Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli forces continue genocidal attacks in Gaza

Ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on the Gaza Strip, which continue to claim the lives of more Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.

The death toll in relentless Israeli attacks on the besieged territory since October last year has climbed Thursday to over 43,200, with nearly 101,700 injured.

At least three Palestinians were killed and others injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, the Palestine news agency reported Thursday.

Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza Strip

Israel's weeks-long siege, ground invasion, and bombardment in the northern Gaza Strip continues amid food, water, fuel, and medicine shortages.

Israeli army forces advanced Thursday near the Indonesian Hospital and two shelters for displaced civilians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip amid a major offensive in the area, according to witnesses.

The Israeli army shelled the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza early Thursday, injuring four medics, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave said.

Extensive damage was reported in the shelling that targeted the hospital’s third floor, where medicines and medical equipment were stored, the ministry added in a statement.

Israeli aggression against Lebanon

Israel's continuous attacks on Lebanon and the Hezbollah group's targeting of Israel with rockets.

The Israeli army ordered civilians in 10 more towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday to evacuate their areas ahead of airstrikes.

At least 11 people were killed and three others injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, according to Lebanese media on Thursday.

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since last October has hit more than 2,820, with nearly 13,000 others injured, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

US officials' visit to Israel

The aftermath of US officials' visit to Israel for discussions about Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, and the Israeli hostages in Gaza.

US envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk held talks in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday following meetings with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks after two months of hiatus.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met in Cairo on Thursday with CIA Director William Burns to discuss mediation efforts to reach a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli violations against UNRWA

Israel's violations in the Palestinian territories against the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), which have outraged the international community, including the UN, top EU officials, and many countries.

Israeli Knesset passed a bill on Oct. 28 banning the agency from operating, which would eventually affect its work in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The legislation will take effect in 90 days.

The Israeli army demolished the UNRWA office in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem on Thursday, Nehad al-Shaweeh, the head of a local service committee in the camp, told Anadolu.

The Arab League convened an emergency meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Thursday to discuss an Israeli ban on the activities of the agency in the occupied Palestinian territories.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank.

Four Palestinians, including a child, were killed on Thursday in Israeli attacks in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem.

Israel has killed at least 767 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,300 others, with over 11,500 taken into custody.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz will attend the Türkiye-Senegal Business Forum organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board with Senegal President Macky Sall.

Türkiye's Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum will visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, meet with TRNC Prime Minister Unal Ustel, and hold a joint meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoglu, Transportation Minister Erhan Arikli, and Interior Minister Dursun Oguz.

France back to border checks against irregular migration

France reinstates widespread checks at its Schengen borders as of Nov. 1 for six months, with a possibility to renew from April 1. The decision aims to tackle threats to homeland security and irregular migration flows. France shares Schengen borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy. Germany reinstated checks in September.

UN agencies’ briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists. 

UN briefing on Palestine

The 2024 UN International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East, organized by the Department for Global Communications, as part of its special information program on the question of Palestine, will take place at the Palais des Nations, the European headquarter of the UN.

WHO to hold virtual press conference on global health issues.

Biden - Philadelphia event

US President Joe Biden to deliver remarks on his administration’s "historic support for unions" during a visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reactions from US administration on Israel, Gaza, Lebanon

Biden administration's reactions regarding situation in Gaza, as well as Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

Harris - Wisconsin events

Democratic presidential nominee and US Vice President Kamala Harris to hold two election campaigns in the state of Wisconsin.

Trump - Michigan and Wisconsin rallies

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump to hold rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin.

UK assumes UN Security Council presidency

The UK to assume the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for November. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward will hold a press briefing to discuss the agenda for the month.

CAIR poll on Muslim voter preferences in US presidential election

US Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), to hold a virtual press conference to release the results of its latest and final poll of American Muslim voter preferences in the 2024 presidential election.

Canada and South Korea - inaugural 2+2 talks

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and National Defense Minister Bill Blair to host their South Korean counterparts Cho Tae-yul and Kim Yong-hyun for inaugural talks in a 2+2 format, followed by a press conference.

