Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):

Gaza cease-fire talks

Israeli Channel 12 said Egypt has floated a new Gaza cease-fire proposal that includes a cessation of fighting for 45 to 60 days and opening the Rafah border crossing.

The proposal also includes a gradual release of live hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and an increase in the number of aid trucks into Gaza to some 350 per day. The proposal, however, has not been officially announced.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said there is an opportunity to reach an agreement on prisoner-hostage exchange with Hamas, leading to a cease-fire in Gaza.

Israeli violations to cease-fire deal with Lebanon

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

Lebanese civil defense teams came under Israeli fire on Thursday while searching the rubble for victims.

Emergency teams recovered the bodies of 16 people from under the rubble in the southern towns of Shama, Biyyadah, and Naqoura.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

In southern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on Rafah killed two Palestinians, a medical source told Anadolu.

Medics added that three more people were killed in an airstrike targeting a home in Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.

The total death toll due to the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip surged to 44,532, with over 105,700 others injured.

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

Israel's two-month siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip continues, exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, and leaving most of the population there on the verge of a famine.

Israeli fighter jets on Thursday hit a house next to Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahia, leaving seven people dead and five others injured, a medical source said.

Another 13 people lost their lives and eight people were injured in another strike targeting a home in the same town.

Four Palestinians were injured when Israeli drones shelled the courtyard of Kamal Adwan Hospital.

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.

Israel has killed at least 804 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Iranian foreign minister's visit to Baghdad

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Baghdad on a visit.

He will meet Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh to discuss the situation in the region, particularly in Syria.

Egyptian President Sisi’s European tour

The second day of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's European began on Thursday with a visit to the Danish capital Copenhagen.

The tour also includes Norway and Ireland, as part of efforts to enhance cooperation and coordination between Egypt and European countries.

Political developments in Paris after collapse of Barnier government

Political developments expected as French President Emmanuel Macron said he would appoint a new prime minister "in the coming days" after the parliament voted to oust Michel Barnier and his government through no-confidence. He accepted Barnier’s resignation.

British-Irish Council Summit to convene in Edinburgh

Representatives from the UK and Irish governments to convene. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris will attend, alongside Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan.

German chancellor to testify before parliamentary committee

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to appear before a parliamentary committee for the third time to respond to lawmakers' questions about a tax fraud scandal during his tenure as mayor of Hamburg in 2016. Opposition politicians assert that Scholz and his aides exerted political influence to help Warburg Bank avoid repaying at least €47 million ($50 million) in illegal tax refunds. Scholz has repeatedly said the allegations are baseless and merely speculations without supporting evidence.

Kosovo prime minister to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who will meet representatives of the Albanian minority, will give a speech as a guest of honor at a session organized by the Krug 99 NGO, which brings together leading intellectuals of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the historical National Library Building in Sarajevo.

⁠

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 reporters to evaluate most pressing issues around the world.

Impeachment vote looms large over South Korean President Yoon

Aborted martial law attempt by President Yoon Suk Yeol has exacerbated political crisis in South Korea. Yoon is facing impeachment and a case of treason for imposing martial law which failed to get backing of the parliament. Many of his aides have resigned while opposition has asked him to step down immediately. South Korea has witnessed nation-wide demonstrations against Yoon’s shocking move.

Taiwanese leader Lai to return home after 1st overseas trip

Taiwanese leader William Ching-te Lai to return from his first overseas trip since he was inaugurated in May. Lai visited the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau in the southern Pacific and also transited through US territories of Hawaii and Gaum, which angered China. Taipei has warned Beijing may launch large-scale military drills around Taiwan as show of anger against Lai’s trip.

Indian farmers begin march towards national capital

Farmer groups from northern Indian Punjab state march towards national capital New Delhi, demanding guaranteed minimum support prices and debt relief. The latest march comes after three agriculture laws were withdrawn by the government. Earlier, farmers have fought pitched battles with federal government led by Bharatiya Janata Party to get their demands fulfilled.

