Diary

ANKARA (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):

3rd day of Lebanon-Israel cease-fire deal

The third day of a cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Hezbollah, which halted over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Israeli violations of the cease-fire were reported on the 2nd day of the deal, with Israeli forces shelling several towns in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese army said Thursday that Israel violated the cease-fire agreement on Wednesday and Thursday, with the army’s airstrikes targeting Lebanese territory with various weapons.

The Israeli army claimed that it targeted an alleged Hezbollah rocket facility in Markaba town after a “suspicious activity.”

The development came as the Lebanese army said that it has begun assuming its missions in the south, the Bekaa region, and southern Beirut, including setting up checkpoints, opening roads, and detonation of unexploded ordnance.

The army also said that the deployment of its forces is being boosted south of the Litani River.

UN warns of famine in Gaza

Developments over UN warnings of famine in the Palestinian enclave due to intense Israeli attacks.

The UN Population Fund (UNPFA) reported Thursday that there are 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with at least 15,000 of them facing famine risk.

On Thursday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Israel has blocked all attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to the northern Gaza Strip.

“The conditions for survival are diminishing for the 65,000-75,000 people estimated to remain there,” the UN agency said.

Israel's unabated genocide in Gaza Strip

Entering its second year, the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip continues to devastate Palestinian lives, claiming countless victims.

At least 22 Palestinians were killed while 57 others were injured in Israeli attacks in the central and southern Gaza enclave, medical sources told Anadolu Thursday.

The overall Gaza death toll due to the Israeli onslaught since last year has soared to 44,330, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Thursday.

Israeli blockade, ground incursion in northern Gaza Strip

Israel's more than a month-long incursion and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip have exacerbated shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, leaving most of the population there on the verge of imminent famine.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Thursday that one person was killed and six others were wounded in an airstrike targeting a group of civilians in Jabalia in northern Gaza.

West Bank raids

Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal settlers' violence against Palestinians and their properties.

The Israeli army detained at least 18 Palestinians, including two children and a young girl, in military raids in the occupied West Bank, according to prisoners’ affairs groups on Thursday.

Israel has killed nearly 800 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Deteriorating humanitarian, security situation in Sudan

Humanitarian and security situation continues to deteriorate in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Sudanese Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that the number of cholera cases in the country has risen to more than 43,000, with over 1,000 deaths recorded.

Red sea tension

Red Sea tensions and clashes between the US-UK coalition forces and the Yemen’s Houthi group.

The Houthi group in Yemen said Thursday that the US-UK conducted two airstrikes on Bajil District in Al-Hudaydah, western Yemen, after a two-week lull.

Ireland's parliamentary elections

Early elections take place in Ireland, where voters elect 158 members to the Dail Eireann (Irish parliament) for a five-year term. Polls will open at 7 a.m. Last elections were held on Feb. 8, 2020, and saw Micheal Martin's Fianna Fail win 38 seats, just ahead of Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael with 35 seats. The two parties agreed to form a coalition government with the support of the Green Party, with Martin and Varadkar splitting the term as Taoiseach.

General strike in Italy

A nationwide general strike, called by the CGIL and UIL unions, is expected to cause major disruption to transport and businesses. The unions are protesting the government's recent budget announcement, which they say does not do enough to fund necessary investment in health, education, public services and industrial policies, as well as against low wages and pensions. Major demonstration to take place in Bologna. Other demonstrations are planned in cities including Rome, Milan, Venice, Padua and Verona.

⁠UN briefing in Geneva

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva. Spokespersons for various UN agencies and international organizations meet with reporters to evaluate most pressing issues around the world.

President Erdogan to participate in TRT World Forum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the TRT World Forum at the Istanbul Congress Center, as well as the World Muslim Business Association Fair and International Business Forum Congress at the Istanbul's TUYAP Fair Center.

US reaction to Lebanon cease-fire

Reactions from the Biden administration after the Lebanese and Israeli governments agreed to a US proposal to end the conflict. The cease-fire went into effect Wednesday morning.

