Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip – The humanitarian and military situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened as Israel continues its relentless offensive on the besieged enclave on its 165th day, killing 31,726 people and 73,792 others amid a crippling blockade that has left the majority of the population on the verge of starvation, while efforts are underway to send aid to Palestinians in the besieged territory via a new sea route.

RAMALLAH – Continuous security tensions in the West Bank as a result of escalating Israeli army actions since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Israeli military raids in the West Bank killed over 435 Palestinians and injured about 4,700 others. The number of arrests has risen as well to 7,630, setting new records over nearly five months compared to previous years.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Protests are escalating in Israel, putting pressure on the Israeli government to reach a hostage swap deal with the Palestinian group Hamas.

The situation on the battlefield as the Israeli army plans to expand its offensive to Rafah City in southern Gaza.

LEBANON

Beirut – Cross-border tensions between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel have escalated as both sides intensify their attacks.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Continuous escalation of tensions in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links to Israel, as well as US and its allied forces airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen, as concerns grew about a deadly impact on shipping traffic in one of the world's most heavily used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva – The UN Human Rights Council's session continues. The agenda for today includes the conclusion of a discussion on Ukraine, followed by separate interactive dialogues with the High Commissioner on his verbal update on the situation of human rights in Venezuela, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, and the High Commissioner on his report on the situation of human rights in Belarus.

Geneva – The World Health Organization to hold a virtual press conference to discuss the outcomes of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) meeting, which took place between March 11 - 14 to discuss recommendations on strategies and the use of a variety of vaccines to prevent infectious diseases such as mpox, polio and hepatitis E. Several “major” recommendations are expected to be announced and explained at the event.

Geneva – The International Labour Organization to publish a report on the economics of forced labor, which will include the latest estimates of illegal profits derived from forced labor around the world.

BELGIUM

Brussels – European Humanitarian Forum to conclude. World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain is among the speakers. A closing press conference will be held at 4 p.m. CET.

Brussels – The Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, facilitated by the European Union (EU), to take place. Serbia and Kosovo's chief negotiators Petar Petkovic and Besnik Bislimi to attend the meeting, which will focus on Kosovo's ban on using the Serbian dinar.

GERMANY

Berlin – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to deliver the opening speech at the “Europe 2024” conference, where politicians and business leaders to discuss major challenges facing the EU today. Estonian Prime Minister Kallas is also among the speakers.

Berlin – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to host an in-person “Ukraine Defense Contact Group” meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Defense ministers from NATO allies and partner countries to discuss ways to increase military support to Ukraine.

FRANCE

PARIS – Workers in the public sector to go on strike and hold demonstrations across the country to demand better wages.

ARMENIA

Yerevan — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to meet with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during his last stop in the South Caucasus tour.

BELARUS

Minsk — A joint meeting of the Council of Permanent Representatives of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Economic Affairs Commission to be held in the Belarusian capital.

US

Washington – President Joe Biden to attend campaign events in the states of Nevada and Arizona.

Washington – Statements from the Biden administration regarding the situation in Gaza and potential protests in solidarity with Gaza.

Washington – House Foreign Affairs Committee to hold hearing on US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Speakers include former CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth McKenzie and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley.

Washington – Primary elections to be held in five states to select their party's presidential nominee. Voting is to take place in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio.

New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams to host an Iftar dinner at New York County Surrogate's Courthouse. Muslim organization Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the upcoming event and urged Adams to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

New York – The UN Security Council to meet to receive a briefing from the 1591 Committee on Sudan Sanctions, followed by consultations on the 1701 report on the situation between Israel and Lebanon.

New York – Interim findings from an independent review of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) are set to be submitted to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond to verbal questions from parliament. He is expected to speak about Israel's ongoing war on Gaza and his country's genocide case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice.

Pretoria – Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor to pay a working visit to the US and Jamaica to hold high-level meetings with various stakeholders. She will also give a public lecture on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Howard University.

SOMALIA

Garowe – Somali police and international navies are working together to rescue a commercial ship hijacked by pirates last week.

ZIMBABWE

Harare – The impact of El Nino's drought in the Southern African country, where tens of thousands rely on life-saving food handouts to survive.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad – Cross-border airstrikes inside Afghanistan prompted a strong military response from Kabul, which targeted military installations on the Pakistani border. Furthermore, Kabul has filed a diplomatic protest with Islamabad over the violation of sovereignty. To defuse tensions, the two sides are expected to initiate talks.

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul – The Korean Peninsula is likely to see continued tensions following North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles at the same time that South Korea hosted the Summit for Democracy.

NEW ZEALAND

Wellington – China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is continuing to meet with officials in New Zealand during his visit, which is the first by a Chinese top diplomat since 2017.

CHINA

Beijing – Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

JAPAN

Tokyo – Japan and Pacific Island nations holds their 2nd ministerial-level defense meeting in Tokyo.

INDIA

New Delhi – Top Indian court to hear pleas against controversial citizenship law.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara – Turkish Central Bank to share international investment position for January.

Tokyo – Bank of Japan to release interest rate decision.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘UK government demonizing Muslim groups under guise of tackling extremism'

By Aysu Bicer

London – Report about the UK government’s recent controversial move to redefine the term “extremism,” a measure taken in the backdrop of escalating tensions in the country over Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.

The story is based on an interview with Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, who strongly condemns the decision, labeling it undemocratic and divisive.

She warns of dangerous repercussions of the government’s measures, saying it could specifically unfairly target Muslim organizations, including those affiliated with the MCB, under the guise of combatting extremism.

New Banksy mural in London draws crowds and cheers

By Burak Bir

London – Report about the new mural by street artist Banksy that appeared overnight in London.

The story gives details of the artwork and the excitement it has generated in Finsbury Park, a multicultural neighborhood in north London, especially after the elusive anonymous artist confirmed that it was his work.

It includes comments from residents, who share their sense of pride at having a Banksy mural in their neighborhood, as well as visitors who have been making a beeline for Finsbury Park for a glimpse of his latest work.

Ethiopia’s Muslims, Christians mark fasting month feeling pinch of inflation

By Sadik Kedir Abdu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Report about how inflation is impacting life in Ethiopia, where Muslims and Christians are observing their respective fasting months — Ramadan for Muslims and Hudade for Christians.

The story gives details of the economic situation in the country and the effects being felt by consumers, with comparative figures and comments from citizens.

The report also analyzes the government’s measures to address the issue and includes comments from Tewodros Makonnen Gebrewolde, a senior economist at the International Growth Center, and Mukerrem Miftah, assistant professor of policy studies at the Ethiopian Service University.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, about the UK government’s controversial move to redefine the term “extremism,” which she warns endangers Muslim groups in the country and could potentially be illegal.

VIDEO – Report about street artist Banksy’s new mural in Finsbury Park and the excitement it has generated in the north London neighborhood, including comments from residents and visitors who have been making a beeline for the area from all over London.