Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, March 2, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military situations in the Gaza Strip and unabated Israeli onslaught, killing more than 30,200 people and injuring nearly 71,400 amid conditions for famine as aid flows into the enclave dropped by 50% this month, according to UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Ramallah – The growing military incursions by the Israeli army into Palestinian cities in the occupied West Bank, which killed at least 412 Palestinians and injured over 4,600 others since Oct. 7. The number of arrests has risen to 7,325, reaching record highs over the past 4 months, exceeding those recorded on an annual basis in previous years.

QATAR

Doha – Talks underway to reach a cease-fire deal and hostage swap between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip ahead of the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, due next week. Hamas, believed to be holding more than 130 Israeli hostages, demands an end to Israel’s ongoing onslaught on Gaza in return for any hostage deal with Tel Aviv.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - The expected plan of the Israeli army to expand its aggressive to Rafah City in the southern Gaza Strip. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday that a ground offensive in Rafah would be a “risk we can’t afford to take.”

LEBANON

Beirut – Ongoing cross-border clashes between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel amid appeals for both parties to prevent further escalation. The clashes are the worst between the two sides since they fought a full-scale war in 2006.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Escalating tensions in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen amid concerns about a deadly impact on shipping traffic in one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

TÜRKİYE

Antalya - Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) hosting representatives from 147 countries enters its second day.

ETHIOPIA

Bahir Dar - Ongoing clashes between Ethiopian government forces and the Fano rebel group in Amhara region.

DR CONGO

Goma - Continuing fighting between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 rebels in Sake near the city of Goma.

ZAMBIA

Lusaka - The impact of the prolonged drought in Zambia which President Hakainde Hichilema declared a national disaster.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Palestinian-American comedian accuses Biden of supporting ‘genocide’ of Palestinians

By Iclal Turan​​​​​​​

DEARBORN, Michigan (AA) - Palestinian-American comedian Amer Zahr accused President Joe Biden and his administration of supporting "genocide" of Palestinians and contributing to an atmosphere of dehumanization, adding that the "uncommitted" vote movement turned their "justified moral anger" into votes.

Ethiopia commemorates 128th anniversary of Adwa victory with Pan-African flair

By Sadik Kedir Abdu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - The skies above Addis Ababa glow with an unusual brilliance, as if poised to shed light on a significant chapter of Black history.

128 years ago, Ethiopians from all corners of the land united in response to Emperor Menelik II's call to resist colonial domination, marking a pivotal moment.

The recently inaugurated Adwa Victory Memorial in the Ethiopian capital, featuring a museum, Pan-African monuments, recreational areas, and multipurpose halls, stands as a testament to this victory.