Palestine Solidarity Day

Events and gatherings will mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Nov. 29.

US-Mexico border issue

Developments after US President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gave differing views of their conversation on border and illegal immigration on Wednesday. Trump threatened Mexico with 25% tariffs.

Russian foreign minister to address 'Ukraine crisis: Global information space'

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy will host the seventh ambassadorial roundtable discussion titled “Ukraine crisis: Global information space.” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will address heads of diplomatic missions from about 75 countries that are accredited in Moscow. He will discuss changes in the global information environment amid the Ukraine crisis and share Russia’s perspectives on the developments unfolding in Ukraine.

Philippines Vice President Duterte defends ‘threatening’ statement against President Marcos

Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte attends questioning at National Bureau of Investigation over her statement against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte said she had arranged an assassin to kill the trio if anything happens to her.

Floods deluge parts of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, thousands affected

Search and rescue operations are going on in Malaysia and Sri Lanka where heavy floods have affected thousands of people. At least 12 people have been killed due to raging waters in Sri Lanka.

Developments across Taiwan Strait

Developments as Taiwanese leader William Cling-te Lai prepares to begin his first overseas trip over the weekend. Taipei expects China may launch military drills in a show of anger against Taiwan’s overseas diplomatic contacts. Taiwan has 12 diplomatic allies against Beijing’s so-called one-China principle which defines mainland as sole international representative of whole Chinese territories and peoples. Beginning Saturday, Lai is set to visit the island nation’s three Pacific allies including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau.

ECONOMY

GDP figures for 3rd quarter

Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal GDP figures for third quarter. GDP growth rate was at 2.5% in the second quarter and 5.7% in the first quarter.

Turkish banking sector

Türkiye’s banking watchdog to reveal sector’s statistics for October.

Germany’s import prices

Germany’s Destatis to reveal import prices. It dropped by 1.3% in September on a yearly basis after three consecutive increases from June to August. Destatis will also release retail sales figures for October.

Euro area inflation

Eurostat to share annual inflation figures for November. It was at 2% in October, 1.7% in September and 2.2% in August.

Canadian GDP

Canada to reveal GDP figures for third quarter. It expanded by 0.9% year-on-year in second quarter.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW – ‘Political convenience overshadowing international law’ in efforts to punish Israel: UN rapporteur Albanese

Interview with Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The interview focuses on international efforts to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinians, with Albanese hailing the recent ICC warrants for Israeli leaders, and explaining how and why Tel Aviv’s Western allies continue to undermine international law.

Albanese also speaks about the growing evidence of Israeli crimes in Gaza and the significance of how the terminology of genocide is gaining more international ground, while also sharing her views on the future of the Israel-Palestine issue in the context of factors such as Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

ICC warrants for Myanmar junta chief: How do Rohingya see the step for justice?

Report on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military junta, for crimes against humanity in the brutal crackdown on the Rohingya community.

The story focuses on reactions of Rohingya leaders and rights organizations in Bangladesh, a country hosting over a million Rohingya refugees. The Rohingya community members speak about the significance of the ICC decision and share their views on how effective they believe it could be in their efforts for justice.

It includes interviews with Rohingya leaders Nur Hashim and Saiful Islam; Delawar Hossain, director of the East Asia Study Center at the University of Dhaka; Bangladeshi international relations academic Shahab Enam Khan; and Md Shamsud Douza, additional refugee repatriation commissioner in Bangladesh.

FACTBOX – ChatGPT turns 2: Evolution of groundbreaking AI chatbot

Report on ChatGPT, OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI chatbot, as it celebrates its second anniversary on Nov. 30.

The story charts ChatGPT’s evolution and rapid adoption, from amassing 1 million users within five days to reaching over 100 million in two months, and discusses its global usage demographics and integration in various sectors ranging from education to medicine.

The report also examines the chatbot’s technological foundations, including its reliance on Large Language Models (LLMs), and the controversies surrounding its development, such as ethical concerns over training datasets and labor practices.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese on global efforts to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinians and how Tel Aviv’s Western allies are undermining international law to shield Israel and its leaders.