Ex-premier warns of civil disobedience in Pakistan

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned of civil disobedience against the government if political prisoners are not released. Khan, who is in jail for more than a year, also demanded probe into the Nov. 26 security operation against his party supporters in Islamabad. The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, who faces more than 130 cases, said the new phase of opposition movement will begin Dec. 14 if his demands are not met. Government is yet to react to Khan’s new threats.

Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing in Beijing where the spokesperson is expected to react to regional and international developments including situation on the Korean Peninsula, tensions with the Philippines as well as wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Relations with the US in the wake of incoming Trump administration remains a particular focus.

Joe Biden to attend Pearl Harbor attack event

US President Joe Biden to deliver remarks at an event to honor American veterans and their families on the eve of the 83rd Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

UN Security Council on Iraq

UN Security Council to meet for a briefing followed by consultations on the UN mission in Iraq, UNAMI.

Trudeau to mark Polytechnique killing anniversary

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to attend a vigil to honor the victims of the 1989 massacre at the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, when a man killed 14 women at a school.

⁠Russian, Belarusian presidents to hold Union State meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to hold a meeting of Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus in Minsk. The meeting is expected to discuss prospects for further integration between the two neighboring countries. Particular attention will be paid to strengthening the common defense space of Russia and Belarus. The two presidents will also hold a separate meeting, according to the Kremlin.

⁠Tensions rise in Georgia as gov't suspends Tbilisi's EU accession talks

Political tensions in Georgia between the government and the opposition rose as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Nov. 28 the suspension of his country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move has caused major pro-EU protests across the country, including the capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism.

Chad to form commission on relations with France

Chad is establishing a commission to implement the termination of its military cooperation agreement with France. President Mahamat Idriss Deby has described the partnership as "outdated" and "having no added value."

The commission will be tasked with preparing a work plan for the "termination of the obligations" under the agreement, determining and managing the "legal, security, and logistical" aspects of the termination, and finally coordinating the "orderly withdrawal" of the 1,000 French troops stationed in N'Djamena, Abeche, and Faya-Largeau.

THE ECONOMY

Bitcoin price reaches $100,000 mark

Bitcoin, which started to rise after the US election because of Donald Trump's pre-election promises, crossed the $100,000 threshold as expected in a short period.

Digital currencies will continue to be followed intensively on the last trading day of the week.

House prices in UK

Halifax will share house price index for UK for November. Prices were up by 3.9% in October on a yearly basis.

Germany’s foreign trade

Germany’s Destatis will release international trade figures for October. In September, foreign trade balance was at €17 billion but a slight increase is expected for October.

Eurozone GDP

Eurostat to reveal GDP figures for the third quarter of 2024. In second quarter eurozone economy grew by 1% on a yearly basis, another 1%-growth is expected for the third quarter.

US unemployment

US to release unemployment figures for November. The rate was 4.1% in October but a slight increase is expected for November.

SPORTS

Round 14 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (Basketball)

Olympiacos vs. Paris basketball

SPECIAL REPORTS

Junta chief faces ICC arrest warrant: What does it mean for Myanmar?

Report on the ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants against Myanmar’s army chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against humanity during persecution of the Rohingya community.

The story focuses on the geopolitical fallout for the Myanmar junta and its leader, specifically how other countries and organizations could be forced to evaluate their stance and ties with him and the army.

The report includes an interview with Myanmar-based independent analyst David Scott Mathieson and comments from International Crisis Group senior analyst Richard Horsey.

‘Pity the poor Americans’: English author uses poetry to call out West for Gaza genocide

Interview with British author and activist Michael Rosen about Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Western complicity in the atrocities against Palestinians.

Rosen offers a scathing critique of Western media and US foreign policy, which he argues have played a significant role in allowing Israel to continue its genocide for a second year.

He also speaks about the wider risks posed by the unchecked Israeli aggression and the West’s aims to establish “some kind of new order … in the Middle East.”

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Michael Rosen, a British author and activist, about Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the complicity of Western states, and mainstream Western media’s role in downplaying Israeli atrocities against Palestinians.