ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, May 2, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
PALESTINE
Gaza City - Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza Strip, as Israel continues its relentless onslaught for 209th day despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.
Since last October, Israeli offensive has killed nearly 34,600 people and injured nearly 77,800 others amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.
Israeli airstrikes continue in several areas of Gaza Strip, including southernmost city of Rafah, which Israel insists on invading under pretext of confronting last strongholds of Palestinian group Hamas, despite rising international warnings of catastrophic consequences, amidst presence of about 1.4 million displaced people.
Ramallah - Ongoing Israeli raids in occupied West Bank since Oct. 7 which have led to killing of 492 Palestinians, injuring around 4,900, and arrest more than 8,535, according to Palestinian sources.
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv - Protests in Israel to pressure country's government to resign, reach hostage swap deal with Palestinians.
Indirect talks between Israel, Hamas aim to reach hostage swap deal, cease-fire in Gaza.
LEBANON
Beirut - Continuing cross-border attacks between Hezbollah, Israel flared up last October, in deadliest clashes between two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.
YEMEN
Sanaa - Growing tension in Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel, US retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen, causing fears of significant disruption to maritime traffic in one of world's busiest global routes for oil, fuel transport.
UK
London - Local elections take place in England, Wales. Voters in London also go to polls to elect mayor of London, members of London Assembly. Candidates are incumbent Sadiq Khan of Labour Party, Rob Blackie of Liberal Democrats, Susan Hall of Conservative Party.
SWITZERLAND
Geneva - International Olympic Committee to announce composition of IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 in virtual media roundtable.
UZBEKISTAN
Tashkent - Third Tashkent International Investment Forum to kick off, run until Friday.
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Honaira - Newly-elected lawmakers elect former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as country's new premier.
SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg - Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor to pay official visit to Denmark to participate in Nordic-African Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Copenhagen.
Malawi
Lilongwe-President Lazarus Chakwera to host, address journalists as part of World Press Freedom Day.
BUSINESS ECONOMY
Ankara - Turkish Trade Ministry expected to share provisional international trade figures for April.
Washington - US to release foreign trade figures for March, weekly jobless claims data.
Paris - OECD to release Economic Outlook, containing analysis, projections for world economy.
SPORTS
Marseille - French club Olympique Marseille to host Italian side Atalanta in UEFA Europa League semifinal first-leg.
Rome - Italian Serie A club AS Roma to take on German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in UEFA Europa League semifinal first-leg.
Birmingham - English Premier League club Aston Villa to play with Greek team Olympiacos in UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal first-leg.
Florence - Italian team Fiorentina to meet with Belgian side Club Brugge in UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal first-leg.
SPECIAL REPORTS
UNRWA chief says looking at Arab world, traditional donors to fill US funding gap
By Beyza Binnur Donmez
Geneva – Interview with Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), about the situation in Gaza and the organization’s operations.
Lazzarini speaks about the efforts being made to overcome the funding gap since the US and other Israeli allies pulled out donations, identifying Arab nations as a key alternate source.
He explains how investigations debunking Israel’s unfounded claims against UNRWA have helped bring back critical funds, while also outlining other priority areas for the agency.
‘Disgusting but no surprise’: Pro-Palestine student protesters in Washington defiant after Columbia crackdown
By Servet Gunerigok
Washington – Report about the sentiments among pro-Palestine student protesters at George Washington University after the violent crackdown on demonstrators at Columbia University in New York.
Several students interviewed for the story say they are outraged by the actions against peaceful protesters, but do not find it surprising, terming it an indicator of the level of US support and complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza.
The students also vow to continue their protests in the US capital, stressing that they will stand strong for Palestinians for as long as needed.
Israel still killing Gaza journalists to hide its war crimes: Jewish Voice for Labour co-founder
By Burak Bir
London – Interview with Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, co-founder of Jewish Voice for Labour, who strongly condemns Israel’s ongoing “war crimes” in the Gaza Strip, including its persisting attacks on journalists.
Wimborne-Idrissi says the “heinous crime” of targeting journalists is part of an Israeli strategy to somehow silence them and hide its atrocities against Palestinians.
She also speaks about the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, lauding the provisional measures ordered by the court but questioning the world’s failure to hold Israel accountable as it continues to violate the orders.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini about the situation in Gaza and the organization’s operations, particularly issues related to funding after the cut in donations from the US and other allies of Israel.
VIDEO – Interviews with several pro-Palestine student protesters at George Washington University about the violent crackdown on demonstrators at Columbia University, which they strongly condemn and vow to continue their own protests for as long as needed.
VIDEO – Interview with Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, co-founder of Jewish Voice for Labour, about Israel’s ongoing “war crimes” in the Gaza Strip, including its ongoing attacks on journalists.