Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli violations to cease-fire deal with Lebanon

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

On Monday, two people were killed and six others injured, including an army soldier, in several Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army opened fire toward the town of Naqoura and launched two artillery shells at the village of Beit Lif in addition to firing heavy machine gun rounds toward Yaroun in southern Lebanon.

Marking its first response to Israeli violations of the cease-fire, Hezbollah said that it targeted the Israeli military post at Roueissat Al-Alam in the occupied Kfar Shouba Hills.

According to an Anadolu count, the Israeli army committed more than 70 violations since the Nov. 27 cease-fire.

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.

On Monday, at least three Palestinians were killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes on a gathering of civilians and a residential home in Gaza City and the Nusiertat refugee camp.

The total death toll due to the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip surged to nearly 44,500, with over 105,350 others injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said Monday.

Israel’s escalating blockade, ground invasion in northern Gaza Strip

Israel's two month’s 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.

On Monday, at least 25 people were killed when Israeli warplanes hit and leveled an inhabited home in Beit Lahia.

Since last October, Israel has launched a large-scale ground operation in northern Gaza to allegedly prevent the Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping.

More than 2,700 people have since been killed in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.

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 Monday, Israeli forces raided a school in the village of Dura al-Qar’, northeast of Ramallah, seizing surveillance camera footage and conducting field interrogations with students.

Israel has killed more than 801 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Red Sea tensions

Red Sea tensions and the possible exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition from one side and the Yemen’s Houthi group from the other.

On Monday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that it repelled an armed attack by the Houthi group targeting two US Navy destroyers in the Gulf of Aden off southern Yemen on Nov. 30 and Dec.1.

This followed a Sunday statement by the Yemeni group in which it said that it targeted a US destroyer and three supply ships belonging to the US military in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.

UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Saudi Arabia

Speeches of the Arab representatives in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The event kicked off on Monday, and during the opening session, Saudi Arabia was formally elected as president of the conference for a two-year term.

The conference, which will run through Dec. 13 under the theme “Our Land... Our Future,” brings together representatives from 196 countries, the European Union, experts, and civil society to support global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought while promoting sustainable development.

Security situation in Sudan

The latest developments on the intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which escalated over the past few days.

On Monday, the Sudanese army claimed that it killed some 30 RSF gunmen in the capital Khartoum, and Al-Fasher city in the North Darfur state, western Sudan.

The RSF's intensified shelling on the city left at least five people killed and others injured as a shell hit a livestock market in the city, according to a local committee in Al-Fasher.

The Sudanese army also said that it recaptured Um Al-Qura town in central Sudan amid military advances against the RSF.

Latest in Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces

Developments regarding fighting in Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces which have come under the control of armed groups opposing the regime in Syria along with the 'Dawn of Freedom' operation by the Syrian National Army, which has liberated the Tel Rifaat district center from PKK/YPG forces.

US reactions on Syrian groups' territorial gains

Monitoring statements from the US administration regarding developments in Syria as anti-regime groups continued to take ground from Syrian regime forces.

UN General Assembly meeting on situation in Middle East

UN General Assembly members to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

UN Security Council meeting on Syria

UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on Syria after an offensive by Syrian opposition groups who captured swathes of the country's north from government forces.

Trudeau - Cabinet meeting

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to chair the Cabinet meeting. Later, he will attend Question Period in the House of Commons.

NATO foreign ministers’ 2-day meeting in Brussels

NATO foreign ministers will convene a two-day meeting in Brussels. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will chair the meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will take part in the meeting. Jordan's King Abdullah II and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha are also among the participants.

Emir of Qatar - UK state visit

King Charles and Queen Camilla host Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for a two-day State Visit. Agenda on Dec. 3 includes a greeting from the prince and princess of Wales, a ceremonial welcome at Horseguards Parade where King Charles and Queen Camilla formally welcome the emir and his wife Shiekha Jawaher before the emir and king inspect a guard of honor, and a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in the evening.

