Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):

4th day of Lebanon-Israel cease-fire deal

The fourth 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 3rd day of the deal, with Israeli army firing artillery shells on the outskirts of Markaba and Talloussa towns in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese media reported at least seven cease-fire violations by Israel.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee Friday said on X that residents of Lebanese villages such as Shebaa, Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, and others were prohibited from returning to their homes until further notice.

Amin Salam, Lebanese minister of economy and trade, on Friday said that the Israeli aggression caused estimated losses between $15 billion and $20 billion across key sectors in Lebanon.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

In its second year, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war in the Gaza Strip continues to claim the lives of more Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.

At least 12 Palestinians were killed and scores more injured on Friday in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting homes across the Gaza Strip. In a brutal offensive since October of last year, Israel has killed nearly 44,300 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 104,700.

Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday that Gaza is experiencing the most intense bombing of civilians since World War II.

Israel’s escalating blockade, ground invasion 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.

More than 2,300 people have since been killed, according to Palestinian health authorities.

According to local sources, the head of the Kamal Adwan Hospital's intensive care unit, Ahmed Al-Kahlout, was killed following an Israeli airstrike. The hospital continues to struggle under the Israeli attacks and a ban of medical aid delivery.

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.

On Friday, Israeli settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, prevented Palestinians from cultivating their land in the Masafer Yatta area south of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank.

Nine Israelis were injured on Friday in a shooting near the illegal Israeli settlement of Ariel in the northern West Bank, according to Israeli media.

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.

2nd Day of TRT World Forum

The TRT World Forum, organized by Turkish national broadcaster TRT, continues on its second day in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The event unites global leaders, academics, journalists, politicians, and civil society members to address global challenges and contribute to advancing peace, security and prosperity across the world.

Deteriorating humanitarian, security situation in Sudan

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

At least eight people were killed and several others injured in renewed attacks by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on eight villages in the city of Meheiriba in central Al-Jazira State.

The Sudanese Ministry of Health also 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.

Taiwanese leader embarks on 1st overseas trip

Taiwanese leader William Ching-te Lai embarks on first foreign trip since he was inaugurated in May. Taipei expects China may launch military drills over Taiwan’s overseas diplomatic contacts. Taiwan has 12 diplomatic allies and Lai is set to visit Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau in southern Pacific.

Data on casualties due to terror incidents in Pakistan

Amid rising casualties in terror and counter-terror operations in Pakistan, data for November to be released. The last month recorded 62 deaths among the security personnel, marking the highest number of such casualties in any month this year.

Outcome of Russian defense minister’s trip to North Korea

North Korea is expected to release a statement on Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov’s trip to Pyongyang where he met his counterpart No Kwang Chol. The trip from the Russian defense chief came amid claims by the US, South Korea as well as NATO that North Korea has transported thousands of its soldiers to Russia.

Early parliamentary elections in Iceland

Voters to elect 63 members to the Althing for a four-year term. Last elections were held on Sept. 25, 2021, and saw the Independence Party win 16 seats, just ahead of the Progressive Party with 13. The pair joined with the Left-Green Movement (VG) to continue their governing coalition, with VG leader Katrin Jakobsdottir staying on as prime minister until April 2024, when she resigned to run unsuccessfully for president. Independence's Bjarni Benediktsson succeeded her, and called snap elections on Oct. 14 due to disputes within the government over foreign policy.

Search operations continue after deadly landslides in Uganda

Emergency workers are expected to continue digging through the rubble to search for over 100 people who have been missing after devastating landslides buried several villages Wednesday in Bulambuli district, eastern Uganda. The death toll has climbed to 19. The East African country is currently experiencing heavy rains.

Nigeria search for 200 people missing after boat accident

Nigerian emergency workers are expected to continue searching for nearly 200 passengers who went missing Friday after a passenger boat capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of River Niger in north-central Niger State.

East African community heads of state to meet

Heads of state from the East African Community regional bloc to meet in Tanzania to discuss regional collaboration and strategic development. The meeting coincides with the bloc’s 25th anniversary.