Colombia, ELN rebels - peace talks

Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group members to meet in Venezuela to revive stalled peace negotiations. The talks have been suspended since a Sept. 17 attack on an army base in Arauca, near the Venezuelan border.

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in Russia’s border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues to claim advances on multiple fronts. Developments on Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims that about 2,000 Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk.

Domestic tensions rise in Georgia as opposition rejects results of parliamentary election

Domestic tensions in Georgia rise as the pro-EU opposition rejected the results of the country’s parliamentary election, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party won about 54% of the vote. Statements from key figures in the country, as well as domestic and regional developments, including remarks from Ukraine and Russia, the latter of which has been accused of interfering in the vote.

South Africa’s ANC to hear appeal challenging expulsion of ex-President Zuma

The African National Congress party will hear an appeal challenging the expulsion of its former President Jacob Zuma, who was dismissed in July. Zuma, 82, who has been an ANC party member for 60 years, was found guilty of founding and campaigning for the uMkhonto weSizwe party, which obtained 58 seats in parliamentary elections in May. The ANC, which ruled South Africa since 1994 without a coalition, lost its majority in the polls.

Election observer missions in Botswana to issue reports on concluded polls

The Southern African Development Community election observer mission to Botswana to release its report following the Oct. 30 general elections held in the diamond-rich country. Other election observer missions are also expected to release their reports. Four candidates are contesting for the top job, including incumbent President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi.

Kenya's Kindiki to be sworn in as deputy president

Kithure Kindiki will be sworn in as Kenya's new deputy president, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua last month. The ceremony will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

Taiwan grapples with aftermath of typhoon

Taiwan is grappling with the aftermath of a powerful Typhoon Kong-rey, which left one dead and injured dozens. Search and rescue efforts have been underway as the typhoon caused heavy damages, while several people are still missing.

South Korea, Japan likely to react to North Korea’s missile launch

South Korea and Japan are likely to react to North Korea's latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have soared since Pyongyang accused Seoul of violating its airspaces and sending drones inside their country. South Korea and the US also claim that Pyongyang has sent troops to Russia to help Moscow in its war with Ukraine.

Slovakian Premier Fico likely to meet Chinese leadership

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is likely to meet China’s President Xi Jinping, among others. Fico is on an official trip to China where he will discuss bilateral issues, including the enhancement of trade and investment.

THE ECONOMY

US unemployment

US to reveal unemployment data for October. It stood at 4.1% and market expects no change for October.

SPORTS

Round 7 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (Basketball)

Fenerbahce Beko vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Monaco

Asvel Villeurbanne vs. Bayern Munich

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

Paris Basketball vs. Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

SPECIAL REPORTS

US election: Britons backing Harris, fear Trump’s isolationism

By Burak Bir

Report on public sentiments in the UK about the US presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

The story is based on interviews with people in London, who present a snapshot of the general public view in the country and the main concerns about either a Republican or Democrat administration in the US.

The overall trend among the respondents is support for Harris and anxiety over the prospects of a new Trump administration, particularly because of his "isolationist and very chauvinistic, nationalistic view of American interests."

US election: Russians favor Trump over Harris in White House

By Elena Teslova

Report on public sentiments in Russia about the US presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

The story is based on interviews with people in the capital Moscow, presenting a snapshot of the general public view in the country and concerns about either candidate.

The dominant view among the respondents is support for Trump, who they say would be better for a potential thaw in Russia-US bilateral ties, and represents a chance to end simmering conflicts in Europe.

US election: Who does South Asia want in the White House?

By Rabia Ali

Report on South Asian states’ choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the US presidential election, presenting their views on the race and main points of concern with either a Republican or Democratic administration.

The story focuses on the views in major regional nations Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, presenting an overview of their existing relations with the US and how a new administration could impact their future.

The report includes an interview with Michael Kugelman, the director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, who evaluates the positions of the four countries and offers his assessment on their possible plans for the next US administration.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Street interviews in London about public views in the UK on the US presidential race between Trump and Harris.

VIDEO - Street interviews in Russia’s capital Moscow about public views on the US presidential race between Trump and Harris.

VIDEO - Interview with Michael Kugelman, the director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, about South Asian nations’ choice between Trump and Harris in the US presidential election.