Greek premier meets with British counterpart Keir Starmer in London

Discussions are likely to include the topic of the Elgin Marbles (Parthenon Sculptures), which were transported to the UK in 1800s by Lord Elgin. Greece has been asking the return of historical artefacts to Athens.

Israeli war on Palestine - select committee session in London

Foreign Affairs Committee session on the Israeli onslaught on Gaza. Witness is former EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process and former Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt.

Media briefing from UN humanitarian office in Geneva

Tom Fletcher, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, will have a press briefing on the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025, the UN and partners’ annual humanitarian appeal.

UN briefing in Geneva

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

Biden continues his historic 3-day visit to Africa

US President Joe Biden to continue with his 3-day visit to Africa. He landed in Cabo Verde on Monday where he met Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and will fly to Angola to meet President Joao Manuel Lourenco. Biden’s visit is expected to highlight US investments in Africa at a time when China is increasingly becoming influential on the continent.

Nigerian president in South Africa for bilateral talks

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to hold bilateral talks with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town. Tinubu will later co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside Ramaphosa.

South Africa to launch G20 presidency in Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa to launch the country's G20 Presidency in Cape Town. South Africa on Sunday officially assumed the presidency of G20, becoming the first African country to lead the group. Ramaphosa is expected to address reporters and outline the focus of his country’s one-year presidency.

Nepali prime minister meets with Chinese President Xi

The visiting Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The two sides to discuss bilateral issues including cross-border rail line.

South Korea to launch crackdown against Chinese fishing boats

South Korean authorities plan to launch a crackdown against Chinese boats fishing “illegally” in the West Sea. South Korea's oceans ministry said Seoul will work to round up boats fishing or operating illegally in South Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone from Tuesday to Thursday.

Chile's top diplomat visits China

Chile’s Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren will arrive on a three-day official visit to China on Tuesday. During his stay in Beijing, van Klaveren will hold bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and is expected to meet other Chinese leaders.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye’s inflation

Turkish Statistical Institute to release annual inflation figures for November. It was at 48.6% in October and 49.4% in September. Market expects a slight decline for November.

SPORTS

Round 13 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Panathinaikos vs. Barcelona

Baskonia vs. Fenerbahce Beko

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Bones floating in the ocean’: Sinking Tuvalu faces grim future amid climate action failures

Report on the future of the tiny Pacific island of Tuvalu, which is facing imminent danger of sinking due to rising sea levels.

The story presents an overview of the current situation, charting how Tuvalu has become a face for all the dangers of climate change, facing the prospect of disappearing forever while also battling other effects of extreme weather.

The report is based on an interview with Kato Ewekia, a Tuvaluan climate activist and one of the nation’s delegates at COP29, who shares a firsthand narrative of the challenges being faced by the small island nation.

He also discusses the urgent steps required, strategies being used by the government and climate action groups, and the failures of the international community in helping vulnerable nations.

UK denying Gaza genocide ‘shows contempt for Palestinian lives’: British Jewish activist

Interview with David Rosenberg, a Jewish activist who has been a prominent figure in pro-Palestine advocacy in the UK.

Rosenberg, who quit the Labour Party in 2022, criticizes the stance taken by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his administration in support of Israel, stressing that all governments backing Israel are complicit in the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding Starmer’s refusal to use the term genocide for Gaza, Rosenberg, a member of the Jewish Socialists’ Group, says it “shows contempt for Palestinian lives” and also the Israeli rights groups who have been documenting the “ethnic cleansing, massacres and genocidal acts.”

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Kato Ewekia, a climate activist from Tuvalu, about the climate change-related dangers facing the island, which could soon become the first nation to disappear under rising sea levels.

VIDEO – Interview with David Rosenberg, a Jewish activist in the UK, who criticizes the Starmer government’s stance in support of Israel, and calls out the prime minister and his officials for refusing to recognize Israel’s war on Gaza as an ongoing genocide.