to reveal interest rate decision. During last three monetary policy meetings, the Bank of Canada lowered rate from 5% to 4.25% gradually, 25 basis points each, and market expects 50 basis points decline for this meeting.
Premier Turkish defense expo
Türkiye's major defense and aerospace event SAHA EXPO 2024 continues in Istanbul to showcase cutting edge defense products from around 1,500 Turkish and foreign companies. New naval, land and air defense systems, weapons and software products are introduced at the event.
SPORTS
Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League to continue. Barcelona will host Bayern Munich in a thriller at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, and Erling Haaland-led Manchester City to play against Sparta Prague at Etihad Stadium. Germany's RB Leipzig to meet Liverpool in a home match at Red Bull Arena.
UEFA Europa League matchday 3 to kick off with 2 games including Galatasaray's home match against Sweden's Elfsborg in Istanbul and Braga to host Bodo/Glimt in Portugal’s Braga.
SPECIAL REPORTS
US election: Who does China want in the White House?
Report on China’s choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the US presidential election.
The story presents Beijing’s views on the race and the main issues of concern, such as US economic policies and actions in the Asia-Pacific, with experts explaining why China could see both Trump and Harris as “two roads to the same cliff.”
The report also examines China’s possible policy path depending on who wins the November election, with comments from Hongda Fan, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University; Wang Zaibang, a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute in Beijing; and Chinese political analyst Einar Tangen.
Abu Dhabi fund’s Odeabank acquisition expands Gulf investments in Turkish banking sector
Report on Abu Dhabi-based investment giant ADQ’s recent agreement to acquire a 96% stake in Odeabank, the Turkish subsidiary of Lebanon's Bank Audi.
The story explains how this transaction marks a significant shift in the Turkish financial landscape and signals growing economic ties between Abu Dhabi and Türkiye.
It includes comments from Gokhan Ozkan, managing director and head of Middle East, Türkiye, Africa FIG, and EMEA Credit Management Services at JP Morgan, about the growing interest in Turkish assets.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Report on China’s preference between Trump and Harris in the US presidential election, focusing specifically on which candidate Beijing views more favorably, including an interview with Chinese analyst Einar Tangen.