Diary

ANKARA (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, May 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City – The Israeli offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip entered its 233rd day, with over 35,900 Palestinians killed and at least 80,420 others injured as the crippling blockade has left the majority of the population on the verge of starvation.

Israeli military offensives in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah also continued, with incursions expanding to the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, amid the Israeli army intensifying strikes in central parts of Rafah.

Clashes and confrontations between Palestinian resistance factions and Israeli soldiers continued in several areas, including Jabalia in the north and Rafah in the south of Gaza.

Ramallah – Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank have continued since Oct. 7, 2023, with at least 518 Palestinians so far killed, 5,000 more injured, and at least 8,855 detained, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Protests in Israel to pressure the government to resign and reach a hostage swap deal with Palestinians. Thousands of Israelis demonstrated Saturday across Israel to demand a hostage swap deal with Palestinian resistance groups, the dismissal of Netanyahu’s government and early elections, according to media reports.

EGYPT

Cairo – Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at reaching a hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza. Negotiations between the two sides will resume next week, reports Israeli public broadcaster.

LEBANON

Beirut – Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel erupted last October, in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their full-fledged war in 2006.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Tensions in the Red Sea continue to increase amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties to Israel and airstrikes by US-led coalition forces on targets in Yemen.

BELGIUM

Brussels - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend meetings on Palestine to discuss latest developments and humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as efforts to encourage more countries to recognize the state of Palestine. Fidan is also expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Port Moresby – In the remote Mulitaka region, a massive landslide killed over 300 people, and many more are believed to be missing.

NEW CALEDONIA

Repatriation of foreign citizens continues following civil unrest that hit the French colony in the Pacific last week.

SPORTS

Berlin – Spanish basketball giants Real Madrid to face Greek opponents Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague final. Olympiacos from Greece to play Türkiye's Fenerbahce Beko in the 3rd-place game.

Monaco – Monaco Grand Prix, Round 8 of the Formula 1 season, to be held in in Monte Carlo.

Paris – 2024 French Open (Roland Garros) to begin with 1st round matches in women's and men's singles.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Gasperini masterminds Atalanta's historic Europa League trophy

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) – Italian Serie A underdogs Atalanta won a historic UEFA Europa League trophy under Gian Piero Gasperini's helm by beating German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 on Wednesday.

The write-up contains background and historical information about both the Italian club Atalanta and their head coach, Gasperini.

It provides insight into their achievements up to historical success.

Turkish defense firm Havelsan seeks to enhance businesses in Africa

By Tuba Ongun

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) – A leading Turkish defense firm Havelsan aims to expand its businesses in Africa by meeting the defense needs of "friendly and brotherly" African countries, General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar told Anadolu.

Havelsan also wants to form a strategic partnership with those nations within the framework of Türkiye's African Initiative vision, said Nacar.

Pointing out that the company opened on the continent during the coronavirus pandemic, Nacar said: "Our marketing activities accelerated with regular reciprocal visits and participation in regional fairs and conferences as of 2019. At this point, Havelsan's brand recognition has increased considerably in various countries."