Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, April 18, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip, as Israel continues its relentless onslaught for 195th day despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.

Since last October, Israeli offensive has killed nearly 33,900 people and injured more than 76,600 others amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

Ramallah - Ongoing Israeli raids in West Bank since Oct. 7 which have led to killing of 468 Palestinians, injuring around 4,800, and arrest of 8,270, according to Palestinian sources.

Number of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails has spiked 130% since Oct. 7, Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority chief Qaddoura Fares said, marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day on Wednesday as he described situation of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails as "catastrophic and extremely dangerous."

EGYPT

Cairo - Developments in negotiations between Israel, Palestinian group Hamas for hostage swap, cease-fire in Gaza Strip.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Reactions to Iran's retaliation last weekend against Israel's missile attack on Iranian Embassy in Damascus.

LEBANON

Beirut - Continuing cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel that flared up last October, in deadliest clashes between two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.

Following death of 3 Hezbollah commanders in Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon Tuesday, Lebanese group struck community center in town of Arab Alaramshe in northern Israel. Attack resulted in injury of at least 18 people. Hezbollah attacked Israeli military installations, including air surveillance unit, at Miron base, soldiers near Ramiyah and Biranit barracks, and military vehicle in Metulla area. In response, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon, border towns of Ayta al-Shaab, Alma al-Shaab and Dahieh.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tension in Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen, causing fears of significant disruption to maritime traffic in one of world's busiest global routes for oil and fuel transport.

BELGIUM

Brussels - Special summit of EU leaders to conclude on second day with Ukraine and Middle East on agenda.

ITALY

Rome - Meeting of G7 foreign ministers to continue.

UK

London - Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden to deliver speech on his vision for balancing growth and security.

KAZAKHSTAN

Astana - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to pay 2-day working visit to neighboring Kazakhstan.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Defense Ministry to hold meeting for military attaches of foreign states.

Moscow - Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold weekly news conference on current issues of foreign affairs.

US

Washington - President Joe Biden to participate in 2 campaign events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with possible key remarks on Gaza and Middle East tension amid possible Israel attack against Iran.

New York - UN Security Council to hold debate on situation in Gaza. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expected to brief members. Vote on draft resolution recommending admission of State of Palestine to UN membership expected Thursday or Friday.

New York - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expected to travel to New York to attend UN Security Council meeting on Gaza, which comes in wake of Iran's attack on Israel last weekend. State Department said this week Iranian minister's movement while in New York could be restricted.

MALAWI

Blantyre - Malawi to officially inaugurate embassy in Israel amid criticism from human rights activists.

NIGERIA

Kano - Health authorities expected to make announcement about mysterious deadly illness that has claimed 50 lives in Kano state.

KENYA

Nairobi - Doctors' strike expected to continue for second month despite court ruling ordering they return to work.

TÜRKIYE

Ankara - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet with his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan to discuss bilateral ties, regional and global issues. Several agreements expected to be signed to enhance bilateral cooperation.

CHINA

Beijing - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to depart on week-long official visit to Indonesia, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea, expected to chair Fourth Meeting of China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism, Seventh Meeting of China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry spokesperson to hold regular daily briefing.

INDIA

New Delhi - Curtain raiser for Indian general election, with first phase of voting to take place Friday.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Pakistani High Court hearing former Prime Minister Imran Khan's appeals against conviction in state secrets case, with announcement of verdict possible.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara – Turkish Statistical Institute to release house sales figures for March.

Washington – US to share initial jobless claims.

SPORTS

ISTANBUL - Fenerbahce to host Olympiacos in UEFA Conference League quarterfinal second leg. Fenerbahce suffered 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos in first leg of Europa Conference League quarterfinal.

SPECIAL REPORTS

'Project Nimbus key asset in Israel's war on Palestine'

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Report about the controversy over Google's ties with Israel, specifically Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion collaboration with Amazon and the Israeli military.

The story gives details of ongoing protests by Google workers against the artificial intelligence and surveillance contract, while also touching on the concerns regarding use of such technology in conflicts and warfare.

The story includes comments from Antony Loewenstein, an independent journalist and author, Alessandro Accorsi, social media and conflict expert at the International Crisis Group, and Eran Cohen, officer and organizer of United Tech and Allied Workers (UTAW).

How Pakistan got unenviable second spot among world's most polluted nations

By Aamir Latif

Karachi, Pakistan – Report about the persistent issue of smog in Pakistan, which has now landed the country on second place among the world's most polluted nations.

The story breaks down recent WHO data on Pakistan and its major cities, while explaining the various factors that have worsened the issue over recent years, such as waste management, deforestation and unchecked real estate development.

It includes interviews with environmentalist Hamid Sarfraz and Shabina Faraz, an analyst focusing on climate and environmental issues. ​​​​​​​ -