UPDATE - Diary

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL ITEM; EDITS THROUGH

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, July 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed over 39,200 Palestinians and injured more than 90,400 since Oct. 7, 2023. The situation continues to worsen by the day amid attacks and minimal aid.

On Thursday, four Palestinians were killed and several others injured in a fresh Israeli airstrike in Qizan an-Najjar, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Another four Palestinians were killed and others injured, including women and children, in an Israeli airstrike on the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in northern Gaza City, according to the Palestinian official news agency Wafa.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

The developments in the Gaza Strip regarding a potential cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas.

The Israeli negotiation team has postponed a scheduled visit to Qatar on Thursday till next week for talks on a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

In the past months, Cairo and Doha hosted most of the Gaza cease-fire talks with the involvement of the CIA.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed nearly 590 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 9,700 taken into Israeli custody since last October.​​​​​​​

The army stormed on Thursday into Tulkarem city, raided several homes, and arrested a journalist. It also raided the towns of Kafr Ni'ma, Silwad, Abwein, Nablus, and Jenin.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure the Netanyahu government to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

On Thursday, families of Israeli captives in Gaza requested an urgent meeting with Israel’s negotiating team following the delay of its scheduled visit to Qatar for prisoner swap talks with Hamas.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of a full-blown war.

Israeli media reported on Thursday that five rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.

The Israeli army reported carrying out a series of raids on what it said Hezbollah military sites in the southern Lebanese towns of Odaisseh, Mays al-Jabal, and Chihine.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Sudan's humanitarian and security situation is deteriorating as clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue in various parts of the country.

On Thursday, two individuals were killed and eight others injured when shells from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck Abu Shouk Camp for displaced persons in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan, according to the emergency response team operating within the camp.

Amid the ongoing violence, there are increasing calls from the UN and other international organizations to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.

UK challenge to ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu -- filing deadline

Deadline for the UK to file observations as part of its questioning of the ICC's jurisdiction to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This follows the announcement in May by ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan that he was seeking arrest warrants for the two, as well as the leaders of Hamas. It is thought that the challenge will delay the ICC's decision on whether to approve Khan's request. The deadline was delayed from July 12 due to the UK's general election. There is speculation that the new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer will drop the challenge ahead of Friday's deadline.

Macron meets Herzog in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli President Isaac Herzog to hold a diplomatic meeting.

UN agencies’ briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists.

Meeting of Board of Directors of Bank of Russia on key rate

The Russian Central Bank's top officials to discuss the current economic situation and prospects of increasing/decreasing the key rate at a meeting in Moscow.

Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan to attend Türkiye-ASEAN meeting

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to participate in Türkiye-ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership Sixth Trilateral Meeting in Laos capital Vientiane.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov takes part in ASEAN meetings

On July 26-27, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in Vientiane for the regular ministerial meetings of ASEAN held in different formats, including Russia-ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

US

Trump-Netanyahu meeting

Former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in the US state of Florida. Netanyahu met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.

UN Security Council meeting

UN Security Council to hold a meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Among the expected briefers is Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Niger marks 1 year since military took over power from a duly elected president

The military administration in Niger will commemorate its first anniversary since the former head of the presidential guard, Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, removed duly elected President Mohamed Bazoum from power through a coup and detained him. The day will be marked as a national holiday.

Africa multi-stakeholder conference on carbon markets to announce outcomes

The African Union Commission through its department of agriculture in collaboration with other partners will announce the outcomes of their two-day conference on carbon markets held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The meeting provided a platform for the African continent to deliberate on carbon markets, the approaches, and opportunities they present, as well as the threats they pose and possible options the continent can explore.

Ethiopia landslide death toll could climb further as over 200 people already declared dead

The death toll from Monday’s deadliest landslides in southern Ethiopia is expected to rise further as people continue to dig through mud to find the missing. So far, 257 people have been declared dead, with the UN regional offices warning the toll could climb to 500.

Top Chinese, US diplomats meet in Laos

The top diplomats of China and the US are expected to meet in Laos, on the margins of the ASEAN ministerial meetings. Wang Yi and Antony Blinken are attending the summit for separate, bloc-level bilateral meetings.

Indian Premier Modi visits Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ladakh region in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir, along the border with China. He will attend a military event related to the 1999 India-Pakistan war.

Situation returns to normal in Bangladesh

The situation is returning to normalcy after a week-long violent anti-quota demonstrations in Bangladesh which claimed the lives of 200 people. The curfew is likely to continue in the South Asian nation.

US, South Korea, UAE joint military exercises end

Amid the flying of trash-carrying balloons across the divided Koreas, the US, South Korea, and the UAE conclude week-long joint military drills.

SPORTS

The 2024 Summer Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will officially begin with an exceptional opening ceremony across the River Seine.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Sports in Gaza under siege: Israel’s systematic attack on athletes and facilities

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on the killing of hundreds of Palestinian athletes in Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7.

The story discusses the conditions that athletes have had to endure in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have severely damaged sporting facilities since the onslaught began. It also includes information on prominent athletes from the enclave, including football players, who were killed in Israeli attacks.

The story includes an interview with Gaza-based sports journalist Abubaker Abed, who highlights how Israel’s attacks have targeted football players, while also degrading sports infrastructure and resources.

Systemic racism in UK?: Police brutality at Manchester airport sparks uproar in UK

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

London - Report on a recent incident at Manchester Airport, where two Muslim men were kicked in the head by a police officer in front of their mother in footage that went viral on social media.

The story discusses possible reasons behind the behavior of the officer involved, who was later suspended by the Great Manchester Police, and the potential role of institutionalized racism in British law enforcement.

It includes an interview with Nusrit Mehtab, a former Scotland Yard superintendent and media commentator, asked to talk about police brutality and its likely causes in the context of this incident, including the influence of systemic discrimination.

Assisted suicide or 'torture'?: Suicide pods soon to be used in Switzerland spark controversy

By Beyza Donmez

Geneva - Report on the imminent introduction of portable Sarco suicide pods in Switzerland as the country prepares to use assisted dying devices for the first time.

The story highlights Switzerland’s role as a destination for “suicide tourism,” detailing the current practices of assisted death in the country and explaining how the new Sarco capsules work. It also focuses on legal and ethical considerations surrounding assisted suicide.

The report includes remarks by Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the Sarco pod, and comments from assisted suicide organization The Last Resort. It also mentions concerns raised by the UN human rights office regarding the use of a certain chemical in executions, drawing parallels to Sarco’s method.

Tanzania’s Battle to save endangered bird species

By Kizito Makoye

Serengeti, Tanzania - Report on the state of bird populations in Tanzania, focusing on the challenges faced by various species due to habitat loss and climate change.

The story details the rich biodiversity of Tanzania's avian life, highlighting specific endangered species like the pemba green pigeon and the red-billed hornbill. It explores the causes of population decline, including deforestation, agricultural expansion, and illegal wildlife trade.

The report includes insights from local experts Michael Kimaro from Tanzania's Bird Conservation Society and Juma Rashidi from Zanzibar University, discussing the ongoing conservation efforts and the importance of protecting these species for ecological balance and cultural heritage.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Scotland Yard’s former superintendent and media commentator, Nusrit Mehtab, about the possible role of institutionalized racism in a recent incident of possible police brutality against two Muslim men at Manchester Airport.