Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, April 1, 2024

PALESTINE

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

As of day 178, Israeli offensive has killed nearly 32,800 people and injured about 75,300 since amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

Ramallah - High tension in West Bank amid almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian towns in occupied territory, resulting in death of nearly 455 Palestinians since last Oct. 7. Number of arrests has risen to nearly 7,900, reaching record highs over nearly 6 months, exceeding those seen on an annual basis in previous years.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Escalating protests in Israel to pressure government to resign and reach hostage swap deal with Palestinians. Protesters threaten “to burn country” if hostage swap is not reached soon. They also urge other members of government and its coalition partners, including ultra-Orthodox parties, to help them free their loved ones.

JORDAN

Amman - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Mideast tour set to begin in followed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. During 3-day tour, he is set to discuss with three countries’ leaders support for proposed international peace conference based on 2-state solution between Palestine and Israel.

EGYPT

Cairo - Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel to agree on hostage swap and cease-fire in Gaza Strip. Israeli delegation was scheduled to be in Cairo on Sunday, according to Israeli Channel 12. Delegation includes representatives from Mossad, internal security agency Shin Bet, and military intelligence agency Aman.

LEBANON

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

YEMEN

Sanaa - Tension in Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen. Significant disruption feared to maritime traffic in one of world’s busiest routes for oil and fuel transport.

GERMANY

Berlin - Traditional Easter peace marches to be held in various cities, including Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Dortmund.

BELGIUM

BRUSSELS - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Ukraine, conflict in Gaza, and bilateral issues.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Start of Russian armed forces’ spring conscription campaign.

Moscow - Central Bank had Elvira Nabiullina to start series of meetings with lawmakers.

Moscow - Higher Qualification Board of Judges to consider Judge Irina Podnosova for post of Russian Supreme Court chair.

US

Washington - Following statements from Biden administration on situation in Gaza amid Israeli attacks plus protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Washington - President Joe Biden to host White House Easter Egg Roll, tradition dating back to 1878.

New York - Malta to assume presidency of UN Security Council for month of April. Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier to hold press conference.

New York - France expected to put forward draft resolution at UN Security Council calling for ceasefire in Gaza and recognition of Palestine as state.

THAILAND

Bangkok - In a first, private Thai channel to launch artificial intelligence news reporters Natcha and Nitchan, who are set to host Nation News Alert program.

CHINA

Beijing - Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto to meet President Xi Jinping during his first foreign trip since being elected in February.

Beijing - French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne paying one-day visit to China.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Islamabad High Court to resume hearing appeals of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi against conviction in state secrets case, also known as cipher case.

JAPAN

Tokyo - Health authorities continuing probe into Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, whose dietary supplements containing beni-koji (red yeast rice) have caused deaths and dozens of hospitalizations. Kidney-related health problem have been also reported in Taiwan, likely linked to same Japanese pharmaceutical.

SPECIAL REPORTS

NO PHOTO/VIDEO - Rights groups sound alarm over Israeli plans to loot Gaza’s gas reserves

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Explainer about offshore gas reserves around Gaza Strip, focusing on warnings from rights groups that Israel is using its ongoing assault to illegally take over these resources.

The report gives details and history of natural gas reserves around Gaza and exploration licenses Israel recently awarded to international companies, while also explaining connection to its ongoing deadly war on Palestinian enclave.

Story includes interview with Suhad Bishara, legal director of Adalah, non-profit advocacy group that is pursuing legal action along with other pro-Palestinian groups and demanding revocation of exploration licenses awarded by Israel.

WITH VIDEO - Improved projections, innovative tech: Not all doom and gloom in climate change fight

By Zehra Nur Duz

Ankara - Report focusing on positive global achievements in fight against climate change.

Story gives details of steps making progress in addressing ongoing climate crisis, such as markedly improved projections for coming years, rising prevalence of renewable energy sources, and significant innovations in field of ecology.

Includes interview with Robert Bellamy, lecturer in climate and society at University of Manchester, who lays out reasons for a more optimistic outlook and explains some key measures that could be expedited to further boost humanity’s chances of overcoming threat.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Robert Bellamy, lecturer in climate and society at University of Manchester, about positive achievements in fight against climate change, where he lays out various reasons for a more optimistic outlook, including improved projections and recent strides in key technologies.